A girl goes to visit the lady who writes poetry but never leaves her home in Amherst – she is Emily Dickinson. The story of this great American poet glows with inner radiance, marvelous illustrations capture the beauty of the poet's world. (Picture book)

And for older kids, read Emily Dickinson's poems: My Letter to the World and Other Poems

On the coast of Massachusetts, a boy and girl retrace the footsteps of a Yankee trader, who made his fortune shipping tea from India to America. Faded letters, a skeleton hand, messages in a bottle, and a ghost postman open the door on a mystery spanning continents and centuries. (Chapter book)

Walden, Henry Thoreau's celebration of nature and simple living, is the inspiration for this charming story. Two bears, Henry and his friend, go to the country but Henry chooses to walk, while his friend earns money to take the train. As his friend toils, Henry hops on rocks across the river, carves a walking stick and eats his way through a blackberry patch. (Picture book)

Fascinating re-creation of the voyage of the Mayflower – the passengers arrive on board (there were about 30 children), provisions are loaded, storms and rough conditions at sea, charting a course, landfall at Plymouth. Illustrated with photographs from the Mayflower II. (Chapter book)

A day in the life of a Pilgrim girl and boy, and Wampanoag Indian boy – hunting and fishing, collecting and preparing food, harvesting crops, daily chores and spiritual quests. Photographs from Plimoth Plantation. (Picture book)

It's 1775, and orphan Hannah Andrews is sent to work in the home of Thomas Gage, the British governor. There might be balls and picnics in the household, but Hannah, disguised as a boy, rides to warn the patriots. A super adventure, based on real events. (Chapter book)

"Listen, my children, and you shall hear/ Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere." Fabulous mixed-media collages and colored engravings illustrate this classic action-adventure poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, famous Massachusetts poet. (Picture book)

"This is the king on his English throne, who declared, "Tax the tea!" that was made from leaves that grew on a bush in a far-off land." Engaging telling of events leading up to the Boston Tea Party, understandable by younger readers. (Picture book)

April 18, 1775, Paul Revere rides out to warn the British are on the march and call the militia to arms. In the early morning hours, on Lexington Green, 70 militiamen face the British in the first battle of the Revolutionary War. Excellent overview of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. (Picture book)

Illustrated history of a Massachusetts whaling town, from hardy colonists saving oil from beached whales, to a prosperous town with merchants who built and sent out ships to hunt the whales. Lots of great details about life in a whale town and whaling fisherman at sea. (Picture book)

Isabel goes on a whale watching trip with her class, but in a surprising moment, she’s not in the boat, but under the ocean, swimming with the humpback whales. Living with the whales, Isabel learns their ways and the Song of the whale. A super story that makes you feel as if you’re right there too. (Chapter book)

On a sunny day, the serpent came and played in the frothy sea, astounding and frightening the people of Gloucester. Men came to hunt the serpent with their harpoons and ships, but they only landed a pretty big fish. Sparkling illustrations, based on a true story, this is a wonderful tale of the mystery and beauty of the ocean. (Picture book)

It's fall and the geese are back at Walden Pond. Little Georgie Hall dreams of flying, and one old goose magically understands. In the moonlight he takes her soaring over the trees and ponds of Concord, but there's a hitch – Mr. Preek is determined to shoot down the majestic goose. (Chapter book)

And for more Hall family adventures: The Dragon Tree

Henry Thoreau builds a tiny cabin at Walden Pond, so he can taste each season and listen to all the creatures in the wood. His neighbors in Concord can't understand why he thinks nature is more important than a sooty factory. (Picture book)

It’s 1879 and a headstrong young girl sits for a portrait painted by Boston-native, Winslow Homer. The painting captures her Yankee spirit and independence – she’s the same color as the laurel blossoms, the shadows, clouds and sky. (Chapter book)

Loves his apples,
Cakes and pies.
Johnny, Johnny Appleseed.
True story of John Chapman, called "Johnny Appleseed," the boy who grew up tending apple orchards in Massachusetts. Warm and wonderful illustrations. (Picture book)

In 1918, the Boston Red Sox traded Babe Ruth, and for the next 86 years, the Red Sox didn’t win a World Series, until 2004. Exciting play-by-play description of the 2004 winning series for the Red Sox. (Picture book)

Massachusetts from A to Z in quick rhymes and fun facts, plus richly detailed illustrations. "C is for Cod which swim in the sea and Cranberry bogs as red as can be.” (Picture book)