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.
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.
Miranda's life is starting to unravel. Her best friend, Sal, gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The key that Miranda's mum keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives: 'I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own. I ask two favours. First, you must write me a letter.'
The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realises that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she…
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.
"A supersharp mystery...confoundingly clever, and very funny." —Booklist, starred review
A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, on things for sure: Sam Westing may be dead…but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!
Winner of the Newbery Medal Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award An ALA Notable Book
"Great fun for those who enjoy illusion, word play, or sleight…
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.
For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it's the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles). Upon arriving, however, Emily learns that Griswold has been attacked, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold himself.…
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.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Clue when six children navigate a mansion full of secrets—and maybe money—in this “delightful gem” (School Library Journal, starred review) with heart.
Sweet, shy Tabitha Crum, the neglected only child of two parents straight out of a Roald Dahl book, doesn’t have a friend in the world—except for her pet mouse, Pemberley, whom she loves dearly. But on the day she receives one of six invitations to the country estate of wealthy Countess Camilla DeMoss, her life changes forever.
Upon the children’s arrival at the sprawling, possibly haunted mansion, it turns out the countess…
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.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets A Night in the Museum in this the action-packed New York Times bestseller from Chris Grabenstein, coauthor of I Funny and other bestselling series with James Patterson!
Kyle Keeley is a huge fan of all games - board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most famous and creative gamemaker in the world, is the genius behind the town's new library that is as much a home for tech and trickery as it is for stories. Kyle wins a spot at a puzzle-packed lock-in on the library's opening night.…
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.
Traveling through Ireland, everyone notices the low stone walls separating fields, but occasionally much larger stones rising from the green like giant cogs on a wheel—mystical standing stone circles. One in particular—Beltany in Co. Donegal—became the inspiration for my Circle of Nine series, which is a mix of Celtic mythology, pagan ritual, and magic set within alternating historical and modern storylines. It’s no wonder that the books I most like to read are also the same kind I write. There’s nothing better than picking up a new book and immersing myself in these worlds with their rich magical systems, historical details, suspenseful plots, and often a good dose of romance.
"A haunting YA mystery. Touching on everything from police ineptitude and community solidarity to the endless frustration of being patronized as a young person, this paranormal thriller confidently combines timely and relatable themes within a page-turning storyline." - Self-Publishing Review
"Biel's writing is fast-paced and sharp!" - author Christy Wopat
When the police rule her dad’s death an accidental overdose, 16-year-old Chloe refuses to believe it and vows to find his killer. Alone against a potentially corrupt, small-town police force, a persistent social worker seeking proof that she has adult supervision, and precariously low funds, Chloe learns that her dad’s…
Beyond the Cemetery Gate: The Secret Keeper's Daughter
“This taut, suspenseful mystery goes beyond the cemetery gate and settles, creaking, into our very bones.” – Silvia Acevedo, author of the award-winning God Awful series.
When the police rule her dad’s death an accidental overdose, 16-year-old Chloe refuses to believe it and vows to find his killer. Alone against a potentially corrupt, small-town police force, a persistent social worker seeking proof that she has adult supervision, and precariously low funds, Chloe learns that her dad’s life as a cemetery caretaker masked a web of family secrets that quite possibly led to his death—and are now putting her in mortal…
