The 6 Best Books I Read in 2024!
2024 Reading Highlights
The space between Christmas and New Year’s is for leftovers, losing track of days, and lists. Countdown lists to be exact. And so I thought it only fitting if I shared my favorite reads from this year. In no particular order (because I can’t possibly rank them!), here are my 6 favorite books from 2024!
And I’m curious, what’s on your reading list for 2025?
If you are looking for specific book recommendations for the 8-12 year-old reader in your life, let me know and I’d love to help out!
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My goal is simple: Provide book recommendations you can trust so your 8-12 year-old reader can find their next right book.
1. The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry
Most survival stories take place in the wilderness. But what if you grew up in the wild and then had to survive at a middle school in the city? Juniper has spent her whole life living deep in the woods, but when her brother gets sick and the hospital bills start to pile up, she has to move to the city. A story of perseverance, compassion, and belonging.
Get it from Amazon
2. Valor Wings
Dunkirk, but with dragons! Everyone in Iris's small English village avoids the dragon in the woods. Everyone, that is, except for Iris. Meanwhile in Belgium, Max's school day is abruptly interrupted by some terrifying The Germans have invaded his country. Across hundreds of miles, the stories of Iris and Max steadily converge toward an explosive conclusion that will change them both forever.
Get it from Amazon
3. Squished
Eleven-year-old Avery Lee loves a lot of things about her life. But sometimes she feels a little bit squished being one of seven children in her family. This graphic novel tells the story of how Avery tries to gain some freedom and independence while navigating some potentially big family changes.
Get it from Amazon
4. Iceberg
An absolutely captivating historical fiction story of survival! I was hooked early on and couldn’t put it down…even knowing what happens to the Titanic! Hazel is a curious stowaway on the ship who wants to be a journalist when she grows up. She starts asking questions and her journey reveals to the reader what went wrong and some reasons the Titanic sank.
Get it from Amazon
5. The Firefly Summer
Ryanna is off to the Poconos to stay with her family at an old summer camp! The grandparents she hasn’t spoken to in years invite her to spend the summer with them at their property, a former summer camp. Will Ryanna be able to connect with her family during a summer at the lake filled with adventures, s’mores, and a mystery to solve?
Get it from Amazon
6. The Labors of Hercules Beal
Herc Beal knows who he's named after—a mythical hero—but he's no superhero. He's the smallest kid in his class. So when his homeroom teacher at his new middle school gives him the assignment of duplicating the mythical Hercules's amazing feats in real life, he's skeptical. Although his mythical role model performed his twelve labors by himself, Herc begins to see that he may not have to go it alone.
Get it from Amazon
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