Here are the top 30 bestselling mysteries & detectives books for 12 year olds. Please click Read Review to read book reviews on Amazon. You can also click Find in Library to check book availability at your local library. If the default library is not correct, please follow Change Library to reset it.
1. The Boxcar Children Books 1-4
by: Gertrude Chandler Warner Release date: Sep 01, 1990 Number of Pages: 160 Find in Library Read Review |
2. Serafina and the Twisted Staff (Serafina Book 2)
by: Robert Beatty Release date: Jul 12, 2016 Number of Pages: 384 Find in Library Read Review |
Late one night while prowling through the forest, Serafina encounters a strange and terrifying figure, and then she’s attacked by the vicious wolfhounds under his control. Even worse, she’s convinced that the stranger is not alone, that he has sent his accomplice into Biltmore in disguise.
A mysterious series of attacks test Serafina’s role as Biltmore’s protector, culminating in a tragedy that tears Serafina’s best friend, Braeden Vanderbilt, from her side. Heartbroken, she flees.
Deep in the forest, she comes face-to-face with the evil infecting Biltmore–and discovers its reach is far greater than she’d ever imagined. All the humans and animals of the Blue Ridge Mountains are in terrible danger. For Serafina to defeat this new evil before it engulfs her beloved home, she must search deep inside herself and embrace the destiny that has always awaited her.
3. The Secret Keepers
by: Trenton Lee Stewart, Diana Sudyka Release date: Sep 27, 2016 Number of Pages: 512 Find in Library Read Review |
A magical watch
4. Serafina and the Black Cloak
by: Robert Beatty Release date: Jun 14, 2016 Number of Pages: 320 Find in Library Read Review |
Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear, where she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must not only face her darkest enemy, but delve into the strange mystery of her own identity.
5. Spy Ski School (Spy School)
by: Stuart Gibbs Release date: Oct 11, 2016 Number of Pages: 368 Find in Library Read Review |
Thirteen-year-old Ben Ripley is not exactly the best student spy school has ever seen–he keeps flunking Advanced Self Preservation. But outside of class, Ben is pretty great at staying alive. His enemies have kidnapped him, shot at him, locked him in a room with a ticking time bomb, and even tried to blow him up with missiles. And he’s survived every time.
After all that unexpected success, the CIA has decided to activate Ben for real.
The Mission: Become friends with Jessica Shang, the daughter of a suspected Chinese crime boss, and find out all of her father’s secrets. Jessica wants to go to ski school in the Rocky Mountains, so a select few spy school students are going skiing too–under cover, of course.
Ben might not be able to handle a weapon (or a pair of skis), but he can make friends easy peasy. That is, until his best friend from home drops in on the trip and jeopardizes the entire mission…
6. The Secret Zoo
by: Bryan Chick Release date: Dec 28, 2010 Number of Pages: 320 Find in Library Read Review |
Something strange is happening at the Clarksville City Zoo. Late at night, monkeys are scaling the walls and searching the neighborhood—but what are they looking for?
Noah, his sister Megan, and their best friends, Richie and Ella, live next door to the zoo. Megan is the first to notice the puzzling behavior of some of the animals. One day Megan disappears, and her brother and their friends realize it’s up to them to find her. Their only choice is to follow a series of clues and sneak into the zoo. But once inside, will they discover there’s much more to the Clarksville City Zoo than they could ever have guessed?
7. Thirteen Reasons Why
by: Jay Asher Release date: Jun 14, 2011 Number of Pages: 288 Find in Library Read Review |
“Eerie, beautiful, and devastating.” —Chicago Tribune
“A stealthy hit with staying power. . . . thriller-like pacing.” —The New York Times
“Thirteen Reasons Why will leave you with chills long after you have finished reading.” —Amber Gibson, NPR’s “All Things Considered”
You can’t stop the future.
You can’t rewind the past.
The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah’s voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why.
Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah’s pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.
8. Treasure Hunters: Peril at the Top of the World
by: James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, Juliana Neufeld Release date: Jul 04, 2016 Number of Pages: 384 Find in Library Read Review |
After their adventures in China and Germany, the Kidd family is ready for some rest and relaxation. But when you’re an ace treasure hunting team, there’s always another adventure waiting around the corner! This time, the Kidds head to Russia where a set of priceless paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt has gone missing. Hot on the trail of the daring thieves, the Kidds race through the sinister streets of St. Petersburg and the wild Arctic tundra to track down the stolen treasure.
9. The Spy School Collection: Spy School; Spy Camp; Evil Spy School
by: Stuart Gibbs Release date: Oct 04, 2016 Number of Pages: 1024 Find in Library Read Review |
Can an undercover nerd become a superstar agent? Ben Ripley sure hopes so—and his life may depend on it!
When Ben Ripley is recruited to the CIA’s Academy of Espionage, it’s a dream come true. But as soon as he gets on campus, Ben finds out that Spy School is way more deadly than debonair. And given his total lack of coordination and failure to grasp even the most basic spying skills, Ben begins to wonder what he’s doing here in the first place.
Luckily, through a series of hilarious misadventures, Ben realizes he could actually become a halfway decent spy…if he can survive all the attempts being made on his life!
Ideal for newcomers to the series and loyal fans alike, this collection includes paperback editions of Spy School, Spy Camp, and Evil Spy School.
10. Took: A Ghost Story
by: Mary Downing Hahn Release date: Sep 06, 2016 Number of Pages: 272 Find in Library Read Review |
11. Theodore Boone Box Set (Kid Lawyer / The Abduction / The Accused / The Activist)
by: John Grisham Release date: May 19, 2015 Number of Pages: 1152 Find in Library Read Review |
Four pulse-pounding Theodore Boone mysteries in one amazing gift set!
In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he’s only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he’s one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. And he won’t stop until justice is served!
“John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Grisham is an absolute master!”—The Washington Post
12. Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics
by: Chris Grabenstein Release date: Jan 05, 2016 Number of Pages: 288 Find in Library Read Review |
Welcome, boys and girls, readers of all ages, to the first-ever Library Olympics! Kyle and his teammates are back, and the world-famous game maker Luigi Lemoncello is at it again!
This time Mr. Lemoncello has invited teams from all across America to compete in the first-ever LIBRARY OLYMPICS. But something suspicious is going on . . . books are missing from Mr. Lemoncello’s library. Is someone trying to censor what the kids are reading?! Now it’s not just a game—can Mr. Lemoncello find the real defenders of books and champions of libraries? In between figuring out mind-boggling challenges, the kids will have to band together to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Packed with puzzles, clues, and thrilling surprises, this is a deliciously fun, action-packed sequel to the New York Times bestselling Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. Let the games begin!
13. We Were Liars
by: E. Lockhart Release date: May 13, 2014 Number of Pages: 240 Find in Library Read Review |
A New York Times Bestseller
“Haunting, sophisticated . . . a novel so twisty and well-told that it will appeal to older readers as well as to adolescents.”–Wall Street Journal
“A rich, stunning summer mystery with a sharp twist that will leave you dying to talk about the book with a pal or ten.”–Parade.com
“Thrilling, beautiful, and blisteringly smart, We Were Liars is utterly unforgettable.” – John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars
“You’re going to want to remember the title. Liars details the summers of a girl who harbors a dark secret, and delivers a satisfying, but shocking twist ending.”
– Breia Brissey, Entertainment Weekly
A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.
“An ambitious novel with an engaging voice, a clever plot and some terrific writing.”–New York Times Book Review
“No one should be talking about the shocking twist ending. What we can talk about is…[Lockhart’s] razor-sharp portrayal of a family for whom keeping up appearances is paramount and, ultimately, tragic.”–The Chicago Tribune
14. Girl’s Best Friend (A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery)
by: Leslie Margolis Release date: Oct 25, 2011 Number of Pages: 288 Find in Library Read Review |
Dogs are disappearing in her neighborhood, and Maggie Brooklyn Sinclair knows all about it. After all, she has a semi-secret after-school gig as a professional (okay, amateur) dog walker. Maggie may have a lot of leads, but she never suspected her crush Milo could be involved. . . . Margolis’s fans are flocking to this stylish tween series featuring a clever and lovable new heroine.
15. The Boxcar Children (The Boxcar Children, No. 1) (Boxcar Children Mysteries)
by: Gertrude Chandler Warner, L. Kate Deal Release date: Jan 01, 1989 Number of Pages: 154 Find in Library Read Review |
16. Treasure Hunters: Secret of the Forbidden City
by: James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, Juliana Neufeld Release date: Sep 14, 2015 Number of Pages: 448 Find in Library Read Review |
Bick and Beck Kidd are desperately trying to secure the ancient Chinese artifact that will buy their mother’s freedom from renegade pirates. But when the kidnappers force them to locate an even greater treasure–priceless paintings stolen by Nazis, the Kidds must rely on their own cunning and experience to outwit the criminals, all while their mom’s life is on the line.
17. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
by: Chris Grabenstein Release date: Jun 24, 2014 Number of Pages: 336 Find in Library Read Review |
Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!
Don’t miss bonus content in the back of the book—extra puzzles, an author Q&A, and more! And look for the next puzzle-packed adventure—Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics!
“Discover the coolest library in the world.” —James Patterson, #1 New York Times bestselling author
36 STATE AWARDS AND COUNTING — INCLUDING THE SUNSHINE STATE AWARD!
Starred Review, Booklist
* “An ode to libraries and literature that is a worthy successor to the original madman puzzle-master himself, Willy Wonka.”
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
*”Full of puzzles to think about, puns to groan at . . . this solid, tightly plotted read is a winner for readers and game-players alike.”
18. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by: E.L. Konigsburg, E.L. Konigsburg Release date: Sep 25, 2007 Number of Pages: 176 Find in Library Read Review |
Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie, find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at an auction for a bargain price of $250. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it? Claudia is determined to find out. This quest leads Claudia to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.
19. The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by: Brian Selznick Release date: Jan 30, 2007 Number of Pages: 533 Find in Library Read Review |
20. The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3)
by: Rick Riordan Release date: Apr 08, 2008 Number of Pages: 352 Find in Library Read Review |
Please note: While the cover of the book may vary the content is the same.
21. Into the Lion’s Den (Devlin Quick Mysteries, The)
by: Linda Fairstein Release date: Nov 15, 2016 Number of Pages: 320 Find in Library Read Review |
Someone has stolen a page from a rare book in the New York Public Library. At least, that’s what Devlin’s friend Liza thinks she’s seen, but she can’t be sure. Any other kid might not see a crime here, but Devlin Quick is courageous and confident, and she knows she has to bring this man to justice—even if it means breathlessly racing around the city to collect evidence. But who is this thief? And what could the page—an old map—possibly lead to? With her wits, persistence, and the help of New York City’s finest (and, okay, a little bit of help from her police commissioner mother, too), Dev and her friends piece the clues together to uncover a mystery that’s bigger than anyone expected—and more fun, too.
With all of the heart-pounding excitement that made her internationally bestselling Alexandra Cooper series a hit, Linda Fairstein paves the way for another unstoppable heroine . . . even if she is only twelve.
22. Timmy Failure: The Book You’re Not Supposed to Have
by: Stephan Pastis, Stephan Pastis Release date: Sep 01, 2016 Number of Pages: 304 Find in Library Read Review |
This book was never meant to exist. No one needs to know the details. Just know this: there’s a Merry, a Larry, a missing tooth, and a teachers’ strike that is crippling Timmy Failure’s academic future. Worst of all, Timmy is banned from detective work. It’s a conspiracy of buffoons. He recorded everything in his private notebook, but then the manuscript was stolen. If this book gets out, he will be grounded for life. Or maybe longer. And will Timmy’s mom really marry Doorman Dave?
23. As Old as Time: A Twisted Tale
by: Liz Braswell Release date: Sep 06, 2016 Number of Pages: 496 Find in Library Read Review |
24. The Abominable Snowman/Journey Under the Sea/Space and Beyond/The Lost Jewels of Nabooti/Mystery of the Maya/House of Danger (Choose Your Own Adventure 1-6) (Box Set 1)
by: R. A. Montgomery Release date: Sep 30, 2011 Number of Pages: 864 Find in Library Read Review |
25. Theodore Boone: The Scandal
by: John Grisham Release date: May 10, 2016 Number of Pages: 224 Find in Library Read Review |
When an anonymous tip leads the school board to investigate a suspicious increase in scores at another local middle school, Theo finds himself thrust in the middle of a cheating scandal. With insider knowledge and his future on the line, Theo must follow his keen instincts to do what’s right in the newest case for clever kid lawyer Theo Boone.
“Not since Nancy Drew has a nosy, crime-obsessed kid been so hard to resist.” —The New York Times
“Smartly written.” —USA Today
“Edge-of-your-seat drama, sophisticated plotting, and plenty of spunk.” —Chicago Sun-Times
“Classic Grisham.” —The Los Angeles Times
26. When You Reach Me (Yearling Newbery)
by: Rebecca Stead Release date: Dec 28, 2010 Number of Pages: 208 Find in Library Read Review |
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.
But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.
27. The Secret Series Complete Collection
by: Pseudonymous Bosch Release date: Oct 02, 2012 Number of Pages: 2016 Find in Library Read Review |
Catch up on the adventures of Cass and Max-Ernest with The Secret Series Collection. This boxed set includes all five paperback novels in the New York Times bestselling Secret Series: The Name of this Book Is Secret; If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late; This Book Is Not Good for You; This Isn’t What It Looks Like; and You Have to Stop This.
28. Book Scavenger (The Book Scavenger series)
by: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman Release date: Apr 12, 2016 Number of Pages: 368 Find in Library Read Review |
A New York Times bestseller!
For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it’s the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles). Upon her arrival, however, Emily learns that Griswold has been attacked and is now in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold himself, and might contain the only copy of his mysterious new game.
Racing against time, Emily and James rush from clue to clue, desperate to figure out the secret at the heart of Griswold’s new game?before those who attacked Griswold come after them too.
The paperback edition of Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman features a gorgeous, brightened cover and an interview with the author.
“Full of heart and replete with challenging ciphers for readers to decode, Bertman’s debut is literary cousin to classic puzzlers like The Westing Game.” ?Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library will appreciate the abundant literary allusions, and readers will hope for more adventures.” ?Shelf Awareness, starred review
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
An Indie Next List Pick
A PW Best Book for Summer
A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year
An Amazon.com Best Book of the Month
A Texas Lamplighter Award Nominee
A Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award Nominee
A Georgia Children’s Book Award Finalist
29. Summer of the Woods (The Virginia Mysteries)
by: Steven K. Smith Release date: May 11, 2013 Number of Pages: 156 Find in Library Read Review |
“A perfect summer reading adventure!”
When ten-year-old Derek and eight-year-old Sam move with their family to Virginia, they have no idea what adventures the summer will bring. As the brothers explore their creaky old house and the deep surrounding woods, they uncover a sixty-year-old mystery of a valuable coin collection stolen from the local museum. Join the boys as they spend their summer running from danger and searching the woods, secret caves, rushing waters, and hidden passageways for treasure and the rare 1877 Indian Head cent coin!
The Virginia Mysteries – Adventures with a twist of history
Book 1 – Summer of the Woods
Book 2 – Mystery on Church Hill
Book 3 – Ghosts of Belle Isle
Book 4 – Secret of the Staircase
30. The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
by: Michael Scott Release date: Jun 24, 2008 Number of Pages: 375 Find in Library Read Review |
The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330.
The legend: Nicholas Flamel discovered the secret of eternal life.
The records show that he died in 1418.
But his tomb is empty.
Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries.
The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It’s the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That’s exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.
Sometimes legends are true. And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.
“[A] A riveting fantasy…While there is plenty here to send readers rushing to their encyclopedias…those who read the book at face value will simply be caught up in the enthralling story. A fabulous read.”—SLJ, Starred
Read the whole series!
The Alchemyst
The Magician
The Sorceress
The Necromancer
The Warlock
The Enchantress
Best Selling Books for 12 year olds:
- Action & Adventure
- Activities, Crafts & Games
- Animals
- Biographies
- Classics
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Technology
- Early Learning
- Education & Reference
- Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
- History
- Holidays & Celebrations
- Humor
- Literature & Fiction
- Mysteries & Detectives
- Religions
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports & Outdoors
- Children’s Cookbooks
Recommended Books for 12 year olds:
- Action & Adventure
- Activities, Crafts & Games
- Animals
- Biographies
- Classics
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Technology
- Early Learning
- Education & Reference
- Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
- History
- Holidays & Celebrations
- Humor
- Literature & Fiction
- Mysteries & Detectives
- Religions
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports & Outdoors
- Children’s Cookbooks
Best Selling Mysteries & Detectives Books for:
- 3 Year Olds
- 4 Year Olds
- 5 Year Olds
- 6 Year Olds
- 7 Year Olds
- 8 Year Olds
- 9 Year Olds
- 10 Year Olds
- 11 Year Olds
- 12 Year Olds
- Teen & Young Adults
Recommended Mysteries & Detectives Books for:
- 3 Year Olds
- 4 Year Olds
- 5 Year Olds
- 6 Year Olds
- 7 Year Olds
- 8 Year Olds
- 9 Year Olds
- 10 Year Olds
- 11 Year Olds
- 12 Year Olds
- Teen & Young Adults
Last updated: Monday, December 5, 2016 9:34 AM