2023 Texas Great Read

The Texas Center for the Book at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission has chosen Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Daniel Miyares, as the 2023 Texas Great Read Youth Selection and West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge as the 2023 Texas Great Read Adult Selection. Every year, the Library of Congress asks each state Center for the Book to select titles that represent the state’s literary landscape to highlight at the National Book Festival. The event showcases the importance of books and reading. The 23rd Library of Congress National Book Festival took place on August 12 in Washington, DC, with varied offerings online. Check out the Library of Congress website for details.

2023 Texas Great Read Youth Selection

Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Daniel Miyares

About the Author:

Anne Wynter is the Ezra Jack Keats Honor-winning author of Everybody in the Red Brick Building, illustrated by Oge Mora; board books One Big Day and Hands On!, both illustrated by Alea Marley; and Nell Plants a Tree, illustrated by Daniel Miyares. 

Anne earned a degree in theatre from Washington University in St. Louis and penned a number of short plays that have been produced around the country. Originally from Houston, Texas, she currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. For more information about Anne, please visit www.annewynter.com.

About the Illustrator:

Daniel Miyares is a critically acclaimed picture book author and illustrator. His books include Float, Night Out, That Is My Dream!, Bring Me A Rock!, and Big and Small and In-between. Daniel’s own story currently takes place in Lenexa, Kansas, with his wife, their two wonderful children, and a dog named Violet. For more information about Daniel, please visit www.danielmiyares.com.

Book Resources:

Click here for Texas Center for the Book Resource List for Nell Plants a Tree! This document for Texans, schools, and public libraries includes links to books, websites, TSLAC archival collections, and more to help you dig in deeper to these Texas stories!

2023 Texas Great Read Adult Selection

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

About the Author:

Lynda Rutledge, a fifth generation Texan, has been a freelance journalist for 25 years, writing feature and travel articles for major newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune and books for well-known organizations such as the San Diego Zoo. But her first love has always been fiction. She holds an MFA in creative writing, a BA and MA in American literature, and has won numerous awards and residencies for her writing. Her first novel Faith Bass Darling’s Last Garage Sale won the 2013 Novel of the Year from the Writers’ League of Texas and was made into a French film starring Catherine Deneuve. While writing the history of the San Diego Zoo, she uncovered the remarkable untold story that inspired West with Giraffes in a pile of yellowed 1938 news clippings published as they traveled across the USA. She and her husband and resident dog live outside Austin. For more information about Lynda, please visit www.lyndarutledge.com.

Book Resources:

Click here for Texas Center for the Book Resource List for West with Giraffes! This document for Texans, schools, and public libraries includes links to books, websites, TSLAC archival collections, and more to help you dig deeper to these Texas stories!