articles

Read Across America: 50 Kids' Books Set in 50 States

We asked Macaroni KID publishers for their favorite books set in their states

By Macaroni KID February 28, 2023

Read Across America Day is a great chance to celebrate the joy of reading and come together to promote literacy. But what if we took it one step further and literally read across the United States?

Get ready for an epic adventure across all fifty states!

We asked our local Macaroni KID publishers — located nationwide — for their suggestions for kid and young adult books set in their states ... and they didn't disappoint! We did some research to round out our 50 picks, and ended up with a list of classics and modern stories that is as colorful and diverse as our country. 

We are including two printable maps for you — the one in black and white is intended for children to color in as they read books from each state. You can use our suggestions, or find another book set in that state more suited to your child's age if our suggestion doesn't work!

Get your maps now and start your journey reading across America!




The full list:

Alabama: 
To Kill a Mockingbird
Alaska: 
Julie of the Wolves
Arizona: 
Stargirl 
Arkansas: 
The Lions of Little Rock
California: 
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Colorado: 
Katerina's Wish
Connecticut: 
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Delaware: 
Red Bird
Florida: 
Hoot 
Georgia: 
Lailah's Lunchbox 
Hawaii: 
Dumpling Soup 
Idaho: 
Emory’s Gift 
Illinois: 
Mr. Ferris and His Wheel 
Indiana: 
The Fault in Our Stars 
Iowa: 
American Gothic: The Life of Grant Wood 
Kansas: 
Little House on the Prairie 
Kentucky: 
Becoming Muhammad Ali 
Louisiana: 
The 5 O'clock Band 
Maine: 
Blueberries for Sal 
Maryland: 
Love Twelve Miles Long 
Massachusetts: 
Make Way for Ducklings  
Michigan: 
The House With a Clock in its Walls 
Minnesota: 
Betsy-Tacy
Mississippi: 
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Missouri: 
Steamboat School

Montana:
Hattie Big Sky
Nebraska:
Elsie's Bird
Nevada:
96 Miles
New Hampshire:
Frindle
New Jersey:
Super Fudge 
New Mexico:
The Night of Las Posadas 
New York:
When You Reach Me
North Carolina:
The Edge of Anything 
North Dakota:
Buffalo Bird Girl
Ohio:
Lentil
Oklahoma: 
Where the Red Fern Grows 
Oregon: 
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 
Pennsylvania: 
Miracles on Maple Hill 
Rhode Island: 
Black Duck
South Carolina: 
The Secret Life of Bees
South Dakota: 
A Dinosaur Named Sue 
Tennessee: 
Paperboy 
Texas: 
Holes 
Utah: 
The Great Brain
Vermont: 
Pollyanna 
Virginia: 
Fifty Cents and a Dream
Washington: 
The One and Only Ivan
West Virginia: 
Missing May
Wisconsin: 
The Westing Game  
Wyoming: 
Shane



Macaroni Kid Acton-Concord-Bedford-Lexington is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun events and information for local families.
We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve thousands of families in Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard and other surrounding communities.

Subscribe today to receive our email newsletter every Thursday!

Follow us on FacebookInstagram or Twitter.

Advertise with us to connect with thousands of local families!