How to reference a book in MLA 9
A book reference in MLA 9 has 5 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: (Author page)
- Checked 21 October 2026
Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.
The 5 parts
Author. Title. Edition ed., Publisher, Year.
. 2 · TITLEAttachment in Early Childhood. 3 · EDITION2nd ed., 4 · PUBLISHERNorthgate Press, 5 · DATE2023.
- 2 · TitleCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In italics.On the title page, with any subtitle after a colon.
- 3 · EditionWritten like this: 2nd. Then “ed.”.On the title page or its back. Leave it out for a first edition.
- 4 · PublisherAs the source gives it.On the title page or the spine.
- 5 · DateThe year.On the back of the title page, by the © sign. Use the edition you read.
Two places, one source
Early bonds shape how children cope with new places (Okafor).
The author, and the page when there is one.Okafor, David. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press, 2023.
The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.Build your reference
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
Riverside Media Bureau. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press, 2023.
In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau)
No date
Leave the date out.
Okafor, David. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press.
In your essay: (Okafor)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Green, Amara, and Ravi Patel. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press, 2023.
In your essay: (Green and Patel)
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.
Green, Amara, et al. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press, 2023.
In your essay: (Green et al.)
Easy to get wrong
The title not in italics
NOT QUITEOkafor, David. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press, 2023.
RIGHTOkafor, David. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press, 2023.
Check your university’s version
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.
Questions
How do I cite a book in the text?
Give the author, in brackets: (Okafor). To point to one place in it: (Okafor 81)
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how MLA 9 sets it out: Okafor, David. Attachment in Early Childhood. 2nd ed., Northgate Press.
Is MLA 9 the same at every university?
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
Skip the typing next time
In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.
These guides and KanBananza’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with KanBananza and don’t endorse it. See our terms.