Read Across America Day is the perfect time to celebrate the magic of books and inspire a lifelong love of reading in kids. But why stop at just one book? Let’s turn reading into an adventure — one that takes us across all 50 states!
Buckle up for a literary road trip! We asked our Macaroni KID publishers — who are spread out all across the country — for their favorite children’s and young adult books set in their states. They delivered an incredible mix of classics, modern favorites, and hidden gems. The result? A book list as diverse and colorful as America itself — filled with stories that bring each state’s history, culture, and people to life.
Track Your Reading Journey With Our Free Printable Maps!
To make this cross-country reading challenge even more fun, we’ve created two printable maps so kids can keep track of the states they’ve "visited" through books!
- Black-and-white map – Let kids color in each state as they complete a book.
- Full-color version – Use as a handy guide for your reading adventure.
Feel free to use our 50 book picks or swap in titles that better match your child's age and interests. However you choose to do it, this is a fantastic way to explore the U.S. — one page at a time!
Download your Read Across America printable maps now and start your reading adventure!
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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 |
📚 Join the Read Across America Challenge!
How many states can your child "travel" through with books? Challenge them to read their way across the U.S. and keep track using our printable Read Across America map!
Let’s spark a love of reading and inspire the next generation — one state, one story at a time.
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