“Texas is a deep breath. I feel so relieved every time my plane land in Texas again and I see that characteristic dusky live-oak green, unlike any other green I know,” writes Naomi Shihab Nye in the introduction to her anthology that explores many colors, sights, sounds, and landscapes—both physical and emotional—of Texas and Texans. As in several previous books, Nye showcases both poetry and art in a beautifully produced and presented collection. It’s a pleasure to hold (with slightly oversized Texan dimensions), to look at, to read. The contributors are current and former residents of Texas—all Texans in their heart regardless of where they live it seems. Not all of the poems are specifically about Texas, unless one counts their reflected state of mind: “When I mastered waiting / I loved being alone / inside the waiting / and the waiting / inside being alone” writes poet Jack Myers in “Something Important.” Brief biographical information on each contributor, and an index to the poems, poets, art and artists round out an exquisite volume. (Ages 12–18)

Texas. The state line stretches for 2,842 miles. There are coasts and mountains and rivers and lakes and cities and towns and disappearing towns and fields of wildflowers and hills and wide-open places. The state of mind has no borders. And the 140 Texans in this book are about to show you why.