December 09, 2024

Best Books of 2024

Library News | New & Exciting | Staff Picks For Adults | Staff Picks For Kids | Staff Picks For Teens

The Hamilton East Public Library is proud to present our staff’s favorite selections for the Best Books of 2024! Explore our annual recommendations for kids, teens, and adults, all curated by our expert librarians. The 101 books and AV materials on these lists are perfect for gifting, book club selections, or personal reading. They include fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, picture books, and more! All of these books are in the Library’s catalog, and many are available in multiple formats, including e-books and audiobooks. Happy reading!

Jump to: Kids | Teens | Adults

For Kids

Picture Books

All Aboard the Alaska Train by Brooke Hartman

Hop on board the train on a rollicking, rhyming adventure to meet some of Alaska’s most beloved animals. Included at the back is a glossary of the parts of a train, plus more information about the famous Alaska Train and a map of its route.

The Spaceman by Randy Cecil

When a large bird makes off with his ship, a tiny Spaceman is forced to venture out into this new world — planet Earth — on foot, coming to a pond where he meets a friendly, goofy, slobbery beast and wonders if he’s found a new home.

The Wrong Book by Drew Daywalt

In this giggle-inducing story, the narrator is WRONG about everything, including that bicycles say cock-a-doodle-doo and firefighters shout Ding Dong! before putting out a fire, until the characters within the book set him straight.

Bye Land, Bye Sea by Rene Spencer and Rodolfo Montalvo

Two children lost at sea must overcome a language barrier if they want to find a way home.

Time to Make Art by Jeff Mack

When a little girl asks meaningful questions about creating art, her questions are answered by a diverse group of artists throughout time and history, in this inspiring picture book that encourages young readers to see the artist in themselves.

We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang

When three mysterious visitors from “Europe” crash-land in Mr. Li’s field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their “car.” No, there’s nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they “make business,” “play sportsball” and “wear hat.” As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high.

The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

When Dictionary wishes she could tell a story like other books and decides to bring her words to life, comical chaos ensues and her friend Alphabet must come to the rescue, singing a song that brings calm and order to her pages once again.

Early Readers

Dot the Ladybug: The Missing Dot by Kallie George

Spot the dog’s snack is missing its dot, so Dot the Ladybug looks for clues, in this My First I Can Read story that is perfect for readers who love simple wordplay and adorable illustrations.

Sketty and Meatball by Sarah Weeks

Best friends Sketty and Meatball do everything together. They play together. They bark together. If Sketty sniffs a flower, Meatball sniffs a flower too. If Meatball wags his tail, Sketty’s tail is wagging too. Young readers will be delighted by two pals called Sketty and Meatball, who happen to look quite a bit like their names.

Reina Ramos: Neighborhood Helper by Emma Otheguy

Upset because her class lost the food drive competition (and the pizza party), Reina remembers just what the competition was all about after spending some time helping her Abuela take care of their neighbors.

Fox Plays Ball by Corey R. Tabor

The mischievous and fun-loving Fox from Fox Versus Fox is ready to play football, along with Snail, Elephant, Rabbit and Bear, which makes for a fun day of friends playing together.

Chapter Books

Sweet Shop by Melody Mews

In the thirteenth Itty Bitty Princess Kitty chapter book, a new sweet shop comes to town and Lollyland is in for a real treat!

Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo

Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a sudden flutter of wings and a loud screech. A small owl has gotten caught in a trap in the barn. Can Orris “make the good and noble choice” and rescue the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies? And if he does, will he be ready for the consequences?

Ali the Great and the Market Mishap by Saadia Faruqi

Second-grader Ali, his grandfather, and little brother Fateh head to the South Asian market to buy some snacks, but Ali loses Fateh and has to figure out quickly how to find him among the market’s many aisles.

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple by Liz Garton Scanlon

Precocious eight-year-old Bibsy navigates a relationship with a teacher who thinks she talks too much.

King & Kayla and the Case of the Downstairs Ghost by Dori Hillestad Butler

King and Kayla go on a sleepover adventure at Thor and Jillian’s house, where they investigate spooky occurrences in the basement.

Juvenile Fiction

Braided by Leah Cypress

Princess Cinna has grown up longing for her older sister, Rapunzel, who was kidnapped before Cinna was born. Now that Rapunzel has returned home, Cinna couldn’t be happier. But Rapunzel is not what anyone–including Cinna–expected. And whoever took her might still be lurking in the castle. When magical creatures begin attacking both princesses, Cinna finds herself with no one to trust…except, maybe, Rapunzel herself. Will she risk everything for a sister with whom she may have nothing in common except their long, magical hair?

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry by Anna Rose Johnson

Lucy, a spirited French-Ojibwe orphan, is sent to the stormy waters of Lake Superior to live with a mysterious family of lighthouse-keepers-and, she hopes, to find the legendary necklace her father spent his life seeking.

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Since Grandpa died, Dally’s days are dull and restricted. She’s eleven and a half years old, and her exacting single mother is already grooming her to take over the family business. Starved for adventure and release, Dally rescues a mysterious envelope from her mother’s clutches, an envelope Grandpa had earmarked for her. The map she finds inside leads straight to an ancient vault, a library of secrets where each book is a portal to a precise moment in time.

The Creepening of Dogwood House by Eden Royce

After the death of his mother, Roddie and his aunt move to Dogwood House, their family’s home for over 100 years, and as they start fixing up the rotting house, he discovers a ghostly presence and strange secrets linked to their family’s hoodoo roots.

Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan

When twelve-year-old Summer visits her family on a reservation in Alberta, Canada, she begins experiencing vivid dreams of running away from a residential school like the one her grandfather attended as a child and learns about unmarked children’s graves, prompting her to seek answers about her community’s painful past.

Graphic Novels

Ant Story by Jay Hosler

Meet Rubi, a tiny ant with a big personality and an even bigger love for stories. Who knew the small world of her colony could be full of unexpected friendships, epic adventures, and death-defying escapes?

The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

When their dad’s rare edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, twins Page and Turner join a mysterious Night Librarian and a motley cast of book characters in an epic battle to save the library from total destruction.

Haru: Spring by Joe Latham

In The Valley, best friends Haru and Yama both dream of leaving as they’re bullied at school, frustrated at home, and struggling to figure out who they are. One day, a powerful artifact connects itself to Yama, and they discover that they’ll have to journey to The Beacon in search of answers.

Let’s Go, Coco! By Coco Fox

When Coco joins the school basketball team, she’s ready to rock. Joining the team means new friends — something she’s desperate for — but it also means dealing with bossy teammates, confusing crushes, and less-than-flattering new nicknames. When the team’s all-star player, Maddie, starts calling her “shrimp,” Coco realizes it’s not actually a joke and that she’s going to need new moves if she wants to score both on and off the court.

The Mighty Bite #2: Walrus Brawl at the Mall! By Nathan Hale

Trilobite and his friends are back, and the hunt for fame and fortune continues. Trilobite scores a viral video hit when he stages a comedy opera prank. Amber gets pulled into the wild world of walrus fighting, and Tiffany’s past as a competitive video game player comes back to haunt her. The gang will cause mayhem on a hospital ship and a giant floating mall shaped like a ball before they find out that fame always comes at a price. Plus much more in this wild and wonderful graphic novel!

Juvenile Nonfiction

Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth

With expressive artwork, this one-of-a-kind picture book about the familiar but ever-surprising crow reveals that these birds, despite not having flashy feathers, beautiful songs, or fancy flying skills, are super intelligent, generating newfound respect for these unassuming creatures we come across daily.

The Noisy Puddle by Linda Booth Sweeney

This immersive introduction to a vernal pool — an ever-changing puddle habitat — encourages young naturalists and future water stewards to listen, watch, and witness the seasonal changes of this “now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t” wetland wonder and its inhabitants.

The Iguanodon’s Horn by Sean Rubin

Ever since mysterious bones were found in 1822, scientists and artists have tried to figure out what the creature they came from looked like. But it seems that every time they’ve made up their minds, someone makes a new discovery, and they have to start all over. With an inviting tone and detail-filled art, Sean Rubin traces the process of defining–and redefining–the dinosaur called Iguanodon. Entertaining, accessible, and beautiful, his tale will delight dinosaur fans, budding artists, and anyone curious about how science really works.

Power to the Parasites by Chelsea Wood

Power to the Parasites by Chelsea L. Wood

Parasites are all around you, all the time, quietly running the world. You might think of them as slimy, disgusting freeloaders – tapeworms and roundworms and ticks and lice, too small to be important and too selfish to be valued. But by the end of this book, you’ll realize that sometimes parasites are the good guys.

Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show by Carole Boston Weatherford

Paul Robeson rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance, known for his extraordinary vocal, dramatic, and oratory skills. But he was a true Renaissance man: an accomplished athlete, a bright intellect, and a passionate supporter for humanitarian causes. He used the power of his voice to speak out as America’s conscience, but when his nation was not yet willing to listen, he found a more-supportive reception in the USSR. In this moving birth-to-death biography, Carole Boston Weatherford’s poetic first-person narrative, interlaced with excerpts from African American spirituals, pairs with dynamic illustrations by Eric Velasquez capturing Paul Robeson’s commanding presence.

For Teens

Middle School Fiction

Onyx & Beyond by Amber McBride

Set against the turbulence of the Civil Rights Movement, twelve-year-old Onyx dreams of becoming an astronaut as he navigates his mother’s early-onset dementia and avoids foster care.

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age…and the cruelty of mirrors…and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books–the weird one, the outsider–and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author’s experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder.

Middle School Graphic Novels & Manga

We Are Big Time by Hena Khan

Inspired by a true story, new Muslim student Aliya joins an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team, and she learns about teamwork and herself.

Save Our Forest by Nora Dåsnes

When the PTA wants to raze their beloved forest, removing the space where they’ve always played, twelve-year-old Bao and her classmates must find a way to get the adults in power to see this crisis for what it is.

High School Fiction

Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas

In the follow up to 2022’s The Sunbearer Trials, three young semidioses travel through a dark monster-infested world, facing down chaotic Obsidian gods, in a quest to save their friends and return the sun to the sky.

Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson

Poet Renée Watson looks back at her childhood and urges readers to look forward at their futures with love, understanding, and celebration in this fully illustrated poetry collection.

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

Forced into a life of exile, Hanalei of Tamarind is reunited with her childhood best friend Sam to find a rare dragonfruit whose magic can save his mother, the princess–offering Hanalei the chance to return home and right a terrible wrong.

High School Graphics Novels & Manga

A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1 by Hiro Kashiwaba

In her youth, Jeanne was a powerful witch who vanquished the evil Demon King and saved the world, but over time, the people she rescued have forgotten her. Now she is a lonely old woman living in a secluded forest… until she accidentally summons a cat from Earth to her home! The former city kitty is now gigantic and must acclimate to this new world. Can a cat from another world soothe the loneliness of the forgotten witch?

Villains Are Destined to Die: Vol. 6 by Suol

Following the conditions of a contract between herself and Winter, Penelope is once again leaving the duchy! She joins the marquis for volunteer work in a war-stricken nation, and while their time there is hectic, the two are able to grab a moment alone at the seaside. But the couple’s peace is shattered when they learn sorcerer children have been kidnapped! In the face of Penelope’s desperation to save them, Winter’s calm approach to the situation has the duke’s daughter suspecting that everything is not as it seems…

I Felt Myself Slipping by Ray Nadine

After losing her dad in a car accident, Riley moves to Stephon, Illinois, where she struggles to fit in with the other gymnasts. She misses her friends back home and is cautious of making new friendships at Station Six, which is made all the more difficult as she’s hard of hearing and none of her new teammates know ASL. When she meets Kota, Riley is surprised by Kota’s effort in learning ASL in order to communicate with her. As they make their way to the prestigious U.S. Classic gymnastics event, their future as friends and as gymnasts will be put to the test.

Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley

Neesha Sparks is a disabled, vocal community activist with a passion for costume design. Gabby Graciana is an optimistic surfer – and, like Neesha, a new kid at school. When the two girls discover that they like the same manga series, Navigator Nozomi, they become more than just fellow new kids. But it was more than just having read the same book series–neither of them had finished it! Soon, they become new friends on a mission – to track down the remaining Navigator Nozomi books.

Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial Aid by Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert

Molly Bauer’s first year of college is not the picture-perfect piece of art she’d always envisioned. On day one at PICA, Molly discovers that–through some horrible twist of fate–her full-ride scholarship has vanished! But the ancient texts (PICA’s dusty financial aid documents) reveal a loophole. If Molly and 9 other art students win a single game of softball, they’ll receive a massive athletic scholarship. Can Molly’s crew of ragtag artists succeed in softball without dropping the ball?

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham

Val is ready to give up on love. It’s led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she’s pretty sure she’s cursed; no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love. But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Or is she destined to live with a broken heart forever?

For Adults

Literary Fiction

James by Percival Everett

Everett retells Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved Black man who travels down the Mississippi River with Huck Finn, offering a deep exploration of Jim’s internal struggles and motivations as he attempts to escape slavery and reunite with his family.

The Book of Fire by Christi Lefteri

The story of a Greek family living in a forest village who are devastated by a wildfire that consumes their home, leaving them to grapple with the trauma and search for meaning in the aftermath – particularly the mother, Irini, who is haunted by a decision she made regarding the man who accidentally started the fire.

Table for Two by Amor Towles

A collection of six short stories & a novella, all exploring the pivotal moments in people’s lives that can hinge on a single conversation, often taking place at a table for two.

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Ed Kapenash investigates a house fire and a disappearance on the picturesque Nantucket Island. To solve the case of the fire and track down his daughter’s best friend, Kapenash will have to string together the pieces of the lives of the colorful characters, rallying his strength for his final act of service to the tight-knit community he knows and loves.

Historical Fiction

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The story of a war nurse during the Vietnam War. This book shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten.

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

This novel that follows the descendants of Jude Star, a Cheyenne survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, exploring the lasting impacts of colonization and forced assimilation on Native American families.

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn & Janie Chang

This novel intertwines two different women – Gemma, a struggling opera singer; and Suling, a skilled Chinese embroiderer. They are both entangled with powerful railroad tycoon Henry Thornton, who possesses a legendary Chinese artifact called the Phoenix Crown.

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

A tale of two rivers – the Tigris and the Thames – and three characters who live beside them. These characters are bound by “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” which highlights the themes of displacement, identity, and the enduring power of water across generations.

Romance

Pride and Preston Lin by Christina Hwang Dudley

Quick-witted and contrarian Lissie Cheng must navigate societal pressures and her growing attraction to the rich and enigmatic Preston Lin. After a poor introduction leads to animosity, they continue to cross paths due to their social circles. The tension is simmering… but might it be attraction?

Funny Story by Emily Henry

After a broken engagement, Daphne is stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian. She’s living with her ex-fiance’s new fiance’s ex-boyfriend. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until they form a tenuous friendship and a plan – get revenge on their ex’s by accepting the wedding invite, faking summer adventures, and lying about their own happily-ever-after.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jiminez

Emma and Justin both seem to be “cursed” – anyone they date ends up finding their soulmate with someone else. To break this pattern, they decide to intentionally date each other for the summer as a fling, but their complicated lives and growing feelings make things much more complex than anticipated.

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

Bryce Quinlan finds herself stranded in a strange new world, desperately trying to find a way back to her home and mate while facing perilous threats and navigating a complex political landscape. All of the characters’ bonds are tested to their limits as they fight to save their world from impending doom.

Mystery

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty

Charles is grappling with the decision of whether to reveal to his daughter, Elizabeth, that he is her biological father. This secret that could significantly impact her life and her connection to the Penobscot Native American tribe on the reservation where she lives. But then Elizabeth goes missing – and Charles has to contend with questions he’s long been afraid to ask. Is his secret about Elizabeth his to share? And would his daughter want to know the truth, even if it could cost her everything she’s ever known?

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Evie Porter is a professional con artist hired by a mysterious employer to infiltrate the life of a handsome businessman. As Evie sinks deeper into this false life, and the job slowly starts to spiral out of her control.

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

Eve, a math teacher at Caseham High, knows that there’s more to the rumors about a student-teacher affair than meets the eye. She suspects that Addie, the student at the center of the scandal, is untrustworthy and will do anything to keep her secrets quiet.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds.

Fantasy/Science Fiction

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

From childhood, Adina Giorno has possessed knowledge of a faraway planet. As she moves through the world and makes a life for herself among humans, she dispatches transmissions on the terrors and surprising joys of their existence. Then, at a precarious moment, a beloved friend urges Adina to share her messages with the world. Is there a chance she is not alone?

The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed

Veris Thorn, a woman with a troubled past, is forced to venture into a dangerous, otherworldly forest to rescue the missing children of a tyrannical ruler. There she faces deadly traps, ancient monsters, and the haunting memories of her own previous foray into the woods, all while racing against a strict time limit that could cost her life if she fails.

Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami

Over 14 tangentially connected, sometimes intertwined stories depicting a near-future Earth where humanity is on the brink of extinction, with small groups of people living under the watchful observation of mysterious “Mothers,” surviving through increasingly strange methods.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune

Arthur Parnassus and Linus Baker run a magical orphanage on a remote island, caring for children with extraordinary abilities. Arthur must fight to protect his family against growing societal pressures to control magical beings, forcing him to confront his own past and advocate for acceptance of the different.

Lore Olympus Volume Six by Rachel Smythe

Chaos reigns in Olympus as Zeus publicly declares Persephone a traitor and issues a warrant for her arrest. But Hades defies his brother’s decree, sheltering Persephone in the Underworld. As Hades and Persephone’s relationship grows stronger, others begin to fall apart. A line is being drawn in the heavens, putting everyone’s loyalties into question as all the gods are forced to choose sides. And as the cracks in the foundation of the pantheon spread, something darker and more earth-shattering might soon be released…

Nonfiction

There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

A personal memoir that uses basketball as a lens to explore themes of Black identity, community, and the complexities of ascension.

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

A historical non-fiction book focusing on the turbulent period between Abraham Lincoln’s election and the start of the Civil War, detailing the escalating tensions and political machinations that pushed the nation towards war.

Good Energy by Casey Means, MD and Calley Means

A comprehensive guide that bridges the gap between modern science and practical health strategies, focusing on achieving optimal energy and well-being.

The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides

the final expedition of Captain James Cook, the legendary European “first navigator.” This book details his final voyage across the Pacific and the complexities of his exploration, including his first contact with Hawaiian people and the tragic events that led to his death there, highlighting the impact of European arrival on indigenous cultures.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

In this book, the author argues that the rise of smartphones, social media, and overprotective parenting has significantly impacted children’s development, leading to a rise in mental health issues among young people.

The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller

The incredible story of an all-deaf high school football team’s triumphant climb from underdog to undefeated, their inspirational brotherhood, a fascinating portrait of deafness in America, and the indefatigable head coach who spearheaded the team.

Good Lookin’ Cookin’ by Dolly Parton & Rachel Parton George

Icon Dolly Parton and her sister share beloved family recipes, stories, and hosting tips, with a focus on Southern comfort food, all presented with the Parton sisters’ signature warmth and fun.

A Year of Last Things: Poems by Michael Ondaatje

A collection that serves as a reflective journey through the author’s life. The acclaimed novelist blends past and present experiences while exploring themes of displacement, discovery, and the enduring power of memory.

Woman, Life, Freedom by Marjane Satrapi, translated by Una Dimitrijevic

An urgent, groundbreaking and visually stunning new collection of graphic story-telling about the present Iranian revolution, using comics to show what would be censored in photos and film in Iran.

Biography

Coming Home by Brittney Griner with Michelle Burford

A memoir detailing Griner’s harrowing experience of being detained in Russia for nearly a year, including her arrest, trial, imprisonment in a Russian penal colony, and eventual release through a prisoner swap.

Knife by Salman Rushdie

Rushdie re-lives — with introspection — the assassination attempt made against him in August 2022. His hard journey towards physical recovery and the healing that was made possible by the love and support of his wife, Eliza, his family, his army of doctors and physical therapists, and his community of readers worldwide.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

The Barefoot Contessa shares her personal story, from a challenging childhood to finding her passion in cooking, culminating in her successful career as a cookbook author and TV personality. Garten emphasizing the importance of always being prepared for opportunities when they arise, no matter how unexpected they may seem – luck favors the ready.

The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne

Actor Griffin Dunne recounts his turbulent upbringing in a prominent Hollywood family. He particularly focuses on the tragic murder of his sister Dominique by her ex-boyfriend and the subsequent public trial that significantly impacted his father, renowned journalist Dominick Dunne.

The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon

McMahon proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn’t make it into the textbooks. Through meticulous research, she discovers history’s unsung characters and brings their rich, riveting stories to light for the first time.