Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Seaside Shenanigans

by Chris Monroe

Summary: Chico, the clever monkey, helps his friend Clark, the elephant, (Maybe include an adjective to describe Clark in order to keep it parallel to your description of Chico) solve a problem at a seaside resort.

This is a humorous “who-done-it” mystery. Since it is a fairly lengthy story and written partially in graphic novel format, I do not recommend this book as a group read aloud. This book may be enjoyed by an advanced primary school student who reads it to his/herself, or when read one on one to a younger child. The only flaw in this story is that the clues do not match with the general behavior of the culprit, which makes it difficult to guess which animal did it. This is the newest book in a series.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-tale of Mystery

by Deborah Howe

Summary: Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

This is a humorous tale with a ridiculous, though enjoyable, plot. I have recommended this book to older readers on a low reading level. They have told me that they enjoyed it. There are several other Bunnicula books to try if you like this first told tale.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: Grade 5

Tales of Mystery and Magic

by Hugh Lupton

Summary: A bewitching world of mystery and magic awaits young readers in a collection of seven stories with an uncanny edge from Chile, Greenland, India, West Africa, Seneca, Russia, and Scotland.

The digital collage illustrations contained in this book are beautiful. The stories are lengthy and each contains a few pictures. A few of these stories are fantastic, and others I enjoyed less. This book is great and fits well with this summer’s national reading theme, “One World Many Stories.”

Interest Level: grade k-6
Reading Level: grade 6

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites

by Heather Brewer

Summary: For thirteen years, Vlad, aided by his aunt and best friend, has kept secret that he is half-vampire, but when his missing teacher is replaced by a sinister substitute, he learns that there is more to being a vampire, and to his parents' deaths, than he could have guessed.

This is the first book in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. It is an excellent read for anyone who is interested in vampires without a mushy romance element. Many young adult boys have requested this action story set in the present. Although Vlad is not entirely human, his emotions and characteristics seem to resonate with male and female teens alike. The small mysteries in the story held my interest throughout the book.

Interest Level: grades 6-12
Reading Level: grade 6

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-tale Detectives

  by Michael Buckley

Summary: Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fractured fairytale. It is the first book in the Sister’s Grimm series. This is a wonderful book to recommend to older children that enjoy fractured fairytale books such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. The beginning of the book is somewhat sad, but the majority of this book is light-hearted and entertaining. The sisters’ spunky personalities soften the blow. These strong female characters will resonate with less “girly” children as well as the feminine fairy tale loving crowd.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Mysteries for Grades 6-8

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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konigsburg

Summary: A young girl has a plan, not to run away, but to run to someplace. She takes her brother along and they stay in a museum.

This book is an excellent realistic fiction book that largely about sibling relations. As a follow-up activity, a class can experiment with velvet and other materials. A trip to a museum afterwards would also be appropriate.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading  Level: grade 5

Young Adult Supernatural Reads

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Mystery Books for Beginning Readers

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Young Adult Reads on Crime

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Dark Romance for Young Adults

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Mystery Books for Young Adults

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MYSTERY BOOKS FOR FOURTH TO SIXTH GRADERS

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