About Maine Reads

Established in 2004 by the Office of the First Lady, Maine Reads is dedicated to the fight for a more literate Maine through meaningful programs that create awareness, raise funds, and encourage collaboration among literacy providers.

The Maine Festival of the Book 2009 was held April 2-5 in Portland, with a full day of programs on Saturday, April 4 at the Abromson Center, University of Southern Maine. Schedule of Events 2009. The festival will return to Portland next spring. Stay tuned!

If you would like to see what Festival 2008 and 2007 were about go to Past Festivals or hear recordings of selected festival programs on the Web site of Maine Public Broadcasting Network and Maine Humanities Council. Past presenters include David McCullough, Richard Ford, David Baldacci, Tess Gerritsen, Crystal Zevon, Wes McNair, Brian Wood, Jane Brox, Maxine Kumin, and Elizabeth Strout.

Learn more about the Maine Reads Community Literacy project, a grants initiative offering funding to libraries for community and literacy building.

Learn more about Read With ME., a state-wide literacy outreach program that brings books to every kindergartener in Maine. This year's featured Read With ME. book is A Place to Sleep written and illustrated by Holly Mead of Sedgwick, Maine.