Finding the right book for your child can feel like a treasure hunt — but the American Library Association has done the hard work for you. Each year, they spotlight the best children’s books across all age groups, making it easier for parents to discover stories that captivate young minds and nurture a love for reading.
From whimsical picture books for toddlers to thought-provoking novels for teens, 2024’s picks are packed with adventure, heart and imagination. Here’s a guide to this year’s most popular children’s books, perfect for every stage of childhood.
For bedtime stories and read aloud book picks, we’ve got you covered. And we’ve included some award winners from this year, too.
What are the best kid’s books of 2024?
Younger readers: preschool-grade 2
- Big, by Vashti Harrison. Lessons about fitting in and standing out in this beautiful illustrated book. (2024 Caldecott Medal winner)
- Fox Has a Problem, by Corey R. Tabor. Can Fox free his kite from a tree? An easy reader with colorful illustrations. (The Geisel Award Book)
- Henry, Like Always, by Jenn Bailey. Henry learns coping strategies when his routine changes.
Middle readers: grades 3-5
- The Eyes and the Impossible, by Dave Eggers. Johannes the dog learns about living in the world in this chapter book. (The Newbery 2024 Medal Winner)
- Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martín. Two cultures, a Winnebago and a family road trip. (A Newbery Honor Book, the Belpré Illustrator Award book and Belpré Author Award book)
- Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport, by Caren Stelson. A true story of refugee children and the man who rescued them.
Older readers: grades 6-8
- The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity, by Nicholas Day. A nonfiction thriller tells the story of the theft of the Mona Lisa and how it was recovered. (The Sibert Medal Book)
- Eagle Drums, by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson. A young Inupiaq boy is captured and taken to the Eagle People
Want more? Check out the American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Book List of 2024.
Content sponsored by Wayne County Community College District. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s Raising Kids Who Love to Read.
