Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Tell us about your favorite middle grade mysteries.

My favorite mystery was THE WESTING GAME by Ellen Raskin. Raskin never talked down to her young readers -- her writing is sophisticated and funny. I loved how the clues piled up, begging me, the reader, to solve the riddle before the characters.

It's old, so you probably won't find it, but try The Mystery Of The Old Violin!

My favorite MG mysteries are The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson (Half of the book takes place in the past and half in present day. I loved this book because the author was able to make both timelines equally intriguing without overshadowing either one.) And The House on the Gulf by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

I like the Shirley Link series, Shirley Link & The Safe Case, for example. They are short and quick but not written for younger readers--the writing level is firmly middle grade, even upper middle grade.

Of course, as a kid I ate up the Hardy Boys, but I can't say I'm impressed now :)

The Wells and Wong series by Robin Stevens is probably the best I've read for middle grade, though some also consider Alan Bradley's Flavia DuLuce books MG (the narrator is 11/12, but I usually find them shelved with adult mysteries, and they never felt MG to me, though there's nothing unsuitable for older children).

I really like the secret box series (the secret box, the secret cipher, and the secret fire) I'm not sure it is well known though.

Jaylyn wrote: "I really like the secret box series (the secret box, the secret cipher, and the secret fire) I'm not sure it is well known though."
I'm not familiar with it. Is this the one? The Secret Box

Thea Stilton and the Dragon's Code by Thea Stilton. It was a middle-grade mystery:)

I'm kind of picky about mysteries, so I'm always delighted when I find *good* ones. I'll sing the praises of Myrtle Hardcastle here and now.

Another favorite mystery writer is James Ponti. Smart writing. Exciting action. And prolific! (Yaaayyy!) The Framed trilogy features a kid whose observation skills are so good, he's brought in by the FBI.

If you're like me and you happen to enjoy a little paranormal twist to your mystery reading, then I'll recommend James R. Hannibal's Section 13 trilogy.

It would be criminal to forget the Mo & Dale Mysteries by Sheila Turnage! These books are such a fun blend of quirky small town details, a nod to classic noir, and genuinely puzzling crimes.

I'm a huge fan of Lemony Snicket and the All the Wrong Questions series is sort of a prequel series to ASOUE in which Lemony is the main character.

Enola Holmes (the original 6-book series) was already a favorite with me when it soared in popularity thanks to a Netflix adaptation. Since then, Nancy Springer has been adding more mysteries about Sherlock Holmes' much younger sister.

C.J. wrote: "Enola Holmes (the original 6-book series) was already a favorite with me when it soared in popularity thanks to a Netflix adaptation. Since then, Nancy Springer has been adding more mysteries about..."

Oh, I didn't know more books were being added to the series! I must add them to my reading pile ASAP!