Texas Reads Middle-Grade with Kellye Abernathy
The Pecan Sheller (Lupe Ruiz-Flores, 2025)
Lupe Ruiz Flores is a remarkable Texas author and historian. THE PECAN SHELLER transports us back to 1930s San Antonio in an important and memorable middle-grade novel. A testament to the grit and determination of the brave women and girls who sought to expose unfair pay and often deadly conditions in the pecan-shelling factories of the Depression era, this story stands tall and proud.
Ruiz-Flores writes with ease and flow, revealing the challenging world of thirteen-year-old Petra, the resourceful heroine of this captivating tale. In a time when young girls were often forced to leave school to work to support their families, Petra is determined to find a way to keep her writing dreams alive by fighting for change in the factories, despite almost insurmountable odds.
Lupe Ruiz-Flores exposes a dark period in Texas history with a story that is richly colored, fierce and tender, about a courageous girl who never gives up on her dreams. THE PECAN SHELLER is a book I will recommend over and over again.
The Vanquishers (Kalynn Bayron, 2022)
One of my favorite Texas authors is Kalynn Bayron, a master storyteller who doesn’t shy away from turning age-old stories upside down, daring the reader to stare new perspectives straight in the eye.
THE VANQUISHERS is the first novel in Bayron’s middle-grade series about kid vampire hunters. The adventures begin when we meet Malika, “Boog” Wilson, and her quirky, madcap friends, known as the Squad, as they embark on a quest to find a missing friend.
Kalynn Bayron’s diverse characters are bold, wise, and vulnerable, taking us on a thrilling ride, forcing us to let go of the cape of familiar vampire lore. Old myths morph into something fresh and new, in classic Bayron style.
The Secret Language of Birds (Lynne Kelly, 2024)
A gifted middle-grade author, Texan Lynne Kelly’s work sings with a love for young readers and a deep reverence for the complex mysteries of the natural world.
THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF BIRDS is a poignant coming-of-age tale, touched with the spice of an old ghost story. The mystery begins when Nina, a budding amateur birdwatcher, decides to attend a Texas summer camp, though her biggest fear is of being left out and never making friends. After Nina discovers that an abandoned infirmary in the camp may be near the unlikely habitat of endangered cranes, her curiosity soars, along with her courage. Enlisting the help of new friends, she vows to help the birds, no matter what it takes.
Lynne Kelly’s stories are infused with the wonder of nature. Did you know whale and nightingale songs are similar? THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF BIRDS is bound to touch your heart and teach you something new.
Kellye Abernathy is the author of a YA science-fantasy series: The Aquamarine Surfboard (2022), Amethyst, The Shallows (2024), and Indigo, The Deep, coming soon!
A former wireless business executive and a graduate of the University of Kansas, Kellye teaches practical life skills, creative writing, yoga, and mindfulness within the trauma-survivor community in Plano, Texas. She hopes to inspire healing through body and breath awareness, creativity, consistency, and compassion.
Her joys are many and varied, among them neuroscience, oceanography, swimming, biking, family adventures, and great conversation. She believes in staying curious, showing up, and keeping her heart open.