Mysteries
RSSThough the designation of 2010 as the “Year of the Children’s Mystery Book” was announced with great fanfare at last November’s National Conference of the American Association of School Librarians, the genre hardly needs the promotion. Meeting a never-flagging demand from children at every level of reading expertise, each year brings a flood of new fiction centered on crimes or conundrums. Reflecting—and often cleverly spoofing—the conventions and subgenres of mysteries for adult fans, capers for the younger crowd range from Chandleresque noir picture books (usually with multilegged casts) to subtle psychological studies, slapstick comedies, riveting thrillers, and tales featuring sleuths in historical or fantasy settings to contemporary procedurals and courtroom dramas.
Representing only a microcosmic cross-section of the bounty from 2009 and the first half of 2010 for elementary and middle school readers, the titles below include stand-alones and members of ongoing series, works from new authors and from veterans (including a few best-selling adult authors showing they have what it takes to write for a tougher audience), and prose narratives and graphic or hybrid formats. All invite readers to put on their thinking caps, sharpen their observational and critical thinking skills, and, often, bring some proficiency in math or science to the table. If nothing else, the range of approaches and “MacGuffins” in these selections may convey a sense of that immense and enticing variety that gives mysteries their uniquely broad appeal.
For Novice Sleuths
Gr 1-2—In his latest display of deductive reasoning, young Jeffrey Bones keeps a visit to the amusement park from turning into a minor tragedy by recovering a misplaced set of roller-coaster tickets. A low-key “cozy” with lots of colorful supporting drawings for fledgling readers.
ADLER , David . Young Cam Jansen and the Speedy Car Mystery. illus. by Susanna Natti. (Young Cam Jansen Series). Viking . 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-670-06143-3.
Gr 1-3—In the 16th case for fledgling-reader fans of the detective with the photographic memory, an informative Green Fair is interrupted by the possible theft of a remote-controlled car. Young sleuths couldn’t have a better instructor than the sharply observant Cam—or Adler, a former math teacher whose mysteries are solvable through observation and deduction.
BIEDRZYCKI , David . Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective: Bad Bugs Are My Business . illus. by author. Charlesbridge . 2009. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-692-2.
Gr 2-3—When the Six Legs Amusement Park is robbed, it’s up to the bug-eyed sleuth and his bombshell sidekick, Xerces, to case the scene of the crime and finger the culprit. Side business and sight gags galore liven up the illustrations in this faithful tribute to Dashiell Hammett and his hardboiled descendants.
CUSHMAN , Doug . Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Missing Books .illus. by author. HarperCollins . 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-073768-9.
Gr 1-2—It’s Skulduggery Pleasant for the easy reader set, as the skeletal detective in the iconic trenchcoat and fedora sets out to discover why a certain monster’s books are missing from the library. A clever mystery involving a book-stealing vine that’s both for—and, literally, about—budding readers.
REYNOLDS , Aaron . Creepy Crawly Crime. illus. by Neil Numberman. (Joey Fly, Private Eye Series). Holt . 2009. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-8786-4.
Gr 2-4—Aptly titled considering the multilegged cast, this graphic-novel caper sets Joey Fly and his bumbling sidekick, Sammy Stingtail, on the trail of a ditzy butterfly’s missing diamond pencil box. Told and illustrated in noir tones and tropes overlaid with insect jokes, it’s a buggy brouhaha that will send readers scuttling in search of promised sequels.
For Detectives in Training
ALLISON , Jennifer . Gilda Joyce: The Dead Drop. Dutton . 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47980-2.
Gr 5-8—A small fib about her age earns Gilda an internship at Washington, DC’s International Spy Museum, where her psychic abilities come in handy for tackling a possible haunting and a real case of espionage. Allison expertly weaves multiple plotlines together for this fourth exploit by one of the brightest and most memorable young sleuths around. Audio version available from Recorded Books.
Gr 3-5—In this hilarious takeoff on “Hardy Boys”-style mysteries, a young wannabe sleuth gets more than he bargained for when he finds himself pitched into a wild round of stunning revelations—about books, espionage, and librarians. Rex’s deadpan illustrations perfectly complement one of the funniest and most promising series openers in years. Audio version available from Listening Library.
BARRETT , Tracy . The Case That Time Forgot. Bk. 3. (The Sherlock Files Series). Holt . 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8046-9.
Gr 4-6—Xander and Xena Holmes, great-great-great grandchildren of Sherlock Holmes, specialize in cases their famous progenitor never solved. This time the young sleuths take on the mystery of an ancient missing amulet rumored to be powerful enough to turn back time. As in previous episodes, their investigation is laced with ciphers, subtle clues, and sudden twists. Audio version available from Listening Library.
Gr 4-6—Sophia St. Pierre and three classmates from an all-girls school uncover clues to a hidden treasure that test not only their powers of deduction, but also their math, history, and language skills. Nancy Drew fans, or any readers who enjoy unraveling challenging puzzles, will happily come along for the ride. Audio version available from Listening Library.
CHESHIRE , Simon . The Curse of the Ancient Mask and Other Case Files. Bk. 1. illus. by R.W. Alley. (Saxby Smart, Private Detective Series). Roaring Brook . 2009. Tr $13.95. ISBN 978-1-59643-474-5.
Gr 4-6—Followed up by the equally clever Treasure of Dead Man’s Lane and Other Case Files (Roaring Brook, 2010), these investigative reports introduce a sharp-eyed young detective who pursues historical mysteries along with the usual run of identity thieves and other felons in his neighborhood. Alley’s amiable spot art plays off in amusing contrast to Saxby’s sober, just-the-facts narratives.
DAVIS , Eleanor . Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook. illus. by author. Bloomsbury . 2009. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-142-8; pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-396-5.
Gr 4-6—Three preteen inventors take on a nasty adult rival who’s stolen their book of ideas and diagrams in this outstanding graphic novel. Both the art and the characters are drawn with minute attention to detail, and the pacing never falters. The author claims that it’s a stand-alone tale, but enthusiastic young gadget lovers will hope for sequels.
HAHN , Mary Downing. Closed for the Season: A Mystery Story. Clarion . 2009. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-08451-0.
Gr 5-7—Centered on hold-your-breath ventures into a creepy, condemned local amusement park, this tale of two young outsiders bonding as they investigate a years-old death and extortion case further cements Hahn’s reputation for masterful spine-chillers.
HALE , Bruce . Dial M for Mongoos e. illus. by author. (Chet Gecko Mystery Series). Houghton . 2009. Tr $15. ISBN 978-0-15-205494-6.
Gr 4-6—The 15th volume of go-getting gumshoe Chet Gecko’s capers sends him and his avian assistant, Natalie Attired, in search of evidence that their buddy, the school janitor, is being framed. Hale has set the standard for hardboiled hilarity in this long-running series, and the PUNishment shows no signs of letting up.
Gr 4-6—As if sneering punks, “crimes” that aren’t quite what they seem, and trails of evidence that all too often lead into garbage cans aren’t bad enough, Jack’s tendency toward narcolepsy in stressful situations really complicates his investigations. Narrated in pitch-perfect hardboiled style, these three successive capers will draw belly laughs from fans of Chet Gecko.
Gr 3-5—Another author of adult best sellers tries for a younger audience and crafts an engaging mystery with just the right mix of humor and suspense. Here the children of two ex-detectives take on a case of their own in the wake of a series of bank robberies—conducted by dogs. Audio version available from Recorded Books.
MACK , Tracy & Michael Citrin. The Mystery of the Conjured Man . Bk. 2. (Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars Series). Scholastic/ Orchard . 2009. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-439-83667-8.
Gr 4-6—This series isn’t the first attempt to capitalize on the Holmesian canon, but it’s among the best. The Baker Street Irregulars tackle sudden death during a séance and an all-too-clever medium in their second outing. The scruffy but quick-witted street urchins make engaging detectives in this Victorian-era page-turner.
NEWSOME , Richard . The Billionaire’s Curse. illus. by Jonny Duddle. (The Archer Legacy Series). HarperCollins/Walden Pond . 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-194490-1.
Gr 5-7—When a British great-aunt he’s never met dies suddenly, leaving him 20 billion pounds and a note asking him to nab her murderer, Australian teenager Gerald finds himself not only hounded by eager reporters but subject to death threats, attempted kidnapping, and all sorts of other thrilling adventures as well. A fast-paced, uncomplicated escapade. Audio version available from Harper Audio.
Gr 4-6—With card and online components, this series gets off to a ripsnorting start—sending two orphaned sibs (and several teams of rivals) on a worldwide hunt for clues to a spectacular family secret. It’s a well-conceived setup, and the quality holds up as subsequent episodes come from the likes of Gordon Korman and Patrick Carman. Audio version available from Scholastic Audio.
Gr 4-6—Meeting on the train to Whiska City, a dung beetle, a penguin, a sloth, and other unlikely allies team up as detectives, and for their first big case take on a rash of disappearances linked to a local beauty salon. The colorful art in this graphic novel broadens its appeal and contains clues for sharper- eyed sleuths.
SALDAÑA , René , Jr. T he Case of the Pen Gone Missing/El Caso de la Pluma Perdida: A Mickey Rangel Mystery/Colección Mickey Rangel, Detective Privado. tr. by Carolina Villarroel. illus. by Giovanni Mora. Piñata . 2009. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55885-555-7.
Gr 4-6—Despite proven skills as a detective, fifth-grader Mickey faces a tough challenge when an expensive pen goes missing and class bombshell Toots, the chief suspect, pleads with him to prove her innocence. A clever and entertaining entry in the annals of classroom crime—and the hardboiled bilingual narrative will broaden its potential audience.
SELFORS , Suzanne . Smells Like Dog. Little, Brown. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04398-4.
Gr 4-6—A clue on a gold coin attached to the collar around a basset hound’s neck propels 12-year-old Homer Pudding into a hilarious, exciting hunt for his vanished uncle’s hidden library and a renowned pirate’s legendary hoard. A true page-turner, with a notably quirky supporting cast.
STEAD , Rebecca . When You Reach Me. Random/Wendy Lamb Bks . 2009. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73742-5; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90664-7.
Gr 5-8—It’s hard to think of a genre list on which the reigning Newbery Medal winner wouldn’t merit a spot—but at its core lies an inventive, engrossing puzzle made up of mysterious notes, inexplicable incidents, and seemingly disparate facts that 12-year-old Miranda leads readers in piecing together into a thoroughly wonderful whole. Audio version available from Listening Library.
For Old Hands
AVI . Murder at Midnight. Scholastic . 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-08090-3.
Gr 6-8—Magician’s apprentice Fabrizio is caught up in a web of murder and political intrigue in a fictional Renaissance town, but even prison and the threat of execution can’t deter him from unraveling the threads of deceit and treachery. This suspenseful, atmospheric prequel to Midnight Magic (Scholastic, 1999) culminates in a particularly lurid denouement set in a bone-laden crypt. Audio version available from Scholastic Audio.
BAUER , Joan . Peeled . Putnam . 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-23475-0; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-14-241430-9.
Gr 6-8—A body discovered in an orchard near the supposedly haunted Ludlow house sets a sleepy town on its ear. Leave it to determined high school reporter Hildy Biddle and her associates to stem the rising tide of fear, peel away layers of deception, and get to the core of a developer’s nefarious scheme. Audio version available from Listening Library.
BENEDICT , Carey . The Unknowns: A Mystery. Abrams/ Amulet . 2009. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-7991-8.
Gr 6-8—Solving a series of math-based clues, two 11-year-old sleuths uncover some ugly doings in, around, and beneath a local nuclear power plant. Readers can skip the equations and still enjoy the characters and make sense of the mystery—but tackling each problem/clue as it comes makes for a richer challenge.
BUCKLEY , Michael . Tales from the Hood. Bk. 6. ( The Sisters Grimm Series). Abrams/ Amulet . 2008. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9478-2.
Gr 5-7—In this sixth episode, Sabrina and Daphne undertake a desperate search for evidence that will clear their protector, Mr. Canis—aka the Big Bad Wolf, but a reformed character here—from the dark fate awaiting him at the end of a trumped-up trial. Audio version available from Recorded Books.
____ . The Adventure of the Dancing Men . ISBN 978-1-60270-723-8.
____ . The Adventure of the Empty House . ISBN 978-1-60270-724-5.
____ . The Adventure of the Norwood Builder . ISBN 978-1-60270-725-2.
____ . The Adventure of the Red-Headed League . ISBN 978-1-60270-726-9.
____ .The Adventure of the Speckled Band. ISBN 978-1-60270-727-6.
ea vol : adapted by Vincent Goodwin. illus. by Ben Dunn. ABDO/Magic Wagon. 2010. PLB $28.50.
Gr 4-6—These graphic adaptations of six (to start) notable Holmesian triumphs combine sharp and exciting dialogue with evocative illustrations that capture both the atmosphere of Victorian London and the drama of the original stories. Sure to leave fans of the greatest detective of them all hungry for more.
HOOBLER , Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler. Seven Paths to Death . (Samurai Mystery Series). Philomel . 2008. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24610-4.
Gr 5-7—Two rivals in 18th-century Japan follow a map to treasure—a map that is tattooed in parts on the backs of several different men. The exotic locale for this entry in a series of samurai mysteries is unusually well realized, and despite the melodramatic title the violence is kept to a (fairly) low level.
HOROWITZ , Anthony . Crocodile Tears. Bk. 8. (Alex Rider Series). Philomel . 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25056-9.
Gr 6-8—Alex Rider, MI6’s youngest operative, again reluctantly rises to the occasion. This time, a con man with a plot to manufacture widespread famine and other disasters using genetically altered crops has to be stopped—and stop him Alex does, despite explosions, hails of bullets, and an odd hungry predator. Audio version available from Recorded Books.
LANDY, Derek. The Faceless Ones.Bk. 3.(Skulduggery Pleasant Series).HarperCollins. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-124091-1.
Gr 6-8—The violence escalates in this third episode featuring the laconic skeleton detective with a dapper fashion sense and his adrenalin-junkie sidekick, Valkyrie Cain. Readers will want to start with Skulduggery Pleasant (HarperCollins, 2007) to make the best sense of the continuing story line, but the thrills, chills, and supernatural cast provide memorable entertainment from page one. Audio version available from Harper Audio.
LAWRENCE, Caroline. The Man from Pomegranate Street. (The Roman Mysteries Series). Orion. 2009. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-84255-608-5.
Gr 5-7—In this concluding episode of an outstanding series, Flavia Gemina and her friends tackle their biggest and most dangerous investigation yet—to determine whether or not the Emperor Titus was murdered, and if so, by whom. Along with vividly drawn characters and a thoroughly researched ancient setting, Lawrence offers a suspenseful whodunit and resolutions to most of the continuing plotlines.
SALA, Richard. Cat Burglar Black. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/First Second. 2009. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-144-7.
Gr 5-7—In a graphic novel well stocked with atmospheric shadows, hulking bad guys, and melodramatic twists, four teens trained since childhood to be thieves are sent to steal paintings that contain secret clues to a treasure. Unusually for capers of this ilk, most of the major characters are female.
SPRINGER, Nancy. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline.(Enola Holmes Mystery Series). Philomel. 2009. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24781-1.
Gr 5-8—Hiding out in Victorian London from her overbearing brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, Enola casts herself into a high-risk investigation when her landlady is kidnapped. As savvy a sleuth as her better-known sibs and well capable of coping with repressive gender expectations, Enola has been winning fans since her first exploit, The Case of the Missing Marquess (Philomel, 2006).
STEWART, Trenton Lee. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma.(Mysterious Benedict Society Series). Little, Brown/Megan Tingley Bks. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04552-0.
Gr 5-7—Gifted with distinctly different abilities, the four members of the Society continue to make uncommonly engaging protagonists in their third outing. Here the young folk are kept busy solving a series of logical puzzles until arch-nemesis Ledopthra Curtain seizes them and the dreaded device known as “The Whisperer.” Audio version available from Listening Library.
John Peters is the former supervising librarian of The New York Public Library’s Children’s Center at 42nd Street.
Focus On Websites
Teacher/Librarian Resources
First Clue Mysteries: Mystery Books for Children and Young Adults. firstclues.com.Omnimystery, Inc. (Accessed 5/23/2010).
This excellent, quick-reference site lists dozens of fictional detectives sorted into recommended audiences, from “New Sleuths” (ages 4-6) to “Apprentice Sleuths” (ages 13+). Each entry points to a page containing a capsule description of a book or series, lexile level, the author’s website, and cover thumbnails linked to Amazon.com.
Teaching Mysteries. www.mysterynet.com/learn. MysteryNet.com.(Accessed 5/23/2010).
“The leading producer of interactive mysteries, including Solve-it and See-n-Solve, and the Get-a-Clue daily mystery,” provides free lesson plans with supporting materials, including sample mysteries and biographies of classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe.
Year of the Children’s Mystery Book.www.childrensmysterybooks.org. Gallopade International.(Accessed 5/23/2010).
Developed to promote 2010 as the “Year of the Children’s Mystery Book,” this site includes, among other features, a one-page “History of the Mystery” by author/spokesperson Carole Marsh, a list of 100 mystery classics for young readers, and a selection of printable posters and bookmarks.
For Students
K Up—Would-be sleuths and secret agents who want to rub elbows with real detectives can make online excursions to the Kids’ Page developed by the CIA at https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/index.html and the FBI at www.fbi.gov/fbikids.htm. They should also check out the NSA’s (National Security Agency) America’s CryptoKids: Future Codemakers and Codebreakers at www.nsa.gov/kids. All offer information about crime and crimefighting, as well as games, puzzles to solve, and supporting materials. (Accessed 5/23/2010).
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Posted by LaurelHamilton on December 11, 2011 06:57:36AM
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