Solving a mystery can be very satisfying. Whether puzzling over pictures or following a trail of more complicated clues, young readers and listeners will enjoy testing their sleuthing skills with the titles below.
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Balliett, Blue
Chasing Vermeer
Illustrated by Brett Helquist.
Published to rave reviews, this novel features two 12-year-old friends whose interest in art, math, and the world around them enables them to solve a number of interrelated mysteries. Readers can get in on the action by puzzling over the clues provided in the pictures. Look for Balliett's newest title, The Wright Three, coming out soon.
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Campbell, Julie.
The Secret of the Mansion
Illustrated by Mary Stevens
Nostalgic adults may be the best audience for the recently reissued Trixie Belden books. But it's likely that many of those former fans will enjoy introducing their childhood favorites to younger readers.
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Falconer, Ian.
Olivia...and the Missing Toy
While there's not really much of a mystery here, fans of Falconer's precocious
pig will enjoy this outing featuring her typically over-the-top reaction to the loss of a favorite toy. Amusing, atmospheric illustrations add to the book's appeal.
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Haddix, Margaret
The House on the Gulf
The author of several futuristic suspense stories chooses a contemporary setting for this tale of a family in desperate straits. Twelve-year-old Britt can hardly believe that they have been lucky enough to be offered a temporary home-but maybe the situation really is too good to be true.
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Hale, Bruce
Give My Regrets to Broadway: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye
Tongue-in-cheek humor and dead-on parody of hard-boiled detective novels make this entry in a long-running series by Hale a sure-fire winner. Those who enjoy Hale's light approach and appreciate numerous puns, amusing illustrations, and fast-paced plots may also want to take a look at the series of books by cheese-loving mouse and intrepid adventurer Geronimo Stilton.
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Van Draanen, Wendelin
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
Readers who find Trixie's adventures a bit too tame will want to check out Sammy Keyes, a decidedly up-to-date seventh-grade sleuth featured in a series of hair-raising adventures. Van Draanen is also the author of the Shredderman series.
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Walsh, Ellen
Dot & Jabber and the Big Bug Mystery
Dot & Jabber and the Great Acorn Mystery
Dot & Jabber and the Mystery of the Missing Stream
Two curious mice consider the mysteries of nature in this simple series perfect for preschoolers. Walsh uses collage illustrations to create a cozy world of wonders.
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Wood, Audrey.
Alphabet Mystery
Illustrated by Bruce Wood
A follow-up to Alphabet Adventure, this colorful picture book features letters with plenty of personality working together to solve the mysterious disappearance of little x.
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