I grew up believing there was a mystery or puzzle around every corner. That guy holding a paper bag by the garbage can? Definitely a Russian spy about to make a drop. The giant house at the top of the street? For sure, haunted (or at least hiding buried treasure). My love for clue games and solving puzzles stemmed from the books and movies I loved as a child. Now, as a children’s author, I get to continue conjuring up clue games and secret spies and puzzling old houses from an ordinary world, one that with the right imagination can turn heartache and heavy things into something close to magic.
I wrote...
Molly Pepper & the Night Train
By
Courtney King Walker
What is my book about?
When Molly Pepper receives a secret invitation promising a night of magic and adventure aboard the mysterious Night Train, she is definitely skeptical. In her experience, most promises prove too good to be true. The fact that she lost her mom is proof enough.Still, Molly decides to give hope another chance, and with the help of her loyal friend Noah, she sneaks out of the house to follow more clues to the Night Train.
But when Molly discovers detectives on her tail who are determined to squash her dreams, she must figure out how to outsmart them without losing hope. Because, it turns out, hope and ‘magic’ might not only fix broken promises; they make you believe in them again.
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The Books I Picked & Why
When You Reach Me
By
Rebecca Stead
Why this book?
This sweet story is more of a subtle mystery, with puzzles and clues that seem unrelated but come together for a surprising, even bittersweet, end. I love quiet contemporary stories that hint of mystery but also tug at my heart, that make impossible things in a regular world seem possible. This might be the best combination of mystery, puzzles, and character development for middle grade that I’ve ever read.
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The Westing Game
By
Ellen Raskin
Why this book?
The quintessential mystery from my childhood that ignited my love for riddles and sent my imagination flying. With its creepy old house, a worm-filled corpse, an apartment filled with eccentric characters, and a plucky, inquisitive protagonist named Turtle, this book is the gold standard for middle grade mystery. It’s the kind of story that makes a kid feel like their voice and perspective is needed in a world filled with not-always-discerning adults. It also has one of the best riddles of all time that to this day still makes me smile whenever I hear a certain patriotic song.
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Book Scavenger
By
Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Why this book?
As much about friendship as it is about solving puzzles, Book Scavenger definitely has heart. One thing I especially love about this story is how each character uses their unique personality to help solve the big mystery while at the same time proving their loyalty when things get rough. Sure, you assume that the main character, Emily, will solve the clues before the bad guys do, but the best stories give us a glimpse of true character and heart. They make us wish we could be so lucky to fall into such a fun mystery, but also give us hope that we too might have or be the kind of friend who would drop everything for each other, even if that means putting our own dreams on hold.
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Nooks & Crannies
By
Jessica Lawson,
Natalie Andrewson
Why this book?
This story differs from the others on my list, as it takes place in England in the early twentieth century. Setting and time period aside, the plucky main character Tabitha along with her pet rat and fellow detective (in her mind) steal the show and our hearts. We can’t help but root for her despite all she comes up against and all who belittle her as she follows clues in her unique and endearing manner through a giant and possibly haunted estate. Nooks & Crannies does a fine job balancing humor and wit with more serious subjects such as murder and abuse, and is sure to appeal to fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
By
Chris Grabenstein
Why this book?
What I enjoyed most about this clever, clue-filled book was its not-so-subtle nod to so many of my favorite children’s books. The excitement for a game taking place inside a library chockfull of outrageous tricks and clever surprises will be fun for any reader, but what drew me most into the heart of the story is the idea that the best books stay with us for a lifetime. Which is why I’m convinced Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is actually the author’s love note to children’s fiction. A fun, puzzle-filled one at that.
