Having a small library for children in your home not only fosters a love for reading, but it also acts as a portal to countless worlds, adventures, and lessons. Just as we nourish their bodies with wholesome food, a home library nourishes their intellect and imagination. Here is a starter catalog of books set in Michigan designed especially with children in mind.
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Picture Books Set in Michigan
These picture books which are set in Michigan provide a delightful way to introduce youngsters (and even grown-ups) to the magic of The Great Lake State.
M Is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet by Annie Appleford
Come, let’s explore Michigan from A to Z! From apples to the Detroit Zoo, each page is an artistic adventure through the state’s most iconic symbols.
The Legend of Sleeping Bear by Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen
Dive into the tale behind the renowned Sleeping Bear Dunes. It’s a touching Native American legend about love, sacrifice, and the awe-inspiring landscapes of Michigan.
Gitchi Gumee by Anne Margaret Lewis, illustrated by Kathleen Chaney Fritz
Journey with a young boy as he discovers the wonder of Lake Superior (called Gitchi Gumee by the Ojibwe people). This tale seamlessly weaves natural beauty, history, and Ojibwe folklore.
Mackinac Bridge: The Story of the Five Mile Poem by Gloria Whelan, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen
Ever wonder about the story behind Michigan’s majestic Mackinac Bridge? Dive into its history with rhythmic verses and sweeping artwork that’ll transport readers to the Straits of Mackinac.
Lost in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
This photographic tale tells the story of a young fawn in the Michigan woods, making friends and exploring nature. The stunning images of woodland creatures will captivate readers of all ages.
A Halloween Scare in Michigan by Eric James and illustrated by Marina Le Ray
In this rhyming tale set against the backdrop of Michigan, creatures like goblins, witches, and vampires stir up a fright on Halloween night. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a journey through familiar Michigan settings, encountering all sorts of spooky creatures along the way.
Chapter Books Set in Michigan
Michigan has served as a backdrop for many novels across genres and age groups. For upper elementary and early middle school readers, books set in Michigan can provide not only an engaging story, but also a sense of place and history.
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
Set in the mid-1800s on Madeline Island in Lake Superior (which is today part of Wisconsin, but the Ojibwe, the group depicted in the book, lived throughout Michigan as well), this novel follows the life of Omakayas, a young Ojibwe girl, as she grows up and learns the ways of her people.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Set during the Great Depression, 10-year-old Bud Caldwell sets out on a journey to find his father in Michigan, with only a suitcase and a few clues. Along the way, he discovers much about family, hope, and himself.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Watsons, an African American family from Flint, Michigan, embark on a road trip to Birmingham, Alabama, in the tumultuous summer of 1963. Initially meant to set the family’s mischievous middle child, Byron, straight, the trip becomes a poignant encounter with one of the darkest moments in American civil rights history, the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.
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