The Texas Library Association (TLA) has announced its 2026-2027 Tejas Star Reading List, a collection of 20 Spanish and bilingual titles aimed at fostering language skills and cultural appreciation among children aged 5 to 12. The list, revealed this week, includes picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and biographies of historical figures.
According to the TLA, the Tejas Star Reading List is designed to encourage recreational reading and highlight the cognitive and economic benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism. The organization emphasized that the list is not intended to support a specific school curriculum.
The announcement included a quote from César Chávez, stating, “un lenguaje es un reflejo exacto del carácter y el crecimiento de sus hablantes (A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers).” The TLA committee expressed hope that the selected books will help young readers appreciate the Spanish language and see themselves represented in the stories.
The 2026-2027 list features titles such as Alberto Salas juega la paka paka con la papa by Sara Andrea Fajardo, Bienvenida a casa, Esmerelda by Daniela Ramirez, and La colcha de nuestros recuerdos by Desiree Acevedo. Other notable inclusions are Día de los Muertos ABC by Gabriela Orozco Belt, El deseo de mi corazón by Yamile Saied Méndez, and Wanda oye las estrellas by Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Diaz Merced.
Several titles published in 2024 also appear on the list, including Martina futbolista by Susanna Isern and Tons of palabras FIESTAS by Duopress Universal. The complete list also includes Elena va a acampar by Juana Medina, Esta es una escuela by John Schu, La flor generosa by Alda P. Dobbs, Hermana pegajosa by Ana Siqueira, Héroes de la Esperanza by Margarita Engle, El jarrón de las grietas doradas by Fran Nuno, El oso polar y la bailarina by Eric Velasquez, Los pantalones de Luisa by Susana Isern, Popo el xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez, ¡Sal de ahi topo! by Alicia Acosta, La vida de Valenzuela by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, and Los viernes comemos churros by Jenny Alvarado.
The TLA previously announced the 2023 Little Maverick Graphic Reading List, according to a news release from earlier this year. The 2022-2023 Tejas Star Reading List was also previously announced by the organization.
