The best book I read in December (2024)

[C.J.]

We made it into a new year! Happy 2025, everyone! While we're readying our goals for the months ahead, take a moment to consider December. Did you squeak in with any year-end titles that impressed you?

And while we're being all retrospective, let me ask: What were your best reads of 2024? Share a handful of your top middle grade titles. Maybe the rest of us will be adding them to our To Read piles for 2025!

Here are some of mine:

[Harley]

Used December to reread some of my favorites:

[Kara]

All of these were 4 or 5 stars for me. Since I've been on break, I've gotten a lot of reading in :)

Is this MG or YA? I'm still not sure. But it's great!

[Angela]

Two of my December reads stood out. Both paranormal mystery type stories. Although I might classify Camp Effigy as MG horror, akin to Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown (but based on Native American history as opposed to African American).

[C.J.]

Harley wrote: "Used December to reread some of my favorites."

Nice! I have a couple of those on my To Read list. Probably because you're recommended them before. : )

[C.J.]

Kara wrote: "All of these were 4 or 5 stars for me. Since I've been on break, I've gotten a lot of reading in."

Ohhh. Adding the ones I haven't read to my To Read pile!

[C.J.]

Angela wrote: "Two of my December reads stood out. Both paranormal mystery type stories..."

Added the first book in the Witches of Willow Cove series to my To Read pile ... as well as Camp Effigy. Thanks for the recs!

[Diana]

Here's my Top 12 for MG books published in 2024 -- I try to select from various genres since my students do a 10 Genre Challenge every year.

[Manybooks]

I also really like The Old Willis Place and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Reread the latter as well and both Das fliegende Klassenzimmer (The Flying Classroom) and The Light at Tern Rock, and Lost in the Barrens.

Absolutely adored both Snowed Up and Angel Square, as well as this delightful collection from Jean Little Do Not Open Until Christmas.

[C.J.]

Diana wrote: "Here's my Top 12 for MG books published in 2024..."

Ohhh, interesting to choose books that published this past year! I've added the ones that weren't *already* on my To Read shelf. (I'm silly-excited that you found me/us another Q book.)

[C.J.]

Manybooks wrote: "I also really like... "

What an interesting mix. I'm nabbing Lost in the Barrens for my To Read pile since I have a definite weakness for survival stories. Thanks!

[Debby]

, , , , ,
These are my favorite finds in 2024! And a new one for 2025:

[Manybooks]

C.J. wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "I also really like... "

What an interesting mix. I'm nabbing Lost in the Barrens for my To Read pile since I have a definite weakness for survival stories. Thanks!"

I hop you like the story (but remember it is from 1956). There is also a sequel, The Curse of the Viking Grave which I have not read.

[C.J.]

Debby wrote: "These are my favorite finds in 2024!"

I've added a few of these to my own list. Thanks for sharing them!

[C.J.]

Manybooks wrote: "I hope you like the story (but remember it is from 1956).

Not a problem at all.