Click the Reading List icon or photo to see the current list of reading selections or award winners.
Tayshas Reading List
The Tayshas Reading list is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART) of the Texas Library Association (TLA). The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 9-12 to explore a variety of current books. The Tayshas list is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum. Each book on the list has been favorably reviewed for grades 9-12 in a professional review source. The Tayshas Reading list is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART) of the Texas Library Association (TLA). The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 9-12 to explore a variety of current books. The Tayshas list is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum. Each book on the list has been favorably reviewed for grades 9-12 in a professional review source.The Tayshas Reading list is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians fromthe Young Adult Round Table (YART) of the Texas Library Association (TLA). The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 9-12 to explore a variety of current books. The Tayshas list is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum. Each book on the list has been favorably reviewed for grades 9-12 in a professional review source.
The Tayshas Reading list is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART) of the Texas Library Association (TLA). The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 9-12 to explore a variety of current books. The Tayshas list is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum. Each book on the list has been favorably reviewed for grades 9-12 in a professional review source.
Printz Award
The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association. The award is sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association. Learn more about Michael Printz via this video from cjonline.com.
Texas Maverick Award
The Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List (TMGNRL) is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART). The list’s purpose is to encourage students in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current books. The TMGNRL list is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum.
Pura Belprè Award
2025 Winner
Shut Up, This is Serious by Carolina Ixta
This award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
William C. Morris Award
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first given in 2009, honors a book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature. The winner is announced annually at the ALA Youth Media Awards, with a shortlist of up to five titles named the first week of December. The award's namesake is William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults. Bill Morris left an impressive mark on the field of children’s and young adult literature. He was beloved in the publishing field and the library profession for his generosity and marvelous enthusiasm for promoting literature for children and teens.
Spirit of Texas Award
The Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading Program hopes to encourage a greater understanding of what it means to be a Texan and to develop 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 Young Adult Round Table (YART). The purpose of the list is to encourage youths in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current, quality books from Texas authors and illustrators, develop critical reading skills, and to encourage greater interaction between Texas authors and illustrators, Texas librarians, and Texas youth.
Beginning with the 2020 list, SPOT- Middle and SPOT- High School will be combined into one list.
Margaret A. Edwards Award
The Margaret A. Edwards Award, established in 1988, honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. The annual award is administered by YALSA and sponsored by School Library Journal magazine. It recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world. The Edwards award celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.
Coretta Scott King Award
Designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience. Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social, and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators.
Texas Topaz Reading List
The purpose of the Texas Topaz Reading List is to provide children, teens, and adults with recommended nonfiction titles that stimulate reading for pleasure and personal learning. It is intended for recreational reading and is not designed to support any particular curriculum.
Alex Award
The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The winning titles are selected from the previous year's publishing. The Alex Awards were first given annually beginning in 1998 and became an official ALA award in 2002.
The award is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust. Edwards pioneered young adult library services and worked for many years at the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. Her work is described in her book Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts, and over the years she has served as an inspiration to many librarians who serve young adults. The Alex Awards are named after Edwards, who was called “Alex” by her friends.
Excellence in Nonfiction Award
YALSA's Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 publishing year. The winner is announced annually at the ALA Youth Media Awards, with a shortlist of up to five titles named the first week of December.