10 Engaging Mysteries For Middle Grade Readers

When you're a kid, everyday mysteries pop up all the time as you learn about the world around you. Unfortunately, in real life, you don't always get a satisfying answer to these questions. That's what makes mystery novels so fun: no matter what obstacles the heroes & heroines are up against, you know that they'll always figure it out in the end. If you have a book-loving child in your life, check out these ten engaging mysteries for middle grade readers. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

10 Engaging Mysteries For Middle Grade Readers

Title Author(s) Illustrator
1. King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats Dori Hillestad Butler Nancy Meyers
2. Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten Secrets of Mr Okyto Geoffrey McSkimming N/A
3. Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows Molly Elwood Robin Robinson
4. The Secret Zoo Bryan Chick N/A
5. The Key and the Flame Claire M. Caterer N/A
6. The Obsidian Pebble Rhys A. Jones N/A
7. Accidental Heroes Lian Tanner N/A
8. The Quest for the Magi King Dustan Stanley & Jorge Vazquez N/A
9. Freakling Lana Krumwiede N/A
10. The Candymakers Wendy Mass N/A

How to Encourage Kids to Read

A great way to start is to get a bookshelf for your child's room. If they have access to their own collection of books, it'll be easy for them to read at their own pace. And if they're looking at the shelf everyday, reading will always be on their mind. It's also important to give your kids a comfortable place to sit. This can be anything from a rocking chair to a couch to a dedicated reading nook. If they have a space that's just for them, it makes reading time all the more special. As they grow, your young ones will start to read more challenging books with words they don't know. Encourage them to look up unfamiliar terms in the dictionary so they can expand their vocabulary. Finally, if you're having trouble getting your kid interested in books in the first place, try bridging the gap between visual media and literature with graphic novels.

Literary Charities

If you want to spread your love of literature with those in need, then you should consider looking into these non-profit organizations that help kids and teens get access to books and high-quality education.

  1. First Book
  2. Books for Kids
  3. Room to Read
  4. LitWorld
  5. 826 National
  6. KIPP

Why Kids Read

In Depth

There's nothing like cracking open a book and falling headfirst into a tale of adventure and intrigue. That is, as long as the mystery isn't too terrifying. For avid readers who devour stories of deceit and daring or fans of humorous tales that are full of twists and turns, these selections are sure to please. In no particular order, here are some of the most exciting whodunits for middle grade readers.

First up, we have "King and Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats" by Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers. Kayla decides to make some delicious, homemade cookies for her friend's dog, King. But when the treats start to go missing, everyone suspects foul play. This delightful story, told from King's point of view, is a great entry into chapter books.

At #2 is Geoffrey McSkimming's "Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten Secrets of Mr Okyto." Phyllis Wong is a conjurer from a long line of magicians. When several robberies take place in her town, no one expects that she'll be the one to solve the mystery. But with a thief on the loose and the Chief Inspector unable to get a clue, it's up to Phyllis to take matters into her own hands.

When several robberies take place in her town, no one expects that she'll be the one to solve the mystery.

For #3, we find "Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows" by Molly Elwood and Robin Robinson. Spartacus "Spart" Zander comes home one day and finds that his mother has been kidnapped. Who else could have done it but the mysterious Circus of the Incredible? With only his gut instincts and a few Internet-savvy friends to guide him, the amateur sleuth heads west to rescue his mom and uncover the secrets of the big top.

At #4 is Bryan Chick's "The Secret Zoo." In this introductory book to the series, three close friends discover that their local zoo might hold the key to the disappearance of a local girl. Once they start searching for clues, they find more than they bargained for. Fans of fantastical tales like "The Secret Garden" and "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" are sure to be enthralled by this thrilling adventure.

Coming in at #5 is Claire M. Caterer's "The Key and the Flame." Holly is bored of her life. Nothing ever happens, and all she wants to do is get a glimpse of magic in the ordinary world. She gets her wish and more when her family takes a trip to England. Once there, Holly discovers a portal to a dark, secret kingdom, complete with an evil king who will stop at nothing to turn the young girl's world upside down.

Nothing ever happens, and all she wants to do is get a glimpse of magic in the ordinary world.

For #6 we get "The Obsidian Pebble" by Rhys A. Jones. Most kids wouldn't relish the idea of living in a haunted house. But most kids aren't Oz Chambers, a curious eleven-year-old who's about to uncover a series of life-altering secrets. When Oz gets his hands on his late father's last gift to him, a magical pebble, he is transported to a fantastical world of magic and mayhem. But will he be brave enough to come out unscathed?

Coming in at #7 is Lian Tanner's "Accidental Heroes." When a treacherous plot takes hold of the city of Berren, it's up to a few unlikely heroes to bring things back to normal. But in this dangerous place, where time has stopped and eccentric lords and ladies do their evil deeds without answering to justice, they'll need more than guts and gumption: they'll need magic. This playful series is a great choice for lovers of medieval-tinged fantasy.

At #8 is Dustan Stanley's "The Quest for the Magi King." In a tragic turn, Will Wesley becomes an orphan on his 13th birthday. As he tries to come to terms with his parents' death in a freak car accident, Will begins to suspect that there was something more at play. When he starts receiving letters from a malevolent King, he knows it's up to him to dig deeper and find out what really happened to his family.

When he starts receiving letters from a malevolent King, he knows it's up to him to dig deeper and find out what really happened to his family.

At #9 is "Freakling" by Lana Krumwiede. In Taemon's world, everyone is equipped with mental abilities that help them bend inanimate objects to their will. But not Taemon: he lost his powers in an accident and is desperate not to be found out and sent to the "dud colony." However, once he finally lands there, he discovers friends, confidants, and a few dangerous secrets that could change the world for the better, or worse. What will Taemon do with his newfound knowledge, and will the weight of it eventually become too much for him to bear?

Finally, at #10, is Wendy Mass's "The Candymakers." In a contest to find the world's most delectable confection, only four kids can take on the challenge. Logan, Miles, Daisy, and Philip are all blessed with powers that make them perfect for the job. But they each have their own weaknesses that threaten to get in the way of their search. This fresh, charming story is a perfect follow-up to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as a clever candy-centric tale in its own right.