The Best Detective Books For Kids
If your kids enjoy detectives, there are plenty of great books for them to choose from. These titles are entertaining, educational and often feature a mystery at their core.
Rosie, a new girl at school with an extraordinary secret, embarks on an arduous mission to help solve the crimes of art robbery. Through the use of her special gift and collaboration with friends, Rosie uncovers clues that lead them directly to the true perpetrators.
1. The Hidden Staircase by Mildred Wirt Benson
The Hidden Staircase is the second installment of Nancy Drew Mystery series and a favorite of Mildred Wirt Benson (author of most early books under pseudonym Carolyn Keene). In The Hidden Staircase, Nancy and her friends are sent to investigate a haunted mansion for signs of ghost activity; they also assist her father in finding him after he goes missing during a business trip.
Mildred Wirt Benson was born in 1905 and grew up in a small town of Iowa where she developed an interest in reading both classic and contemporary novels. Additionally, she loved traveling – taking trips to Central America, canoeing down rivers, exploring Mayan sites, and flying airplanes were just some of her many interests.
She wrote a weekly column for the Toledo Blade and published numerous books. Sadly, at age 96 she succumbed to lung cancer in 2002.
In 1929, Stratemeyer Syndicate hired Benson to pen the first in a series of books featuring Nancy Drew – an intelligent and adventurous girl. Benson said she hoped this series would break away from traditional stereotypes about what women should be back then.
After the debut book, the series became enormously popular. In addition to “Nancy Drew”, Benson also created several other popular series such as Penny Parker (about a young newspaper reporter), and Ruth Darrow (an air-minded teen who takes flying lessons and becomes an aeronautical expert).
She was an accomplished writer who could tell her own story and create characters of her own design. Additionally, she had the gift of creating realistic settings that kids could relate to. As she aged, recognition for her work increased; eventually being inducted into both Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame and University of Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.
2. The Case of the Missing Fishbowl
Detective books for kids come in many varieties, from scary to silly. But the best detective stories for kids are those which encourage young readers to think like a detective and use their logical skills to solve a mystery.
The Case of the Missing Fishbowl is an excellent illustration. This early chapter book for kids features P.I Butterfly, who loves to solve mysteries. She puts her detective tools to use and shows patience as she attempts to determine who took their family guppy from its bowl.
It’s an entertaining read that will hold your child’s attention from beginning to end! The illustrations are stunning, and the story provides a great introduction to deductive reasoning and critical thinking.
I appreciate that this middle grade book features a precocious female lead, an uncommon occurrence. Additionally, it serves to inspire kids to apply their detective skills in real-world scenarios.
A young girl who enjoys writing and drawing in her notebook isn’t pleased when her notes get stolen by friends. So she sets out to find the culprit and prove her worth by proving her intelligence!
Kayla and Her Library Books is another adorable early chapter book for kids featuring a spunky little girl and her animal sidekicks, perfect for mystery solvers. When one of her books goes missing, Kayla retraces her steps to piece together clues to uncover who the culprit is.
This series is a must-read for kids who enjoy solving mysteries and exploring! Best friends Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose work together in Green Lawn, Connecticut to solve cases using their clever detective skills. With 26 books in total, it’s perfect for young readers looking to dive into an epic detective book series!
3. The Case of the Missing Socks
When a boy discovers his mom created a sock without the match, it is up to him to figure out where it went. This book is an enjoyable and captivating read for kids of all ages, especially those interested in science.
A good detective story should foster children’s inquisitive nature, while also teaching them about technology. This particular book does just that – it features fourteen-year-old Maxwell Sherlock Holmes and his sister Mia, along with their Granny Nellie and fourteen-year-old friend Morris Weedlesom.
This is a high-energy read with an entertaining, witty plotline and plenty of laughs. There are vibrant illustrations to keep kids engrossed in the pages.
This book is ideal for children in pre-primary grades, helping them start on the path to becoming lifelong readers. With its short chapters, straightforward text, and charming images, even reluctant readers will find something appealing in it.
This book is the ideal teaching tool to instill the most essential life skill a kid will ever acquire: solving mysteries! The story is captivating, the illustrations delightful and the characters endearing. A must-have for any library; it stands out among all other detective books available.
4. The Case of the Kidnapped Panda
Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose are on the case when a baby panda goes missing at their local petting zoo. It’s up to them to use their detective skillsets in order to track down who took it before midnight or else face losing $1 million dollars!
Only 10,000 red pandas remain wild, meaning they’re vulnerable to being taken from their forest homes and sold into the black market pet trade. That is why conservationists are working hard to keep them safe by hiring local people as “panda pals,” who help protect their forests, replant bamboo, and allow paying tourists to observe the animals without disturbing them.
Red pandas typically spend their time in trees to avoid predators. Their distinctive, curved claws allow them to grip tree trunks and move their feet backward for a better angle of grip on the bark.
They possess the unique ability to rotate their ankles 180 degrees, giving them an extended stride so they can sprint along branches headfirst. This speed boost enables them to accelerate, feed quickly, and even survive a fall from above.
The best kids mystery books are ones that challenge children’s sleuthing abilities. Many come as part of a series, allowing readers to follow along with their favorite detective as they solve crimes.
This exciting book about a boy who can see ghosts will spark your child’s imagination. He may be fearful at times, but he works hard to conquer those fears so he can become an excellent detective.
He also has a best friend named Rebekah who utilizes her problem-solving abilities to assist him with cases. These straightforward chapter books are ideal for 1st and 2nd grade learners who enjoy using their sleuthing abilities to the test.
5. The Case of the Secret Agents
The Case of the Secret Agents is book two in the Taylor & Rose series and picks up where Peril in Paris left off. In 1911, Sophie Taylor and Lillian Rose have taken on a new mission for the Secret Service Bureau; they’re heading to Venice in search of long-buried secrets.
Taylor & Rose series books are always filled with action and adventure, yet this one manages to maintain an engaging MG spy novel pace throughout. No matter the high stakes, readers will remain engaged throughout the entire journey.
This is a fantastic adventure that introduces readers to the history of world spies in an entertaining and captivating manner. Additionally, it contains plenty of inspiring messages that encourage young readers to recognize their own talents and abilities.
I found this book to be highly tense and thrilling, serving as a wonderful reminder of the importance of self-confidence. The characters were likeable, and the plot moved along at an enjoyable rate.
This novel follows a man working as a secret agent for an unknown country. He’s somewhat of a jerk, but things take an unexpected turn when he becomes involved in an anarchist plot to blow up Greenwich Observatory. Though classic, this novel can be seen as prophetic in its anticipation of contemporary political issues.
The book’s premise is that a Russian mole is working for the British government, and Kate Henderson is determined to uncover him before Britain elects a prime minister who could be in Russia’s clutches. Unfortunately, there’s an excessive amount of padding throughout which distracts from the plotline and causes readers to stumble over unfamiliar jargon used for explanations – making the reading experience uncomfortable at times.