Highly-Anticipated Middle Grade & Chapter Books of 2024
by Dena McMurdie
With a new year comes new books! And 2024 is shaping up to be an excellent year for new stories from beloved authors, splashy debut titles, and new spins on old favorites. Whether your kid is transitioning into chapter books or is a seasoned reader in search of a challenge, plenty of fantastic reads are coming their way. Here are the most exciting and highly anticipated chapter books and middle grade books releasing in 2024.
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The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum
Available from:Kids who have outgrown The Bad Guys will love this highly illustrated series starter from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat. It’s about a group of pre-teen misfits at a boarding school for amateur crime fighters. They must work together to stop a major heist and save the school from closing. If your kid obsesses over heist stories, add this book to their New Year’s reading list!
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Newbie Fairy
Available from:Newly independent readers will want to add this book to their reading stack. Follow the misadventures of a young fairy as she tries casting spells for the first time — with rib-tickling results. Magic, humor, and friendship make this highly illustrated chapter book series starter a must-read!
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Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania!
Available from:This early graphic novel series has quickly become a favorite for newly independent readers everywhere. Your favorite snacks suit up and throw down in this hilarious story about friendship, sports, and expectations.
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Amil and the After
Available from:From the author of the Newbery Honor-winning novel The Night Diary comes a new story about Nisha’s twin brother. Although their harrowing journey from Pakistan is over, Amil feels uncertain about their situation and his identity. He starts a drawing diary, telling his story through pictures — and finds himself in the process. This heartfelt novel should be on everyone’s reading list for 2024!
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The School for Invisible Boys
Available from:When Hector’s best friend becomes his bully, he wants to disappear. In an unexpected twist, Hector’s wish comes true, and he gains the ability to turn invisible. But this ability comes with unusual and hair-raising consequences. This unique book is equal parts spooky and heartwarming. It’s the perfect read for any kid who has ever felt overlooked!
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Dangerous Allies (The Forgotten Five, Book 4)
Available from:If your kids aren’t hooked on this series from the author of The Unwanteds yet, now is the perfect time to introduce them to it. This is the fourth book in the series about a group of outcasts with superpowers. Shifting loyalties, possible kidnappings, and plenty of adventure await young readers in this newest installment!
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Max in the House of Spies
Available from:A young Jewish boy becomes a British spy to return to war-torn Berlin to look for his parents. With two tiny traveling companions on his shoulders, Max sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. This quirky, funny book delivers an irresistible and essential story for historical fiction lovers.
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Penny Draws a Secret Adventure
Available from:Tweens will love returning to the doodle-filled world of the highly illustrated Penny Draws series from a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Baby blues, friendship worries, and a treasure hunt keep Penny and her pencil busy in this new adventure. This humorous and heartwarming series is the perfect pick for anxious kids.
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Paper Dragons
Available from:Readers who love getting immersed in magical worlds won’t be able to resist this high-stakes adventure. It’s about an orphan named Zhi Ging who is training as an apprentice to the immortals in their underwater realm. Fierce competition, impossible challenges, and evil forces threaten to destroy Zhi Ging and everything she’s worked for. If your kid devoured Eragon or the Nevermoor series, this book will be right up their alley!
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Rebel Girls Money Matters
Available from:Empower young girls with financial knowledge with the help of this nonfiction book from Rebel Girls. Readers will learn about personal finance, saving, spending, starting a business, and much more. It’s an excellent guide to prepare girls (and everyone!) to become financially independent and responsible.
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The Secret Language of Birds
Available from:Environmentally conscious kids will love this eco mystery from the award-winning author of Song for a Whale. When Nina discovers two endangered birds laying eggs near her summer camp, she wants to keep them safe. To do so, Nina and her friends must learn the female bird’s identity. This delightful story will entertain and uplift young readers interested in saving endangered animals.
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The Night War
Available from:In her newest novel for children, two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley returns to the era of The War That Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won. A young Jewish girl narrowly escapes capture and hides out at a Catholic school in the French countryside. When she finds an opportunity to escape to safety, she must decide whether to flee or stay in hiding and help others find freedom.
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The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues
Preorder from:Readers who enjoyed every page of the instant bestseller The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels will be thrilled to get their hands on this all-new adventure. Shenanigan Swift and her relatives head to Paris to solve a series of art heists, only to stir up several more mysteries. Get ready for another escapade featuring quirky relatives, dead bodies, and hilarious mishaps!
(On sale: 8/20/2024)
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The History of Information
Preorder from:This fascinating nonfiction book from bestselling author and illustrator Chris Haughton takes readers through the ages and stages of information. Readers will learn how humans learned to record and share information, create technology, and expand on the knowledge of our predecessors. It’s a must-read for tech lovers and history buffs!
(On sale: 9/24/2024)
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Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All
Available from:Magnolia hangs onto every lost sock at her parent’s laundromat, hoping to return them to their owners. Along with her new friend Iris, Magnolia takes the sock collection and her thirst for adventure on an unforgettable journey through New York City. The girls meet interesting characters, make memories, and return the socks one by one.
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The Last Comics on Earth: Too Many Villains!
Preorder from:Jump back into this hilarious spin-off series based on The Last Kids on Earth! In this book, Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk brainstorm ideas for a bigger and better sequel to their original comic. Soon, the kids and their superhero counterparts find themselves battling the mysterious mastermind behind every villain in existence.
(On sale: 4/30/2024)
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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: Cat Out of Water
Preorder from:This early graphic novel featuring everyone’s favorite mischievous cat is perfect for young readers transitioning to early chapter books. Readers will giggle as the Cat, Thing 1, and Thing 2 turn Sally’s world (and house) upside down and inside out. Brightly colored, expressive illustrations make this adaptation of The Cat in the Hat a delight to read!
(On sale: 4/30/2024)
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Windy Night with Wild Horses
Preorder from:The latest early chapter book in The Magic Tree House series is perfect for horse lovers! Jack and Annie get transported to Mongolia, where they work to save the endangered little horses from a pack of hungry wolves. Kids who love this series’s graphic novel adaptations should also watch for Afternoon on the Amazon Graphic Novel coming 3/26/2024!
(On sale: 5/7/2024)
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Daydreamer
Preorder from:Life is challenging for Charles, so he spends much of his time escaping into an imaginary magical world. But when his fantasy world spills into real life, Charles must stretch the limits of his creativity and imagination. This poignant story beautifully portrays the wonders of storytelling, dreams, and courage.
(On sale: 8/6/2024)
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We Are Big Time
Preorder from:Readers who enjoy sports and graphic novels will find much to love about this highly readable book. When Aliya moves to Wisconsin, she joins the girls’ basketball team, hoping to have fun and make new friends. Throughout the season, Aliya and her teammates learn to work as a team and survive the drama on and off the court.
(On sale: 8/6/2024)
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