Amanda’s Favorite Reads of 2024

Yes, it’s list time. Again. I love a good list!

As of this post, I have read 249 books this year. Did I get to read everything I had hoped to in 2024? Of course not. But I did read a lot! Fiction helped me escape the stress of so many things this year: election anxiety, my son’s high school graduation and move to college (sob!), my mom’s knee replacement, my own endless well of anxiety and obsessive rumination, and the day-to-day annoyances of existing among other humans.

These are the books that most stuck with me this year.  You might notice that all but one are middle grade. At TLT this year, we focused on middle grade books, so that’s what I mostly read; I also prioritized reading for that age group as it’s more closely aligned with my job in an elementary library; and I did still read many YA books (and adult books) but didn’t review them here. I can’t read everything I get and I can’t review everything I read. Alas.

Standard disclaimer here that I read what I like, and what I like is realistic fiction. This is my personal list of favorites, so I know it lacks diversity of genres.

Even though I’m a voracious reader, I’m sure I missed a lot of great 2024 books. I always enjoy reading the many lists that crop up this time of the year, but I also always want more variety and to hear from more people. So here’s my list—will you share yours with us too? Leave us a comment or hit me up on BlueSky.

Books appear on this list in order of publication date. These are excerpts of my reviews, with links at the end of each excerpt to the full review.

Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston

Not an easy read, my friends, not an easy read at all. But with Winston’s typical stellar writing and vibrant characters, this rough look at the reality of life for so many kids is important and full of love.

Sharkita, age 12, has basically always been the little mama of the house, having to fill in and raise herself and her siblings because her mother is always absent or unwilling to do the job herself. Don’t get me wrong—Kita’s mom (“ol’ Britt,” as one of the friends calls her) has flashes of parenting. But Kita and her younger sister are both always waiting for it to all fall apart. Because it always does. Kita carries a huge amount of guilt for the time they ended up in foster care—she feels responsible and like she should’ve done a better job being the mom and keeping this all from happening. I will remind you what Kita herself needs the reminder of: SHE IS TWELVE AND A CHILD HERSELF. But in her mind, she’s the caretaker—and not just of her siblings, but of her mom, who had Kita when she was just 15. And her mom? She’s a piece of work. She constantly makes Kita feel like garbage, making her think there’s something wrong with her, that she’s mentally ill, that she’s broken, that she’s both worthless AND ALSO she’s ol’ Britt’s “ride or die” and expected to do all the parenting that ever needs to be done. If you’re like, I still don’t get it, how bad really is her mom? Well. Her mom reminds her over and over that it’s KITA’S fault that they all landed in foster care before.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Alterations by Ray Xu

Chinese Canadian Kevin’s life is complicated. His parents are divorced (and his dad doesn’t seem to interact with Kevin or her sister anymore, nor does he appear to pay child support) and his mother works extremely long hours at her clothing alteration business. Their grandma moves in with them and their small apartment feels even smaller, with grandma constantly cooking and watching her beloved gameshows. At school, Kevin is one of a few Asian kids and experiences the racism, bullying, and mocking you might expect. But! He has his comics, his art, and his excitement over an upcoming school trip to carry him through. But when that trip sees him paired with the school principal for his partner, Kevin takes extreme measures to ensure he will have a fun day. As you might expect, things do not go as planned. And in Kevin’s life, what ever does?!

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice by Anna Lapera

Uncovered family secrets and a growing feminist consciousness propel a seventh grader to cause good trouble and start a school-wide revolution. Twelve-year-old Manuela “Mani” Semilla, whose parents are Chinese-Filipino American and Guatemalan, feels stuck in the liminal space between childhood and adulthood. Mani is desperate to get her period and to get out from under her overprotective mother’s control. At school, quiet Mani and other girls are constantly harassed, assaulted, groped, bullied, recorded, abused, and humiliated. They’re also blamed by teachers and the administration for bringing it on themselves, being liars, and overreacting. The discovery of old letters reveals a family history of feminist activism by women fighting against femicide in Guatemala. Tired of being silent and sick of double standards, Mani and her best friends, Las Nerdas, take action and speak up, demanding the right to feel safe. While grappling with her feelings over an upcoming trip to Guatemala, friendship missteps, and a growing interest in menstruation injustices, Mani turns her silence into a roar and leads the way for changing the school’s culture of harassment to one of respect. 

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Warrior on the Mound by Sandra W. Headen

This is an outstanding read. I’d been dragging my heels on reading it after I picked it up, not because I wasn’t engaged with the story, but because of other life stuff that making me tired to the point that I’d rather scroll on my phone or talk to my friends than try to concentrate. But one night, I went to bed early and opened it up. And read the whole thing.

Cato, who is Black, is 12 and, along with his little sister, being raised by his grandparents. Their mother died in childbirth and their father was killed, though they don’t know exactly how (the kids don’t, that is–the adults keep it from them). Set in 1935 North Carolina, it’s not a giant assumption to think this story is going to deal with racism. And it does. Cato and his friends play baseball and worship Negro League players like Satchel Paige. In fact, Isaac, Cato’s older brother, plays for the League, as did Cato’s father. Cato himself dreams of playing, too, one day. When he and his friends dare to try out the new whites-only baseball field, it sets off a whole bunch of drama, making them the targets (more so than before) of the white boys—especially the white boys doing the best to carry out the beliefs and actions of their ancestors. What follows is near constant threats, harassment, bullying, violence, and fear.

Here’s what I did not expect: a white ally. In 1935. In North Carolina. Whose son is friends with all those awful white kids. (Forgive all of those fragments, but it’s just that each little fact is what makes the ally so surprising.) When we meet Luke Blackburn, we certainly don’t assume he’s a good guy. But the story takes us to such a surprising place, showing the long history Luke has with Cato’s family (especially with his father). Luke has a big part to play in supporting Cato’s family and keeping Cato and the other Black children safe, a part that I just did not see coming at all.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Free Period by Ali Terese

8th grade besties and utter chaos monsters Gracie and Helen love pranks. LOVE them. They’re looking for an epic prank to finish off their middle school years. When it goes totally awry, their principal makes it clear she is just so over all of their hijinks. Punishments don’t work on them. They just don’t care. So, their principal decides, their punishment is to care. To do something that matters to the school community. They join the Community Action Club (I mean, chaos monsters like action. That’s gotta be something, right?) But oh no! Nemesis Madison is in charge! And Michael F., who Gracie has a little crush on, is in the group! And this is a group that seems about logical and quiet ways to ask for change. Asking the school board for help? No! Chaos monsters would rather superglue them to their chairs! Alas.

The two projects the club is working on: getting rid of plastic straws and a project for period equity. They’re asking for pads in all the girls’ bathrooms at school. Period products should be stocked in schools just like paper towels and toilet paper–-they are not a luxury item. They’re necessary for basic health and safety. Good thing Gracie has joined the group and is there to points out that girls aren’t the only ones who get periods and the school needs products stocked all bathrooms. 

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Timid by Jonathan Todd

Set in the late 80s, Cecil and family have moved from Florida to the Boston area. Cecil isn’t sure where he fits, especially after he hears another Black kid call him an Oreo (Black on the outside, white on the inside). He loves art and comics, but his dad doesn’t see that as a viable career path. Maybe he could consider architecture? And maybe he should also take up karate, you know? To learn how to stand up for himself better. His dad is always on him about this. But confrontation isn’t Cecil’s way. He’d just like to make some friends, draw his comics, and maybe get the cute girl he’s been noticing to talk to him. Instead, seventh grade is a little more complicated than that. His only real new friend is maybe not such a great friend. There are little missteps, hesitations, and microaggressions along the way through the months. Cecil has to push himself a little beyond what he’s comfortable with or used to to begin to make new friends–the kind of friends he’d actually want to have. It’s a quiet story, but one that makes it clear that Cecil is seen, that kids like Cecil are seen. I look forward to more from Jonathan Todd.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

It’s important to know it’s a not a secret LIBRARY (though it is—you can only access it if you know how to) but rather a SECRET library—a library of secrets. And Dally is about to learn a whole lot about many generations of her family. Now, I’ll tell you what. I have a pretty demented family. Most people I’m related to I have blocked in my phone with google alerts set up for their obituaries. Not good folks, folks. And what I wouldn’t give to go back and watch whatever defining moments from their history and from generations of messed up humans that led to them becoming the monsters they are. Truly. And for Dally, she plucks a book off a shelf, and zip! she’s back in time! She has to put together who she’s seeing and what the meaning is of what she’s witnessing, and she can only go so far in a secret or risk being stuck there and lost to history. Still grieving her grandfather and stuck with just her sort of robotically efficient mother, Dally has a lot of questions about her family. There was so many times while reading this I wanted to shout, “NO WAY!” when twists or identities were revealed. Dally learns far more than she could have possibly bargained for as she witnesses many generations of her family fight for love and freedom while grappling with identity and subverting expectations and norms of the time. And just when readers think there are no more twists to be had, nothing more that could possibly surprise them, the biggest twist yet while happen when Dally understands her true destiny.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

Hank, age almost 12, has been carrying a huge burden. His mom has a tendency to disappear for a few days, leaving him to care for himself and his little sister, Boo. No big, thinks Hank. He’s capable. It’s not that long. They’re fine. Most readers will understand that it is indeed a big thing, that it doesn’t matter if he’s capable, that it’s far too long. But when you only know your own experience, you just soldier on and often make excuses and justifications for things you’re pretty sure aren’t actually okay. After his mom takes off again, this time for a week, Hank starts to think they need some help. They have no family or friends to help them out (or have them on their radar), so Hank packs up and takes his sister to an address for someone he doesn’t actually know, but was listed as an emergency contact on a form. Suddenly, this stranger is now responsible for Hank and Boo. No one can find their mom. CPS gets involved, obviously, and they start to talk foster homes and neglect and separating the kids.

While all this truly terrible stuff is happening, Hank is also somehow living a really good version of his life. He’s temporarily attending a new school, he’s surrounded by nice kids who want to be his friend, it looks like he’ll make the basketball team, and his new neighbor, Ray, is happy to take on a father-like role in helping make sure the kids are okay right now. There are so many wonderful things happening. But his mom is still gone. And all of this wonderful feels very temporary. And Hank, as a child, ends up put in some very awful positions to make choices and choose allegiances. Hank is forced to look hard at what’s really real about his mother, he’s forced to deal with consequences of both her actions and his, and he’s forced to lose all the good things that were happening.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Not Nothing by Gayle Forman

Looking for a book to make you cry and cry and cry? Look no further!

I read this in one sitting, having come nearly to the end of summer and both having worked myself out of house projects and needing to completely occupy my brain in these days before my kid moves for college. I finished it standing in the kitchen making dinner and when my husband walked in I yelled, “ONE PAGE LEFT! DON’T TALK!”

Alex is a kid with a lot of defensive walls up. And why not? We don’t know all of the details about his upbringing, but we do know it’s only ever been Alex and his mom, that she moved them around constantly (at least 14 times with 12 different schools), and that her mental health has never been great. He’s often been hungry, neglected, and never really helped in any meaningful way. By the time we meet Alex, his mom had been to in-patient treatment but left before the time she needed to stay in order to get Alex back. He’s been kicked out of a foster home and is living with his aunt and uncle, who don’t seem super pleased to have him, and carries a lot of anger in him. So much anger that one day it erupted from him and made him do something awful. We readers don’t know what that is until nearly the end of the book. But we do know whatever he did got him kicked out of school and sent to do community service hours at a nursing home. He does not want to be there. He thinks all the old people are zombies, that the only other kid there his age, Maya-Jade, is insufferable.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi

This book is set in 2016/2017. Kareem, who is Syrian American, would love to be on the middle school football team, but doesn’t make the cut. His classmate Austin, who is the coach’s son, and is also not a nice human at all, gets Kareem to do some of his homework, convincing him that doing so will help him get on the team (Austin will make sure of it). Kareem does one assignment for him, but doesn’t allow Austin to cheat off him and won’t continue to do his homework for him. Austin, who, again, is not nice, steps up his racist taunting, now also targeting new kid Fadi, a Syrian refugee. Kareem’s family is helping Fadi and his family get settled and navigate their new life, but when it comes to standing up for Fadi, Kareem isn’t stepping up. Yet.

While Austin works to make school miserable for Kareem (and Fadi and probably many others), Kareem also has other stressful things going on. His mother has gone to Syria to help bring her parents home with her to America, but this is happening during the early days of Trump’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. No one knows when Kareem’s mom and family will be able to get home, which is especially upsetting given Kareem’s grandfather’s bad health. Kareem is also getting into some trouble at school as he is forced to contend with Austin’s garbage and learns to stand up for himself and others. It seems like everyone is mad at him for something, and the guilt he begins to feel over what’s happening with his family trapped in Syria is overwhelming. He wants to take action, and thankfully some opportunities to do so begin to take shape, making him feel involved, proud, and even hopeful.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

The Diamond Explorer by Kao Kalia Yang

There is not much Hmong representation in books for children. In fact, I’d probably have to sit here a really long time and likely do some research to even come up with another middle grade title with a Hmong main character. Like the author, I live in Minnesota, just outside of St. Paul, and the Hmong population in the Twin Cities area is quite large. I am grateful for this book and the much needed representation it provides for the many children who almost never get to see themselves in books published by major publishers.

Malcolm is a sensitive, gentle, deeply thoughtful kid who is often not really seen or appreciated by those around him (other than his family members). His kindergarten teacher calls him shy and doesn’t think the school is a good fit for him, someone with “more kids like him.” When his family makes this change, it requires Malcolm to move in with this sister and her family, seeing his parents only on the weekends. The new setting is not a magic solution. He still encounters insensitive and racist teachers. He still is kind of a loner. Thankfully, it is not all bad, and really, school is only one tiny part of his story.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Pick the Lock by A. S. King

This is a story of toxic relationships, brainwashing, lies, gaslighting, and abuse. This is a story of freedom, safety, choice, and taking back who controls the narrative. This is a story of fierceness and fragility. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year.

The story begins in 2024 and main character Jane has been kept indoors at home since the start of the pandemic. Homeschooled and isolated, Jane only interacts with her younger brother, Henry, their monstrous father Vernon (constantly masquerading as the “good” parent), and the few staff members that live at or visit the home. Jane’s mother is a singer in a punk band and, when not on tour, is confined at home to a system of pneumatic tubes that run through the walls of the home. Yes, you read that right. When I described this part of the story to my husband, he said, “That sounds really effing weird,” which I gleefully agreed with. It IS weird. But Vernon reminds the kids that their mother is insane, she’s negligent. He reminds them that she wants to be in the tubes. Vernon has spent years and years making it clear to the children that their mother is the monster. But then things start to change. Jane discovers “home movies,” aka security camera footage, and starts to understand the story she’s always been told is not the same story reality tells. She starts to see through Vernon’s endless lies. She is allowed to leave Vernon’s Pandemic Prison School and attend public high school, which reunites with with her elementary school friends. The more Jane learns about the reality of her life, the more she is determined to dig deeper, to free her mother, to free herself.

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

Every Story Ever Told by Ami Polonsky

In the wake of tragedy, a middle schooler wonders how she will ever be herself again. Just after Stevie, 13, and her parents arrive at an event in their New Jersey town, a gunman opens fire, killing five and injuring many others, including Stevie’s mother. While her mother remains in a medically induced coma in Manhattan with Stevie’s father at her side, Stevie is cared for by her grandparents; her best friend, Avi, a transgender boy; Raisin, a new rescue dog providing emotional support; and Evelyn, her neighbor from home who is a Holocaust survivor. Stevie grapples with physical and psychological reactions to the stress and trauma, including horrible, misplaced guilt. While she struggles to articulate what she feels and needs through the fog of panic, anxiety, and PTSD, Stevie is surrounded by tenderness and support. Though life feels fragile and survival is complicated, Stevie finds strength in the connections to others who have endured violence, loss, and persecution. 

(FULL REVIEW HERE.)

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