Best junior and middle grade books of 2024
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books of the past year. Here are the best junior and middle grade books of 2024, as voted by Readings' staff!
The titles are displayed alphabetically by author.
Thunderhead by Sophie Beer
‘This debut novel is a funny, powerful story about a teen music fan. Thunderhead is utterly music-obsessed but also going deaf. She has two tumours in her eardrums that need to be operated on, and she will lose most of her hearing afterwards. She is also starting high school without her best (and only) friend, Moonflower, so Thunderhead starts writing an online blog on a defunct music forum to vent her frustrations.
When Thunderhead meets Moonflower’s new friends, she is thrilled they love music, but pretends she likes their favourite bands and foolishly promises she can get them free tickets to a gig by her favourite musician ...
With musical playlists at the start of every chapter and line drawings throughout, this is a delightful own-voices story for readers aged 10+.’
– This is an edited quote from Angela Crocombe’s review for Readings Monthly
Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen
‘Detective Beans is the first full-colour graphic novel by New Zealand-based comics creator Li Chen. Detective Beans is a kitten and a detective, so when his crucially important hat goes missing, he immediately commences an investigation. The hat always seems to be a step ahead of Beans and we are led on a trail all around town from an ice cream shop to a magic show, jazz club and even a community garden. A quick pace is set from the get-go and the book follows a zigzag of surprise turns and encounters with so many interesting people from the town. It’s genuinely sweet and funny; each page delivers many smiles and the art is both accomplished and extraordinarily cute. This is the sort of book that appeals to readers of all ages and I hope it is only the beginning for Detective Beans! For ages 7+.’
– This is an edited quote from Kim Gruschow’s review for Readings Monthly
The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Júlia Sardà
‘The idea of a little girl living in an expensive hotel might conjure to mind the childhood classic Eloise, but Marta in The Hotel Balzaar is not a privileged guest. She is the unwelcome child of one of the maids, spending her days trying to stay as quiet and inoffensive as a mouse.
One day, a mysterious countess comes to the hotel with a parrot on her shoulder. She befriends Marta, promising to tell her seven stories. The stories are seemingly unrelated, but Marta becomes increasingly sure they are somehow closely tied to her family and her Papa, who is missing in the war.
This is a charming book, ideal for those who love classic fairytales, and Júlia Sardà’s evocative illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to Kate DiCamillo’s enchanting story. Highly recommended for ages 7+.’
– This is an edited quote from Bella Mackey’s review for Readings Monthly
Wurrtoo by Tylissa Elisara, illustrated by Dylan Finney
‘This irresistibly playful tale of a timid wombat’s quest to marry the sky is told with such humour and whimsy I was charmed from the very beginning.
An epic adventure of courage and survival, the love-struck Wurrtoo and his cheeky koala friend face all sorts of calamity, from dangerous creatures to a deadly bushfire, and discover the value of friendship and the importance of conquering fear.
This outstanding debut of First Nations author Tylissa Elisara weaves traditional stories and the meaning of Country with a deep appreciation of astronomy, flora, fauna, and distinctly Australian food. And in the tradition of beloved characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Blinky Bill, Wurrtoo will find a place in the hearts of children everywhere.
With charming black-and-white line illustrations scattered throughout, this brilliant read-aloud will entertain any family or classroom, and is highly recommended for independent readers aged 8+.’
– This is an edited quote from Athina Clarke’s review for Readings Monthly
Outlaw Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman
‘Ruby is a modern day hellraiser, a bored teenager with little direction in life and a chip on her shoulder. Kate is the sister of Australia’s most famous bushranger, determined to do whatever it takes to protect her family. When Kate stumbles across a portal through time and ends up in 2022, the two girls cross paths, and their intriguing adventures begin.
While the girls look similar, the times in which they live couldn’t be more different. At first, neither of them can make sense of how the other one lives.
Horses and history combine in this exciting middle‑grade novel that will have children who love stories about the bush and bushrangers completely hooked. For readers aged 10+.’
– This is an edited quote from Kate McIntosh’s review for Readings Monthly
The Dragon's Treasure by Mark Greenwood
‘Mark Greenwood, the history lover and award-winning author, has an impressive backlist of children’s titles. In this new series History Hunter, which begins with the dual release of two books at once, The Dragon’s Treasure and The Vanishing, he leads us through a docudrama-style story with a trove of tantalising titbits and facts. Where would you choose to begin? Looking for lost bounty and a ship-wrecked crew, or chasing a possible alien abduction?
I chose treasure. The beguiling prospect of silver coins found by four children on a West Australian beach in 1931 had me hooked from the start. And with Greenwood’s researched old newspaper articles and witness testimonies, alongside his dramatisation of the characters and events, you find yourself thoroughly engrossed in solving the puzzle.
An enticing tale for young readers interested in mysteries and history. For ages 7+.’
– This is an edited quote from Claire Atherfold’s review for Readings Monthly
Spies in the Sky by Beverley McWilliams
‘Spies in the Sky is a sweet adventure that explores the true stories of pigeons that carried vital messages through the midst of war.
The hero of Beverley McWilliams’ story is Royal Blue, a racing pigeon who lives in luxury at one of Britain’s royal households, until Royal Blue’s incredible speed and strength are needed to help the Allies in the Second World War. When the King himself recruits Blue for an important mission, his pleasant days at Sandringham House are replaced by dangers he never imagined. McWilliams skilfully combines the harsh truths of this chapter of history with incredible adventure, friendship and humour to create a story that will captivate and delight any young reader, ages 8+.’
– Bella Mackey, digital content lead
The Lost Book of Magic by Amelia Mellor
‘There was once a magical arcade in Melbourne, full of books and life and imagination and lollies and monkeys ...
The Lost Book of Magic is the final of [Amelia Mellor’s] magical arcade books. It takes the reader back to 1895, a time of drought and struggle in Melbourne, when the shine of the gold rush years has worn off and even the grandest bookshop in the world is struggling to keep its doors open. Desperate to help, one of the owner’s daughters will do anything to save her beloved home, even if it means allowing the most wicked magician imaginable back into their lives. Her brother Vally and her father’s old apprentice Mr Pyke must join forces to stop the terrifying Obscurosmith once again, this time for good.
This is a stunning conclusion to a favourite series of middle grade books, full of enchantment, history and unforgettable characters. For ages 10+.’
– This is an edited quote from Kate McIntosh’s review for Readings Monthly
The Midwatch by Judith Rossell
‘Orphans are not uncommon in children’s literature. The absence of parents allows freedom from restrictions and watchful eyes; adventures and misdemeanours can blossom unrestrained. Midwatch is an institution where the most wayward young female orphans are sent. Maggie Fishbone is one of these, now that the nuns have washed their hands of her. She fears a life of drudgery and boredom, but soon learns Midwatch is unlike any orphanage she has been in.
At Midwatch, she is tutored in the art of espionage ... Before long, she and her fellow inductees are joining older recruits in a mystery that will test their newly acquired skills and bravery. Judith Rossell has created a marvellous adventure mystery accompanied by atmospheric illustrations that make The Midwatch an appealing package for ages 9 to 12.’
– This is an edited quote from Alexa Dretzke’s review for Readings Monthly
Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria by L.M. Wilkinson, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu
‘I love a hero’s journey for young readers and this story is a thrilling addition to the genre. In the land of Alluria, Titch is a very ordinary mouseling who dreams of having swordfights and exciting adventures. When Prince Vetier stumbles into their village being chased by a swarm of Curseworms, Titch and her friend Huckleberry must step up and help. And when Titch holds the Prince’s sword, something magical happens. Could Titch, the ordinary mouseling, possibly have inherited the powers of the legendary Bravepaw?
This is a story about being brave even when you’re scared and how even the most ordinary of us can do amazing things. It’s the beginning of a new fantasy adventure series for junior readers aged 7+. It’s highly illustrated so it would also be a delightful read-aloud for adventurous younger children too.’
– This is an edited quote from Angela Crocombe’s review for Readings Monthly
