In previous years, I have recommended classic mysteries written for kids and YA. I still recommend series like the Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Encyclopedia Brown, and Nate the Great, but time marches on and kids can have trouble relating to stories that don’t include technology.
When my oldest son was in 8th grade I was asked to moderate a discussion about Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. This was several years ago, but the students still had trouble relating to the story because Jim Hawkins didn’t have information and communication devices at his fingertips to check out the men he would be sailing with or call for help in an emergency. They also weren’t interested in looking up antiquated words.
It made me a little sad that eight graders weren’t interested in pirates and hunting for treasure, but I was impressed with their logical approach to problem-solving. They admitted the same basic plot set in modern times would have interested them, especially if Jim Hawkins had been able to use technology. Technology has changed storytelling in unexpected ways, and we have to respect that.
Ironically, fantasy that does not rely on technology is as popular as science fiction and action-thrillers with fast cars, and futuristic weapons and devices.
This month we are featuring some of the newer mysteries for kids and YA.
If you and your child love classic mysteries, you can search www.thisawfulawesomelife.com for all the May Reading Recommendations for Kids or May Reading Recommendations for Kids and YA. Enjoy!
The Mercy Watson Boxed Set: Adventures of a Porcine Wonder by Kate DiCamillo – Catching a robber, driving a car, wiggling into a tutu is there any adventure or mystery too challenging for this little pig? For ages 4-7
The Great Cake Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith – Read Precious Ramotswe’s first case. When a piece of cake disappears from her classroom, Precious decides to solve the crime and discovers she likes detective work. For ages 6-9
The Ballpark Mysteries Series by David A. Kelly – The kids of Cooperstown play baseball and solve mysteries at some of the most famous ballparks in the United States. For ages 6-9
The Relic Detectives: A Hocking Hills Mystery by Roxanne Sams – Join Eleanor and Oliver on their camping adventure and solve a centuries old mystery while learning about nature and history. For Ages 6-14
Cam Jansen: The Catnapping Mystery (Part of the Cam Jansen Mysteries Series) by David A. Adler. Cam is visiting her Aunt Molly at a hotel when one of the guest’s luggage and cat vanish on the way up to the room. Where did the bellhop go? Don’t worry Cam’s on the case. For ages 7-10
Hailey Haddie’s Minute Mysteries: 15 Short Stories for Young Sleuths by Marins J. Bowman – Join Hailey, the vampire detective for these 400-word puzzling adventures. Can you solve it as quickly as you can read it? For ages 8-12
The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren White – This is a scary mystery. Amy discovers a doll house in the attic after hearing strange noises. When she visits the dolls are never where she left them. Are they haunted or is someone else visiting the attic? For ages 9-12
Mysteries of the Modern World by E. B. Wheeler – Historian E.B. Wheeler takes kids on a journey across the world in search of modern mysteries like a lost room made of gemstones, a train made of gold, or the secrets of the pyramids. For ages 10 and up
Miles in Time: A YA Time Travel Mystery by Lee Matthew Goldberg – Fourteen-year-old Miles and his friend Kevin have a detective agency in Frontier, Iowa where nothing more exciting than the search for a missing pet ever happens until Mile’s genius older brother Simon, who is an inventor, is murdered. Can Miles and Alex find out who killed Simon and why? For ages 12 and up
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective – The Thames Murders & Other Classic Cases Board Game – Yes it’s not a book, but each mystery comes with a casebook and newspaper clippings kids and adults must read to learn about the case. It’s a fun way to convince your older kids that reading is fun for all ages and doesn’t always have to be a book. For ages 14 and over (1 to 8 players - I think ages10 and above could play if partnered with adults.