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Get Your Magnifying Glass! 7 Whodunnits for Your Little Sherlock
It’s no secret that mystery novels make up one of the more popular genres in literature, and television has definitely taken notice over the last few years. With so many crime shows and dramas featuring detectives, it’s no wonder that television producers are turning to one of the most influential characters in literature for her own mystery television series, Nancy Drew. CBS has reportedly put our favorite sleuthing detective into network development, and I couldn’t be more excited. While the pitch is to feature an older Nancy Drew, it definitely brought back some nostalgia as I thought of all the mystery books and whodunnits I read as a kid, especially ones featuring a strong girl as the lead.
Kids have long loved mysteries, for reasons that are themselves enigmatic. Maybe the appeal is that everything in life is already a puzzle, so diving into a well-written story of one is pretty thrilling. It could be that it’s the imaginative possibilities; the way a mystery forces you to think of things you would’ve never considered in order to solve a story. Or perhaps they identify strongly with a character who has a thirst for knowledge. Whatever the reason, if they haven’t already, it’s definitely time your little Sherlocks started picking apart clues and suspects. Here are seven of my favorite whodunnits for your young reader: books that will get them questioning, talking, solving, and believing.
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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.
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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 (Newbery Medal Winner)
E. L. Konigsburg
5
Paperback
$8.99
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?