Skip to Main Content

Maine State Reading Lists

2022 - 2023 Maine Student Book Award Master List Selection

Carry Me Home

This edition: Hardcover, 208 pages
Publication date: August 24, 2021
Ages: 8 - 12

“A poignant and powerful reminder that homelessness is not hopelessness.” —Kirby Larson, author of Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky Two sisters s...

Carry Me Home

This edition: Hardcover, 208 pages
Publication date: August 24, 2021
Ages: 8 - 12

“A poignant and powerful reminder that homelessness is not hopelessness.” —Kirby Larson, author of Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky Two sisters s...

How to Change Everything

The Young Human's Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other
Adapted by Rebecca Stefoff
This edition: Hardcover, 336 pages
Publication date: February 23, 2021
Ages: 10 - 99

“[A] uniquely inclusive perspective that will inspire conviction, passion, and action.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) An empowering, engaging y...

The Million Dollar Race

This edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication date: January 19, 2021
Ages: 8 - 12

“I dare you to predict the winner of The Million Dollar Race. OK, you dragged it out of me: it’s the READER!” —Jerry Spinelli, Newbery Award–winnin...

The Million Dollar Race

This edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication date: January 19, 2021
Ages: 8 - 12

“I dare you to predict the winner of The Million Dollar Race. OK, you dragged it out of me: it’s the READER!” —Jerry Spinelli, Newbery Award–winnin...

Nightingale

This edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication date: April 20, 2021
Ages: 8 - 12

“A solid if unexpected blend of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and the story of the birth of labor unions…Radium Girls-esque.” —BCCB ​A plucky ...

Nightingale

This edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publication date: April 20, 2021
Ages: 8 - 12

“A solid if unexpected blend of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and the story of the birth of labor unions…Radium Girls-esque.” —BCCB ​A plucky ...

When the World Was Ours

This edition: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication date: May 18, 2021
Ages: 12 - 99

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Windsnap series, Liz Kessler, comes a “brutally honest and totally believable” (Booklist, s...

Roll with It

(Part of Roll with It)
This edition: Hardcover, 256 pages
Publication date: October 01, 2019
Ages: 10 - 99

A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 “A big-hearted story that’s as sweet as it is awesome.” —R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder In the trad...

Alone

(Part of Alone)
This edition: Hardcover, 416 pages
Publication date: January 12, 2021
Ages: 10 - 99

A New York Times bestseller! Perfect for fans of Hatchet and the I Survived series, this harrowing middle grade debut novel-in-verse from a Pushcar...

Whispering Pines

(Book #1 of Whispering Pines)
This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: September 01, 2020
Ages: 8 - 12

Stranger Things meets The X-Files in this eerie, heart-pounding middle grade adventure about a young boy and girl who must protect their small town...

2021 - 2022 Maine Student Book Award Reading List Selection

The Beast and the Bethany

Illustrated by Isabelle Follath
This edition: Hardcover, 240 pages
Publication date: December 08, 2020
Ages: 9 - 13

Lemony Snicket meets Roald Dahl in this “wickedly funny” (James Ponti, New York Times bestselling author), deliciously macabre, and highly illustra...

The Great Pet Heist

Illustrated by David Mottram
This edition: Hardcover, 256 pages
Publication date: June 02, 2020
Ages: 8 - 12

Ocean’s Eleven meets The Secret Life of Pets in this hilarious and delightfully illustrated novel following a ragtag group of pets who will do what...

2022 - 2023 Maine Chickadee Award Nominee

Amara and the Bats

Illustrated by Emma Reynolds
This edition: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publication date: July 20, 2021
Ages: 4 - 8

Environmental activism gets a nocturnal twist in this utterly charming picture book about a young girl and her mission to save the bats!Amara loves...

Crossings

Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals
Illustrated by Mike Orodán
This edition: Hardcover, 48 pages
Publication date: October 13, 2020
Ages: 3 - 8

This powerful nonfiction picture book explores wildlife crossings around the world and how they are helping save thousands of animals every day.Aro...

When I Draw a Panda

Illustrated by Amy June Bates
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: September 22, 2020
Ages: 5 - 8

“This amusing picture book encourages imagination and individuality.” —Booklist From the acclaimed author and illustrator of The Big Umbrella comes...

When Langston Dances

Illustrated by Keith Mallett
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: September 07, 2021

A young Black boy dreams of dancing in this exuberant, buoyant picture book celebrating the beauty of dance, and the wonder of Black Boy Joy—perfec...

2020 - 2021 Maine Chickadee Award Nominee

Cyril and Pat

Illustrated by Emily Gravett
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: May 21, 2019
Ages: 4 - 8

From author-illustrator Emily Gravett comes a warm and funny picture book about friendship and loving someone different from yourself.Cyril is a sq...

2021 - 2022 North Star YA Award Winner

Long Way Down

The Graphic Novel
Illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff
This edition: Hardcover, 208 pages
Publication date: October 13, 2020
Ages: 14 - 99

A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) Jason Reynolds’s Newbery Honor, Printz Honor, and Coretta Scott King Honor–winning, #1 New York Times bestse...

2021 - 2022 North Star YA Award Finalist

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: November 10, 2020
Ages: 12 - 99

A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club YA Pick “A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is an absolute delight. Cozier than a hand-knit gr...