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Mystery books · Age 9

Mystery books for a 9-year-old who loves a puzzle

Codes, ciphers and clues to crack. In some, your kid can solve the case first. One is best saved for 10.

5 books · each with an age and our verdict
  1. Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective book cover
    Good fitAges 8+

    Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective

    Donald J. Sobol

    Short cases your kid can solve, with the answers in the back.

  2. Book Scavenger book cover
    Good fitAges 9+

    Book Scavenger

    Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

    Emily, 12, races two thieves to crack the codes hidden in a rare book.

  3. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library book cover
    Good fitAges 9+

    Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

    Chris Grabenstein

    Kids are locked in a new library and race to solve their way out.

  4. The Parker Inheritance book cover
    Good fitAges 8+

    The Parker Inheritance

    Varian Johnson

    Candice, 12, follows an old letter’s clues into a Southern town’s Jim Crow past. It shows racism honestly.

  5. The Westing Game book cover
    Good fitAges 10+

    The Westing Game

    Ellen Raskin

    Sixteen heirs race to solve a millionaire’s puzzle. Best from 10, or read it together at 9.

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