Get Your Magnifying Glass! 7 Whodunnits for Your Little Sherlock

The Nancy Drew series, by Carolyn Keene
Obviously we can’t have a mystery roundup without featuring the leading lady of detective stories. You don’t have to be a girl to appreciate Nancy Drew, but it is nice to have such a strong, female character in what’s often considered a “male” genre. Updated for the kids of the 2000s, Nancy’s mysteries are still just as thrilling and fun as they were back in the 1930s. She is an immensely talented character, and solves cases ranging from international jewel thieves to spooky ghosts. Literally nothing is impossible for her and her sleuthing ways.

The Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective series, by Donald J. Sobol
With a police chief as a father, it’s easy to understand why Leroy Brown (also known as Encyclopedia Brown) is such a great crime solver. The best part of these books? Every single clue is laid out for the reader as well, making it an interactive and exciting read. It’s also full of trivia and facts for your kids, and it is the perfect series to talk about after readings. See if your young ones can solve the mysteries (there are ten in each book!) before the end, and help them fine tune their detective work.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg
If your kid isn’t interested in a series strictly about detectives, they may fall in love with a good, thrilling story that just happens to have a mystery inside. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a novel set in New York City’s iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art, where two siblings run away to live and try to solve a case surrounding a seemingly priceless artwork. The story is an adventure in the truest sense, and it will have your kids begging to read just one more chapter each night. It will also help start a dialogue about art, history, and even finding yourself, and knowing who your are.

The Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer series, by John Grisham
Yep: it’s already time to introduce your kid to the world of John Grisham. And thanks to this amazing author, you can do it without worrying about censoring one of his famous books. Theodore Boone is a thirteen year old boy whose dream is to become a great trial lawyer. Obsessed with the courtroom, mysteries, and crimes, he finds himself discovering the truth in a murder case, and is the only person who can set the record straight. Seriously, think about how much you love Grisham. Now pass that torch down to your kids with this incredible character and spectacular series.

When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
This 2010 Newbery Medal-winning novel has been called a “thrilling puzzle,” and I don’t think I can categorize it any better. With time travel and historical fiction playing a part in this mystery, your kids will be enticed and hooked by the tale of a twelve year old girl trying to decipher notes that seem to come from the future. A wonderful story of friendship and independence, When You Reach Me is delightful and spunky.

The Marvels, by Brian Selznick
A twisty, enthralling novel, The Marvels includes two narratives from two vastly different points in time: 1776 and 1990. One portion is illustrated while the other is strictly prose, but they are beautifully interwoven as you read. Featuring a house full of puzzles, and mysteries your reader will have to solve themselves, it’s so easy to get caught up in this powerful story, and fall in love with Selznick’s storytelling prowess. Trust me, you’ll love it just as much as your children. Fans of Selznick’s inimitable style can also check out his enchanting previous novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

The Nate the Great series, by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
For your younger readers, this classic story of a young detective helping solve mysteries for his friends is a sweet and easy read. These chapter books encourage kids to use their own logical thinking and problem solving skills to crack the case, sparking great end-of-book conversations between you and your little ones. Use Nate’s character as inspiration when you need their help finding their shoes, locating homework, or figuring out who spilled the cereal in the kitchen. You’ll probably have to buy your child a Sherlock Holmes hat after this, but it’s a small price to pay for instilling a love of mystery novels.
What mysteries do your young readers love?