The Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading Program aims to foster a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Texan and to cultivate an appreciation for the literary works of and about Texas and Texans. SPOT is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Texas Library Association’s Young Adult Round Table (YART).

The purpose of the list is to encourage youth in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current, high-quality books by Texas authors and illustrators and develop critical reading skills, and to foster greater interaction among Texas authors and illustrators, Texas librarians, and Texas youth.

Here are the titles from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.

For more information, check out the Texas Library Association’s website.

Middle Grades

AMBASSADOR OF NOWHERE, TEXAS by Willis Holt (DBC 20092)

FELICE AND THE WAILING WOMAN by Diana López (DBC 28997)

Young Adult

ART THIEVES by Andrea L. Rogers (DB 125454)

EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART by Erin Hahn (DB 119712)

WHEN WE RIDE by Rex Ogle (DB 129269)