Texas Topaz Nonfiction List for Grades K-12

Here are just some of the recommended titles for grades K-12 from the 2026 Texas Topaz Nonfiction 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. Visit txla.org/reading-lists for the full list and lists from previous years.

Updated January 13, 2026
Lewisville Public Library
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
The friendship train : a true story of helping and healing after World War II
Levy, Debbie
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection | An ALA Notable Children's Book An impeccably researched, touching true story of the kindness of strangers around the world following World War II from a bestselling author and award-winning illustrator.
José feeds the world : how a famous chef feeds millions of people in need around the world
Unger, David
Paper Book
One chef. One plate of food. Millions of lives changed. An inspiring true story for young readers who want to make a difference. When chef José Andrés sees disaster strike, he doesn't just watch--he shows up, ready to cook. From the smell of saffron and rice in his childhood kitchen in...
His fairytale life : a book about Hans Christian Andersen
Yolen, Jane
Paper Book
The storyteller becomes the story in this illuminating biographical picture book of Hans Christian Andersen, father of the modern fairy tale. A century and a half have passed since Hans Christan Andersen's death, but his stories are more alive than ever. Across languages, borders...
Narwhal : unicorn of the Arctic
Fleming, Candace
Paper Book
Venture to the Arctic Ocean and discover real life underwater unicorns--narwhals--in this stunningly illustrated nonfiction picture book. A HORN BOOK AND BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR You are a narwhal. Shy... Swift... Small...
Volcanoes
Beckerman, Nell Cross
Paper Book
The team behind the acclaimed book Caves returns with an enticing exploration of one of the most explosive wonders on the planet -- Volcanoes! A rumble. A tremble. A grumble. Growing, growling, getting hot. When will it... POP?! Using evocative storytelling, Nell Cross...
The crane and the keeper : how an endangered crane chose a human as her mate
Pincus, Meeg
Paper Book
"This outstanding book with great information is endearing...demonstrating the power of perseverance, love, and commitment." --School Library Journal (starred review) The true story, widely reported on social and in print media, of a white-naped crane who saw her human...
Dancing through space : Dr. Mae Jemison soars to new heights
Lukidis, Lydia
Paper Book
"A quick but lyrical character study."--Kirkus Reviews "The sky proves no limit in Lukidis's encouraging biography of Black female astronaut Mae Jemison."--Publishers Weekly "This makes a good addition to STEAM literature." -- Booklist...
The house on the canal : the story of the house that hid Anne Frank
Harding, Thomas
Paper Book
"Deeply moving, powerful, and breathtaking." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A house reveals the story of its inhabitants, including Anne Frank--and honors four centuries of history--in a moving and exquisitely illustrated picture book from the creators of...
Hurricane
Chin, Jason
Paper Book
Caldecott and Sibert Medalist Jason Chin charts the thrilling saga of an island community's brush with a category three hurricane, and the cutting-edge science that helps them prepare. It's a beautiful day on Hatteras Island, North Carolina. But while all seems calm now, a...
Woody's Words: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and Where the Red Fern Grows
Rogers, Lisa
Paper Book
CCBC Choices 2026 The life of Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Rawls, the author of the children's classic Where the Red Fern Grows, is revealed in this nonfiction picture book for ages 7 - 10 that celebrates persistence, creativity, and chasing dreams. When Woody Rawls...
Spying on spies : how Elizebeth Smith Friedman broke the Nazis' secret codes
Moss, Marissa
Paper Book
Bestselling and award-winning author-illustrator Marissa Moss tells the gripping story of America's first female cryptanalyst, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who busted Nazi spy rings. Praised for her accessible blend of narrative nonfiction with graphic novel-style chapter openers...
Wish I Was a Baller
Shah, Amar
Paper Book
Wish I Was a Baller is part New Kid, part The Tryout, and part Dragon Hoops! Amar Shah has some story to tell! In 1995, he was a fourteen-year-old aspiring sports journalist (and basketball superfan) angling to get into an Orlando Magic team practice. He did, and it...
At last she stood : how Joey Guerrero spied, survived, and fought for freedom
Kelly, Erin Entrada
Paper Book
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book * NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Honor Book * An ALA Notable Book * A CCBC Choice * Rise: A Feminist Book Project List * Chicago Public Library Best Book * School Library Journal Best Book * CBC Notable Social Studies Trade...
Death in the jungle : murder, betrayal, and the lost dream of Jonestown
Fleming, Candace
Paper Book
How did Jim Jones, the leader of Peoples Temple, convince more than 900 of his followers to commit "revolutionary suicide" by drinking cyanide-laced punch? From a master of narrative nonfiction comes a chilling chronicle of one of the most notorious cults in American history. A YALSA...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.