50 States Reading Road Trip (Middle Grade Books Set in the USA)
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Take a middle grade reading road trip around the USA! Discover the best middle grade books set in each state of the United States of America, from A for Alaska to W for Wyoming.
Plan your travel itinerary first. Which state will you visit and what middle grade book will you read?
Download the printable list of middle grade books in each of the fifty states of the United States.
Buy the extra activity packet for under $4!
Use the free printable map to track your progress.
Which state will you visit from the comfort of your couch?
50 States Reading Road Trip 20-Page Printable!
- trip planner with a U.S. map
- U.S. map to color when you read in each state
- book review sheets with spaces to color in stars, write reviews, and book info
- a book review sheet with a USA map
- 50 States book lists
- trucks coloring page
Ready to take a reading road trip?
Note: I’m choosing not to share reviews due to space constraints. If you’re looking for the reviews, you can always search the title or author using the search bar on the right hand sidebar.
50 States Reading Road Trip Middle Grade Books
GENERAL U.S. NONFICTION
National Geographic Kids United States Atlas
National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas
National Parks of the U.S.A. written by Kate Siber
The 50 States Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps! written by Gabrielle Balkan
ALABAMA
Let’s get this middle grade road trip started with the first A state, Alabama.
Gone Crazy in Alabama written by Rita Williams-Garcia
Inside Out and Back Again written by Thanhhà Lai
We Were the Fire: Birmingham 1963 by Shelia P. Moses
ALASKA
What middle grade books take place in Alaska? Terry Lynn Johnson’s books are some of my favorites.
Ice Dogs written by Terry Lynn Johnson
Dog Driven written by Terry Lynn Johnson
ARIZONA
If you’re looking for middle grade books set in Arizona,you’ll want to read Dusti Bowling because she writes incredible books about her home state of Arizona.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus written by Dusti Bowling
Dust written by Dusti Bowling
Across the Desert written by Dusti Bowling
ARKANSAS
The Lions of Little Rock written by Kristin Levine
CALIFORNIA
California is a very densely populated state, so it’s no surprise that many middle-grade books take place. in California. These are only some of the titles
All of Me written by Chris Baron
Esperanza Rising written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Book Scavenger written by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Lemons written by Melissa Savage
Front Desk written by Kelly Yang
The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn written by Sally J. Pla
COLORADO
What are good middle grade books set in my home state of Colorado?
Alone by Megan Freeman
My Dad, His Girlfriend, and Other Anxieties by Kellye Crocker
One Kid’s Trash by Jamie Sumner
Midnight at the Hotel Barclay by Fleur Bradley
CONNECTICUT
Don’t be fooled by the title, this book is set in Connecticut.
365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr
The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow written by Stephanie Robinson
DELAWARE
I didn’t find too many books set in Deleware, but here’s one that I did find.
Elle of the Ball by Elena Delle Donne
FLORIDA
Florida middle books often feature Carl Hiaasen who features Florida in his many books. However, I wanted to share different books.
Because of Winn-Dixie written by Kate DiCamillo
Sunny Side Up created by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
The Sherlock Society written by James Ponti
The Jake Show written by Joshua S. Levy
Manatee Summer by Evan Griffith
GEORGIA
You’ll love these middle grade books set in Georgia.
More to the Story written by Hena Khan
Unsettled written by Reem Faruqi
The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle written by Taryn Souders
Coop Knows the Scoop written by Taryn Souders
The Many Fortunes of Maya written by Nicole D. Collier
HAWAII
Hawaii middle grade books are few and far between.
Lei and the Fire Goddess written by Malia Maunakea
Operation Happy: A World War II Story of Courage, Resilience, and an Unbreakable Bond written by Jenni L. Walsh (half in Hawaii, half in California)
IDAHO
Not too many middle grade books are set in Idaho, but I did find one.
My Life as a Potato written by Arianne Coster
ILLINOIS
These middle grade books are set in Illinois.
Scritch Scratch written by Linsday Currie
Finding Langston written by Lesa Cline-Ransome
First Rule of Punk written by Celia C. Perez
Gone to the Woods written by Gary Paulsen
INDIANA
I think your readers will enjoy these middle grade books set in Indiana.
Honey written by Sarah Weeks
Rosetown written by Cynthia Rylant
IOWA
Representing middle America Iowa are these middle grade books.
Kira-Kira written by Cynthia Kadohata
The Mostly True Story of Jack written by Kelly Barnhill
KANSAS
These two middle grade books take place in Kansas.
Moon Over Manifest written by Clare Vanderpool
The Amelia Six written by Kristin L. Gray
KENTUCKY
If you’re looking for Kentucky, here is a graphic novel middle grade book.
Growing Pangs created by Katheryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks
LOUISIANA
Travel to Louisiana with these middle grade titles.
Brick Dust and Bones written by M.R. Forunet
The Land of Forgotten Girls written by Erin Entrada Kelly
Evangeline of the Bayou written by Jan Eldredge
Ninth Ward written by Jewell Parker Rhodes
MAINE
These middle grade books set in Maine are exceptional.
Small as an Elephant written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
A Handful of Stars written by Cynthia Lord
Echo Mountain written by Lauren Wolk
Wildfire written by Rodman Philbrick
MARYLAND
Want to travel to Maryland from the comfort of your couch? Read these middle grade choices.
Squished created by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter
Wait Till Helen Comes written by Mary Downing Hahn
MASSACHUSETTS
These are fantastic middle grade books set in Massachusetts.
The Liars Society written by Alyson Gerber
Show Me a Sign written by Ann Clare LeZotte
From the Desk of Zoe Washington written by Janae Marks
Hidden Truths written by Elly Swartz
MICHIGAN
These are all excellent historical fiction middle grade titles set in Michigan.
Enemies in the Orchard written by Dana VanderLugt
Bud Not Buddy written by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Star That Always Stays written by Anna Rose Johnson
MINNESOTA
Want to read a middle grade book set in Minnesota?
Home of the Brave written by Katherine Applegate
Just Keep Walking written by Erin Soderberg Downing
MISSISSIPPI
Read these Mississippi middle grade books.
Glory Be written by Augusta Scattergood
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry written by Mildred D. Taylor
MISSOURI
Travel to Missouri with these middle grade choices.
A Tale as Tall as Jacob written by Samantha Edwards
Not the Worst Friend in the World written by Anne Rellihan
Monster Tree written by Sarah Allen
MONTANA
Montana represents with a beautiful story about the unhoused!
Carry Me Home written by Janet Fox
NEBRASKA
Find several Nebraska middle grade books.
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook written by Leslie Connor
Elephant’s Girl written by Celestina Rimington
NEVADA
I’m a fan of these middle grade books set in Nevada.
The Area 51 Files written by Julie Buxbaum
The Tragically True Adventures of Kit Donovan written by Patricia Bailey
96 Miles written by J.L. Esplin
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Go to New Hampshire in these middle-grade stories.
Frindle written by Andrew Clements
Absolutely Truly written by Heather Vogel Frederick
NEW JERSEY
Which of these New Jersey books will you want to read first?
Prince of Steel Pier written by Stacy Nockowitz
The Hoboken Chicken Emergency written by Daniel Pinkwater
Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop written by Joshua S. Levy
NEW MEXICO
I love all these middle grade books set in New Mexico.
Chupacarter written by George Lopez and Ryan Calejo
Tumble written by Celia C. Pérez
Tortilla Sun written by Jennifer Cervantes
NEW YORK
Like California, there are many books that take place in New York. Here are some favorites.
Harbor Me written by Jaqueline Woodson
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street written by Katrina Yan Glaser
Okay for Now written by Gary D. Schmidt
Towers Falling written by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Light and Air written by Mindy Nichols Wendell
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All written & illustrated by Chanel Miller
NORTH CAROLINA
Visit North Carolina when you read these books.
Caterpillar Summer written by Gillian McDunn
Not an Easy Win written by Chrystal D. Giles
Wish written by Barbara O’Connor
Stella by Starlight written by Sharon M. Draper
NORTH DAKOTA
Here are two North Dakota middle grade books.
Code Name Zero written by Chris Rylander
Sky Full of Song written by Susan Lynn Meyer
OHIO
Ready for middle grade books that take place in Ohio?
Other Words for Home written by Jasmine Warga
Free Throws, Friendship & Other Things We Fouled Up written by Jenn Bishop
OKLAHOMA
You won’t be able to put these Ohio middle grade books down!
Roll With It written by Jamie Sumner
Out of the Dust written by Karen Hesse
OREGON
I think you’ll love these middle grade books set in Oregon.
Planet Jupiter written by Jane Kurtz
Wolf Called Wander written by Roseanne Parry
The Elephant in the Room written by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Ways to Make Sunshine written by Renee Watson
PENNSYLVANIA
Take a trip to Pennsylvania with these middle grade books.
Ophie’s Ghosts written by Justina Ireland
Pie written by Sarah Weeks
Wolf Hollow written by Lauren Wolk
RHODE ISLAND
If you like graphic novels and sports, this is makes a great reading choice.
Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper written by Brie Spangler
SOUTH CAROLINA
Don’t miss these books set in South Carolina.
Brown Girl Dreaming written by Jacqueline Woodson
Root Magic written by Eden Royce
The Parker Inheritance written by Varian Johnson
SOUTH DAKOTA
I highly recommend this book set in South Dakota.
Prairie Lotus written by Linda Sue Park
TENNESSEE
Which Tennessee middle grade book will you want to read first?
Willa of the Wood written by Robert Beatty
Hummingbird written by Natalie Lloyd
The Decomposition of Jack written by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb
TEXAS
There are many books set in Texas, here are some favorites.
Holes written by Louis Sachar
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate written by Jacqueline Kelly
Love Sugar Magic written by Anna Meriano
The Great Texas Dragon Race written by Kacy Ritter
Felice and the Wailing Woman by Diana López
UTAH
This is a graphic novel memoir about friendship set in Utah.
Real Friends written by Shannon Hale
VERMONT
These are all so good, I couldn’t narrow down my favorite books set in Vermont.
Chirp written by Kate Messner
A Stitch in Time written by Daphne Kalmar
Small Spaces written by Katherine Arden
VIRGINIA
If you are looking for a middle grade book set in Virginia, here are excellent chocies.
As Brave as You written by Jason Reynolds
Growing Pains created by Kathryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks
AfterMath written by Emily Barth Isler
It Happened on Saturday written by Sydney Dunlap
WASHINGTON
I grew up in Washington (the state) and recommend these middle grade novels set there.
I Can Make This Promise written by Christine Day
The Sea in Winter written by Christine Day
Tornado Brain written by Cat Patrick
Mountain of Fire written by Rebecca E.F. Barone
Washington D.C.
Ali Cross written by James Patterson
The Van Gogh Deception written by Deron Hicks
Framed! A T.O.A.S.T. Mystery by James Ponti
WEST VIRGINIA
It’s a small state, but there are several middle grade books that. areset in West Virginia.
A Few Bicycles More written by Christina Uss
Close to Famous written by Joan Bauer
WISCONSIN
Here’s a good middle grade book set in Wisconsin.
The Rhino in Right Field written by Stacy Dekeyser
WYOMING
While not a very populated state, this is a fun fantasy series set in Wyoming.
The Menagerie written by Tui T. Sutherland
50 States Reading Road Trip 20-Page Printable!
- trip planner with a U.S. map
- U.S. map to color when you read in each state
- book review sheets with spaces to color in stars, write reviews, and book info
- a book review sheet with a USA map
- 50 States book lists
- trucks coloring page
KEEP READING
