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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect page-turner to keep your 10-year-old glued to their book? You've hit the right spot! Our guide to Mystery Books for 10-Year-olds is packed with intriguing titles that promise adventure and brain-teasing fun. Whether your young reader is a budding detective or a mystery enthusiast, these books are sure to spark their imagination and keep them guessing until the last page. Keep reading to discover our top picks for mystery books that are just right for 10-year-olds!

Fun Mystery Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global crisis.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, making it not only entertaining but also intellectually stimulating for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles and secret missions.

• Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Young detective Nancy Drew embarks on a quest to find a missing will after the death of a local townsman, uncovering secrets and facing danger along the way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces readers to the iconic character of Nancy Drew, inspiring courage and a keen sense of justice.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring detectives and lovers of classic mystery stories.

• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Sixteen heirs compete to solve the puzzle of Sam Westing's will, each hoping to walk away with a multi-million dollar inheritance.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its complex plot and intriguing puzzles make it a compelling read that sharpens deductive reasoning skills.
  • Perfect for: Young strategists and mystery solvers.

• Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Leroy Brown, aka Encyclopedia Brown, is Idaville’s ten-year-old star detective. With an uncanny knack for trivia, he solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids and sometimes even for his detective dad.
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges readers with mysteries they can try to solve themselves before checking the solutions, promoting logical thinking and attention to detail.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who enjoy cracking cases alongside the protagonist.

• The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four orphaned siblings, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, make a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest. They soon find themselves embroiled in various mysteries they must solve together.
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the importance of family, resourcefulness, and curiosity in solving mysteries and facing life's challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about adventure, teamwork, and self-reliance.

Educational Mystery Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Greenglass House by Kate Milford, illustrated by Jaime Zollars
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: At a smuggler's inn, Milo, the innkeepers' adopted son, anticipates a quiet winter holiday until unexpected guests arrive, each with a strange, secretive background. A map, a theft, and an old legend turn Milo's vacation into a thrilling adventure.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, critical thinking, understanding folklore
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines mystery with a touch of fantasy, providing a captivating narrative that encourages readers to think critically and solve puzzles alongside the protagonist.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories that blend mystery with magical elements.

• Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Emily and her new friend James discover an unusual book, which they realize is part of a game set up by a famous book publisher. However, when the publisher is attacked, the game turns into a real-life mystery.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Literacy skills, teamwork, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes not only reading but also the joy of puzzle-solving and decoding, all wrapped in a thrilling mystery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love books and enjoy games that involve hunting for clues.

• Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Humor
  • 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. However, what starts as a fun, overnight stay turns into a thrilling escape challenge.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Logic, library skills, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fast-paced, humorous book that encourages problem-solving and collaboration, all while fostering a love for libraries and reading.
  • Perfect for: Gamers and puzzle lovers who enjoy fast-paced stories and learning about libraries.

• The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Supernatural
  • Synopsis: When Zack Jennings moves to his father's hometown, he faces the spirit of a malicious young boy who met a tragic end at the crossroads near Zack's new house. Zack must solve this old mystery to bring peace to the town.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, bravery, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It blends a ghostly supernatural element with a gripping mystery, making it thrilling yet educational about past events.
  • Perfect for: Readers who like a spine-chilling mystery with a historical twist.

• The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Ted and Kat's cousin Salim disappears while riding the London Eye. The siblings overcome their differences and put together clues to unravel the mystery of what happened to Salim.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Family dynamics, observational skills, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a real page-turner that teaches about the importance of perspective in solving mysteries, and it highlights the strengths that come from different ways of thinking.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives who enjoy landmark-based adventures and learning about different perspectives.

Challenging Mystery Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Art
  • Synopsis: When a valuable Vermeer painting goes missing, Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an art heist. As they delve into the world of art, they uncover a series of puzzles and codes.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel incorporates complex puzzles and codes, requiring readers to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the world of art and history through a compelling mystery, enhancing their appreciation for both.
  • Perfect for: Young art enthusiasts and budding detectives who enjoy solving puzzles.

• The Name of this Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Two adventurous friends, Cass and Max-Ernest, discover a mysterious box that leads them to investigate a magician's dark secrets and a dangerous mystery involving the senses.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex plot with sophisticated themes about secrecy and the senses.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a thrilling, interactive mystery that engages readers with its secretive narrative and encourages them to think outside the box.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who love a challenge and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Sixth-grader Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes that predict the future and soon realizes they're related to her best friend's sudden disappearance.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel weaves together elements of time travel and mystery, requiring readers to pay close attention to the timeline and details.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully blends science fiction with a gripping mystery, providing a thought-provoking reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Fans of puzzles and science fiction, and those who enjoy stories that make them think critically about time and space.

• The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Cousins Bonnie and Sylvia battle wolves and a villainous governess to save their family estate from being stolen.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich language and a complex plot set in an alternative history of England, which provides a deeper context for the mystery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines adventure and suspense with historical elements, making it a gripping and educational read.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy historical settings and brave heroines.

• The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Puzzle
  • Synopsis: Winston Breen finds a hidden puzzle in an antique box, leading him and his friends on a treasure hunt filled with further puzzles and riddles.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book is filled with interactive puzzles that the reader must solve alongside the characters to advance the story.
  • Why we recommend this book: It actively involves readers in the mystery, enhancing their problem-solving skills and making the reading experience interactive and fun.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle lovers and young sleuths who enjoy interactive challenges and brain teasers.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of mystery books and you're around 10 years old, you're in for a treat! Mystery books are not just thrilling—they also boost your thinking skills and keep you hooked till the last page. To make the most out of your reading experience, here are some fun exercises to help you develop great reading habits:

• Create a Detective Notebook
  • What it is: A special notebook where you act like the detective in your mystery book.
  • How it helps: Encourages active reading and helps you pay attention to details.
  • Tips: Write down clues and suspects as you read, just like a real detective would!

• Summarize the Story
  • What it is: After finishing a chapter, write a brief summary in your own words.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory of the story.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries short and focus on the main events.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next before you start the next chapter.
  • How it helps: Enhances imaginative thinking and engagement with the story.
  • Tips: Discuss your predictions with friends or family who are also reading the book.

• Map the Mystery
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the events as they happen in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps visualize the story's setting and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Use different colors or symbols to mark important clues or turning points.

• Character Connection
  • What it is: Choose a character you like and write about why you relate to them.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of characters and enhances empathy.
  • Tips: Think about how the character’s feelings and actions compare to your own in similar situations.

• Discuss with Others
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family members who have read it.
  • How it helps: Allows you to hear different perspectives and refine your own thoughts.
  • Tips: Ask each other questions about why characters acted in certain ways or what might happen in a sequel.

These exercises aren't just homework—they're your secret tools to becoming a super sleuth in the world of mystery books! Not only will these activities make reading more enjoyable, but they'll also sharpen your detective skills. So grab your magnifying glass (or maybe just your favorite bookmark), and let's crack the case on making reading a habit! Happy sleuthing!