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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect page-turner to keep your 12-year-old glued to their seat? Look no further! Our latest roundup of mystery crime books for 12-year-olds is packed with tales that blend suspense, intrigue, and adventure, ideal for young readers with a knack for solving puzzles. Keep reading to discover our top picks that promise to spark a love for mystery in your young detective!

Fun Mystery Crime Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Young Adult
  • Synopsis: A group of seemingly unrelated heirs gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will, only to find themselves involved in a thrilling puzzle. Each heir is given clues to solve the mystery of who killed Sam Westing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a brain-teasing mystery that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, wrapped in an engaging, fast-paced plot.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love puzzles and playing detective.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, illustrated by Carson Ellis
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Science 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: This book promotes teamwork, intelligence, and perseverance through unique challenges and captivating adventures.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy complex characters and clever plots in their mysteries.

• Greenglass House by Kate Milford
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: During winter vacation, Milo, the innkeepers' adopted son, encounters a strange group of guests who each have a story connected to the inn's past. As items start to go missing, Milo and his friend Meddy decide to investigate.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines elements of folklore and mystery, providing a magical and mysterious atmosphere that grips the reader's imagination.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate a good ghost story and mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.

• Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Emily and her new friend James discover an unusual book, part of a game where books are hidden and clues are left for players to find them. They soon realize the book is a key to uncovering an even bigger mystery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and problem-solving, with a captivating storyline that makes reading fun and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who love codes, puzzles, and treasure hunts.

• Spy School by Stuart Gibbs
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Spy Fiction
  • Synopsis: Ben Ripley, a middle schooler, is recruited by a secret government agency to become a spy. Though he thinks he's not very good at spy work, he must uncover a mole in the school.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's full of humor and thrilling action, perfect for keeping readers engaged while they enjoy the challenges of espionage.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young spies and readers who enjoy fast-paced stories with lots of humor and action.

Educational Mystery Crime Books for 12-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, two young friends, find themselves at the center of an international art scandal. They must use their problem-solving skills and knowledge of art to solve the mystery.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, pattern recognition, art history
  • Why we recommend this book: It cleverly combines elements of art, history, and mystery, making it a multidimensional read that challenges young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives who have an interest in art and puzzles.

• The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Ted and Kat watch their cousin Salim board the London Eye, but when the ride ends, Salim has seemingly vanished into thin air. The siblings must work together to follow the clues and find him.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Deductive reasoning, understanding of autism spectrum disorders, geography
  • Why we recommend this book: This mystery provides a compelling view of the challenges and strengths of a neurodiverse mind, all within the context of a thrilling plot.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy real-world settings and a bit of a psychological twist.

• Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Puzzle
  • Synopsis: Kyle Keeley, an avid game fan, wins a coveted spot to be one of the first to enter the new library designed by game maker Luigi Lemoncello. However, getting out will require solving puzzles and deciphering clues.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, teamwork, library skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and interactive adventure that promotes critical thinking and collaboration, all set in the fascinating environment of a high-tech library.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle lovers and future librarians or anyone who loves a good, playful challenge.

• Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Southern Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mo LoBeau, a rising sixth grader, leads a normal life in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC, until a murder occurs and her best friend becomes a prime suspect. Mo and her friends must take on the case to clear his name.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social studies, critical thinking, cultural understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: It mixes humor and drama effectively, providing a vivid portrayal of small-town life while engaging young readers in a solid mystery.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy a strong sense of community and quirky characters.

• The Name of this Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Two adventurous friends, Cass and Max-Ernest, discover the Symphony of Smells, a box of vials of magical scents, which leads them to a mysterious woman and a secret about a magician's notebook.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, chemistry, secrecy
  • Why we recommend this book: Its unique characters and intriguing plot twists keep readers guessing and engaged throughout.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love secrets, magic, and mysteries that are a little out of the ordinary.

Challenging Mystery Crime Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Three children from different backgrounds—a street musician, a maid, and an apprentice clockmaker—find their lives intertwined as they each discover a mysterious and powerful artifact in their city.
  • Why this book is challenging: It weaves complex narratives of three protagonists, requiring readers to keep track of multiple storylines and historical contexts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a rich blend of history and mystery, encouraging readers to think critically about how individual stories intersect and influence one another.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy multi-layered stories and historical settings.

• The Shadows by Jacqueline West
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: When eleven-year-old Olive moves into a crumbling mansion, she discovers that the paintings on the walls hold the trapped spirits of the house’s previous owners. Olive must uncover the house's dark secrets to free the spirits.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates elements of classical art, literature, and complex themes of fantasy and mystery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges the imagination and pushes the boundaries of traditional mystery novels by combining them with magical elements.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are fans of fantasy and ghost stories.

• The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Seven girls at a Victorian boarding school must solve the mystery of their headmistress’s sudden death, all while trying to convince the outside world that everything is perfectly normal.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book features Victorian-era language and complex plot twists that require careful reading and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous, cleverly plotted mystery that also subtly explores themes of independence and sisterhood.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy a good whodunit with a strong cast of female characters.

• The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Alistair Cleary is the neighborhood storyteller, and when Fiona Loomis asks him to write her biography, he uncovers a strange tale of a magical river that steals the souls of children.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is complex, blending reality with fantastical elements in a way that challenges perceptions of truth and fiction.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a deep, thought-provoking experience that combines an eerie mystery with philosophical questions about reality and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Advanced readers who like stories that make them think and question the world around them.

• Horten’s Miraculous Mechanisms by Lissa Evans
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Young Stuart Horten, ten-years-old and unhappily relocated to a boring town, discovers his great-uncle's workshop full of magical mechanical inventions and a mystery that only he can solve.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features intricate puzzles and clues that require logical reasoning and deduction to solve.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and magical adventure that stimulates the mind while entertaining with its clever plot and quirky characters.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle solvers and young inventors who delight in mysteries and magic.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there, young detectives! Diving into the world of mystery crime books is like embarking on an adventure full of twists, turns, and brain teasers. To make your reading experience even more thrilling and beneficial, I’ve got some cool exercises for you. These will not only enhance your understanding of the stories but also sharpen your detective skills. Let's check them out!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much you want to read each day or week.
  • How it helps: Keeps you focused and motivated to read regularly.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Character Connection Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart to keep track of all the characters and their relationships.
  • How it helps: Helps you remember who’s who and understand character development.
  • Tips: Update your chart after each reading session.

• Plot Prediction Pad
  • What it is: Write down your predictions about the plot before you start a new chapter.
  • How it helps: Enhances your analytical thinking and attention to detail.
  • Tips: Compare your predictions with the actual outcomes to see how close you were.

• Theme Thinker
  • What it is: Identify and write about the themes of the book.
  • How it helps: Deepens your understanding of the book’s deeper messages.
  • Tips: Look for recurring symbols or statements that might hint at a theme.

• Vocabulary Vault
  • What it is: Keep a list of new or interesting words you find while reading.
  • How it helps: Expands your vocabulary and improves your communication skills.
  • Tips: Try to use new words in your daily conversations or writing.

• Scene Setting Sketches
  • What it is: Draw scenes from the book to visualize the setting and action.
  • How it helps: Enhances your creative thinking and helps you remember details of the story.
  • Tips: Don’t worry about perfect drawings; focus on capturing the essence of the scenes.

• Discussion Detective
  • What it is: Discuss the book with friends or family members who have read it.
  • How it helps: Provides different perspectives and enhances comprehension.
  • Tips: Ask each other questions about why characters acted in certain ways or what might happen next.

Alright, young sleuths, you’re all set to turn your reading time into an exciting and productive adventure. By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you’ll not only enjoy your mystery crime books more, but you’ll also become a sharper, more engaged reader. So, grab your magnifying glass (and maybe a flashlight for those late-night reading sessions under the covers) and let the mysteries unfold!