We live in Washington State and it is always so fun when we come across a book that takes place there. It can serve as a beautiful, nature-filled backdrop, or allow to shed light on important subjects, such as Japanese internment or Indigenous identity. Check out these 12 books below that are not only great, but take place in Washington State.
In A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Joy McCullough, Sutton and Luis’s parents are dating each other and have brought the kids to Discovery Park in Seattle as a forced bonding experience. The kids are reluctant, and end up getting separated from their parents. They have to work together and rely on each other to get themselves to safety. My ten year old really enjoyed this one!
In The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart, Coyote has spent five years living and traveling in a refurbished school bus with her dad, ever since tragedy struck their family. When Coyote learns that the park in Washington State holding a memory box she buried with her mom and sisters is set for demolition, she devises a plan to get her dad to drive them back across the country to save it. Along the way, the pick up an odd crew of folks whose friendships help Coyote deal with loss, courage, and the meaning of home. My 11 year old loved this one.
Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm is a Newbery Honor historical fiction novel that takes readers back to 1899 and pioneer life in Washington State. May Amelia is the only girl in a family of seven boys who pushes against being a “fine young lady” and instead craves adventure, a sister, and a place where she can stand on her own. This is a fun read with great portrayals of frontier life and resilience.
Ahh, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a must-read for any middle grade student. This Newbery Award winning novel is told from the point of view of Ivan, a silverback gorilla living in a mall exhibit in Tacoma, Washington. It explores friendship, art, and the longing for a better life. It is an incredibly touching story about empathy, hope, and courage.
I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day is an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. Edie finds a mysterious box in the attic that turns what she thought she knew about her family’s story on it’s head. As she pieces together long-kept secrets, Edie learns about her Indigenous identity, belonging, and the complexity of family bonds.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown is such an inspiring underdog story. This non-fiction story follows nine working-class young men from the University of Washington as they train relentlessly and defy the odds to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This is a great story of resilience and the power of shared determination.
Last Meeting of the Gorilla Club by Sara Nickerson is a moving story about anxiety and grief. Josh moves across the country to Seattle and has to start fresh at a new school. But soon after arriving, Josh’s old imaginary friend reappears and it seems that another boy at school may see this friend as well. This is a great book that deals with grief, loneliness, and connection.
In The Sea in Winter by Christine Day, Maisie’s ballet dreams are upended by an injury, which has Maisie struggling with depression and identity loss. She is reluctant to take a family trip to Neah Bay and the Makah community, but finds healing and resilience on the way.
The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J. Anderson Coats is an historical fiction book that takes place in the Civil War era. Jane is an 11-year-old girls who travels from Massachusetts to the Washington Territory as part of the “Mercer Girls” expedition to find a better life. But, the frontier is much more rugged and difficult than anticipated, so Jane is forced to develop self-reliance and grit.
Beneath the Wide Silk Sky by Emily Inouye Huey follows Sam, a Japanese-American teen in Washington State who dreams of becoming a photographer. But after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she faces increasing prejudice and discrimination. Forced relocation to an internment camp looms, but Sam uses her camera to document the truth as her last chance to stand up against injustice.
Chasing at the Surface by Sharon Mentyka is great for animal lovers. Twelve-year-old Marisa is struggling with the sudden departure of her mother. When a pod of orca whales becomes trapped in a nearby inlet, Marisa focuses all of her efforts in helping them to escape. And in doing so, she confronts her own sense of loss and must redefine what family and home mean to her.
Eva on the Farm by Dia Calhon is a novel-in-verse about twelve-year-old poet, Eva, who loves life on her family’s orchard in Eastern Washington. When her family risks losing their farm after a blight, Eva uses her imagination and poems to help save it.
What recommendations do you have? Post in the comments!
Happy Reading!
Birdie's Bookshelf 