57 New Middle Grade Books I’m Excited to Read in 2024

Courtesy of Cupid by Nashae Jones

When Erin turns thirteen, she discovers that her father is the love god, Cupid. She decides to use her own magic to make her nemesis, Trevor, fall in love with her so he drops out of the race to be president of the Multicultural Leadership Club. Courtesy of Cupid is an adorable rom-com with rivalry, friendship and magic.

Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell

Light and Air is a brand new historical fiction releasing this year. It follows Halle, who is sent to a hospital with her mother when they both get tuberculosis. For most people, the hospital is like a prison but for Hallen, she feels like she’s free for the first time. It’s a heartwarming story about family and deals with interesting topics like isolation.

The Unbeatable Lily Hong by Diana Ma

The Unbeatable Lily Hong is a fun contemporary that follows a young girl who tries to save her parents’ Chinese school and the town community centre, while juggling her passion for filmmaking. It’s going to be an adorable story of friendship, family and following your own dreams.

Between Two Brothers by Crystal Allen

Between Two Brothers is a contemporary story inspired by real events. It follows Ice, who adores his big brother Seth. When Seth announces he’s leaving for college early, he misses an important event which causes a big fight. The next day, Ice wants to apologize — but Seth was in an accident and may never recover. This is guaranteed to be a gripping story that will tug at readers heartstrings.

Emma and the Love Spell by Meredith Ireland

There’s nothing better than a contemporary story with a sprinkle of fantasy. Emma and the Love Spell follows Emma who has three problems — she has a crush on her best friend, her best friend is moving out of town and Emma is also a secret witch. Even though she’s not supposed to use her powers, Emma decides to use magic to help Avangeline’s parents fall back in love so that the family doesn’t move. What could go wrong?

Escape from Valo by Daniel José Older and Alyssa Wong

I’ll admit that I’m behind on The High Republic series. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be excited for the next release! In the newest addition to the series, pirates continue to threaten the Republic and the Jedi Padwans must plot their escape from enemy territory. It’s guaranteed to be another epic adventure in the Star Wars world!

Harriet Tells the Truth by Elana K Arnold

Harriet Tells the Truth is the third book in the Just Harriet series. When Harriet is getting ready to leave Marble Island, she discovers that Moneypenny, a basset hound, has been poisoned. Along with her best friend Clarence, she sets out to find the culprit — but, someone else falls ill and Harriet needs to work harder to discover the truth. It’s such a fun cozy mystery series for middle grade readers!

Just Shy of Ordinary by AJ Sass

Just Shy of Ordinary is a sweet middle grade story about friendship, family and identity. It follows Shai, a thirteen year old who is an expert problem solver. But, they can’t seem to solve their own anxiety. When they read a routine to reduce anxiety, they decide to go to public school — but it sets off a chain of events that Shai can’t prepare for. It’s a fantastic LGBTQ+ story that highlights the stress of life not going to plan, but accepting the twists and turns along the way.

The Thirteenth Circle by MarcyKate Connoly and Kathryn Holmes

The Thirteenth Circle is pitched as The X-Files meets Scooby-Doo. What can be better than that? It follows two friends, one who believes in aliens and one who doesn’t, as they set out to prove aliens exist. I just know this one is going to be so entertaining and I can’t wait to pick it up!

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan

Drawing Deena follows Deena, a young artist who uses her creativity to navigate her anxiety as well as help her parents financial struggle. When she uses social media to boost her mother’s business, the attention makes her cousin and best friend act funny. Now Deena’s creative outlet is another thing that causes anxiety. It will be a sweet story that highlights the importance of asking for help and seeking support.

Emily Posts by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

I’ve always enjoyed Tanya Lloyd Kyi’s middle grade books, so I’m excited to see she has a new release for 2024! Emily Posts follows Emily, who has a podcast advice column for her middle school. When she decides to use her influence to share news on the climate march, she becomes a twenty-first century activist.

Not the Worst Friend in the World by Anne Rellihan

Not the Worst Friend in the World is a debut book that focuses on middle grade friendships, while solving a mystery. It follows Lou who wants to go back in time to fix her friendship with her best friend, Francie. When a new girl shows up and passes a note that says she was kidnapped, Lou has the opportunity to prove she’s a great friend. It’s pitched as a modern Harriet the Spy with more emotional stakes.

Off the Rails by Tae Keller

Off the Rails is the third book in the Mihi Ever After series. In this book, Mihi and her friends go back to the Rainbow Realm to save Princess Pat, their first real friend in the realm. This series is such a fun fantasy with friendship and adventure that will keep you turning each page!

The School for Invisible Boys by Shaun David Hutchinson

As soon as I saw this cover, I immediately was intrigued — and the summary pulled me in even more. The School for Invisible Boys follows Hector, who discovers the ability to turn invisible. When his former best friend starts bullying him, he just wants to disappear, but didn’t think he’d be able to. He meets Orson, another invisible boy who has been stuck and they must work together to save each other.

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters by Stacey Lee

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters is the final book in the Winston Chu series. This final book follows Winston who now has to face his biggest challenge. It’s going to be full of action, adventure and infused with Chinese mythology — what could be better than that?

Bumps in the Night by Amalie Howard

Bumps in the Night is the middle grade horror debut from Amalie Howard and I’m so excited to pick it up! It follows Darika, who is sent to live with her grandmother in the Caribbean. While there, she meets a group of kids who are not what they seem and they promise to bring her back to her long-lost mom. It’s going to be full of adventure, spooky characters and magic.

Finding Normal by Stephanie Faris

When a storm floods her neighbourhood, Temple and her family have to move to a new town. While they’re lucky to secure a new home, Temple isn’t happy to start over at a new school. When she sees a flyer for a fundraiser, she decides to create a fundraiser to help her family rebuild. But, she quickly realizes that there are more people who need her help. It’s going to be a really heartfelt and moving story!

Finally Heard by Kelly Yang

When Kelly Yang releases a new book, it’s immediately added to my TBR. I’m so excited to see she has a new release for 2024! Finally Heard is the sequel to Finally Seen and it follows Lina who sees her mom’s video on social media go viral. With the help of her friends and her sister, she decides to use social media to feel seen and heard. It’s going to be a moving story and I can’t wait to see how Kelly Yang tackles the world of social media!

Momo Arashima Breaks the Mirror of the Sun by Misa Sugiura

Momo Arashima Breaks the Mirror of the Sun is the sequel to Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind. It’s a fun and engaging middle grade series that follows Momo, who just wants to have a normal life. When her mother falls ill, she finds out that her mother is a banished goddess and she embarks on a journey to unlock her powers and save her mother.

The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi

As soon as I heard about The Partition Project, I immediately added it to my list of books to read. When her grandmother arrives from Pakistan, Mahnoor learns that she has an assignment to film a documentary. She decides to film her grandmother and learns about her childhood in northern India as well as her relocation to Pakistan. I just know this is going to be a tender and moving story about family and history.

Unstuck by Barbara Dee

Barbara Dee writes such wonderful middle grade books and I’m so excited to pick up her next release. When Lyla learns that she needs to complete a daily creative writing project for her English class, she can’t wait to write her fantasy novel. But, writing a novel is harder than imagining one and she leans on her sister Dahlia for help.

Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd by Lyla Lee

Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd is pitched as a mix between The Baby-Sitters Club and Kelly Yang — what can be better than that? It follows Gigi who loves to create because it allows her to escape her boring life. When she learns about an art camp on the east coast, she’s determined to go but her parents won’t let her. To help pay for the cost, she forms a tutoring club with her friends so she can make enough money to cover the cost of the camp.

Sona and the Golden Beasts by Rajani LaRocca

Sona and the Golden Beasts is an upcoming middle grade fantasy that will be full of adventure! It follows Sona, who hears music everywhere, even though it’s been banned. When she discovers an orphan wolf pup, she believes that it’s one of the sacred beasts that a hunter has been killing. She decides to enter on a journey to keep her companions safe from the deadly hunter — and the future may be in her hands.

The Fight for the Hidden Realm by Siobhan McDermott

The Fight for the Hidden Realm is the first book in a brand new middle grade fantasy series. It follows Yeung Zhi Ging, an oprhan who is invited to train as an apprentice to immortals. It’s going to be a perfect new fantasy series with magic, adventure and amazing world-building.

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

I really love Erin Entrada Kelly’s middle grade books — so I’m really looking forward to picking up The First State of Being. It follows Michael, a twelve year old boy who meets a mysterious boy from the future and finds his world turned upside down. I’m so curious to see how this story plays out — I just know I’ll be hooked from the first page!

Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas by Kaela Rivera

Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas is the third and final book in the Cece Rios series. It’s an epic conclusion to a really fun and entertaining fantasy adventure series with a sprinkle of mythology. It’ll be interesting to see how everything is wrapped up in this final book!

Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee

Millicent Min, Girl Genius actually released twenty years ago, but in 2024, the book is getting a brand new cover! I didn’t get a chance to read this book when it first released, so I’m excited to pick it up this year. It follows Millicent, a genius who finds it difficult to make friends because she’s so smart. When she meets Emily, she tries to hide her intelligence to have a chance at a “normal” childhood.

Running in Flip-Flops From the End of the World by Justin A Reynolds

The second book in the It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit series is going to be just as fun as the first book. When Eddie and his friends realize that the entire town has disappeared, they decide to have the best day ever. But, strange things start happening and they need to figure out what happened to their families. It’s a hilarious series and this new release is guaranteed to be as fun as the first book!

Sing it Like Celia by Monica Mancillas

Sing it Like Celia follows Salva, a twelve year old girl who is a fan of Celia Cruz, the “queen of salsa.” When her mother leaves and she’s stuck with her father in the middle of nowhere, she learns to use her voice just like Celia. I can’t wait to pick up this brand new contemporary release!

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

How incredible is this cover? It immediately caught my attention — but the story inside is what makes me incredibly excited to read it! The Mystery of Locked Rooms follows three friends as they try to find hidden treasure inside a funhouse, abandoned in the 1950s. It’s guaranteed to be an entertaining read with puzzles, adventure and friendship!

The Second Favorite Daughters Club: Sister Sabotage by Colleen Oakes

The Second Favorite Daughters Club: Sister Sabotage is another book on this list that’s similar to The Baby-Sitters Club. It follows two friends who are tired of being second place to their siblings. Together, they decide to start the Second Favourite Daughters Club and their mission is to become their parents’ favourite children. It also happens to be Colleen Oakes middle grade debut, and I can’t wait to pick it up!

Trouble at the Tangerine by Gillian McDunn

I love reading middle grade books by Gillian McDunn! Trouble at the Tangerine is her newest release, and it’s a mystery! It follows Simon, a young boy who is always on the move, but wants to settle in one place. When his family moves to their new apartment, he’s determined to make it their forever home. But, a priceless necklace is stolen and it looks like one of his neighbours might be the thief. With the help of his neighbour, they decide to crack the case!

Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine by Nicole Melleby

Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine follows Winnie, a twelve year old who is forced to live with her grandma for the summer. While living with her grandmother, she keeps quiet about her sexuality and dreams of attending the Pride Parade in New York City. It may be time for Winnie to show everyone who she really is.

Duck, Duck, Peach by Erin Soderberg Downing

Duck, Duck, Peach is the fourth book in the Great Peach Experiment series and I’m so excited to pick it up! In this new addition to the series, the World’s Largest Rubber Duck goes missing and the Peaches use their skills to find it and bring it back to its home. It’s going to be a wonderful read with mystery, humour and family.

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio

How beautiful is this cover? Isabel in Bloom follows Isabel, who moves in with her mother and is the new kid at her middle school. While there, she finds making new friends hard but joining the gardening and cooking club might allow her to bloom. It’s going to be such a wonderful book that highlights the beauty in fresh starts. It also happens to be written in verse!

Keeping Pace by Laurie Morrison

Keeping Pace follows Grace, who works really hard to beat her former friend Jonah’s GPA so she can be the top scholar of their grade. When he wins the title, she feels like her accomplishments didn’t matter. To help pass the time during the summer, she signs up for a half-marathon and when she finds out Jonah is competing as well, this might be her chance to win. I think it’s going to be a great story about learning to accept failure that many young readers can learn from.

Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book by Laurie Halse Anderson. But this one caught my attention! It’s a historical fiction about a young girl who is trying to survive during the smallpox epidemic. It focuses on the fear of vaccines as well as the struggle of the Revolutionary War. Rebellion 1776 will certainly tug at readers heartstrings.

Sunny Parker is Here to Stay by Margaret Finnegan

As soon as I heard that this book is perfect for fans of Kelly Yang, I immediately added it too my list of books to read. It follows Sunny Parker, who loves the apartment complex she lives in — and all her neighbours too. When the city proposes turning an abandoned school into new affordable houses, Sunny learns that not everyone loves her community as much as she does. But, she’s determined for her community to stay exactly where they are!

The Door is Open by Hena Khan

It’s always fun to find a new anthology to read — especially a middle grade anthology! This collection of stories celebrates South Asian American experiences within a local community centre. The stories are interconnected, which is really exciting for me. I’m so excited to pick this one up!

Benny Ramirez and the Nearly Departed by Jose Pablo Iriarte

When I heard about this book, it made me think of the movie Coco. In this heartwarming story, Benny moves into his late grandfather’s mansion. While there, he discovers the ghost of his abuelo and he isn’t too happy about it. They make a deal to help each other: Abuelo will teach Benny to play the trumpet to become a school celebrity, and Benny will help his Abuelo move on to the afterlife. I think this one is going to be so entertaining!

Any Way You Look by Maleeha Siddiqui

Any Way You Look is an upcoming contemporary that’s not to be missed. When boys in the community start to harass Ainy, she needs to figure out how to stop them. With the help of her sister, she learns to stand her ground and gain respect from those around her. It’s going to be a great feminist middle grade book. I know it’ll keep me turning the page the whole way through!

Fortune Tellers by Lisa Greenwald

Fortune Tellers follows Millie, Nora and Bea, three best friends who loved making fortune tellers together. When the summer before seventh grade arrives, they haven’t spoken in over a year. But, their fortune tellers begin popping up and it might give them the opportunity to reconnect with each other. It sounds like it’s going to be a really sweet and heartfelt story about friendship.

Halfway to Harbor by Nicole Melleby

Halfway to Harbor is the third book in The House on Sunrise Lagoon series. It follows Harbor, who is excited to spend her summer on an elite basketball league. When the games take place near her dad’s house, she finds herself making new friends, and possibly a new crush. But she can’t help wondering what she’s missing out on at home in Sunrise Lagoon.

Lily Xiao Speaks Out by Nicole Chen

Lily Xiao Speaks Out follows Lily, who is really excited to go to Camp Rock Out over the summer. While there, she can get rid of her good girl reputation and she’ll get to spend time with her best friend and cousin, who just moved from Taiwan. But as they make their way through the school year, it becomes clear that Vivian needs support. So Lily goes on a mission to bring support to ESL learners, like Vivian. I think this will be a really educational and entertaining middle grade read for 2024.

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan

It’s so important to read historical fiction books and this one is releasing at a perfect time. Safiyyah’s War follows Saifyyah, who finds her life changed when war comes to the Paris. When her father is arrested for his secret resistance work, she decides to run dangerous errands around the city. During this time, hundreds of persecuted Jews seek sanctuary at the mosque and she must work to bring them to safety. I think this is an incredibly timely release for readers of all ages.

The One and Only Family by Katherine Applegate

It’s no secret that The One and Only Ivan is a fan-favourite — and for good reason! While The One and Only Family is the final adventure in this series, it’s guaranteed to be a wonderful book. This one follows Ivan and Kinyani who have welcomed a set of twins. Parenthood is challenging, and he can’t help but reminisce of his own childhood, and his own twin. It will certainly be a heartwarming and heartbreaking conclusion to this beloved series.

The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney by Carol Williams

The Supernatural Files of CJ Delaney follows CJ, a kid reporter who has a completely different summer than she had planned. When a skatepark becomes the scene of a supernatural occurence, she works to break the story with her best friend, Parker. But, things are not what they seem. It’s going to be a gripping mystery with some spooky moments thrown in and I’m so excited to pick it up!

With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei by Justina Chen

With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei is Justina Chen’s middle grade debut. It follows Dessie Mei who moves to Seattle and meets a girl who looks exactly like her. They learn that they were adopted from the same orphanage — but Dessie was adopted into a white family and her twin was adopted into a Taiwanese American one. They decide to make up for lost time and find out exactly who they are while they spend time together.

Camp Sylvania: Moon Madness by Julie Murphy and Crystal Maldonado

Moon Madness is the upcoming sequel to Camp Sylvania. It follows Maggie and Nora, who survived a summer at a camp run by a covert clan of vampires. This year, Camp Sylvania is run by someone new, but weird things start to hapen. While they hoped to have a different summer, it looks like they are caught inside another supernatural adventure. It’s going to be a really entertaining read and will be perfect for readers who love paranormal elements!

Clairboyance by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Clairboyance is pitched as Freaky Frieday meets 11 Before 12, which sounds like an excellent combination! It follows Clara, who discovers that she has boy-specific ESP abilities. It’s going to be the perfect combination of a coming-of-age story with magical realism and I’m so excited to pick it up!

Samira’s Worst Best Summer by Nina Hamza

Samira’s Worst Best Summer follows Samira, an Indian American Muslim girl who fears she’ll have the worst summer ever. When she meets a new girl, Alice, her summer goes from boring to exciting. But, sometimes things get in the way and her summer will either be the worst, or the best, she’s ever had. It sounds like it’s going to be a really entertaining book — just in time for summer!

Tales from Cabin 23: The Boo Hag Flex by Justina Ireland

The Boo Hag Flex is the first in a middle grade horror anthology releasing in 2024. It sets out to highlight diverse authors and characters — which is so exciting! It follows Tasha, who moves from Savannah to a trailer park in the middle of nowhere to live with her father for the first time. While there, an elderly neighbour passes away and a new friend, Ellie, thinks she knows exactly what killed him. It’s going to be a really entertaining mystery with a sprinkle of spooky moments that readers of all ages will enjoy!

The Last Rhee Witch by Jenna Lee-Yun

The Last Rhee Witch follows Ronnie, a young girl who is happy as long as she has her dad and her best friend, Jack. When Ronnie and Jack head to sleepaway camp for the first time, they discover a place with a lot of secrets. Camp Foster brings a lot of changes — especially for a girl who doens’t want anything to change. It’s full of mystery, magic and suspense — and will certainly have readers turning the page!

The Truth About Triangles by Michael Leali

The Truth About Triangles follows Luca, a young gay Italian boy who is trying to save his family’s pizza restaurant while he feels like his life is falling apart. When the host of his favourite culinary show announces submissions for the final season, he decides to apply so that he can save his family restaurant and his parents marriage. I love reading books about food and restaurants, and this one sounds like it’s going to be so much fun!

They Call Me No Sam by Drew Daywalt

I absolutely love reading Drew Daywalt’s picture books, so I’m looking forward to reading a middle grade book by him in 2024! This new release follows Sam, a pug who will do anything he can to protect his family from the bad guys. This one is guaranteed to be full of humour and I just can’t wait to see all the illustrations included!

The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

The Cookie Crumbles is pitched as The Great British Bake Off meets Knives Out which in my opinion, seems like the best combination ever! It follows two best friends who must solve a mystery when a baking competition goes wrong. I think this is one of my most anticipated books for this year and I’m so excited to see how it all plays out!

Dinner at the Brake Fast by Renee Beauregard Lute

Dinner at the Brake Fast follows Tacoma, who loves working at her family’s roadside diner. When her father’s depression is at it’s worst and an important picture in the diner goes missing, she decides to fix it. It’s going to be a really entertaining adventure story about friendship, cooking and family.