Top 10 Recommended Reads 2024

Looking for the best of the best this year? We’re happy to announce our Top 10 Recommended Reads for the 2024 TD Summer Reading Club!

These ten titles were selected with our “To The Stars” theme in mind. They are examples of excellent books for kids at various reading levels. You will find these top titles—along with 10 top French titles—in a printed brochure for parents and caregivers as well.

Don’t forget - we have also compiled a much longer list of recommended reads, which is featured on our staff website, to help keep kids reading all summer long. Be sure to download it in Excel format and save for later use.

Dragons in a Bag #4: The Enchanted Bridge

By Zetta Elliott and Cherise Harris

Random House, 2023

ISBN: 9780593427743

Ages 9-12

Travel to the magical realm with Jax and his friends in this fourth instalment of the series and help them convince Sis that magical creatures deserve to be free. Get caught in a secret plan with the Guardian of Palmara’s mysterious twin brother, Ol-Korrok, and cross the enchanted bridge along your way.

Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is

By Casey Lyall

Harper Collins, 2023

ISBN: 9780063239821

Ages 9-12

Not many people in town believe that aliens visited Grandpa Walt thirty years ago, but Lemon Peabody is determined to prove her grandpa’s story before he loses his memory altogether. Those same aliens, resembling garden gnomes, crash in the woods and unexpectedly find Lemon. She hopes they can help restore Grandpa Walt’s memory, but discovers that the aliens are actually in need of problem solving themselves.

Teen Astronauts #3 Mission to Mars

By Eric Walters

Orca, 2023

ISBN: 9781459836730

Ages 9-12

After winning a scholarship to attend a space program at NASA, Houston Williams finds out that he and others are part of a top-secret research project studying the effects of space travel on people of different ages. It’s great to have his friends Ashley and Teal on board for a mission to Mars, but tragic events occur, and the teens must continue the mission all by themselves with Houston as commander.

A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054

By James Gladstone and Yaara Eshet

OwlKids, 2023

ISBN: 9781771474986

Ages 6-9

Discover one of the brightest supernovas on record and the Crab Nebula that was created by its explosion approximately 6000 to 6500 years ago. Travel forward in time from that explosion to 1054, marvelling at the evolutions in astronomy, history, culture and technology. Readers are left wondering about the future of the sky.

The Party Diaries #2: Starry Henna Night

By Mitali Banerjee and Aaliya Jaleel

Scholastic, 2023

ISBN: 9781338799811

Ages 6-9

Priya is nervous to plan a party for teenagers, but quickly rises to the challenge of throwing a memorable henna night to help save endangered pangolins. Plan alongside Priya and even learn to make your own lantern.

Too Much: My Great Big Native Family

By Lauren Goodluck and Bridget George

Simon & Schuster, 2024

ISBN: 9781665911269

Ages 3-6

Russell lands a star role in the school play, but decides to keep the news a secret from his boisterous family for fear that they will overpower his big moment. Just when a lonely Russell decides he might have made a mistake, his noisy, excitable, but loving family is there to meet him with open arms.

Space on Earth: How Thinking Like an Astronaut Can Help Save the Planet

By Dr. Dave Williams, Linda Pruessen and Sho Uehara

Annick Press, 2023

ISBN: 9781773217666

Ages 9-12

Learn valuable lessons from astronauts who understand why protecting precious resources is vital to survival. Their space innovations have inspired new ideas for air quality, food production and water purification on Earth. Try hands-on experiments, read notes from Dr. Dave Williams and enjoy colourful illustrations and photographs.

See It, Dream It, Do It: How 25 people just like you found their dream jobs

By Colleen Nelson and Kathie MacIsaac

Pajama Press, 2023

ISBN: 9781772782882

Ages 9-12

Reach for your dreams and discover 25 inspiring people and their diverse careers. Enjoy interviews with professionals, get practical tips and learn about spin-off jobs you may not already know.

Granny Left Me a Rocket Ship

By Heather Smith and Ashley Barron

Kids Can Press, 2023

ISBN: 9781525305528

Ages 3-6

A young child uses his vibrant imagination and cherished memories to fill the hole that Granny leaves in his heart. It is a moving story about the death of a loved one and the precious gifts she left behind.

One Giant Leap

By Thao Lam

OwlKids, 2024

ISBN: 9781771475990

Ages 3-6

This wordless picture book follows a child astronaut dressed in a bright orange suit as they embark on an imaginative journey across a strange new planet…only to find themself in very familiar surroundings at the end of their adventure.