TCU Press Will Publish Courageous Cowgirls in October
The new book celebrates twelve Texas women through first-person prose poems for young readers.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Rodeo
Live Poll
Do you believe children's books about local history should prioritize diverse perspectives to be effective?
Arriving in October 2026, Courageous Cowgirls offers a collection of first-person poems documenting the lives of twelve influential women from Texas history. Written by Austin-based educator Sue Young, the book is designed specifically for children between the ages of 8 and 12.
Why it matters
The collection aims to bridge the gap between historical narrative and youth education by pairing biographical profiles with informative sidebars and maps. By using a first-person prose poetry format, the book offers an accessible entry point for students to learn about Texas history.
The hardcover edition is priced at $24.95 and is identified by ISBN 978-0-87565-980-0. It targets a young demographic of readers aged 8 to 12 years old.
The players
Sue Young
She is an Austin-based librarian and educator who has spent 30 years as a touring artist.
TCU Press
This publishing house, established in 1947 in Fort Worth, focuses on scholarly and regional works.
Katie Howerton
She is the illustrator responsible for the visual components of the book.
The details
Illustrated by Katie Howerton, the book incorporates historical timelines to guide young readers through the lives of women ranging from 19th-century figures like Patricia de la Garza de Leon to rodeo competitors from the 1950s. The publisher has announced plans to submit the work for consideration for the 2027 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List.
Timeline
1800s: Patricia de la Garza de Leon helped found the city of Victoria.
1950s: Verna Lee Booker Hightower was active in the rodeo association.
1994: Sue Young began her career on the touring artist roster.
October 2026: TCU Press will officially publish the book.
2027: The book will be considered for the Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List.
Season Trajectory
The publication aligns with a broader trend of integrating primary-source historical narratives into elementary educational curricula across Texas. This release positions TCU Press as a key contributor to the regional literary ecosystem before the upcoming 2027 award cycle.
Readers and educators can expect the book to be available in hardcover for $24.95 starting in October 2026. The target age range of 8 to 12 provides a specific benchmark for classroom and library acquisition.
The takeaway
This book uses first-person storytelling to make regional history more engaging for elementary students. Parents and teachers can use the provided timelines and profiles to facilitate deeper discussions about Texas history.
What happens next
TCU Press is slated to submit the title for consideration for the 2027 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, with results likely to follow in that calendar year.
Further reading
For more on the history of western sports in the state, visit our Texas Rodeo section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by North Texas e-News.
Live Poll
Do you believe children's books about local history should prioritize diverse perspectives to be effective?
