We read some absolutely fantastic books over the past year, and we’ve enjoyed sharing them all with you! Some books didn’t make it into our recommended lists however (there were some crackers released at the end of the year!), and they were some of the best – so here we’re sharing with you our top 5 books from 2024.
Chris Mould’s War of the Worlds – Chris Mould (Faber, 2024)
Chris Mould’s War of the Worlds offers a fresh take on H.G. Wells’ classic that is visually striking and captures the essence of the original, while making it more accessible for younger readers.
Mould’s artwork is fantastic as usual; from the feeling of menace in the blackness of space as the aliens draw near at the start, to the contrast he later lays between the cramped, Victorian houses and the vast, empty countryside. He portrays the alien invaders like massive insects, which we’ll confess is how we’ve always imagined them!
While Mould does take some liberties with the language and the story itself, the core of the story’s character remains intact. And to be honest, toning down the flowery Victorian language makes it an easier read for upper juniors/lower seniors who might not pick the book up otherwise.
With stunning artwork (he’s a Carnegie-nominated artist for good reason!), and a story that maintains the original vibe while easing younger readers in, it’s no wonder that this is one of our top 5 reads from 2024!
Blitz: One Family’s War – Martin Impey (Harbour Moon Publishing, 2024)
Blitz: One Family’s War is a poignant and visually captivating story about a family’s experience during the London Blitz. Set in Bow, it brings the war-torn reality of 1940s London to life, capturing the close-knit nature of the people and the resilience of families enduring wartime hardships.
The illustrations perfectly capture the atmosphere of a community disrupted by war. Dad goes away to fight and, at home, the family rushes to a shelter as the bombs drop. They return to a radically changed landscape, both physically and emotionally. The story doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the Blitz, but handles difficult moments with sensitivity.
What stands out is the way Blitz balances personal loss with the daily routines of wartime life. School continues amidst the chaos, while the park is transformed to a training ground and mum struggles to make a celebration cake with rationing. The book blends fiction with historical reality, making the experiences of this fictional family feel very real – including, at the back, a warden’s report that records when and where the bomb hit, the casualties, and how it has affected the area.
This book is a fantastic resource for younger readers, particularly those studying WWII, as it offers a deeply human perspective on the impact of the war at home. It allows readers to connect with the family in a way that simple photographs can’t, and so well deserves a spot in our top 5 from 2024.
The Worlds We Leave Behind – A. F. Harrold & Levi Pinfold (pub. Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024)
Regular readers will recognise this one from August 2024! The Worlds We Leave Behind initially follows a young boy named Hex, whose impulsive actions and desire for revenge lead him down a dark path. After encountering an old woman in a cottage in the woods, he is offered the chance to get back at those he feels have wronged him. And by the time he begins to question the morality of revenge, it’s too late.
The story shifts its focus, but the cycles of hurt and vengeance will repeat unless something – or someone – changes. Inspired by Grimm’s fairytales, the story shows familiar themes but with unexpected twists that keep the reader hooked. The chapters unfold in real-time, showing how quickly a situation can escalate if we let it.
Harrold’s storytelling is complemented by Pinfold’s dark and atmospheric illustrations, which enhance the book’s tense, eerie vibe. The shading and occasional inversion of colours add depth and foreboding, drawing readers into the oppressive world of the forest and the cottage. Some pictures are the same with slight differences, capturing the haunting nature of the story while reinforcing the theme of repetition.
At its core, the story explores the importance of forgiveness and the power of breaking harmful cycles. It’s a thought-provoking read that raises important questions about how we handle anger and vengeance. Suitable for primary-age readers, though with some darker themes, it also offers meaningful lessons for all ages about personal growth and making better choices. It really struck us when we first read it, so immediately sprang to mind when choosing this list of our top 5 from last year.
Rise and Fall: Great Empires that Shaped the World – Peter Allen (Cicada Books, 2024)
Rise and Fall: Great Empires that Shaped the World is a unique exploration of various empires throughout history. Instead of focusing solely on Western civilisations likely already familiar to young readers, the book broadens its scope to include less commonly discussed empires like the Persian, Kamakura Shogunate, and Mali.
The book’s vibrant, cartoon-like illustrations bring these civilisations to life without feeling overly childish. Each empire is broken down into accessible sections that cover key aspects like art, society, and religion, as well as topics relevant to the civilisation, such as the calendar for the Aztecs. At the end, it talks about the decline of that empire, putting forward theories when it’s not known for certain, which make great discussion points to share.
Allen’s approach allows readers to explore civilisations they may not typically study, such as the Mongol Empire, which had a profound impact on Europe. By painting a broad view of each empire, he brings out what makes them special, and allows young readers to see the lasting effects they’ve had on the modern world.
With a range of topics and insightful details, this book serves as an excellent jumping-off point for further exploration. It’s an engaging, well-rounded resource for both the classroom and home, and its unusual selection and approach earns it a spot in our top 5.
Dark Flood – Karon Alderman (Orion Children’s Books, 2024)
You might remember this one from September’s recommendations – Dark Flood blends a time-slip narrative with a real-life mining disaster from 1815. The book portrays a gritty, authentic story of children working in dangerous conditions, without sensationalising the tragedy. It’s one that stayed with us long after we finished it.
Written in a Newcastle dialect, it offers a vivid picture of life in northern England in both the past and the present, including the struggles of a tight-knit community and how people view one another. Like Blitz, it’s fictionalised while drawing on real life – the very real scratched message on the wall from a boy to his mother (which is now in a museum) inspires horror, but giving the children a voice in the story makes them more relatable for younger readers who may be roughly the same age.
Child labour is a topic not often talked about and, when we do, it tends to be about those working in the mills or pulling the coal wagons. We don’t think about the fact that young boys, some of only 9 or 10, were working side by side with adults down in the mines. We’ve come a long way since then, but that makes it all the more important not to forget it.
Dark Flood would make an excellent class read, especially for those studying mining history or child labour. It’s a powerful, hard-hitting book that may be challenging for younger readers, but its messages are important and impactful – and that’s why it’s in our top 5 of 2024.
This wasn’t an easy list to make – we read so many amazing books that all really deserve a spot in this post. What were your favourite reads from 2024? Head over to Bluesky, Threads, or Twitter/X to let us know!
If any of the books have grabbed your attention, then you can pick up a copy of them via our recommendations list below.
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If you’re looking for more book round-ups, check out our previous reviews here.
