10+ Best Maze Books for 9-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to keep your 9-year-old entertained and challenged? Look no further than maze books! Not only do they offer hours of fun, but they also help sharpen problem-solving skills. In this blog, we've rounded up a fantastic selection of maze books for 9-year-olds that are sure to captivate and engage young minds. Keep reading to discover our top picks that promise to be a hit with your little adventurer!

Fun Maze Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Maze Runner by James Dashner
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: The story begins with Thomas waking up in a lift with no memory of his past except his name. He finds himself in a place called the Glade, surrounded by a giant maze with other boys who also have no memories. Together, they must work to solve the maze and escape.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling page-turner that combines mystery, suspense, and action, perfect for keeping young readers engaged and encouraging them to solve puzzles.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, adventures, and mysteries.

• The Maze of Bones (39 Clues, Book 1) by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Amy and Dan Cahill, two siblings, discover upon their grandmother's death that they are members of the powerful Cahill family, which has influenced much of the world's history. They are given a choice to take one million dollars or a clue that leads to an unimaginable family power.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces complex family dynamics and a thrilling treasure hunt that can stimulate a love for history and geography in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and history buffs who enjoy a good challenge.

• Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Illustrator: Gilbert Ford
  • Synopsis: Kyle Keeley is an avid gamer and a fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, has designed the town's new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night. Kyle wins a coveted spot to join the fun and finds out that getting out of Mr. Lemoncello's library isn't just a game—it's a puzzle, a maze, and a challenge!
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines literature and games in a fun, engaging way that encourages problem-solving and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle lovers and young readers who enjoy a mix of humor and mystery.

• The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Siblings Noah and Megan discover that their local zoo is a magical place where the boundaries between the animal enclosures hide secrets leading to different worlds. When their sister disappears, they and their friends must uncover the mysteries of the zoo to save her.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with imaginative settings and the idea that ordinary places can have extraordinary secrets, which can inspire creativity and curiosity in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children who dream of magical adventures.

Educational Maze Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee
  • Illustrator: Megan Halsey and Sean Addy
  • Genre(s): Biography, Educational, History
  • Synopsis: This book provides brief biographies of 26 inspirational women from various backgrounds and eras, each representing a different letter of the alphabet from Amelia Earhart to Zora Neale Hurston.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, reading comprehension, inspiration through role models
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers young readers a glimpse into the lives of women who have made significant impacts in the world, encouraging a sense of empowerment and possibility.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and inspirational stories of powerful women.

• The Everything Kids' Puzzle Book: Mazes, Word Games, Puzzles & More! Hours of Fun! by Jennifer A. Ericsson and Beth L. Blair
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book is packed with a variety of brain-teasing puzzles including mazes, word games, and much more, designed to provide hours of entertainment.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, vocabulary, logical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to challenge the minds of young readers while improving their cognitive skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy solving puzzles and playing games that challenge their thinking.

• The Kids' Book of Mazes 1 by Gareth Moore
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Puzzle
  • Synopsis: This book is filled with over 150 mazes that range in complexity, designed to keep young minds engaged for hours.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, strategic thinking, patience
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop persistence and problem-solving skills in a playful and enjoyable manner.
  • Perfect for: Children who love challenges and are keen on improving their maze-solving abilities.

• Puzzle Ninja: Pit Your Wits Against the Japanese Puzzle Masters by Alex Bellos
  • Genre(s): Puzzle, Educational, Non-Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to advanced puzzles from Japan, created by the world's top puzzle masters, offering a range of challenges that are not typically found in children's puzzle books.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, concentration, cultural awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique look into Japanese puzzle-making, offering complex challenges that foster advanced problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are puzzle enthusiasts and those looking to test their puzzle-solving skills against top-level challenges.

Challenging Maze Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Curious Maze Book by Juliet Snape
  • Genre(s): Puzzle, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book takes readers on a journey through intricately designed mazes, each with its own narrative and challenges that tell a story as you solve them.
  • Why this book is challenging: The mazes are not only visually complex but also require the solver to follow a storyline, making it a multifaceted puzzle.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances reading comprehension and problem-solving skills through engaging, story-driven mazes.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy storytelling combined with challenging puzzles.

• Maze Craze: Detective Mazes by Don-Oliver Matthies
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Readers become detectives, solving mazes that are cleverly tied into mystery stories, requiring critical thinking to solve both the maze and the case.
  • Why this book is challenging: The mazes are designed to be intricate and are integrated with mystery elements that require logical reasoning beyond just finding a path.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes critical thinking and attention to detail in a fun and interactive way.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and mystery lovers who like a good challenge.

• Wizard's Magical Mazes by Kirsteen Robson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Puzzle
  • Synopsis: Set in a wizard's enchanted world, this book offers a series of magical mazes, each with spells and obstacles to navigate through.
  • Why this book is challenging: The mazes involve magical themes and obstacles that require strategic thinking and imagination.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the fun of fantasy with the challenge of maze-solving, stimulating creativity and problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Young fantasy enthusiasts and thinkers who enjoy magical adventures.

• The Amazing 50 State Maze Book by Scott Sullivan
  • Genre(s): Educational, Puzzle
  • Synopsis: Each maze in this book is shaped like a different U.S. state, filled with landmarks and icons to identify and navigate around.
  • Why this book is challenging: The geographical shapes and educational content add an extra layer of complexity to the traditional maze.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun way to learn U.S. geography while honing spatial reasoning and navigation skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in geography and hands-on learning through puzzles.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 9-year-old develop great reading habits while enjoying the fun and challenge of maze books, here are some engaging exercises you can try. These activities not only make reading more enjoyable but also enhance comprehension and retention skills.

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or mazes to complete each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages a consistent reading habit and sets a manageable target.
  • Tips: Start with small goals and gradually increase as your child gets more comfortable.

• Create a Maze Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a group of friends who read the same maze book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding through discussion and makes reading a social activity.
  • Tips: Arrange regular meetings to discuss the book's mazes and any interesting plots.

• Maze Book Review
  • What it is: Write a short review or summary of each maze book after finishing.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and comprehension by recalling details to summarize.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of a star rating system to make it more engaging.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Before starting a new section, guess what might happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and anticipation skills.
  • Tips: Discuss predictions and see how they match up as you read through the mazes.

• Character Connection
  • What it is: Choose a favorite character and write about why they are relatable.
  • How it helps: Enhances deeper engagement with the text and empathy for characters.
  • Tips: Use examples from the book to support why this character stands out.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the maze book.
  • How it helps: Boosts creativity and helps visualize the text, improving memory.
  • Tips: Share the drawings with family or friends to make the activity more rewarding.

These exercises are designed to make reading maze books not just an activity but an adventure that builds lasting skills. By integrating these fun and educational activities, your child will not only improve their reading habits but also enjoy the process a whole lot more. Dive into these exercises and watch your young reader grow!