10+ Best Crime Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect page-turner to captivate the young detective in your life? Look no further! Our roundup of crime books for 12-year-olds is packed with mysteries that are just begging to be solved. Whether your young reader is a budding sleuth or just loves a good whodunit, you’ll find plenty of options to keep them glued to the pages. Keep reading to discover our top picks for crime books that are sure to intrigue and entertain!

Fun Crime Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: When Ted and Kat's cousin Salim disappears from the London Eye, the siblings embark on a thrilling adventure to solve the mystery of what happened to him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gripping tale that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, showing how these skills can be applied in real-life situations.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and fans of puzzles and suspense.

• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Puzzle Novel
  • Synopsis: Sixteen heirs are brought together to solve the mystery of Sam Westing's death, competing for a $200 million inheritance by figuring out who among them is the murderer.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers complex brain-teasers and plot twists that keep readers engaged, enhancing their deductive reasoning and attention to detail.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle lovers and young strategists who enjoy unraveling complex plots.

• Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Art
  • Synopsis: When a valuable Vermeer painting is stolen, two sixth-graders, Petra and Calder, combine their talents to solve an art heist mystery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the world of art and art history while weaving in themes of friendship and intellectual curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Budding artists and young sleuths who appreciate a good mystery mixed with a bit of culture.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four gifted kids are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must stop a global crisis.
  • Why we recommend this book: This series promotes teamwork, courage, and the use of intellect in the face of danger and mystery.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous readers who love stories about friendship and overcoming challenges with cleverness and bravery.

• Greenglass House by Kate Milford
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: During winter vacation, Milo Pine and his parents' inn, Greenglass House, unexpectedly fills up with secretive guests who are all connected to the house’s past in mysterious ways.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a cozy, atmospheric mystery that enhances creative thinking and builds suspense in a captivating setting.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy ghost stories and mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.

Educational Crime Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: When Enola Holmes, the much younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared, she decides to become a sleuth herself. She embarks on a thrilling adventure through Victorian London to solve the case.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, historical context, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to detective fiction with a strong, intelligent female protagonist and provides an engaging look at historical settings.
  • Perfect for: Fans of Sherlock Holmes and young readers interested in mystery and history.

• Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Kyle Keeley, an avid game fan, wins a coveted spot to be one of the first to enter an exciting new library created by game maker Luigi Lemoncello. The catch? He must solve puzzles and escape the library to win.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, teamwork, logic
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the thrill of a mystery with the joy of solving puzzles, all while celebrating libraries and books.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle enthusiasts and lovers of games and libraries.

• Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Emily and her new friend James discover an unusual book, which they realize is part of a game set up by the mysterious and elusive publisher Garrison Griswold. They find themselves on a citywide hunt filled with puzzles and danger.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cryptography, geography, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fast-paced adventure that cleverly integrates literature into a citywide scavenger hunt, making it a fun way to learn about cryptography and geography.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who love codes, puzzles, and mysteries.

• The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Humor
  • Synopsis: Best friends and aspiring sleuths Sophie Young and Grace Yang spy on their oddball middle school counselor and stumble upon a real crime. They must solve the case without blowing their cover.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, social skills, understanding of law enforcement
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a humorous take on the mystery genre that encourages critical thinking and offers a realistic portrayal of middle school dynamics.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a mix of suspense and humor, and those who like stories about friendship.

• The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: When Candice finds a letter in her grandmother’s attic, she uncovers a puzzle that stretches back decades. Together with her friend Brandon, she dives into the town's history and the dark secrets that are hidden there.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, racial awareness, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It skillfully blends a modern-day mystery with historical injustices, providing a compelling narrative that also educates about civil rights.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in history, social justice, and solving complex puzzles.

Challenging Crime Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Holes by Louis Sachar
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Stanley Yelnats is sent to a boys' detention center where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is more to the digging than building character—the warden is looking for something.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure includes complex flashbacks and intertwining stories from different generations, which challenge the reader's ability to piece together the puzzle.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a unique blend of an adventure and a mystery that teaches values of friendship, justice, and fate.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories that come full circle and teach moral lessons.

• The Name of this Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Two adventurous young friends, Cassandra and Max-Ernest, discover the Symphony of Smells, a box of vials of magical scents, that leads them to a mysterious and secretive spa and a cult bent on immortality.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses a non-linear narrative and complex, secretive plots that require readers to think critically and question the reliability of the narrator.
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages readers with puzzles and codes within a thrilling and humorous narrative.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love secrets, puzzles, and mysteries wrapped in humor.

• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: As Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes that seem to predict the future, she begins to see her life and her part in the universe in a new way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story weaves elements of time travel with complex character development and philosophical questions about time and space.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thought-provoking read that combines elements of mystery with a touching coming-of-age story.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy sci-fi elements blended with realistic settings and deep emotional themes.

• The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Gil Goodson competes in the Gollywhopper Games, a series of puzzles, stunts, and games, hoping to win a chance at a new life away from the shadow of his father's embezzlement scandal.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex puzzles and riddles that require logical reasoning and sharp intellect to solve.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an exhilarating adventure that promotes problem-solving and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young strategists and thinkers who thrive on solving puzzles and rooting for the underdog.

• The Shadows by Jacqueline West
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: When Olive and her parents move into the old stone house on Linden Street, she learns that the paintings on the walls harbor the house's dark secrets and that she must step into the paintings to save the house from a dark fate.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative requires readers to grasp complex concepts of magical realism and alternate realities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully blends mystery with fantasy, offering a captivating adventure into a magical world.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who delight in stories where the boundary between reality and fantasy blurs.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the intriguing world of crime books, you're in for a thrill. But how do you make the most out of your reading experience, especially if you're around 12 years old? Here are some exercises designed to boost your reading habits and help you enjoy every suspense-filled page even more. Let's check them out!

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a specific number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Ensures consistent reading and gradual progress through books.
  • Tips: Pick a realistic goal that fits into your daily schedule without feeling overwhelming.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family who are interested.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Try to express what you liked about the characters or plot, and listen to others' perspectives.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next after each chapter.
  • How it helps: Keeps you engaged and thinking critically about the storyline.
  • Tips: Write down your predictions and check how many of them were right as you progress.

• Map the Story
  • What it is: Create a visual map or timeline of the events in the story.
  • How it helps: Helps visualize the sequence of events and how they interconnect.
  • Tips: Use drawings or diagrams to make the mapping more fun and detailed.

• Character Diary
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of different characters.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of characters' motives and emotions.
  • Tips: Choose your favorite character or one that puzzles you to start with.

• Connect the Facts
  • What it is: Identify clues or facts in the book and discuss how they contribute to solving the mystery.
  • How it helps: Enhances analytical thinking and attention to detail.
  • Tips: Keep a list of all clues you find and revisit them as the story unfolds.

Wrapping up, these exercises aren't just about making you a better reader; they're about making reading more fun and immersive, especially with crime books where every detail counts. Give them a try, and see how much more exciting your reading sessions can be. Happy sleuthing in your reading adventures!