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‘24 Greatest Hits You Might Have Missed

According to Goodreads, I read 432 books in 2024. I am ranked as a Top 1% reviewer. My top genres: children’s fiction, middle grade fiction, and historical fiction. The books on this list include those genres and more. 



In reality, I read hundreds of more books than that (I serve on a national book committee, and I don’t rate books that fall in that category until after the awardees are named each November). During the past year I was reintroduced to comics – specifically, those with a Western focus – thrillers, and speculative fiction. Poetry is always a favorite, and I am always trying to read more nonfiction. 


If you’re looking to catch up on some middle grade reads that were released in 2024, then check out this list. The best part – these are titles you might have missed. 


I will also dip a bit into children’s and young adult fiction, because a good book is a good book, and I want to share those, too. The list is categorized by genre and not ranked in any particular order. 



Middle Grade

Louder than Hunger by John Schu

A life-changing book for young readers. A story that explores anorexia, self-expression, and managing pain. 


John Schu and I, Boston, Nov. 2024.

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

Welcome back, 1999! Time travel, state of things in the future, and flashback to Y2K. 


Lion of the Sky by Ritu Hemnani

A historical fiction novel-in-verse, this book touches on themes of identity, belonging, and hope with a focus on the British Partition of India. 


We are Big Time by Hena Khan, illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

For lovers of basketball, in this graphic novel, an all-girls, Muslim team learns about the value of standing out and finding yourself. 


Olivetti by Allie Millington

The personification of a typewriter who remembers every word ever typed. 


Unstuck by Barbara Dee

Sometimes, kids get stuck. Join 7th grader Lyla, who is looking to get unstuck facing many middle grade challenges. 


A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga

Ghosts and spooky buildings? Count me in!


The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett

Filled with twists and turns, Skye believes her long-lost brother has returned home after four years, but has he?


Warrior on the Mound by Sandra W. Headen

Baseball history and a story about race relations. Five-star read!


Telephone of the Tree by Alison McGhee

Sometimes you just want to hear their voice again. 


Grace Notes: Poems about Families by Naomi Shihab Nye

Beautiful and amazing poetry!


Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith, Jr. 

Powerful, amazing, brilliant. Still thinking about this collection weeks later. 


Young Adult Fiction


Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

When you see Boulley’s name on any book, grab it! Perry Firekeeper-Birch must find a way to make things right for her ancestors and community. 


Flyboy by Kasey LeBlanc

Closeted trans teen Asher visits a magic-filled circus and learns about life in this debut YA novel. 


Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

A beautifully constructed imaginary world. I was taken to the sea with inventive characters and adventure. 


Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

One of the best books of the year. Ghosts, family, a trans autistic teen. Amazing read!


Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell

Loss, betrayal, thriller. Cobell (Blackfeet) has done it with this debut YA pick.


Just Shy of Ordinary by A.J. Sass

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. Just ask Shai, a 13-year-old nonbinary person.


Find Her by Ginger Reno

An Own Voices book, Wren – a young Cherokee girl – is searching for her mother in Oklahoma. 


Children’s Fiction


The Dress in the Window by Robert Tregonin, illustrated by Pippa Curnick

A child’s individuality meets support and love from his family. 


Everyday Brave by Colter Jackson

A story about finding your voice and using it. Beautiful illustrations!


The Wild by Yuval Zommer

A modern fable about our plant. Everything by Zommer is filled with beauty and imagination! 


The Artivist by Nikkolas Smith

Art and activism. Smith is amazing!


Heatwave by Lauren Redniss

Feel the burn! The color scheme is hot enough to knock you down. An exploration of weather. 
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