SPOT Reading Program

by Rebecca Novotny, lead librarian in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, TxASLTalks Editorial Board


   

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Hello Texas librarians! Do you know what SPOT is? Have you ever heard of it? Are you in need of great programing for your library? Then you really need to know SPOT.  

SPOT is the Spirit of Texas Reading Program for Middle School and High School. The Spirit of Texas reading program aims to encourage students in grades 6-12 to develop an appreciation of books about Texas or written by Texas authors. The lists consist of 6-8 books that are recommended by the general public and librarians around the state. The final list of authors that meets the program criteria is voted on by a committee of school and public librarians.  For each author on the list, the librarians on the committee create several programs that can be used in school libraries, public libraries, and classrooms. There are academic programs that include TEKS, active and passive programs for both types of libraries, as well as read-a-like lists, book trailers, quote lists, and reading quizzes. For each activity, all the instructions as well as any handouts that might be needed are included. 

The 2019 SPOT authors are amazing. The middle school list includes: Lauren Baratz-Logsted (I Love You, Michael Collins); Karen Blumenthal (Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend); Angela Cervantes (Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring); Suzanne Crowley (Finding Esme); Varian Johnson (The Parker Inheritance); and Mike Lupica (Lone Stars).

The high school list includes: Emma Berquist (Devil Unto Dust); Laura Creedle (The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily); A.V. Geiger (Follow me Back); C.C. Hunter (This Heart of Mine); Heather Kaczynski (Dare Mighty Things); and Caroline Leech (Wait for Me and In Another Time).

For me, the SPOT lists have been a great way to refresh my collection, get display ideas, and find passive programing as I am working with my students and teachers. These are also great lists and activities to share with teachers because “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.” (https://txla.org/tools-resources/reading-lists/spirit-of-texas-middle-school/spot-middle-school/)

I hope that you will take a look at this year’s amazing list as well as the past lists that are available on the TLA website. They will help you find some ideas to help you introduce Texas authors as well as great books to your patrons.

“SPOT-Middle School.” Texas Library Association, txla.org/tools-resources/reading-lists/spirit-of-texas-middle-school/spot-middle-school/.

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