Best Mystery Books For Kids
A good mystery is an ideal way to engage your kids in reading and learning. Even struggling readers will be engaged by the pace and intrigue of a mystery, keeping them turning pages until the very end!
Our collection of mystery books for kids offers the finest clue-hunting and who-dunnit solving fun. Why not test some out in your classroom today?
1. Harriet the Spy
Harriet Welsch is a sixth grader who dreams of becoming both an author and spy. When not at school, she enjoys spying on people and recording what she observes.
When Harriet’s notebook is taken by Marion Hawthorne, she learns a hard lesson about how words can hurt. Not only do her classmates verbally bully her, but they also devise various methods to make life difficult for Harriet: they form the “Spy Catcher Club” and plan ways to make things difficult for Harriet – like taking away her lunch or passing nasty notes in class.
Louise Fitzhugh’s classic children’s book was first published in 1964 and has since been adapted into films and TV shows.
Michelle Trachtenberg stars as Harriet, a bright and observant girl who enjoys writing. Her nanny Ole Golly encourages her to observe people and document their behavior for school projects.
Harriet keeps a journal where she records observations about various people, such as an elderly man with cats in his house, a Chinese family with troubled children, and an unsuccessful farmer. Additionally, she writes about her friends from school in her diary.
After Harriet read her notebook to her classmates, the students formed the Spy Catcher Club. At first they are scared but soon realize Harriet spies on them and devise vengeful plans to punish her.
Harriet’s notebook is confiscated and she begins to drop grades. Nevertheless, Harriet persists and uses her skills as a spy to uncover the truth about Marion Hawthorne and other girls who attempted to make her life difficult. She learns through experience that keeping her notebook safe is important for her – which is why she keeps it hidden away from anyone but herself.
2. The Great Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
No child is too young to appreciate the incredible deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes, and these accessible stories featuring three of his most beloved tales will make them fall in love with this beloved character. These include ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’, ‘The Blue Carbuncle’ and ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’.
This book is ideal for new readers, as it introduces kids to the main characters and classic style of Conan Doyle’s writing. Despite its complex language, these novels remain very accessible for readers of all abilities – an ideal way to introduce your kids to the detective universe!
The Great Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is an essential read for any admirer of the renowned detective. Whether you’re a longtime reader or have just started reading them, this collection should not be missed.
Through the novel, readers get to experience Sherlock’s thought process and how he solves his issues. This is invaluable for kids as they will gain insight into his methods and strategies for getting answers.
There are also some fascinating characters to learn more about, such as Dr. Watson – a loyal and reliable friend of Holmes that provides invaluable insight.
Another excellent choice is The Return of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of 13 tales that follows the adventures of the renowned detective. These stories are filled with mystery, inventive crimes and even some whodunits. With its captivating plotline, this book will surely appeal to all Sherlock fans.
3. Lizzie and Lucky
Lizzie is an intensely perceptive child, always on the lookout for suspicious activity. She’s especially concerned about fairness and equality, so when her parents take her on holiday to the seaside, something doesn’t feel quite right. There’s talk of missing treasure that no one knows where it lies and artifacts disappearing from a local museum which makes Lizzie somewhat anxious.
Sheena enlists the assistance of her pup Lucky as they embark on an investigation into these mysterious incidents. Together, they’re certain there’s something missing – and won’t leave until it is solved!
Megan Rix is renowned for her popular books like The Lost War Dog and Florence and the Mischievous Kitten, but she also writes mystery novels tailored to young readers. Her latest series Lizzie and Lucky adds another fun dimension to this genre!
In this book, the protagonist Lizzie wants her parents to get a puppy but is uncertain if she can convince them. So she’s created a list of 101 reasons why they should get a pup – especially since both she and her parents are deaf and could train the animal into an effective hearing dog.
One day while out for a walk, Lizzie spots an unidentified man running out of an alleyway with a puppy in his arms. As he runs off, she becomes extremely concerned for the pup’s safety and begins to believe someone might be trying to steal it!
This book is an ideal introduction to mystery genre for children, with stunning illustrations. It also serves as an excellent teaching tool, teaching your child about fairness and being honest – making it a must-read!
4. Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew is one of the classic mystery series for kids, first written in the 1930s. As a sleuth who enjoys adventure and always solves her cases, this series features many exciting adventures featuring Bess and George – Nancy’s friends – on nearly every page.
In The Case of the Missing Will, Nancy searches for the will of a recently deceased millionaire. When Josiah Crowley passed away, he promised his family and friends a share of his fortune – yet to everyone’s shock, it is the Topham family that inherits all of it!
Nancy, Bess and George embark on an adventurous search to uncover a mystery hidden in Nevada’s desert. Along the way they encounter an intriguing mannequin and ancient stone with petroglyphs which lead them to uncover clues. However they also come across an unexplainable magnetic cloud which threatens to bring danger upon everyone as they search for answers.
Another classic book in the series, The Case of the Gliding Woman, takes Nancy, Bess and George on an exciting vacation to Cooperstown, New York. An ominous green sorcerer, a mystery about a woman who glides across the lake and an unexpected treasure lead Nancy to uncover an ancient secret.
This mystery book is ideal for teachers to use as a way of teaching kids about historical mysteries. It’s packed with fascinating facts about famous oddities such as man walking on water and an elf who can fly. And there’s much more in here!
This book is an ideal teaching tool to instill respect for others and history. Although there are some mild violent scenes, they do not contain anything overtly sexualized or inappropriate.
5. The Haunted House
In this haunted house novel, a group of teens ventures out to investigate an ancient mansion in the English countryside. Unfortunately, their adventure takes an unfortunate turn when one of them is tragically stabbed to death. While the other children attempt to cover up the crime, they soon come to realize who is responsible.
Grady Hendrix’s The Haunted House is an intriguing book that blends horror with emotional storytelling and even some comedy. It boasts a darkly twisted narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Children often enjoy scary books, and The Haunted House is one of the best. This mystery features supernatural creatures, a lonely father, and an irreverent cat who reads Bible verses. Plus it features an intriguing teenager that adds another layer to the plotline and keeps readers guessing until the very end.
This book is an enjoyable read that will have your kids talking for hours about the mystery and its implications. It’s also suitable for families wanting to discuss the value of family relationships and how to cope with grief.
The author has a knack for crafting books that are both intense and lighthearted, keeping your kids engaged throughout. This book seamlessly shifts between intense and unsettling to fun and surprising – it’s sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats and makes an excellent Halloween choice!
Haunted houses have been around since the 18th century, often considered as a precursor of modern haunted houses.