Books About Maryland

The Best Maryland Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about maryland? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Maryland

Jacob Have I Loved
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1980

Jacob Have I Loved

By Katherine Paterson

A twin struggles to escape her sister's shadow and find her own identity on a Chesapeake Bay island.

Newbery Medal (1981)
244 pages· 52,594 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
3.7 Goodreads · 36,517 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: On a small Chesapeake Bay island, Sara Louise Bradshaw battles the shadow of her adored twin, Caroline. As Caroline effortlessly claims their parents' love and Louise's dreams, Louise yearns to be special. Amidst the island's secrets and the return of mysterious Captain Wallace, Louise must navigate her own path. Can she break free from her sister's grasp and discover who she truly is? The stakes are high as she fights for her own place in the world, challenging the roles they've been cast in since birth.
A Ride to Remember
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2020

A Ride to Remember

By Sharon Langley, Amy Nathan, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A carousel ride becomes a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.

40 pages· 1,745 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 412 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1963, young Sharon Langley made history as the first African American child to ride a desegregated carousel at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. On the same day as Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic March on Washington, her ride symbolized a community's triumph over segregation. As protests and unity opened the park to all, Sharon's experience became a beacon of hope and change. Discover how one ride echoed the dreams of a nation striving for equality. What possibilities did this moment unlock for future generations?
Squished
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Squished

By Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter (Illustrator)

Avery battles for her own space amidst family chaos and looming change.

248 pages· 7,256 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 6,961 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Avery Lee, an eleven-year-old artist, craves her own room away from her six siblings' chaos. As her brother claims a room and her baby brother moves in, Avery devises a plan for space. Juggling friendship shifts and an art fair entry, her world tilts further when a potential family move arises. Can Avery find her place amidst the upheaval?
Long Road to Freedom
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2015

Long Road to Freedom

By Kate Messner, Kelley McMorris (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Ranger in Time series

A young girl and her brother escape from slavery in Maryland and travel to Canada with the help of a magical dog.

160 pages· 15,192 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 871 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Ranger, a time-traveling golden retriever, lands on a Maryland plantation during the era of American slavery. He meets Sarah, a brave young girl determined to save her brother, Jesse, from being sold to the Deep South. With the threat of separation looming, Sarah decides to flee north, embarking on a perilous journey to freedom. Can Ranger help them navigate the treacherous path of the Underground Railroad? Discover the courage and hope that drive their daring escape.
Tiny Stitches
Sale price
$1895
Picture Book · Ages 7–12 · 2016

Tiny Stitches

By Gwendolyn Hooks, Colin Bootman (Illustrator)

A surgical technician defies odds to pioneer children's heart surgery.

32 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 414 ratings
$19.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Vivien Thomas, an African American surgical technician, dreams of studying medicine. After losing his savings in 1929, he finds work at Vanderbilt University. Despite racial barriers, he assists in developing a groundbreaking heart surgery for children. As his innovative procedure saves lives, Vivien's contributions remain uncredited. Can he overcome the prejudice and claim his rightful place in medical history?
Library on Wheels
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Library on Wheels

By Sharlee Glenn

A librarian revolutionizes access with a horse-drawn book wagon.

56 pages· 3,190 words· Est. 25 min read-aloud
4.4 Goodreads · 693 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Mary Lemist Titcomb, a visionary librarian, faces the challenge of reaching rural communities in early 20th-century Maryland. Determined to provide access to all, she introduces the innovative horse-drawn Book Wagon, forever changing the library system. As book wagons spread across the country, Titcomb's pioneering spirit inspires a movement, leading to the birth of the bookmobile. Discover how one woman's dedication and creativity overcame barriers, bringing books to those who needed them most. Will her revolutionary idea gain the support it deserves, or will it be lost to history?
The Star-Spangled Banner
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 1973

The Star-Spangled Banner

By Peter Spier

Discover the dramatic origins of the national anthem and its enduring legacy.

50 pages· 249 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 466 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the dramatic story behind "The Star-Spangled Banner" through the eyes of Francis Scott Key. Witness the Battle of Baltimore and the anthem's creation, complete with illustrated lyrics and historical images. This journey reveals the anthem's significance from its turbulent origins to its place in modern America. What inspired Key's iconic words, and how does the flag continue to symbolize freedom today? Dive into this beautifully illustrated tribute to uncover the anthem's enduring legacy.
Who Was Edgar Allan Poe?
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Who Was Edgar Allan Poe?

By Jim Gigliotti, Who HQ, Tim Foley (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A biography of Edgar Allan Poe, exploring his life, writing, and legacy

112 pages· 6,505 words· Est. 55 min read
4.1 Goodreads · 754 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the haunting world of Edgar Allan Poe, where tragedy and genius collide. Orphaned young and haunted by loss, Poe's life inspired his chilling tales. Discover how his groundbreaking work in detective fiction and mystery continues to captivate and influence the arts. What secrets lie within the mind of the man who redefined horror and suspense?
Stepping on the Cracks
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 1991

Stepping on the Cracks

By Mary Downing Hahn · Book #1 in the Gordy Smith series

A girl discovers a bully's secret: his brother is a deserter.

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (1992)
224 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 4,315 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In 1944, young Margaret's world shifts when she uncovers a secret: the school bully, Gordy, is hiding his brother, a deserter. As they navigate moral dilemmas, Margaret and her friend must decide where their loyalties lie. Will they risk everything to help, or will the truth tear them apart? This tale of courage and friendship challenges their understanding of right and wrong in a war-torn world.
Francis Scott Key's Star-Spangled Banner
Sale price
$574
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2012

Francis Scott Key's Star-Spangled Banner

By Monica Kulling, Richard Walz (Illustrator)

Witness a battle that inspires a nation's anthem amid the War of 1812's chaos.

48 pages· 827 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.0 Goodreads · 128 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Amid the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, a busy lawyer and poet, finds himself on a ship, watching the intense Battle of Fort McHenry unfold. As the British threaten America's independence, Francis is inspired by the unfolding drama. What he witnesses leads to the creation of a poem destined to become the national anthem. Can his words capture the spirit of a nation on the brink? Discover the story behind the anthem in this engaging tale for young readers ready to explore history's pivotal moments.
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Maryland Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about maryland for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Long May She Wave
Sale price
$1799

Long May She Wave

Ages 4–8 · 2017

A young flag maker's creation faces the ultimate test during a British attack.

The Flag Maker
Sale price
$1600

The Flag Maker

Ages 7–10 · 2004

Discover the story behind the flag that inspired a nation's anthem.

Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln
Sale price
$1799

Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln

Ages 7–9 · 2011

Two brothers enter a museum and find themselves trapped in 1863, racing to return to their time.

Our Flag Was Still There
Sale price
$1799

Our Flag Was Still There

Ages 4–8 · 2019

Discover the origins of the flag that inspired a nation's anthem.

Maryland
Series
Sale price
$3850

Maryland

Ages 7–10 · 2003

Discover Maryland's hidden gems from Chesapeake Bay to Baltimore.

Maryland
Series
Sale price
$2050

Maryland

Ages 6–7 · 2005

Discover Maryland's secrets and iconic landmarks.

Chesapeake Bay
Series
Sale price
$2050

Chesapeake Bay

Ages 6–7 · 2006

Discover the secrets of the Chesapeake Bay's unique waters.

Frederick Douglass
Sale price
$1495

Frederick Douglass

Ages 5–8 · 1995

A boy's childhood shapes a future activist's spirit.

B is for Blue Crab
Series
Sale price
$1899

B is for Blue Crab

Ages 6–8 · 2004

Explore Maryland's rich history and culture, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Preakness Stakes.

Pappy's Handkerchief
Series
Sale price
$1795

Pappy's Handkerchief

Ages 6–9 · 2007

A family faces perilous challenges on their journey to claim land in the Oklahoma Land Run.

View all maryland picture books
Browse by age

Maryland Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about maryland for developing and independent readers.

Shakespeare's Secret
Sale price
$1880

Shakespeare's Secret

Ages 10–13 · 2005

A hidden diamond may reveal Shakespeare's secret. Can Hero uncover the truth?

Jake
Sale price
$1599

Jake

Ages 8–12 · 2010

A boy's unexpected Christmas with his estranged grandfather reveals the true meaning of family.

May the Best Man Win
Sale price
$1799

May the Best Man Win

Ages 14–18 · 2021

A fierce battle for Homecoming King threatens to unravel secrets and hearts.

Star-Spangled
Sale price
$1999

Star-Spangled

Ages 10–14 · 2020

Uncover the untold story behind America's anthem and the battle that inspired it.

View all maryland chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about identityBooks about science and technologyBooks about self-perceptionBooks about twins