Who better to go undetected than a seemingly innocent middle grader. If you have a budding sleuth at home (hint—she probably loves Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated) here are some titles to hone her skills. 

 

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

Magic, mystery and historical fiction set in 1952 London.

 

 

 

 

 

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

A hidden painting leads to a search for clues through Greenwich Village.

 

 

 

 

 

Pie by Sarah Weeks

1950s era small town Pennsylvania and a quest to find who is going to great lengths to find a secret pie recipe—includes pie recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Classic mystery plot—a group of heirs must solve for a mysterious death before they can inherit their fortune.

 

 

 

 

 

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Set in 1980 New York, this book has it all—mystery, adventure, great characters and a fantastic sense of place.

 

 

 

 

 

Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes by Lauren Child

It takes a daring detective and code-cracker to match this mystery.

 

 

 

 

 

Operation Bunny by Sally Gardner

Emily Vole, an orphan, with a knack for detective work, takes on a magical case.

 

 

 

 

 

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

A 12-year-old Londoner whose brain is "specially wired" narrates this page-turner.

 

 

 

 

 

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

11-year-old sleuths take on an international art scandal.

 

 

 

 

 

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Mo LoBeau sets out to solve a murder mystery and discovers some truths about her own mysterious past along the way.

 

 

 

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your picks! Leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend.