2023 Texas Topaz Nonfiction 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. Visit txla.org/topaz for lists from previous years.

Updated May 4, 2023
Lewisville Public Library
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Star child : a biographical constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
From the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse and prose of science fiction visionary Octavia Butler, author of Parable of the Sower and Kindred. Acclaimed novelist Ibi Zoboi illuminates the young life...
Black birds in the sky : the story and legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
Colbert, Brandy
A searing new work of nonfiction from award-winning author Brandy Colbert about the history and legacy of one of the most deadly and destructive acts of racial violence in American history: the Tulsa Race Massacre. Winner, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. In the early morning of June 1, 1921,...
The quiet zone : unraveling the mystery of a town suspended in silence
Kurczy, Stephen
In this riveting account of an area of Appalachia known as the Quiet Zone where cell phones and WiFi are banned, journalist Stephen Kurczy explores the pervasive role of technology in our lives and the innate human need for quiet. "Captures the complex beauty of a...
Crying in the bathroom : a memoir
Sánchez, Erika L.
"Equal parts pee-your-pants hilarity and break your heart poignancy- like the perfect brunch date you never want to end!"--America Ferrera, Emmy award-winning actress in Ugly Betty From the New York Times bestselling author of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter<...
Nina : a story of Nina Simone
Todd, Traci N.
A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Honoree!   This luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy. ...
A dinosaur named Ruth : how Ruth Mason discovered fossils in her own backyard
Lyon, Julia
For fans of Shark Lady and from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Dr. Fauci comes the incredible true story of a girl who discovered dinosaur bones in her own backyard and, after years of persistence, helped uncover one of the most exciting paleontological...
The Trayvon generation
Alexander, Elizabeth 1962-
From a Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times bestselling author and poet comes a galvanizing meditation on the power of art and culture to illuminate America's unresolved problem with race. *Named a Most Anticipated Title of 2022 by TIME <...
We are the Supremes
Tucker, Zoë
This inspiring picture book tells the story of the friendship between Flo, Mary, and Diana, and how by supporting each other they overcame hardship to become international superstars.   *2023 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List* It's...
How the word is passed : a reckoning with the history of slavery across America
Smith, Clint
This "important and timely" (Drew Faust, Harvard Magazine) #1 New York Times bestseller examines the legacy of slavery in America--and how both history and memory continue to shape our everyday lives. Beginning in his hometown of New Orleans, Clint...
Celia planted a garden : the story of Celia Thaxter and her island garden
Root, Phyllis
From an all-star team comes a lyrical picture-book biography about a writer and master gardener who created beauty in a harsh island habitat that was visited by literary and artistic luminaries of her time. Celia Thaxter grew up on a desolate island off the coast of Maine, where...
Downton Shabby : one American's ultimate DIY adventure restoring his family's English castle
DePree, Hopwood 1970-
HGTV meets Downton Abbey! A ready-for-TV story--with charm and humor in abundance--about a Los Angeles producer who moves to England to save his ancestral castle from ruin. "A true delight...In this marvelous debut, film producer DePree leaves the Hollywood hills to...
The 1619 Project : a new origin story
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER * A dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story offers a profoundly revealing vision of the American past and present. "[A] groundbreaking compendium . . ....
The only woman in the photo : Frances Perkins & her New Deal for America
Krull, Kathleen
Discover the incredible life of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet and the mastermind behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, in this fascinating picture book biography that's perfect for fans of I Dissent. Most people know about President...
I am Ruby Bridges
Bridges, Ruby
Ruby Bridges tells her story as never before and shares the events of the momentous day in 1960 when Ruby became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Franz Elementary as a six year old little girl -- a personal and intimate look through a child's lens at a landmark moment...
I'm glad my mom died
McCurdy, Jennette 1992-
A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor--including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother--and how she retook control of her life. ...
The woman who split the atom : Lise Meitner
Moss, Marissa
Bestselling author-illustrator Marissa Moss tells the gripping story of Lise Meitner, the physicist who discovered nuclear fission As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early 20th century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field, like...
Corrections in ink : a memoir
Blakinger, Keri
"Brave, brutal . . . a riveting story about suffering, recovery, and redemption. Inspiring and relevant." --The New York Times An electric and unforgettable memoir about a young woman's journey--from the ice rink, to addiction and a prison sentence, to...
Pizza! : A Slice of History
Pizzoli, Greg
From Geisel Award-winning author Greg Pizzoli comes a hilarious and mouth-watering history of pizza. Do YOU like PIZZA? Because right now, somewhere in the world, someone is eating it. Did you know that in the United States we eat 350 slices of pizza every second? Or that in...
Paper bullets : two artists who risked their lives to defy the Nazis
Jackson, Jeffrey H. 1971-
"A Nazi resistance story like none you've ever heard or read." --Hampton Sides, author of Ghost Soldiers and On Desperate Ground "Every page is gripping, and the amount of new research is nothing short of mind-boggling. A brilliant book for the ages...
The puzzler : one man's quest to solve the most baffling puzzles ever, from crosswords to jigsaws to the meaning of life
Jacobs, A. J. 1968-
The New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically goes on a rollicking journey to understand the enduring power of puzzles- why we love them, what they do to our brains, and how they can improve our world. "Even though I've never attempted the...
Seek you : a journey through American loneliness
Radtke, Kristen
From the acclaimed author of Imagine Wanting Only This--a timely and moving meditation on isolation and longing, both as individuals and as a society. There is a silent epidemic in America: loneliness. Shameful to talk about and often misunderstood, loneliness is...
The strangest thing in the sea : and other curious creatures of the deep
Poliquin, Rachel 1975-
A feathery tutu dancing through the water? A tiptoeing rock wearing a wig? A mountain of skulls on the ocean floor? Not everything is quite as it seems in this fascinating exploration of 12 bizarre and little-known sea animals. The question-and-answer approach and gatefolds in this innovative and...
Because of you, John Lewis : the true story of a remarkable friendship
Pinkney, Andrea Davis
An inspiring story of a friendship between Congressman John Lewis and ten-year-old activist Tybre Faw by New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney! When young Tybre Faw discovers John Lewis and his heroic march across the Edmund...
Blips on a screen : how Ralph Baer invented TV video gaming and launched a worldwide obsession
Hannigan, Kate
An engaging picture book biography based on the incredible true story of a Jewish refugee who pioneered home video games and launched a worldwide obsession. Do you ever wonder how video gaming was invented? What came before your PlayStation or Xbox? This is the story of Ralph Baer...
Blue : a history of the color as deep as the sea and as wide as the sky
Brew-Hammond, Nana Ekua
Discover a world of creativity and tradition in this fascinating picture book that explores the history and cultural significance of the color blue. From a critically acclaimed author and an award-winning illustrator comes a vivid, gorgeous book for readers of all ages. NAMED...
Dazzlin' Dolly: the songwriting, hit-singing, guitar-picking Dolly Parton
Slade, Suzanne
This inspirational and dazzlin' story of Dolly Parton-noted singer, songwriter, and humanitarian-follows her rise to fame, from her beginnings in East Tennessee to performing to thousands at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Dolly is a little girl with a BIG voice. Music fills...
Cultish : the language of fanaticism
Montell, Amanda
The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power. What makes "cults" so intriguing and...
Where butterflies fill the sky : a story of immigration, family, and finding home
Marwan, Zahra 1989-
A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book One of NPR's Best Books of 2022 Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2022 A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022 The Society of...
The deadliest diseases then and now
Hopkinson, Deborah
Perfect for young readers of I Survived and the Who Was series! Packed with graphics, photos, and facts for curious minds, this is a gripping look at pandemics through the ages. The deadly outbreak of plague known as the Great Mortality, which struck Europe in the mid 1300s and raged for...
Washed ashore : making art from ocean plastic
Crull, Kelly
Every day, we use plastic products. And where do these items go when we are done with them?When artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi found plastic trash polluting the beach near her home, she took action. She formed an organization called Washed Ashore and started gathering trash from beaches and using it...
Yes we will : Asian Americans who shaped this country
Yang, Kelly
From #1 NYT bestselling author Kelly Yang comes a gorgeously illustrated picture book about Asian American changemakers doing everything they dreamed of and inspiring all of us to reach for new heights! From creating beautiful music like Yo-Yo Ma to flying to outer space...
Your place in the universe
Chin, Jason 1978-
Explore the known Universe and consider its mind-boggling scale in this crisply illustrated, well-researched picture book from Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin. Winner of the Cook Prize! Most eight-year-olds are about five times as tall as this book . . ....
Fallout : spies, superbombs, and the ultimate Cold War showdown
Sheinkin, Steve
New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents a follow up to his award-winning book Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, taking readers on a terrifying journey into the Cold War and our mutual...
Button pusher
Page, Tyler 1976-
A memoir-driven realistic graphic novel about Tyler, a child who is diagnosed with ADHD and has to discover for himself how to best manage it. Tyler's brain is different. Unlike his friends, he has a hard time paying attention in class. He acts out in goofy, over-the-top ways....
Deaf utopia : a memoir--and a love letter to a way of life
DiMarco, Nyle 1989-
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A heartfelt and inspiring memoir and celebration of Deaf culture by Nyle DiMarco, actor, producer, two-time reality show winner, and cultural icon of the international Deaf community Before becoming the actor, producer, advocate, and model...
The genius under the table : growing up behind the Iron Curtain
Yelchin, Eugene
An Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Honor Winner With a masterful mix of comic timing and disarming poignancy, Newbery Honoree Eugene Yelchin offers a memoir of growing up in Cold War Russia. Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in...
Broken horses : a memoir
Carlile, Brandi
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, and six-time Grammy winner opens up about faith, sexuality, parenthood, and a life shaped by music in "one of the great memoirs of our time" (Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed). NAMED...
Yummy : a history of desserts
Elliott, Victoria Grace
Cake is delicious, and comics are awesome- this exciting nonfiction graphic novel for kids combines both! Explore the history of desserts through a fun adventure with facts, legends, and recipes for readers to try at home. Have you ever wondered who first thought to freeze cream?...
Punching bag
Ogle, Rex
Punching Bag is the compelling true story of a high school career defined by poverty and punctuated by outbreaks of domestic abuse. Rex Ogle, who brilliantly mapped his experience of hunger in Free Lunch, here describes his struggle to survive; reflects on his complex, often paradoxical...
The rise and fall of Charles Lindbergh
Fleming, Candace
WINNER OF THE 2021 YALSA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS! SIX STARRED REVIEWS! Discover the dark side of Charles Lindbergh--one of America's most celebrated heroes and complicated men--in this riveting biography from the acclaimed author of The...
Victory. Stand! : raising my fist for justice
Smith, Tommie 1944-
On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon...
Letters to a young athlete
Bosh, Chris 1984-
A legendary NBA player shares his remarkable story, infused with hard-earned wisdom about the journey to self-mastery from a life at the highest level of professional sports Chris Bosh, NBA Hall of Famer, eleven-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and the...
Funny farm : my unexpected life with 600 rescue animals
Zaleski, Laurie
An inspiring and moving memoir of the author's turbulent life with 600 rescue animals. Laurie Zaleski never aspired to run an animal rescue; that was her mother Annie's dream. But from girlhood, Laurie was determined to make the dream come true. Thirty years later as a...
The code breaker : Jennifer Doudna, gene editing, and the future of the human race
Isaacson, Walter
A Best Book of 2021 by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Time, and The Washington Post The bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs returns with a "compelling" (The Washington Post) account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna...
The speckled beauty : a dog and his people
Bragg, Rick
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER * From the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All Over but the Shoutin', the warmhearted and hilarious story of how his life was transformed by his love for a poorly behaved, half-blind stray dog. Speck is not a good boy. He is...
Fuzz : when nature breaks the law
Roach, Mary
What's to be done about a jaywalking moose? A bear caught breaking and entering? A murderous tree? Three hundred years ago, animals that broke the law would be assigned legal representation and put on trial. These days, as New York Times best-selling author Mary Roach discovers, the answers...
Trailed : one woman's quest to solve the Shenandoah murders
Miles, Kathryn 1974-
A riveting, "beautifully written" deep dive into the unsolved murder of two free-spirited young women in the wilderness (John Grisham, #1 New York Times bestselling author), a journalist's obsession--and a new theory of who might have done it.​ ...
Home made : a story of grief, groceries, showing up--and what we make when we make dinner
Hauck, Liz
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE * An "extraordinary" (The New York Times Book Review) tender and vivid memoir about the radical grace we discover when we consider ourselves bound together in community, and a moving account of one woman's attempt to answer the essential question...
Sandy Hook : an American tragedy and the battle for truth
Williamson, Elizabeth
On December 14, 2012, 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School were shot and killed. Nine years on, parents of the young victims are being accosted on the street and harassed online. Conspiracy theorists have asked them to defend that the event even occurred. At the centre of conspiracy theorists'...
The book of hope : a survival guide for trying times
Goodall, Jane 1934-
**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** In a world that seems so troubled, how do we hold on to hope? Looking at the headlines--the worsening climate crisis, a global pandemic, loss of biodiversity, political upheaval--it can be hard to feel...
The last days of the dinosaurs : an asteroid, extinction, and the beginning of our world
Black, Riley
Winner of the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books! "This is top-drawer science writing." --Publishers Weekly, starred review In The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, Riley Black walks readers through what happened in the days, the...
The other Dr. Gilmer : two men, a murder, and an unlikely fight for justice
Gilmer, Benjamin
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE * A "mesmerizing" (The New York Times Book Review) true story about a shocking crime and a mysterious illness that will forever change your notions of how we punish and how we heal--an expansion on one of the most popular This American Life...
The smallest lights in the universe : a memoir
Seager, Sara
LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE WINNER * An MIT astrophysicist reinvents herself in the wake of tragedy and discovers the power of connection on this planet, even as she searches our galaxy for another Earth, in this "bewitching" (Anthony Doerr, The New York Times Book Review)...
Trejo : my life of crime, redemption, and Hollywood
Trejo, Danny 1944-
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "If you're a fan like I am this is definitely the book for you." --Pete Davidson, actor, producer, and cast member on Saturday Night Live "Danny's incredible life story shows that even though we may fall down...

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