2024 Recommended Beginning Chapters: New titles and personal favorites

New series, Stand-alone chapters and Graphic novels

These are too new to say if they'll be popular or not, but they have either done well so far or I predict that they will be popular in future.

• Batcat by Meggie Ramm
• The first book was published in 2023, but I added both the original and the second title, Sink or Swim, this year.
• Cloud Puppy by Kelly Leigh Miller
• Detective Sweet Pea: The case of the golden bone by Sara Varon
• I borrowed this from another library and read it. I am not generally a Varon fan, but I sent this to the school and the 3rd graders approved and requested I purchase it.
• Evelyn and Avery: The art of friendship by Elle Pierre
• I just found this one, so it's on my order list for next year. A very sweet beginning chapter graphic novel about friendship. Similar in general theme to Cloud Puppy, but definitely it's own creation.
• Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe
• Hocus and Pocus and the spell for home by A. R. Capetta
• Lunch Buddies by Daniel Wiseman
• The first book was published in 2023, but I added both the original and the second title, Stunt Sandwich Superstar, this year.
• Rise of Pegasus by Joan Holub
• Scare School Diaries: Welcome to Scare School by Jarrett Lerner
• Super Pancake by Megan Wagner Lloyd
• The first book was published in 2023, but I added both the original and the second title, Mini Muffin Mayhem, this year.
• Welcome to the Woofmore by Donna Gephart
• Two titles were published in 2024, but I have not yet purchased the second book.

Personal Favorites

These are titles that I personally enjoyed or filled a niche in my opinion. I didn't necessarily purchase them, and they aren't always the most popular, but if I did add them they may well grow in popularity as I promote them. 

• Crimson Twill: Witch in the city by Kallie George
• I purchased the first book myself to read and donated it to the library - I'll probably buy a few more in the series next year.
• Witch in the country
• Witch in the spotlight
• Dollars to Doughnuts: Birthday Bling by Catherine R. Daly
• There aren't many beginning chapter books that teach financial literacy! I have been promoting this to teachers a lot this year.
• Cash Stash: Savings
• Henry by Jenn Bailey
• Henry and the something new
• Infinity Rainbow Club by Jen Malia
• I really liked the first book in this series and I found it for a discount. I haven't purchased the sequels yet, but I hope to do so next year.
• Connor and the Taekwondo tournament
• Legendarios: Wrath of the rain god by Karla Arenas Valenti
• I am eagerly waiting for this one to catch on - A Magic Tree House read-alike featuring Aztec mythology! North America is pitifully indifferent to the culture of the entire Southern continent.
• The beginning of all things
• The child king of Uxmal
• Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
• The length of the series naturally has decreased some of the popularity - but that only means I just buy one copy instead of two.
• The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe
• Rachel Friedman breaks the rules by Sarah Kapit
• I haven't purchased this, although I thought it was a good read. Hopefully I'll get it next year.
• Seashell Key by Lourdes Heuer
• I read this at the end of the year, too late for a purchase. I thought it was funny and sweet.
• Stella and Marigold by Annie Barrows
• In my experience, if I liked Annie Barrows' books the kids won't like them and vice versa. I loved Iggie and it's never been popular.

2024 Recommended Beginning Chapters: Sequels for Locally Popular Series

Sequels for Popular Series in My Library

Your mileage may vary, but these are series that are perennially popular in my library and I have plenty of kids and teachers asking for the next book.

• A to Z Animal Mysteries by Kayla Whaley
• This series really took off this year and I plan to buy additional copies in 2025.
• Cougar Clues
• Dolphin Detectives
• Ballpark Mysteries by David Kelly
• Kelly's books are always popular, but he got a big boost when he did a virtual visit for one of my elementary schools. His latest books are available only on Amazon, but our audience means it's worth paying a little more to get them.
• Satchel's Stolen Strike (978-1959378068)
• Zillion Zombie Heist (978-1959378099)
• Willie's Clutch Catch (978-1959378129) (Will purchase next year as it was released after my last order)
• Cryptid Club by Michael Brumm
• This has only become popular this last year.
• You don't know Jackalope
• Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol by Andres Miedoso
• I've always had a handful of ardent fans of this series, but this year it became really popular and I felt more than justified in purchasing all the sequels that were published.
• Hold on to your heads!
• The witch get witcher!
• I'm your biggest phantom
• Diary of a Pug by Kyla May
• I will never really understand the obsession with pugs, but this series is very popular in my library. It's a typical Branches series in diary format with simple text and heavily illustrated.
• Beach Pug
• Pug the sports star
• Dragon Masters by Tracey West
• Every library should have at least the first few of these and most will want the sequels as the series continues to be popular.
• The epic guide to Dragon Masters
• Cave of the Crystal Dragon
• Haunting of the Ghost Dragon
• Dragon Storm by Alastair Chisholm
• This series clicked with a lot of my 3rd and 4th grade classes. Only one book was released this year and I don't know if it's the final title or not.
• Erin and Rockhammer
• Good Dog by Cam Higgins
• I don't know how popular this series is in other areas, but the simple, gentle stories and the rural/farm setting are very popular in my community. I've purchased multiple copies of the first book because it's checked out so often.
• Bo Hatches a plan
• Beach Paws
• The Bark Park
• Investigators and Agents of S.U.I.T. by John Patrick Green
• This is a very popular graphic novel series in my library, although it comes and goes in waves. I actually bought a lot of additional copies and replacement copies this year as the binding is none of the best, especially for the heavy wear a beginning graphic novel gets.
• Agents of S.U.I.T. From Badger to Worse
• Investigators: Class Action
• Jake Maddox
• I do think that every library should have a selection of Jake Maddox titles. However, new titles are generally released twice a year, in January and August, and whether or not you need the new titles will depend on your audience. These are the ones I added this year, not including replacements.
• Batter Power Up 9781669060994
• Gymnastics Challenge 9781669060918
• Live and let dive 9781669061151
• Puck panic 9781669059790
• Skate park plans 9781669059844
• Gridiron Trailblazer 9781669074373
• Lacrosse clash 9781669074526
• Soccer goals 9781669074427
• Softball Hothead 9781669074472
• My Weird School by Dan Gutman
• These have slowed somewhat in popularity, but are still worth purchasing for me. There are frequent sequels, specials, etc. so whether or not you purchase all the new releases, and how many of each, will depend on your community.
• Ms. Greene is mean!
• Hip Hip Hooray! Every day is a holiday!
• Miss Nichol is in a pickle!
• No more school, April fools!
• Mrs. Marge is in charge!
• There's a skunk in my bunk!
• Paige Proves It by Amy Marie Stadelmann
• This is a favorite of mine and it became very popular with 3rd graders last year.
• The Curious Cove
• Press Start by Thomas Flintham
• This series is close in popularity to Owl Diaries. I have found that the paperbacks for some reason fall apart more than any other Branches series though.
• Super Game Book
• Mega Mole Girl Digs Deep
• Real Pigeons by Andrew McDonald
• This is a go-to series that I recommend. It's a little tricky to keep up with because it's an Australian import.
• Real Pigeons Peck Punches
• Sophie Mouse by Poppy Green
• I have an audience for gentle reads and several families love this series - I often hear moms recommending it to their friends.
• Lightning Bug Light Show

2024 Recommended Beginning Chapters: Must Haves

These are what I consider the highlights of the beginning chapter books I read, reviewed, or purchased this year. My beginning chapter section is aimed at roughly 1st - 3rd grade readers and when I am adding titles to it I look for books that are around 100 pages, graphic novels with a clear progression and connection between words and art, and a larger font with at least some illustrations. Unless otherwise noted, all titles were purchased or added to the library collection.

Must Haves

These are the most popular sequels, plus one new series, that I think are must-haves for public and school libraries in general.

• Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
• Most kids are familiar with this series, although not all may be aware that the final book came out this fall - and according to the author, marks the end of his writing career for kids.
• The serpent and the beast
• The Bad Guys in One Last Thing
• Branches: Disaster Squad by Rekha Rajan
• Of the recent Branches series in the past couple years, this looks like it has the most potential to have staying power. They sound similar to I Survived but with natural disasters.
• Wildfire Rescue
• Hurricane Rescue
• Blizzard Rescue
• Dragon Girls by Mara Maddy
• I first heard of this from a friend who was looking up new dragon series and shared the hilarious (and NSFW) results of googling this series title. However, it quickly caught on and I have a number of dedicated readers of the original series, spin-offs, and other fantasy series by Mara Maddy.
• Hana the thunder dragon
• Mina the lightning dragon
• Rani the enchanted dragon
• Zora the snow dragon
• Eloise the flame dragon (to be released 12-24-24 - I will order in January)
• Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly
• This easy graphic novel spin-off of the Wrenly series was an immediate hit at my library and kids are always eager for the next title. The original Wrenly series isn't necessary - although I've added some this past year, most kids stick with the graphics.
• The Dead of Light (vol. 11)
• Guardians of Horsa
• This was an immediate hit when it debuted in 2023 and kids continue to ask for it. The next volume isn't scheduled to be released until September 2025 though.
• The fire oath (vol. 4)
• Into the hidden world (vol. 5)
• Very Worst Ever by Andy Nonamus
• As I predicted, this series has been a hit and while not at Dogman or Bad Guys level, it is popular and each new book has flown off the shelf. New titles coming in 2025.
• First Day, Worst Day
• Pop goes the carnival
• Catch zoo later
• Happy gift day to you
• Pizza Party Pooper
• Go for the gold