Looking for a good mystery book to keep your kids entertained? Check out my top 5 list!
These books are sure to keep your child engaged and entertained for hours on end. From exciting adventures to intriguing whodunits, these books have it all!
So, what are you waiting for? Start reading today!
How I Choose
It can be hard to find good mystery books for kids that are age-appropriate and keep their attention.
Most of the time, when you do find a book that your kid likes, it's either too easy or too hard for them. And if it's age-appropriate, it probably doesn't hold their attention for very long.
My favorite mystery books for kids list solves this problem by featuring only the best-reviewed and most popular books. Plus, I've picked the top 5 based on criteria that matter to readers like you.
Why do I love this book?
The characters are fun, and the storyline is easy to follow. Jack and Annie have to rescue four new magicians from an evil sorcerer. They must also save the magic tree house. However, they need help from two travelers, two sketchbooks, and an elusive grizzly bear in order to save the house. This book is perfect for all children—even the older ones!
What you should know
Camp Time in California is the 35th book in the Magic Tree House series and is set in Yosemite National Park in 1903. In this book, Jack and Annie are transported back to 1903 when they are playing in a magic tree house, where they meet nature conservationist John Muir and US President Theodore Roosevelt. This book series was originally published under the name "Night of the New Magicians," but was later reorganized into Merlin Missions.
This children's book series is the best-selling series of all time. The first book, The Magic Tree House, takes place in Yosemite National Park. Annie and Jack travel through time to discover the mysteries of nature. Together with two sketchbooks and a traveling companion, Jack, and Annie must confront the dangers of nature. The adventure continues as Jack and Annie meet a grizzly bear and learn that the threat isn't always immediately recognizable with the eyes.
Why do I love this book?
The mystery stories are filled with intrigue, danger, and wit. Nancy takes on a new mystery in each novel, and many of them involve her best friend, Bess, and her cousin, George. In the first book, "The Bungalow Mystery," Nancy rescues Laura Pendleton, who has recently lost her mother and is living with her guardians. In her investigation, Nancy stumbles upon an unexpected discovery in the bungalow's cellar. As she investigates, she uses her wits to defeat the villains and solve a mystery that involves Laura Pendleton.
Young readers will find the stories enthralling. They are fast-paced and exciting, and the final scenes require page-turning. Nancy's adventures involve a variety of locations, including exotic locales and vacations. Her adventures take her to dude ranches, remote inns, and resorts around the world. In addition to her adventures in the United States, Nancy also explores France, Scotland, Africa, and Peru.
There are many reasons to enjoy these novels. The mystery in the first book is fascinating. The characters are always likable, and the plots are exciting. If you're looking for a great read, Nancy Drew is the right choice for you!
What you should know
The series initially began as a collection of short stories and is now a series of novels. She has written over one hundred fifty books and has revised a few others. The original series was published by Grosset & Dunlap, and then became Simon & Schuster beginning with volume 57. Other Nancy Drew authors have also used the Keene pen name, including Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, and Walter Karig.
The series' first three books were originally published in the yellow spine format. Then, in 1962, the books were published as a book club edition. These volumes had yellow spine picture covers, no spine numbers, and a book club edition title page. These books are still in print today, but the language has been changed for contemporary readers.
The series of books is considered a classic in children's literature, and they have been in print for 75 years. They are still read today and are often passed down from generation to generation. The books have evolved through the years, changing in illustrations, endpapers, and cover board styles.
Why do I love this book?
This novel is a must-read for anyone who likes mysteries. It is a page-turning, suspense-filled mystery about a group of young girls. Amy is one of the characters. She's a curious girl who loves dolls and has a penchant for the supernatural. When her dollhouse starts to make noises, she investigates. She also discovers that her dolls have disappeared! Though she tells herself that they can't move, she keeps going up to the dollhouse night after night. And every time she returns, she finds that the dolls have moved once again!
What you should know
The Dollhouse Murders is an acclaimed, award-winning mystery series that has captivated readers for decades. It is set in a quaint Vermont town and features a charming heroine, Amy Doll, who is fascinated with the mysterious deaths of her great-grandparents. Amy's great-grandparents were murdered when she was a young girl. Now, she wants to find out who did it.
Amy discovers that a mysterious figure is haunting her dollhouse. The dollhouse is a beautiful, eerie place, filled with light and noise, and she wonders if it's trying to tell her something.
Why do I love this book?
This chapter book series has been hooking chapter book readers for years. The popular series now has a bright, new look. This series is filled with mystery, suspense, and action. It features three sleuths: Dink Duncan, Josh Pinto, and Ruth Rose Hathaway. These sleuths each have their own special talents and a unique approach to solving a case.
What you should know
The Deadly Dungeon is the fourth book in the series and follows the events that took place in Wallis Wallace's castle in Maine. The ghost of a famous movie star is rumored to be haunting the estate, and Dink and Josh suspect that Wallis's brother is behind the mysterious appearance. However, Ruth Rose insists that it is not her brother and that the ghost was simply a trap.
In this series, the main characters are three smart kids: Dink Duncan, Josh Pinto, and Ruth Rose Hathaway. They are working together to solve the cases, but soon they start hearing screams coming from behind walls. As they progress in the series, they solve mysteries from A to Z. This series is extremely popular and has sold over 8 million copies. It has captured the attention of chapter book readers and will be a hit for years to come.
Why do I love this book?
History mysteries have the potential to teach students about history in a fresh and engaging way. Children often view history as black and white and absorb factual content from teachers, but mysteries provide the opportunity for them to see that there are always gaps in our knowledge, disagreements about facts, and outright lies. They also help students appreciate the benefits of archaeology and other multimedia resources.
Episodes range from ancient times to the modern era. They can cover political conspiracies, religion, and crime, as well as supernatural and mythological events. Many episodes are now available on DVD. You can watch a few of these on the History Channel. Some episodes are similar to Decoding the Past, such as Ghost Ships, which explores famous ghost ships and derelict vessels, while others are focused on lesser-known Titanic sisters.
History's Mysteries has 40 chapters, and each episode is divided into eight sections. Topics covered include Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, random Picasso sculptures, ancient art from Botswana, Lyuh Woon-Hyung, and the Osage Indian Murders. There are more than a few mysteries in this series to delve into, and you'll have a hard time choosing which to watch.
The next book in the series will explore history's most intriguing conundrums. It's sure to intrigue kids as they dig into the clues and ponder leading scientific theories. As a bonus, you'll also learn a bit about the author, who lives in Edinburgh.
What you should know
For younger readers, History's Mysteries may not be as engaging as a full-fledged adult mystery, but the storyline is still engaging enough for middle-grade readers. The Mystery of History offers optional activities for kids ranging from simple crafts to more in-depth research projects. For older readers, the Mystery of History can provide a great introduction to the subject matter.
The program offers engaging and comprehensive lessons that engage learners through inquiry. Students can use primary and secondary sources to find answers to specific historical questions. Each lesson contains a set of questions that prompt a guided classroom discussion. The program also includes a set of teacher lesson plans, student handouts, and extension lessons. The program also offers narrated slideshows, which allow teachers to use History's Mysteries in a virtual classroom.
While History's Mysteries is no longer broadcast, it has several episodes on DVD. While many of these episodes have the same titles as the episodes on Decoding the Past, a few have their own titles. For example, Ghost Ships is about famous ghost ships and derelict vessels, and Doomed Sisters of the Titanic looks at the fate of the Titanic's lesser-known sisters.
Honorable Mentions
You want to give your kid a good mystery book but don't know where to start.
There are so many different kids' mystery books out there, it can be hard to decide which one is right for your child.
I've already given the top 5 kids' mystery books, but here are a few more that didn't quite make the best list. These books are all great choices for your child and will keep them entertained for hours on end.
There's a Ghost In This House
There's a Ghost in This House is a haunting picture book for children by Oliver Jeffers, a famous artist. Jeffers has created a haunted house picture book with interactive, transparent pages. It's great fun for children of all ages!
The book invites young readers to explore the mystery surrounding a girl and her housemates. Jeffers is known for his imaginative take on traditional children's picture books, and his new book is no exception.
In this book, Jeffers takes a traditional ghost story and transforms it into a modern tale with hand-rendered text and sprightly characters. The story follows a young girl who lives in a haunted house and believes in ghosts but doesn't know where they are. In the book, readers are invited to walk around the house and discover where spirits live. These ghosts appear in transparent pages that are complemented by mixed-media illustrations.
The Secret Lake
This time-travel mystery adventure follows Tom and Stella as they travel back to a century ago. There they meet friends and foes and discover startling connections between the past and present. This book has been compared to the modern version of Tom's Midnight Garden and Nancy Drew's mystery adventure stories. It's a wonderful story for both children and adults.
The Secret Lake is available in ebooks and in print from Amazon. The book can also be purchased from some local independent bookshops. It is also available in selected Waterstones stores in southwest London. The author's website has a complete listing of bookstores carrying her books.
Legend of the Star Runner
In the novel, high school student and detective Timmi Tobbson must save a friend by unraveling the enigma surrounding a long-lost pirate ship. But her quest is not easy. The story is based on myths and legends, and there are many twists and turns.
The plot is filled with surprises, and the book is visually stunning. It is reminiscent of the games that young readers play today. Many of the book's twists rely on pure luck, timing, and uncanny perceptions. The book is a visual feast, and its cloak-and-dagger mysteries resemble those found in video games. It is also full of adventure and mystery, with its underground worlds and pirate treasure.
This is a fun, fast-paced adventure. High school students will love this book. The plot is gripping, and there are clues all over the place to make the story more interesting. Three friends must find a long-lost pirate ship to save Lilli's grandfather, and they must do so in only 24 hours.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a novel written by Trenton Lee Stewart and illustrated by Carson Ellis. It was published in 2007 and is a great book for readers of young adult fiction. The novel is set in a mystical, religious community where members of the Learning Institute are tasked with solving mysteries. In order to find out who is behind these crimes, they must solve the mysteries of the past.
This is a young adult novel about four gifted kids and an evil mastermind. The Mysterious Benedict Society is an award-winning series that will thrill young readers and adults alike. Despite the novel's plot, it is not overly violent. Although there is some mild fistfighting, there is no bloodshed. Rather, it promotes creative problem-solving and teamwork for a secret detective agency.
In this book, four young children, each gifted in a different area, team up to solve a murder. They meet a mysterious man called Mr. Benedict, who explains the reason for the emergency and explains to them the mystery behind subliminal messages that are broadcast via TV and radio. The children must work together to save the world from a mysterious personage.
The Secret Zoo
When the author was nine, he had the idea for The Secret Zoo. He imagined secret doors in zoo exhibits that would let kids in and animals out. The result is a middle-grade fantasy that's a hit with readers. If you enjoyed The One and Only Ivan, you'll love this book.
This mystery features a zoo where animals are not what they seem. The zoo's owners are trying to keep it that way. Noah's best friends, Tank and Megan, help him with the investigation. Together, they sneak into the zoo and solve the mystery.
The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm)
If you're looking for a fun and exciting adventure for your child, this is definitely the book for you. It contains lots of fairy tale characters, including the Wizard of Oz, Sleepy Hollow, King Arthur, and Midsummer Night's Dream. In addition, it has great humor and a great plot. It also includes a great twist.
The book follows their journey as the sisters unravel their family mystery. As their investigations lead them to their ancestral home, they find out they are descended from the Brothers Grimm, the famous detectives of fairy tales.
The Sisters Grimm are an important part of the Grimm family. The Grimms are the heirs to their family. Besides being the descendants of a fairy tale, they are responsible for securing the fate of their victims. The Grimm sisters help solve many cases, and they are very clever and brave in their investigations.
FAQs
Kids' mystery books are a popular genre, but they can also be confusing for young readers. They may not know what to expect or how to read them. I will answer some of the most common questions that kids have about mystery books. So if you're curious about mystery books, keep reading.
Why are mystery books good for kids?
For a number of reasons, kids' mystery books are popular with parents. They're enjoyable to read, they can be suspenseful and exciting, and they often have clever puzzles to solve. Additionally, mystery books can help promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Many kids enjoy the challenge of trying to figure out a whodunit before the characters in the book do. This can not only be fun, but also educational. It's been shown that kids who read mystery books tend to do better on tests of deductive reasoning than those who don't read them. In addition, kids who read mysteries have been found to score slightly higher on standardized reading tests overall.
What is the mystery genre for kids?
There's no definitive answer to this question since it can depend on individual preferences, but mystery is generally considered a genre for kids if it contains suspenseful and often unrealistic plot elements. This might include things like unlikely accidents or improbable coincidences. Mystery stories usually have an element of detective work as well, so that readers can try to solve the case along with the characters. Environments or settings in mysteries are often dark or foreboding, which can also make them more appropriate for older kids rather than younger ones.
What is the best-selling mystery of all time?
The best-selling mystery of all time is a bit of a tricky question to answer. There are a few contenders for the title, but it really depends on how you measure “best-selling.” If we’re talking about raw sales numbers, then the clear winner is Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. However, if we adjust for inflation and population growth, then the best-selling mystery of all time is actually Edgar Allan Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue, which was first published in 1841. It’s estimated that this classic tale of detective fiction has sold over 5 million copies since it was first published.
What are the most popular mystery books for kids?
The most popular mystery books for kids vary depending on the age group. For younger readers, series like The Boxcar Children and A to Z Mysteries are always big hits. For older readers, classics like Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys continue to be popular, as well as more modern series like Percy Jackson and the Olympians. There really is something for everyone when it comes to mystery books!
What is the most popular mystery book?
One of the most popular mystery books is "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson. It has sold over 65 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into a successful movie. The story follows Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman, Harriet Vanger, from a wealthy family's estate. He is aided by Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant computer hacker with a dark past. The two team up to solve the mystery and uncover some dark secrets along the way.
What are the benefits of reading mystery books?
Reading mystery books can be a great way to improve your critical thinking skills. The best mystery novels force you to really think about what is going on, piecing together clues and evidence to try and solve the case before the end of the book.
This process can help sharpen your problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to pay close attention to detail. Additionally, reading these sorts of stories can also be a great way to destress and unwind after a long day. If you’re looking for a genre that will keep you engaged and entertained, while also providing some mental challenges, mystery books are definitely worth checking out.
Is reading mystery books good for you?
Absolutely! Reading mystery books can do all sorts of good things for you. For one, it can help build up your problem-solving skills. Working out a whodunit requires you to pay close attention to detail and use reasoning and logic to come to a conclusion—all great practice for your brain!
Additionally, reading mysteries can also be a great way to relieve stress. Engrossing yourself in a suspenseful story can take your mind off of your own worries and problems, even if just for a little while. Finally, another benefit of reading mystery novels is that they can help improve your memory and focus. Keeping track of different characters, clues, and details can strengthen your concentration power, and memory lapses become less frequent when an active reader exercises his or her hippocampus on a regular basis.
What are the 7 elements of mystery?
The first three are the setting, story, and characters. The next three are dialogue, pacing, and surprise.
The setting is the physical or emotional place where the story takes place. The story is what happens in the story. Characters are who the story happens to be. Dialogue is how the characters speak to each other. Pacing is how fast or slow the action moves. A surprise is when something happens that you didn't expect.
What are the two types of mysteries?
There are two types of mysteries: the ones that keep you up at night, thinking about what could have happened, and the ones where you just can't seem to find the answer no matter how hard you look. The first type is the more traditional "whodunit" mystery, in which a crime has been committed and it's up to the detective to solve it. The second type is the "howdunit" mystery, where something strange or inexplicable has happened, and it's up to the investigator to figure out how it happened.
What are the three characteristics of a mystery?
1. The reader is kept in suspense throughout the story.
2. The ending is surprising and unpredictable.
3. There are clues along the way that hint at the solution, but they're not immediately obvious.
The right book for you!
So if you're in the market for a good mystery story, or just want to introduce your kids to the genre, I've got some great recommendations for you. Be sure to check out my list of favorite mystery books for kids—there's something for everyone!