If you loved mystery novels at any point in your life, chances are you want to introduce your child to the same suspenseful, chilling tales that you enjoyed during your formative years. But what are the best mystery books for kids these days? Are the classics still around? What other options should you consider?
Well, luckily for you we’re on the case!
In fact, we’ve compiled a list of 13 incredible books that we feel are definitely some of the best mystery books for kids on the shelves today across all age groups. So whether your child is 4 or 14, there are at least a few great reads on this list!
Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation by Mark Teague
Best For Ages: 4-8
Length: 32 pages
Available From: Amazon, Scholastic, Better World Books
Canine Ike LaRue graduates from obedience school with high hopes of becoming a super sleuth. However, he soon ends up in jail after being framed for terrorizing the Hibbins’ cats and stealing their treats. Does Ike have what it takes to crack the case and clear his name? Will his letters to his owner bail him out?
While the story is great on its own, Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation is also a great story to introduce young kids to several literary concepts (like structure and letter writing) in a relatively easy manner. Also, unlike many children’s books at this age level, Mark Teague throws in complex words here and there but provides the context around them for kids to “solve” their definition independently.
The Mystery of the Missing Cake by Claudia Boldt
Best For Ages: 4-8
Length: 32 pages
Available From: Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes & Noble
A fox named Harold gets invited to a costume-themed birthday party, so he plans the perfect outfit and sets out to have some fun. Everything is going well until the birthday cake disappears while the lights are out. Then, everyone becomes a prime suspect in the crime of the evening. Can Harold piece together the clues and save the party, or will the cake thief get away with a sweet victory?
Not only does this delightful little book introduce mystery to children of a young age in a clever but relatable way, but the story also accurately portrays the chaos that ensues during most children’s birthday parties. This story teaches problem-solving while also encouraging honesty and sharing — making it a win-win for families who enjoy great stories that also teach morals!
Inspector Brunswick: The Case of the Missing Eyebrow by Angela Keoghan
Best For Ages: 5-8
Length: 32 pages
Available From: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AbeBooks
Cat detective Inspector Brunswick and his assistant, Nelson, just wanted to take a break from a long week of investigating crimes, so they decided to head to a local art museum. However, Brunswick’s whiskers start to tingle as soon as they arrive, meaning there’s probably another mystery to solve! Can Inspector Brunswick and Nelson figure out what happened to the portrait of the Admiral?
Filled with endearing characters, all the elements of a good mystery, and quite a bit of humor to boot, The Case of the Missing Eyebrow is a great introduction to mystery books for kids in early elementary grades — and there’s enough fun inside for parents to enjoy too!
Nate The Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Best For Ages: 6-9
Length: 80 pages
Available From: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Scholastic, Penguin Random House
Nate’s friend Annie has a problem — she’s lost a picture and can’t find it anywhere. Luckily for her, Nate the Great is a child detective and ready to help her solve the mystery! As the story unfolds, Nate collects facts, asks questions, narrows the list of suspects, and saves the day.
This first novel in the Nate The Great series is a great first try at lengthy mystery novels for kids. It’s great for early independent readers and has enough books (30!) to keep your kiddo busy for at least a couple months. With Nate, kids can learn how to problem solve, use logical thinking, and even solve puzzles!
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Best For Ages: 7-10
Length: 45 pages
Available From: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Scholastic, BoxcarChildren.com
Four orphaned children (Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny) create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest. Throughout a series of over 150 books, the children encounter lifestyle changes as well as many mysteries to solve.
Written by a former first grade teacher herself, The Boxcar Children series is great for elementary students who are ready for a series of chapter books that will keep them enthralled from beginning to end. And, when the kids finish the series, they can even enjoy the movie adaptation that was created in 2014!
Clubhouse Mysteries: The Buried Bones Mystery by Sharon M. Draper
Best For Ages: 8-12
Length: 112 pages
Available From: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books
Ziggy, Rico, Rashawn, and Jerome are great friends. In fact, they even have a name for their group: The Black Dinosaurs. When they start building a new clubhouse in Ziggy’s backyard, though, they discover a box of bones. From there, they’re swept up in an intriguing mystery. Who buried a box of bones there? And why?
While The Buried Bones is just the first of 6 great mysteries that The Black Dinosaurs encounter, it’s a great book to introduce young boys to the thrill of a good mystery novel. Filled with only the kinds of adventures young boys can have, The Clubhouse Mysteries are an amazing, yet oddly unknown, series of mystery books for kids.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Best For Ages: 8-12
Length: 188 pages
Available From: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Scholastic
Claudia Kincaid and her brother Jamie decide to run away to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. As soon as they make it to their destination, though, they end up wrapped up in a mystery involving the museum’s new angel statue. Rumor has it that the “bargain exhibit” is actually a work by Michelangelo, meaning it could be worth millions of dollars. Although it’s impossible to know for sure, Claudia decides she’ll be the one to find out.
This Newberry Award winner has survived multiple generations, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Known as a timeless tale of childhood adventure and the element of suspense, kids can’t seem to put down this one-of-a-kind mystery. Parents love it too, since it introduces kids to New York City and explores works of art.
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol
Best For Ages: 8-12
Length: 96 pages
Available From: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Scholastic
Every single time 10-year-old Leroy Brown’s father brings home a difficult case from the police station, the boy finds a way to solve it at the dinner table. So, Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown decides it’s time to open his own detective agency so he can help more people and solve even more troubling mysteries.
Over the course of 28 books, readers get a chance to solve all of the best mysteries with Encyclopedia. What’s more, this acclaimed series has led to the development of a comic series and TV show by the same name, not to mention a compilation of puzzles and games for eager detectives to solve.
Jada Sly, Artist & Spy by Sherri Winston
Best For Ages: 8-12
Length: 272 pages
Available From: Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble
10-year-old Jada Sly isn’t just an artist; she’s also a spy-in-training. She jumps between studying great artists like Jackie Ormes and notating spy-worthy observations in her journal. Finally feeling ready to crack a case, Jada sets out in New York City to find her missing mother — who she doesn’t believe actually died in a plane crash like everyone else says. Although danger lurks in every darkened corner, Jada tries all of her spy techniques to solve the mystery… even though she’s still learning.
Referred to as a “beginning thriller” and a novel that “gives James Bond a run for his money,” this hilarious, yet intense tale is a must-read for any young girl with dreams of doing something with her life. Jada’s heroics are nothing short of inspiring, and this fast-paced, fun novel makes reading mysteries a breeze.
COOP Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders
Best For Ages: 8-12
Length: 304 pages
Available From: Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble
Determined to live up to his deceased dad’s legacy as a Marine and outstanding citizen, Coop helps his mom at the local cafe and spends lots of time with his friends Justice and Liberty. But when his entire Georgia small town community starts talking about what’s buried beneath the playground, Coop and his friends set to work to solve the mystery. With so much riding on a resolution, Coop knows he has to get to the bottom of this… and fast!
If your family got sucked into the Stranger Things television series, then you’re sure to love this charming mystery novel from award-winning author Taryn Souders. In fact, Kirkus Reviews referred to COOP Knows The Scoop as “an engrossing, good-humored page-turner.” This is definitely one of the newer mystery books for kids that’s making a splash, so check it out!
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Best For Ages: 8-12
Length: 192 pages
Available From: Amazon, Scholastic, Penguin Random House
16-year-old Nancy Drew sets out to help the Horners after the death of one of their relatives. However, she soon becomes entangled in a massive fight for the “old clock” that supposedly has all the clues. Why does everyone want the clock? And what will Nancy do now that she has it?
The Secret of the Old Clock is where it all started for America’s favorite teenage sleuth. Over the course of 56 books, we can all enjoy young Nancy and her problem-solving skills, not to mention the suspense that comes with each exciting tale!
The Face On The Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Best For Ages: 12+
Length: 210 pages
Available From: Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books
One day Janie Johnson makes a startling discovery as she stares at the image of a missing little girl on her milk carton — the little girl is Janie! How could it possibly be true? Are Janie’s loving parents really kidnappers in disguise? Something isn’t right, and it’s up to Janie to get to the bottom of it.
Caroline B. Cooney’s Janie Johnson series is a great way to introduce tweens and teens to the suspense and captivation of mystery books. Starting with this first novel, The Face On The Milk Carton, Janie Johnson puts together the pieces of her true identity over the course of five total books. Cooney nails the portrayal of a teen voice, and between Janie’s roller coaster of emotions and the continuous unexpected turns the storyline takes, this series completely sucks you in and leaves you captivated until the very last page.
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Best For Ages: 12+
Length: 416 pages
Available From: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible
Simon is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app. He planned to post juicy reveals about several high-profile classmates on Tuesday, but he never makes it out of detention on Monday afternoon. According to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident — so who killed Simon?
This “whodunit with a Breakfast Club twist” is the perfect modern mystery novel for young adults. And, if your kid can’t get enough, don’t worry — there’s a sequel and plenty of other novels by Karen McManus for them to enjoy!
Nothing says “quality family time” quite like reading a great mystery book together, so don’t wait — check out some of these great mystery books for kids today!
Feature Image by Adam Winger on Unsplash