Each year, Cracking the Cover compiles a list of books that make great gifts. The following are middle grade books published in and/or reviewed by Jessica in 2024. The books are listed in reverse order of publication, newest to oldest. Scroll down for the complete list or click or tap the following links to directly visit a section. EARLY READER • CONTEMPORARY • FANTASY/MYTH • MYSTERY • MAGICAL REALISM • ADVENTURE • HISTORICAL FICTION • NONFICTION • BIOGRAPHY
EARLY READER
STELLA & MARIGOLD, by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall, Chronicle Books, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 6-9)
Stella, who’s seven, is kind, a good storyteller, and ponders big questions like, what do animals think of people? Marigold, at four, tells imaginative stories (her mother calls them “fibs”) and likes to wear her favorite Halloween costume year-round. Stella and Marigold do all the regular things—like going to school, playing, getting sick sometimes, and visiting the zoo—but even the most regular things have a secret side.
Sure to delight fans of Ivy and Bean, these adventure tales—animated with full-color illustrations of the sisters’ encounters with magical bathrooms, snow monkeys, dream lions, howling wolves, a lost Vice President, and much more—are filled with vibrant characters, creative storytelling, and a whole lot of laughs. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
THE WINNIE-THE-POOH COLLECTION (BOXED SET): WINNIE-THE-POOH; THE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER; WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG; NOW WE ARE SIX, by A. A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard, Aladdin; Boxed Set edition, Aug. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $71.99, Paperback, $27.99 (ages 6 and up)
With redesigned covers and the original black and white interior illustrations by Ernest Shepard, these editions of the four Winnie-the-Pooh books by A.A. Milne are now together in a collectible boxed set.
Explore the Hundred Acre Wood with everyone’s favorite bear-of-very-little-brain, Winnie-the-Pooh!
In Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, meet Pooh, Christopher Robin, and the other residents of the forest, including the timid Piglet, the downcast Eeyore, the impatient Rabbit, the loquacious Owl, the always bouncing Tigger, and newcomers Kanga and Roo. In each chapter they have a new adventure, from searching for honey or celebrating birthdays to hunting Heffalumps or navigating new friendships.
Rounding out the collection are two books of children’s poetry: When We Were Very Young—in which we meet Mr. Edward Bear, the character that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh—and Now We Are Six, in which Pooh and Christopher Robin make frequent appearances. These playful and imaginative verses explore the joys and pains of growing up, the antics of peculiar characters, quiet afternoons in nature, memorable animal friends, and more. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin
CONTEMPORARY
Hot Mess (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 19), by Jeff Kinney, Harry N. Abrams, Oct. 22, 2024, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 9 and up)
In Hot Mess, book 19 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley is in for a particularly awkward summer with his whole family.
The pressure is building for Greg Heffley, who discovers that when you mix heaps of family, a tiny beach house, and sweltering heat, it’s a recipe for disaster.
Speaking of recipes—the secret ingredients behind Gramma’s famous meatballs have been closely guarded for years. Can Greg unpack all of his family’s mysteries before their vacation is over? Or will he just stir the pot? —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
The minute my 10-year-old saw my review copy of Hot Mess she took it, and now she won’t give it back. This is a no-brainer for fans of this bestselling series.
THE SHAPE OF LOST THINGS, by Sarah Everett, HarperCollins, Oct. 22, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl must deal with the aftermath of her brother’s kidnapping in The Shape of Lost Things, a middle-grade novel by Sarah Everett.
Author Sarah Everett has a true gift. Her writing is heartfelt and honest. And her exploration of family, loss and change is exceptional.
The story unfolds in first person, with Skye sharing her innermost feelings. And though her situation (kidnapped brother) isn’t typical, kids will relate to feelings, goals, fears, etc. The Shape of Lost Things is an excellent read.
BYE FOREVER, I GUESS, by Jodi Meadows, Holiday House, Oct. 22, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)
Thirteen-year-old Ingrid’s been living a double life. At school, she’s the Girl With Dead Parents, her popular friend Rachel’s charity case. Online, things are different: she crushes it in her favorite MMORPG, geeks out in her favorite fantasy fandom, and runs a popular social media account. If only real life were that easy.
But when Ingrid finally stands up to Rachel and “starts drama,” it suddenly feels like she has no life at all . . . and nowhere to sit at lunch.
Until she gets a supersweet wrong-number text from a mystery boy at her school, and everything starts to go right. Spending time together playing Ancient Tomes Online as “Stitches” and “Traveler” makes her feel like she’s really connecting with someone. But when she begins to suspect that Traveler may be a popular classmate who is WAY above her in the cool-kid food chain—and whose original text was actually intended for Rachel—she faces a difficult choice. Can they be friends IRL? She wants to open up, but getting close to people has hurt her before. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House
Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot! by Jorge Cham, Harry N. Abrams, Sept. 17, 2024, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 8-12)
After writing his first book, eleven-year-old Oliver is kind of a celebrity around school—no big deal. But when he gets caught in a cafeteria catastrophe, he quickly goes from being the “funny science kid” to one of the “Epic Barf Kids”, the result of too much explosive cherry pie in the lunchroom. Oliver is desperate to restore his reputation—and winning the science fair sounds like the perfect way for everyone to forget about the whole barf thing. There’s just one obstacle standing in his way: Ana Lía Quintero, who wins the science fair every year.
Luckily, Oliver has the help of his geoscientist aunt, even though she’s a little, um, quirky (scratch that: really quirky). If Oliver has any chance of defeating his archnemesis, he’ll have to learn all about volcanic burping and bacteria farts, how Earth’s layers are basically like boba tea, and how school cliques and the solar system have a lot in common. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, by Yamile Saied Méndez, Algonquin Young Readers, Sept. 17, 2024, $16.99 (ages 9 and up)
A soccer player is forced to rethink everything she knows about the sport in The Beautiful Game, by Yamile Saied Méndez.
The Beautiful Game drops readers into the competitive world of American youth soccer. And while this book is compelling for readers who aren’t as familiar with the sport, it’s going to heavily resonate with those who are.
At the center of the story is Valeria, a 13-year-old who is being raised by her grandparents. All she’s ever wanted to do is play soccer and make her grandfather proud. But when things with her team suddenly go wrong, she’s made to feel like it’s all her fault.
And while soccer is the backdrop against which The Beautiful Game plays out, there’s much more to the story. Author Yamile Saied Méndez expertly explores themes of intergenerational family dynamics, gender expectations, building friendships and learning to trust yourself. And the scenes surrounding Valeria’s first period will ring true with girls everywhere.
DEER RUN HOME, by Ann Clare LeZotte, Scholastic Press, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)
A deaf girl searches for her voice and discovers the true meaning of family along the way in Deer Run Home, by Ann Clare LeZotte.
Inspired by a true court case, Deer Run Home is a fictionalized novel in verse. LeZotte captures Effie’s pain and joy with such care. You feel as if Effie is talking directly to you.
LeZotte’s use of verse makes Effie’s story infinitely more accessible for kids who may also struggle with reading, while gracefully providing context and impact for those just looking for a good read.
Deer Run Home is a story of abuse, however, there are no graphic details. It is mostly inferred. But the book is about so much more — how love or indifference can impact every aspect of your life, the joy of blossoming friendship, and the power of words.
LIBRARY GIRL, by Polly Horvath, Margaret Ferguson Books, Sept. 10, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 9-12)
A girl learns that the real world is not as perfect as the stories she’s grown up with in Library Girl, a middle-grade novel by Polly Horvath.
Library Girl is a whimsical story that teeters on the edge of possible.
At the center of the book is Essie, a girl who is very much a product of her rearing — four moms and a library full of books have opened multiple worlds of possibilities. But the world beyond the library is as unexpected as one found in a new book, and Essie learns she must be the protagonist in her own life.
The plot of Library Girl is unexpected, especially a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. Author Polly Horvath’s writing is warm and inviting. And her own love of books sings throughout. This gentle adventure is a lovely story about what makes a family and discovering where you fit in that family and the world at large.
KAREEM BETWEEN, by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Sept. 10, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A seventh-grade Syrian American boy navigates middle school in Kareem Between, a novel by Shifa Saltagi Safadi.
Safadi is a talented storyteller. Her main character loves American football. That’s what motivates him. It’s a sport I just don’t care about. But in Safadi’s deft hands, I cared about Kareem. I cared about his life. I cared about his story so much, that my apathy toward football fell by the wayside. That’s what good writing can do.
A novel in verse, Kareem Between, moves quickly. Safadi deftly explores friendship, community and family. Kareem is straddling that line between childhood and young adulthood where everything feels possible and impossible at the same time. His growth throughout the novel is beautiful to watch unfold.
NOT NOTHING, by Gayle Forman, Aladdin, Aug. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
A boy is forced to volunteer at a retirement home and learns to confront his own past in Not Nothing, by Gayle Forman.
I love multigenerational books because they provide perspective in a natural way. And Gayle Forman is an expert at making this happen.
At the center of Not Nothing is Alex, a kid that fits squarely into the “fell through the cracks” category. His life has been anything but simple, and not that it excuses his actions, but it’s no surprise that his temper finally got the better of him.
Forman makes you want to learn more. You become invested, and feel edified after finishing Not Nothing. This is a moving story of the human experience. With themes forgiveness, acceptance, friendship, fortitude, and love, it’s well worth reading.
BUFFALO DREAMER, by Violet Duncan, Nancy Paulsen Books, Aug. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
A girl learns of her family’s past during a visit to her grandparent’s home in Canada in Buffalo Dreamer, by Violet Duncan.
Buffalo Dreamer is a beautiful story of family, culture and owning your history.
Buffalo Dreamer is a work of historical fiction, but Duncan says, “truth is etched on every page.” And you feel that authenticity when you read it. It’s a deeply personal narrative that resonates long after completion.
Buffalo Dreamer is a little book that packs a big punch. At 128 pages, it’s slim enough for even the most reluctant of readers. Short chapters provide natural breaking spots. And Duncan’s writing is not only accessible but pushes readers to want to know more.
FAKER, by Gordon Korman, Scholastic Press, July 2, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
The son of a professional conman starts to question his father’s motives in Faker, a middle-grade novel by Gordon Korman.
Trey can’t believe his dad is making him a full partner in the family business. It’s something he’s been dreaming of. But when he makes a real connection with the kids in his new neighborhood, he starts to realize maybe the family biz isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Faker starts out with a great hook, one that will attract a large cross-section of readers, and builds from there. He expertly connects with his audience through humor and a bit of trickery that really helps you see how easily people can fall for all sorts of schemes.
Faker is fast-moving story about family, friendship and discovering your own values. It’s a strong contemporary novel with broad appeal.
THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN, by Gennifer Choldenko, Knopf Books for Young Readers, June 11, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
A boy tries to keep his family together after his mom fails to come home in The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, by Gennifer Choldenko.
I challenge you to not fall in love with Hank Hooperman. Author Gennifer Choldenko so perfectly captures his essence — flaws and all — that you can’t help rooting for him. Hank’s love for his sister is so pure. He understands how limited their options are, but won’t give up. He’s been handed responsibilities no child should ever have, and yet, he takes them on with determination and grit.
The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman is written for middle readers, and Hank and his determination will resonate with them. But as a parent, it made me wish for better outcomes and it made me want to read it with my 10-year-old so that we could have important follow-up conversations about the challenges her peers could very well be facing. It’s an excellent read.
AND THEN, BOOM! by Lisa Fipps, Nancy Paulsen Books, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
Author Lisa Fipps explores poverty and neglect in And Then, Boom! a new middle-grade novel in verse.
There is no doubt in my mind that And Then, Boom! will end up on a number of “best” lists or winning awards. Author Lisa Fipps (Starfish) speaks to those on the margins and makes everyone take notice.
Fipps expertly addresses the shame, fear and desperation that come with poverty. And she shows how just one thing — an unexpected expense — can set off a series of events that can leave people homeless or without food or both.
Everything about And Then, Boom! rings true. And Joe is a character you desperately want to succeed. The people who support Joe — his grandmum, teacher, mobile home park owner, and his friends — help bring lightness to the dark. His two best friends are especially endearing.
Millie (Best Friends Dog Tales), by McCall Hoyle and Kevin Keele, Shadow Mountain, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A street dog and a young girl with abandonment issues help each other heal in Millie, Book 3 in McCall Hoyle’s Best Friends Dog Tales series.
Hoyle is great at capturing a dog’s spirit without over personifying it. She maintains a dog’s nature but amps it up a little for the audience. It’s a great hook and it really helps push the story forward.
In Millie, Hoyle explores how trust can be both broken and built, and by doing it from a dog’s point of view, it becomes simplified and quickly relatable to the reader.
Hoyle’s writing is warm and accessible. And her pacing is spot on. At just over 200 pages, it’s more accessible to less confident readers. It would also be an excellent classroom read aloud.
FERRIS, by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Kate DiCamillo’s latest literary offering, Ferris, is about a girl, a ghost, a grandmother and growing up, and it’s delightful.
At the center of DiCamillo’s story is Ferris who — to her parents’ surprise — was born beneath the Ferris wheel at the fair. Ferris is a likeable girl who loves her grandmother, is exasperated by her sister and is overall a good egg. Ferris is surrounded by quirky characters that are just as well developed, making her world feel complete. The book’s worth reading for Pinky alone — she’s a hoot!
DiCamillo’s text is playful and heartfelt and brings a smile to your face. Not only does she “get” her characters, but she gets her audience, too. This is the type of book that will resonate with young readers, and their parents won’t mind reading it either. Kids will love reading this or hearing it read aloud. It’s a great read.
DRAWING DEENA, by Hena Khan, Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Feb. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
A young Pakistani American works to manage her anxiety through creating art in Drawing Deena, a new middle-grade novel by Hena Khan.
Deena is an inviting character who internalizes the stresses around her — family finances, friendships and social media — something many middle-readers will be able to relate to. As Deena’s anxiety comes to a head, she learns that there are resources available to help her, and most importantly, she is loved and her family loves her.
Khan’s approach to mental health is warm and supportive. She allows both Deena and readers to breathe and grow. The other main element of Drawing Deena is art, the love of creating, and finding the right path for yourself. Here, Khan not only touches on favorites like Van Gogh, but also on contemporary artists who are constantly inventing and reinventing themselves.
UNSTUCK, by Barbara Dee, Aladdin, Feb. 27, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-13)
A girl’s goal to write a fantasy novel triggers writer’s block and anxiety in Unstuck, by Barbara Dee.
Lyla desperately wants to make her book perfect and impress her classmates, family and friends, and that desire gets in the way. Lyla has the book all planned out in her head, but every time she tries to set pen to paper, she can’t quite get the words right. So, she doesn’t write. Or she writes and rewrites the first couple of sentences so many times that they’re illegible.
As Lyla’s writer’s block gets worse, so do her relationships. Life outside the classroom seems to mirror her struggles, and everything keeps piling on.
Author Barbara Dee expertly captures not only Lyla’s voice, but that of her age group. Middle-readers will immediately relate to the setting, trials and triumphs. Unstuck is a smooth-moving contemporary novel that hits all the right notes. It’s a great one for individual reading, but also has multiple applications in the classroom. And, as an added bonus, Dee includes a list of 25 strategies to help with writer’s block.
LOUDER THAN HUNGER, by John Schu, Candlewick, March 19, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)
A teen with an eating disorder is sent to a residential treatment facility in Louder Than Hunger, a new novel in verse by John Schu.
Schu’s honest look at anorexia, OCD and depression is raw, heartfelt and transformative.
At the center of the story is Jake, a boy who breaks your heart and makes you want to give him a hug. Jake is a fictionalized version of Schu, himself, who explains in his author’s note: “The reality is that many of his thoughts, including his disordered thinking and eating, are based on my own experiences as a young person.”
Schu utilizes verse to share Jake’s story, and it really helps set the tone. The pauses. The intentional breaks. It mirrors moods in its pacing and emotion in its grace. It’s a moving read.
AVERIL OFFLINE, by Amy Noelle Parks, Nancy Paulsen Books, Feb. 13, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
A girl sets out to determine her own future and learn from her own mistakes in Averil Offline, by Amy Noelle Parks.
Averil’s parents take helicopter parenting to a new level. I found myself anxious on Averil’s behalf as her parents checked on her every move throughout the day. Under their parenting plan, she basically had no autonomy. And as history has told us, when you deny people something they desperately want, they’ll find a way to get it, no matter what the risk. So, when Averil learns she’s likely to lose even more privacy, she takes action.
Averil is smart and thoughtful. She loves her parents, but she’s conscious to a fault of never stepping out of line. She’s cautious and clever and likeable from the start. At first glance, Max is a bit of a wild card, but the truth is, he just wants to be a normal kid. The two personalities are a nice balance, and offer greater appeal for a wide-ranging audience.
KEEPING PACE, by Laurie Morrison, Harry N. Abrams, April 9, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10-14)
Two former friends rethink their relationship while training for a half-marathon in Keeping Pace, a novel by Laurie Morrison.
There need to be more books like Keeping Pace. This novel sits firmly in the upper middle grade/lower young adult space where so many readers find themselves lacking anything that relates to them.
At the center of Keeping Pace are Grace and Jonah. Grace and Jonah used to be best friends, but when his dad died, their relationship evolved into rivals. As the two begin to train together, they realize how much they still need that friendship, even if it means not being perfect.
Author Laurie Morrison perfectly captures the evolution of friendship against the backdrop of personal traumas (the death of Jonah’s dad and her parent’s divorce). She writes with humor and heart, crafting an authentic read that will resonate readers who are facing their own challenges heading into junior or senior high school. It’s a thoughtful and engaging read that moves quickly and sticks with you after completion.
FANTASY/MYTH
GODDESSES AND HEROINES: WOMEN OF MYTH AND LEGEND, by Xanthe Gresham-Knight and Alice Pattullo, Thames & Hudson, Oct. 1, 2024, Paperback, 14.95 (ages 8-12)
Goddesses and Heroines tells the tales of inspirational female characters from ancient myth and legend which all too often go untold.
Performance storyteller Xanthe Gresham-Knight draws on original texts and lends renewed relevance to stories from cultures around the world.
We meet the youthful Aphrodite, the girl who created the world through imagination and sheer willpower; Hekate, the math whiz whose political drama on Mount Olympus saw her topple the powers that be; the heroic Mulan, whose bravery and athleticism helped her bypass gender barriers in ancient China; Osun, the Nigerian goddess whose foresight sparked a rebellion that freed slaves; and the not-so-fairy godmother Baba Yaga, whose bone-crunching approach to life will be an inspiration to any power-hungry tween. —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson
HOW TO SPOT A FAIRY: A FIELD GUIDE TO SPRITES, SYLPHS, SPRIGGANS, AND MORE, by Sarah Glenn Marsh and Lilla Bolecz, Running Press Kids, Oct. 22, 2024, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
An enchanting illustrated field guide to finding fairies (and their familiars) in the wild!
This stunning compendium explores the history & mythology of fairies and offers information on how/where to find these magical beings. From boggarts and pixies to weeping women, water nymphs, moon maids, and more, this book organizes fairies by habitat and offers tips on how to seek out the mystical beings in our midst. Complete with interactive elements like quizzes (“Which Type of Fairy Are You?”), crafts (“Build Your Own Fairy Garden” and “Make Your Own Fairy Potion”), and recipes (“Brew Your Own Fairy Tea”), there’s endless fun to be had while on the search for fairy folk. —Synopsis provided by Running Press Kids
THE LAST HOPE SCHOOL FOR MAGICAL DELINQUENTS, by Nicki Pau Preto, Viking Books for Young Readers, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A “troubled” student gets one last chance to turn things around in The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents, by Nicki Pau Preto.
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is an exciting read for kids who are especially drawn to “boarding school” and magical fantasy books/series — think The School for Good and Evil, Witchlings, Harry Potter, etc.
Author Nicki Pau Preto has created a magical system that’s intriguing without being confusing. It’s these magical elements that really bring the story to life. The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is Preto’s middle-grade debut, but it doesn’t feel like one. Preto’s writing is strong and assured and fun to read.
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is a standalone novel, but there’s room for more books in this world. Fingers crossed!
PLOTTING THE STARS 3: ASHGARDEN, by Michelle A. Barry, Pixel+Ink, Oct. 15, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)
Exiled to an uninhabitable planet, a girl discovers her government has been lying for centuries in Ashgarden, the final book in Michelle A. Barry’s Plotting the Stars series.
The series starts with Moongarden, where a girl discovers a secret garden. Next comes Seagarden, where said girl must hide her new-found magic. Lastly comes Ashgarden, where said girl works to unravel the lies the government has been propagating for hundreds of years.
Michelle A. Barry’s writing is confident and inviting. Her pacing is strong and her use of STEAM themes will appeal to a wide cross-section of readers. It’s a page turner of a book. I highly recommend the entire series.
THE FAIRY TALE FAN CLUB: LEGENDARY LETTERS COLLECTED BY C.C. CECILY, by Richard Ayoade and David Roberts, Walker Books US, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99
What if you could send fan mail to your fairy tale idols? And what if they wrote back? “Happily ever after” takes on a new meaning in this book from actor-comedian-author Richard Ayoade and best-selling illustrator David Roberts.
It’s once upon a time . . . as only the irreverently witty Richard Ayoade can tell it. In this series of letters organized by C. C. Cecily, Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club, the fairest of them all (and a few bitter foes) correspond with curious—and opinionated—fans.
So, if you’ve ever wondered how a less-than-genius (and less-than-clothed) emperor fell for a certain con, how the Big Bad Wolf is handling meatless Mondays, or whether Rapunzel recommends going for the big chop, no need to look far, far away. Multihyphenate Richard Ayoade, author of The Book That No One Wanted to Read, hilariously imagines what questions modern children would have for characters such as Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming, and Little Red Riding Hood—and what they might have to say in return. Complete with clever, spoof-gothic illustrations from David Roberts, this wry storybook may have even the Brothers Grimm cackling in their graves. —Synopsis provided by Walker Books
PUPPET, by David Almond and Lizzy Stewart, Candlewick, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
“You’re a mystery, aren’t you, Puppet? But isn’t everything a mystery? Not just you, but every single thing that exists.”
What should a puppet master do when he’s old and alone and all his puppets are gone? Silvester decides to make one last puppet. But this one is different. When the old man speaks to him, Puppet speaks back. And then he starts to walk . . . While Silvester shows Puppet the town, the playground, and other wonders the world holds, Puppet in turn helps Silvester to make a new friend and share his puppet-making skills with the next generation. With themes of compassion and creativity, threaded with David Almond’s inimitable humor, this wonder-filled story of creation and the circle of life, illustrated with wordless black-and-white spreads by award-winning artist Lizzy Stewart, is destined to become a modern-day classic. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick
WESTFALLEN, by Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Sept. 17, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Discover an alternate timeline where Germany wins World War II in Westfallen, the first book in a new trilogy by Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares.
There are lots of time we ask ourselves, “what if?” but don’t quite go beyond that. In Westfallen, sister and brother team Ann and Ben Brashares take that next step and imagine an America ruled by Nazis.
The entire setup — a radio that connects seventh-graders across time — is excellent, and the fallout is compelling.
The story is told from alternating viewpoints — Henry from today and Alice from 1944. Their first-person narratives give the story a personal feel and add to the overall emotion.
Westfallen is a combination of historical fiction and dystopian, opening up its appeal to a large audience. The plot feels plausible in that crawling skin kind of way. And that’s what makes the book so good. There’s a lot of tension, but some humor thrown in here and there for relief.
THE ADVENTURER’S GUIDE TO DRAGONWATCH, by Brandon Mull, Shadow Mountain, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $27.99 (ages 9-12)
The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragonwatch, by Brandon Mull and Brandon Dorman, takes fans of the series deep inside the world they’ve come to love.
The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragonwatch is written for “student(s) of dragons and the creatures that coexist with them across diverse sanctuaries.” It’s a compendium designed to help “Dragonwatch operatives who are devoted to understanding and protecting these complex and enchanting communities.
In other words, it’s a companion to Brandon Mull’s popular Dragonwatch series, which builds on his equally as popular Fablehaven series.
Mull has crafted and encyclopedia of sorts that can be read cover-to-cover or bouncing from place to place. The book is organized into alphabetically ordered chapters with alphabetically ordered topics inside. An extensive index at the end also allows for quick searches.
SYLVIA DOE AND THE 100-YEAR FLOOD, by Robert Beatty, Disney Hyperion, Oct. 8, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood is part mystery and part adventure with some magical realism thrown in the mix.
Sylvia is a spunky protagonist who feels a connection with the natural world. (One of the highlights of the book comes in her notes and illustrations.) That connection means that she’s more observant, and when unusual animals start appearing, she’s determined to look closer.
Beatty is a strong writer, and his characters and scenes get equal attention, making for a page-turning novel that sucks you in. Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood is a fast-moving novel that will appeal to a large cross-section of readers.
THE SECRET LIBRARY, by Kekla Magoon, Candlewick, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl is swept up in a time-traveling adventure that will help her discover her family’s history in The Secret Library, by Kekla Magoon.
Dally is a delightful main character whose special relationship with her grandfather makes her strained one with her mother even worse. Dally is curious and dreams of adventure. But her mom has her so scheduled with extra tutoring; Dally barely has an hour of time to herself.
It’s the perfect setup for finding a mysterious library where the books take her on fabulous journeys back in time — all while taking practically no time in reality. Dally’s “trips” span a few minutes to weeks, and all the while, she’s learning more and more about her mom, her dad, her grandfather, and their ancestors.
DAUGHTERS OF THE LAMP, by Nedda Lewers, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Feb. 20, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Daughters of the Lamp is told in alternating timelines — present-day Sahara and 985 CE Morgana (Ali Baba’s servant). By jumping through time, author Nedda Lewers is able to provide readers with the lamp’s history and explain how Sahara’s family became its guardian. It also adds some much-needed action to the beginning of the novel, which is much slower paced on Sahara’s end.
The book does offer magic, adventure and mystery, but there’s much more to it than that. At its heart, Daughters of the Lamp is a story of family, identity and belonging. In traveling to Egypt, Sahara comes to know her mother’s family, their faith and her mother’s history. She’s suddenly walking the very streets her mom once walked. It puts everything into perspective.
Lewers does an excellent job setting scenes, taking readers past the iconic symbols of Egypt and onto the streets where the people live. Lewers’ writing is warm and feels seasoned despite Daughters of the Lamp being her debut. It’s a fun fantasy with a sequel expected summer 2024.
MYSTERY
The Time Travel Twins, by James Patterson and Tad Safran, Jimmy Patterson Books, Sept. 9, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
All that stands between an evil villain and world domination is a pair of twelve-year-olds who just learned they’re time travelers. What could go wrong?!?!
Twins Pew and Basket Church dream of escaping the miserable misfortune of their isolated orphanage. Or, even better, the return of their unknown parents. But even in their wildest dreams, they never imagined the truth: The twins can travel through time.
Armed only with perplexing clues to their past and a time travel talisman that is key to their future, Pew and Basket embark on an epic quest. It takes them into George Washington’s war tent and on a hunt for the Liberty Bell, from the battlefields of the American Revolution to a pirate republic in the Caribbean and beyond, all in a race to uncover the secrets of their family—and outsmart time’s greatest villain. —Synopsis provided by Jimmy Patterson Books
THE SHERLOCK SOCIETY, by James Ponti, Aladdin, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (Ages 8-12)
Four kids and a grandfather set out to solve a decades-old mystery in The Sherlock Society, the first book in a new middle-grade series by James Ponti.
The Sherlock Society is told from Alex’s point a view, but Zoe, Lina, Yadi and Grandpa are equally as well realized. Each has their own quirks and talents, and Grandpa is a hoot.
The thing that makes The Sherlock Society really work is author James Ponti’s story feels completely realistic. His use of history, geography, science, technology and the five Ws (who, what, when, where and why) is compelling. And it’s not inconceivable that a grandparent would foster this kind of summer project.
The book is set in South Florida, and offers a wealth of information along with adventure, making kids want to keep reading. It’s fast-paced and engaging from beginning to end. This would make a fun classroom read and will appeal to a large cross-section of readers. I look forward to more books in this series.
THE MYSTERY OF LOCKED ROOMS, by Lindsay Currie, Sourcebooks Young Readers, April 2, 2024, Hard cover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
Three friends team up to find a hidden treasure in an abandoned 1950s funhouse in The Mystery of Locked Rooms, by Lindsay Currie.
Author Lindsay Currie knows her audience. Her readers are thoughtful, clever and love a good adventure.
At the center of the story are Sarah, Hannah and West whose friendship is the backbone of The Mystery of Locked Rooms. These friends depend upon and trust each other in a way that feels absolutely authentic. And even though the story is “about” Sarah, Hannah and West’s personalities are equally realized.
The trio are escape room experts, and the Stein funhouse puts all of their mental and physical skills to the test. Each friend’s specific talents come into play, and they must truly work together to find the treasure.
Currie’s writing is bright and inviting — reading The Mystery of Locked Rooms is almost like revisiting a long-lost friend. Her pacing is spot-on, creating tension balanced with moments of reflection or joy.
MAGICAL REALISM
THE HOTEL BALZAAR (The Norendy Tales), by Kate DiCamillo and Júlia Sardà, Candlewick, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 7-10)
A young girl gets swept up in stories told by a mysterious countess in The Hotel Balzaar, a middle-grade novel by Kate DiCamillo.
The Hotel Balzaar is the second book in DiCamillo’s Norendy Tales — a trio of novels bound by place and mood. And like the first book — The Puppets of Spelhorst — it’s fantastic. Both books stand alone in content but are connected through tone.
The charming tale follows Marta as she tries to remain invisible in a hotel full of colorful characters.
DiCamillo’s use of stories within stories sounds complicated, but plays out with ease. Her pacing is perfect and her prose accessible. And paired with Júlia Sardà’s beautiful line art, this story shines.
THE WITCHING WIND, by Natalie Lloyd, Scholastic Press, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
Two girls wonder if an unusual weather phenomenon has anything to do with the upheaval in their lives in The Witching Wind, by Natalie Lloyd.
Author Natalie Lloyd (Hummingbird) is known for the magic she infuses into her stories — both in her writing and in the stories she weaves.
The Witching Wind is no different. A special kind of wind that takes things away, but also carries them back. It’s a great setup.
The wind itself almost becomes a character. But it’s Grayson and Roxie who steal the show. Told through alternating voices, you are given a front-row seat to their hopes, fears and even dreams.
While it might seem as if the Witching Wind is central to this story, it’s more the framework that carries Lloyd’s story of family and friendship and how those bonds motivate actions.
ADVENTURE
THE LEGEND OF THE LAST LIBRARY, by Frank L. Cole, Shadow Mountain, Aug. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
In a time when trees and paper no longer exist, a girl sets out to find a repository of books in The Legend of the Last Library, by Frank L. Cole.
The Legend of the Last Library is set in a dystopian future that looks anything but great. Cole’s world-building skills here are strong, giving you the sense that you’re walking right beside Juni as she scavenges. And — without giving too much away — there’s a setting later in the book that kind of knocks your socks off.
Juni is a well-realized main character who readers will want to root for. She’s clever and determined and protective of those she cares for. Juni also has the ability to see beyond what’s right in front of her, which makes her all the more likeable.
WILD WAVE, by Rodman Philbrick, Scholastic Press, Aug. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Two kids try to survive in the aftermath of a tsunami in Wild Wave, the third book in Rodman Philbrick’s The Wild series.
Philbrick does an excellent job setting the scene. You immediately feel as if you, too, are buried under a forest of uprooted trees. He quickly sets the stakes as Nick and Jess move from one dangerous situation to the next, providing both characters and readers moments of rest while never allowing them to completely let their guard down.
Wild Wave is perfect for fans of the I Survived or Survivor Diaries series. At approximately 175 pages, it’s an accessible length, and the short chapters provide for natural stopping points. The book is full of adventure and tension and Philbrick allows his characters to work out problems on their own. This would make a great addition to a classroom library.
The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science, by Kate McKinnon, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9 and up)
So, you want to be a young mad scientist. Congratulations! Admitting it is the first step. The second step is reading the (definitely true) tale of the Porch sisters…
Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch do not belong. They don’t belong in the snooty town of Antiquarium, where all girls have to go to etiquette school and the only dog allowed is the bichon frise. They don’t belong with their adoptive family, where all their cousins are named Lavinia and their Aunt has more brooches than books. And they certainly don’t belong at Mrs. Wintermacher’s etiquette school—they’re far more interested in science. After getting kicked out of the last etiquette school that would take them, the girls expect to be sent away for good… until they receive a mysterious invitation to new school.
Suddenly the girls are under the tutelage of the infamous Millicent Quibb—a mad scientist with worms in her hair and oysters in her bathtub. At 231 Mysterium Way, the pizza is fatal, the bus is powered by Gerbils, and the Dean of Students is a hermit crab. Dangerous? Yes! More fun than they’ve ever had? Absolutely! But when the sisters are asked to save their town from an evil cabal of nefarious mad scientists, they must learn to embrace what has always made them stand out, and determine what side they’re on—before it’s too late! —Synopsis provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
THE LONG WAY AROUND, by Anne Nesbet, Candlewick, Sept. 10, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
During a hiking trip with their parents in the mountains of California, cousins Owen, Vivian, and Amy are finally allowed to camp for one night at a little lake all on their own. But when a massive earthquake blocks their return path, there’s only one way home: the long way around, through a wilderness filled with fierce animals, raging rivers, unstable weather, and high passes.
The hardest challenges the cousins face, however, are the troubles they’ve brought with them: bold Vivian’s fear of starting middle school and of changes she can’t control, Owen’s lingering emotional scars from a car accident, and Amy’s desire to live in stories rather than in boring regular life. Drawing on courage and humor, the cousins weather storms, make the most of dwindling rations, and face their deepest fears in order to bring each other safely home. This gripping contemporary novel from celebrated author Anne Nesbet is bursting with excitement, rich natural settings, and characters who will have readers rooting for them all the way. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick
CLARA POOLE AND THE WRONG WAY UP, by Taylor Tyng, Pixel+Ink, July 9, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl earns her place — sort of — at Air Academy only to find nothing is quite as it seems in Clara Poole and the Wrong Way Up, by Taylor Tyng.
If you haven’t already read Taylor Tyng’s Clara Poole and the Long Way Round, you need to. It’s great. And its sequel, Clara Poole and the Wrong Way Up is just as fun.
The series follows Clara as she graduates from flying a lawn chair tied to a bunch of balloons to a competitor in a round-the-world adventure race to an academy designed specifically to train young aeronauts.
In Clara Poole and the Wrong Way Up, author Taylor Tyng continues to explore Clara’s character, adding depth to an already compelling character. Some favorite characters from the original book take a backseat as this story focuses more on the students and the adults running the academy.
HISTORICAL FICTION
WHEN WE FLEW AWAY: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary, by Alice Hoffman, Scholastic Press, Sept. 17, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
Alice Hoffman’s When We Flew Away follows Anne Frank’s life from the moment the Nazis invaded the Netherlands until the Frank family was forced into hiding.
Based on extensive research and published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, When We Flew Away is a moving exploration of the little-known details of Anne’s life before she went into hiding.
Alice Hoffman is a seasoned writer who captures the essence of Anne — her wit, curiosity and dreams — and provides greater understanding of the entire Frank family. Her writing is comfortable and accessible. And at less than 300 pages, a good length for the intended audience.
UPRISING, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic Press, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Uprising, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, follows a young Polish girl as she participates in the Warsaw city uprising during WWII.
Uprising, which was inspired by the real-life story of Polish teenager Lidia Zakrzewski, is an excellent addition to Nielsen’s canon.
The story follows Lidia over a period of five years. During which, readers get a first-person account of the horrors Polish citizens faced. Lidia is smart and determined and someone you very much want to root for.
Nielsen adeptly captures the traumas of occupation and war while providing moments of light and hope throughout. Her pacing is smooth and her prose inviting.
HEROES: A NOVEL OF PEARL HARBOR, by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, Feb. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, by Alan Gratz, follows two boys during the raid and aftermath of the Japanese attack in December 1941.
Gratz takes young readers to the center of action by placing Frank and Stanley on the deck of the battleship Utah when the Japanese start dropping bombs. Seeing the ensuing chaos through their eyes brings an immediacy to the story you couldn’t catch otherwise.
At the center of it all is a friendship that is built on the love of comic books but is fractured by racism. Frank and Stanley are best buds that are well developed and likeable. They’re easy to root for both during and after the attack. You want them to succeed and you hope for a future where their friendship endures.
Heroes ends with an all-original, 10-page black & white comic that brings to life the comic book idea that Frank and Stanley brainstorm in the novel. The comic is written by Alan Gratz and illustrated by Judit Tondora. And it’s a lot of fun to see the ideas realized. Also included is a map of Pearl Harbor on Dec.7, 1941 and an author’s note about WWII, a section about the story, and a discussion of Asian Americans in comics.
ACROSS SO MANY SEAS, by Ruth Behar, Nancy Paulsen Books, Feb. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
Ruth Behar’s Across So Many Seas spans 500 years and tells the stories of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family.
Across So Many Seas focuses on four different time periods in four different countries — 1492 Spain; 1923 Turkey; 1961 Cuba; and 2003 America.
Across So Many Seas is based on some of Behar’s own family history, and because of that, you gain a real sense of connection and authenticity. Behar’s text is warm and inviting and moves smoothly from one character to another.
Across So Many Seas is a compelling historical fiction read that at just over 200 pages is not overly long. It should appeal to a large cross-section of readers.
NONFICTION
THE VINCENT VAN GOGH ATLAS, by Nienke Denekamp (Author), René van Blerk (Author), Geert Gratama (Illustrator), Thames & Hudson, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $24.95 (ages 10 and up)
Vincent van Gogh traveled widely throughout Europe―on foot, by boat, and above all, by train. He wrote countless letters to his family as he went, using the world around him as the subject for hundreds of drawings and paintings. And in his day, that world looked very different from ours.
Brimming with colorful illustrations, historic photographs, letters, detailed maps, and other documents, this book enables readers to join Van Gogh on his journeys from Z to A: from Zundert in the southern Netherlands (where he was born), through London and Paris, to Auvers-sur-Oise in France (where he died).
Offering a detailed introduction to Van Gogh’s personal quest and the world of his time, The Vincent Van Gogh Atlas will immerse young readers in the history of the nineteenth century and the turbulent life of Van Gogh, the artist and man. —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson
EXPLANATORIUM OF THE EARTH (DK Explanatorium), by DK and the Smithsonian Institute, DK Children, May 21, 2024, Hardcover, $32.99 (ages 8 and up)
Explore our planet — from supervolcanoes to tsunamis — in Explanatorium of the Earth, an encyclopedia from DK and the Smithsonian Institute.
Explanatorium of the Earth is the type of book kids and adults will enjoy. It offers a fair amount of information on a lot of different topics. Most people won’t read it from cover-to-cover, although you could if you wanted to. Instead, most readers will graze, skipping around and reading what catches their interest. And at almost 300 pages, there’s a lot to capture interest.
A lot of the information here is answers to questions parents and kids will encounter in everyday life. The major selling point of Explanatorium of the Earth is the photography. This book is beautiful. Large photographs paired with some explanatory graphics really bring topics to life. The art is bold and beautiful and drops you right into the action.
MOUNTAIN OF FIRE: THE ERUPTION AND SURVIVORS OF MOUNT ST. HELENS, by Rebecca E. F. Barone, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), May 14, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)
Learn about the events leading up to and following the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Mountain of Fire, by Rebecca E. F. Barone.
Books like Mountain of Fire are the way to get young readers excited about nonfiction. From start to finish, it’s an engaging read that makes you want to know more.
Author Rebecca E. F. Barone has meticulously researched the topic, including first-person interviews with some of the scientists and survivors. Barone’s writing is accessible and full of energy. Her pacing is spot on, building up anticipation with every turn of the page.
THE ENIGMA GIRLS: HOW TEN TEENAGERS BROKE CIPHERS, KEPT SECRETS, AND HELPED WIN WORLD WAR II, by Candace Fleming, Scholastic Focus, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8 and up)
Candace Fleming has a way with middle-grade nonfiction. The author of The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s Tomb, knows just how to bring facts together in a way that draws in young readers rather than push them away. Fleming’s clear and welcoming voice makes her books read more like novels than history books.
The premise of The Enigma Girls is an easy sell. The book features the stories of 10 teenage girls who broke ciphers, kept secrets and helped win WWII. That on its own makes the book a winner, but then you add in special “top secret” sections that explain the difference between codes and ciphers and how to solve them, it becomes even more special. The book is chock full of black-and-white photographs that bring the time and place to life.
SICK!: THE TWISTS AND TURNS BEHIND ANIMAL GERMS, by Heather L. Montgomery and Lindsey Leigh, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Feb. 20, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
Learn about the organisms that make animals ill in Sick! The Twists and Turns Behind Animal Germs, by Heather L. Montgomery and Lindsey Leigh.
Sick! The Twists and Turns Behind Animal Germs is middle-grade gold. It features comic-style art and is full of stuff that kids simultaneously will say eewww about while asking for more. In short, the creators have made germs fun.
At the very beginning of Sick! The Twists and Turns Behind Animal Germs, author Heather L. Montgomery warns readers that the book isn’t a textbook or encyclopedia — it’s science in action, and that’s exactly what readers get. Montgomery has taken complex concepts and not only made them accessible but interesting, too. Artist Lindsey Leigh’s humorous illustrations further understanding. And, at less than 150 pages, it’s not too long for less confident readers.
SPYING ON SPIES: HOW ELIZEBETH SMITH FRIEDMAN BROKE THE NAZIS’ SECRET CODES, by Marissa Moss, Harry N. Abrams, March 12, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)
Learn about America’s first female cryptanalyst, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who busted Nazi spy rings in Spying on Spies, by Marissa Moss.
Spying on Spies is one of those books that kids will instinctively be drawn to just because of its title.
Each chapter begins with graphic novel-style panels that set the stage. Those panels are followed by short chapters that are comfortable to read. Author Marissa Moss’ writing is bright and accessible. Her almost conversational tone and strong pacing and a text that’s about 200 pages (with an author’s note and extensive timeline) make Spying on Spies a good option for more reluctant readers. A number of black-and-white photographs are also included.
BIOGRAPHY
FORCE OF NATURE: A NOVEL OF RACHEL CARSON, by Ann E. Burg and Sophie Blackall, Scholastic Press, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson, by Ann E. Burg and Sophie Blackall, is the story of how a young naturalist grows up to change the world.
Rachel Carson (1907-1964) was a biologist, writer and environmental activist whose writing spurred marine conservation and the environmental movement.
A novel-in-verse, Force of Nature is both restrained and expansive. Burg’s lyrical prose brings you in and invites you to stay. Burg’s short sentences and chapters are graceful and accessible, making it a good choice for both classroom or individual reading.
Burg captures Carson’s love for nature and her family with a warm touch, giving readers a true sense of Carson’s drive and personality. Accompanying art by Sophie Blackall gives the feel of a journal or field notebook. It’s a lovely read.
Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
