Texas Traveling & Reading

As many of you know, I am finishing up my graduate classes for my Master in Library Science degree.  This month, I took a Field Research elective class and traveled down I-35 in search of libraries and museums with a Texas connection.  Having been a 4th grade teacher for many years, AND a native Texan, this class provided an opportunity for me to make some discoveries!  I used one of the new Texas Bluebonnet nominees, Clete Barrett Smith's Aliens on Vacation for my theme, changing it, of course, to Librarians on Vacation! A friend and fellow grad student went with me, making it all twice as fun!   If you would like to read about my adventures, you can find more about it at Reading Across Texas! 

Now for a book to go with it!  I've been working on my Bluebonnet books, but made time to read Bold Women in Texas History by Don Blevins. This book would be a great resource for students in 4th & 7th grades, since Texas history is their focus, but it would also be a great book for anyone interested in Texas history.  It outlines the lives and accomplishments of eleven women important to Texas. Some were familiar names such as Bessie Coleman, Lizzie Johnson and Barbara Jordan.  There were several women unfamiliar to me, such as Mollie Kirland Bailey, a circus owner, nurse and spy!  Now that is bold!! I enjoyed learning about the lives of these women and discovering more about Texas in the process. Included in the book are short biographies about athletes, catttlewomen, artists, and politicians, all making contributions to the state of Texas as well as our country!  This was a very informative and entertaining book!