Maine State Reading Lists
2020 - 2021 Maine Chickadee Award Nominee
Cyril and Pat
From author-illustrator Emily Gravett comes a warm and funny picture book about friendship and loving someone different from yourself.Cyril is a sq...
2022 - 2023 Maine Chickadee Award Nominee
Amara and the Bats
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
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
“This amusing picture book encourages imagination and individuality.” —Booklist From the acclaimed author and illustrator of The Big Umbrella comes...
When Langston Dances
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...
2022 - 2023 Maine Student Book Award Master List Selection
Carry Me Home
“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
“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
“[A] uniquely inclusive perspective that will inspire conviction, passion, and action.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) An empowering, engaging y...
The Million Dollar Race
“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
“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
“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
“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
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
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
Perfect for fans of Hatchet and the I Survived series, this harrowing middle grade debut novel-in-verse from a Pushcart Prize–nominated poet tells ...
Whispering Pines
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
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
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...
2021 - 2022 North Star YA Award Finalist
A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow
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...
2021 - 2022 North Star YA Award Winner
Long Way Down
The Graphic Novel
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...