Middle Grade Madness! discussion

Feel free to recommend as many mystery books as you like below!
Please only recommend Middle Grade books. (Because this is a middle grade group and I know people will benefit more if the books are only middle grade.)

Please clearly label your recommendation(s) from other comments you might make like “I love that book” or “I’m reading that book right now”, etc.

Please use book links like: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone or to help people navigate around GR to find the book(s) easily.

Please include some extra details on the book (if it’s part of series, if it’s part of other genres, etc.)

Challenge: Describe why you like the book in 5-8 words!

(Reserved comment for future use)

Mystery is my absolute fave genre! And reading middle grade mysteries are so great.

My recommendations:
1. Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer.
- It’s number 4 on my all time faves shelf.
- A stand-alone novel.
- They made a tv show based on it!

2. Framed! by Malcolm Rose
- First in a series.
- Is number 39 on my all time faves shelf.
- Slightly older MG: deals with relationships, murder, nothing too graphic or obscene.

3. Framed! by James Ponti
- First in what is so far a trilogy.
- Has some serious Sherlock deduction vibes to it.

4. The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
- Stand-alone novel.
- The protagonist very accurately represents someone with OCD.

5. The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
- First in a series.
- Very quirky.

6. Look Into My Eyes by Lauren Child
- First in a series.
- Also fits into the spy genre.
- Pretty ridiculous but enjoyable in that sense.

7. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
- First in a duology.

8. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
- Stand-alone novel.
- Elaborate clues! And a book long hunt for the truth.

9. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
- First in a series.
- Has a tv show based on it.
- I would say this is on the lower end of the middle grade spectrum.

10. The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon by Ellen Raskin
- Stand-alone novel.
- Slightly ridiculous but that’s the fun of it.

I’ve read The Name of this Book Is Secret as a kid and I loved it. I didn’t even know The Westing Game was a middle grade.

My recommendation is Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator It’s a super fun series!

Ilsen wrote: "I’ve read The Name of this Book Is Secret as a kid and I loved it. I didn’t even know The Westing Game was a middle grade.

My recommendation is Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator It’s ..."

The Westing Game is defo MG. It was one big treasure hunt and I loved it. Ellen Raskin is very good at writing mysteries that are both intriguing and ridiculous.
I’m surprised Gilda Joyce isn’t on my tbr shelf already but I’ve just added it. It looks interesting.

This is kind of a supernatural mystery, not too scary, but definitely emotional.

The Inn Between

Ikenga, by Nnedi Okorafor. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
The Body Under the Piano, by Marthe Jocelyn. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Premeditated Myrtyle, by Elizabeth Bunce. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I have on my shelf waiting to be read. I read a few years ago, but I don't remember it. I might have to go back and reread it.

@Lynn every single time I see a Ruby Redfort book all I can think is that I need to reread and finish that series. The first time I read it my library only had the first 2 books and so I never got past that. If you are going to reread the 1st book I definitely would love to buddy read it with you!

@Anita those are some interesting recommendations! Alas, every time I try to read historical fiction mysteries it never ends well for me! My love for mystery doesn't seem to extend to historical fiction books

It's been way too long since I last recommended books for my fave genre so here I am yet again with more mg mystery recs (in no particular order):

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
- First in a series
- Frikking FANTASTIC!
- But very very different from the other books in the series (because this is like a set-up book).

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
- Standalone novel.
- Time travel!
- Friendship struggles.

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
- First in a series but the series doesn't really have to be read in order
- Really solid characterisations and character growth
- A life or death style clue hunt!

Bones in the Wall by Susan McCauley
- First in a series
- Set in a kind of present day alternate reality
- Interesting young protagonist
- Has horror aspects too!

Kadi wrote: "@Lynn every single time I see a Ruby Redfort book all I can think is that I need to reread and finish that series. The first time I read it my library only had the first 2 books and so I never got ..."

I would love to read this one together, but I will need to get a copy from somewhere. I think I gave up my copy when I retired.

@Lynn let me know if/when you get a copy and we can set up a BR for it! There's no rush or pressure though so tell me whenever😊

Kadi wrote: "@Lynn let me know if/when you get a copy and we can set up a BR for it! There's no rush or pressure though so tell me whenever😊"

I'll work on that. I think my local Half Price Books may have a copy.

- first of a trilogy
- great character development of the main character
- multimedia aspects


- First book in Gemini Mysteries series
- twins and their friends form a detective agency
- the end of each chapter features a picture with a clue to the case


- 5* read for me - fast paced page turner
- codes, clues, and hidden rooms
- well developed characters


- First book of two books so far
- outrageous and hilarious situations
- very smart kids


- Comic convention - Fandoms
- same sex relationship and autistic representation
- importance of family

Kadi wrote: "@Lynn let me know if/when you get a copy and we can set up a BR for it! There's no rush or pressure though so tell me whenever😊"

I forgot all about this and never looked. Maybe I'll remember next time I go. Sorry. ☹️

@Lynn I too completely forgot so no worries. But coincidentally, I just happened to download a copy of the first Ruby Redford book the other day. Literally for no reason, like I didn’t have a plan to read it or any time to read it, just an urge to read it again. So it’s funny you happen to respond to this now! The offer to buddy read the first book is still open so if you manage to find a copy of it, let me know!

I definitely recommend! ✨

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

the reading teacup | ~☕️ wrote: "I definitely recommend! ✨

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

I really loved The Goldfish Boy! I remember for a while after I was looking for other books like it but never really found any.

I just read Assassin and really liked it! It's a historical fiction mystery set in 1569 at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. I wanted something fun and fast-paced, and this definitely fit that and was better than I expected!

I recommend this series:
- based in 1893 England, clever 12 yr. old girl, solves local murder
- with nosey 'young ladies of quaility' friends and science.
- 1st three books in this series are great fun!

It’s been a while, so I’m back for a 3rd time!
2019 recommendations: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
2021: recommendations: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Snatched by Pete Hautman
- First in a trilogy
- Reporter and science geek become friends
- Small town drama

City Spies by James Ponti
- First in a series
- Found family, teen spies and saving the world
- Action/thriller

The Fall by Tristan Bancks
- Standalone novel
- Set in Australia
- Disability (scoliosis) and child of divorce representation

Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy by Richard Due
- First in a series
- Steampunk

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
- First in a series
- Adventure/fantasy/Harry Potter-esque but also very different

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
- First in a series
- Super abilities
- Set in a magical boarding school like Harry Potter

Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt
- Standalone novel
- Dystopian/Post-apocalyptic
- Adventure/thriller

When a boy named Grady inherits a 300 year old tapestry from his old neighbor who he just discovered he's related to he tries to solve the mystery of the treasure it's connected to so he can use the money to continue to live in his town before he has to move away with his dad after the death of his mom but he finds out someone else is looking for the treasure and he tries to solve the clues and find the treasure first.

I like this book because it's fast paced but also keeps you wanting it to go on and the mystery is actually interesting and not to easy to solve that it makes the book boring and there's a twist at the ending when you find out who was after the treasure. Grady is a smart and likable character and his friends Thad and Clemmie really add to the cast of characters. Definitely one of my all time favorite mysteries.

I love The Blackthorn Key and The Westing Game. I haven't found a ton of MG mysteries. Museum of Thieves was pretty good. I think it's the start of a series.

Audrey wrote: "I love The Blackthorn Key and The Westing Game. I haven't found a ton of MG mysteries. Museum of Thieves was pretty good. I think it's the start of a series."

Yes they’re both brilliant! That book sounds pretty good so I think I might read that next. It seems more dystopian than just Mystery but I don’t read a lot of MG dystopia so I find that when I do really love them, they just hit different!

Glad someone mentioned Half-Moon Investigations, one of my favorites

My recommendation is The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Strongly recommend the audiobook

San wrote: "Glad someone mentioned Half-Moon Investigations, one of my favorites

My recommendation is The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4......"

Omg hi! I’ve never met anyone who has read Half Moon Investigations let alone says it’s their favourite as well😭 I’m not being dramatic when I say this makes my day!!

I’ve actually got your recommendation on my TBR list already so I might give it a go once I finish my current read, it looks good!

Omg Kadi, I seriously thought you read this one already. I also loved The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane! It’s such a good read! I still need to read the second one!

I remember a good one :)

The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden.

Sparky - a street-smart 11-year-old living in the 1930s, in LA. Quirky characters and an enjoyable read!