Maine State Reading Lists

What in the World?

Numbers in Nature

Discover nature by the numbers in this gorgeous, innovative counting book.The natural world is full of sets of numbers: from birds’ wings in twos and...

Float

A boy’s small paper boat—and his large imagination—fill the pages of this wordless picture book, a modern-day classic from the creator of Pardon Me!...

Going Places

A go-cart contest inspires imagination to take flight in this picture book for creators of all ages, with art from New York Times bestselling...

Freedom Over Me

Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan

Newbery Honor Book Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book Using original slave auction and plantation estate...

Little Cat's Luck

From Newbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer comes a heartwarming novel in verse that’s a companion to the “wholly satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews, starred...

The Only Road

PURA BELPRÉ HONOR BOOK ALA NOTABLE BOOK “Powerful and timely.” —Booklist (starred review) “An important, must-have addition to the growing body of...

OCDaniel

EDGAR AWARD WINNER FOR BEST MYSTERY BANK STREET BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR SILVER BIRCH AWARD WINNER “Complex and satisfying. Written from Daniel’s point of...

League of Archers

A girl on the run after being accused of killing Robin Hood learns what it really means to be a hero in this exciting adventure story.“That’s the girl...

Ghost

A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read. Ghost...

Freedom Over Me

Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan

Newbery Honor Book Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book Using original slave auction and plantation estate...

Framed!

Get to know the only kid on the FBI Director’s speed dial and several international criminals’ most wanted lists all because of his Theory of All Small...

The Blackthorn Key

Following a series of murders, an apothecary’s apprentice must solve puzzles and decipher codes in pursuit of a secret that could destroy the world in...

Moon Bear

Both torn from their homes in Laos, a boy and a moon bear cub form a deep bond in this “moving and memorable” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) tale of...

The Nest

“The Nest leaves a lasting mark on the memory.” —The New York Times Book Review Steve just wants to save his baby brother—but what will he lose in the...

Ruby on the Outside

Ruby’s mom is in prison, and to tell anyone the truth is to risk true friendship in this novel from the author of The Summer Before Boys that...

The Wolf Wilder

A girl and the wolves who love her embark on a rescue mission through Russian wilderness in this lyrical tale from the author of the acclaimed...

Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy

Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for best mystery Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year “Like its heroine, this contemporary mystery is...

Absolutely Truly

An unsent letter in a first edition copy of Charlotte’s Web leads to a hunt for treasure in this heartwarming middle grade mystery from the author of...

Half a World Away

A kid who considers himself an epic fail discovers the transformative power of love when he deals with adoption in this novel from Cynthia Kadohata,...

The Secret of Ferrell Savage

Middle school romance is hard enough, but cannibalism really gets in the way. This humorous look at first crushes and family secrets is sure to be...

Space Case

It’s a murder mystery on the moon in this humorous and suspenseful space adventure from the author of Belly Up and Spy School.Like his fellow...