Here are the top 30 mysteries & detectives books for 5 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. You Should, You Should
by: Ginny Tilby Release date: Oct 01, 2013 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
until friends say, “You should! You should!”
You should prance! You should sing!
Wear this hat! Stretch your wing!
Though Hippo wants to be a friend,
he wonders when the shoulds will end.
Hippo and friends will soon find out
that being yourself is what life’s about.
2. Young Cam Jansen and the Pizza Shop Mystery
by: David A. Adler, Susanna Natti Release date: May 01, 2000 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
The Cam Jansen Adventure series has been a favorite with older readers for years. Now younger readers can join in the fun with easy-to-read books featuring Young Cam Jansen and her best friend Eric. When readers are ready to make the transition to more difficult books, a familiar character will be ready and waiting for them.
“These appealing mini-mysteries will find a ready audience.”–Booklist
3. The Mystery of the Lion’s Tail (Greetings from Somewhere)
by: Harper Paris, Marcos Calo Release date: Sep 23, 2014 Number of Pages: 128 Find in Library Read Review |
Ethan, Ella, and their parents travel to the Maasai Mara in Kenya where they stay in a cabin and venture out on safaris every day in search of The Big Five game animals—the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard, the rhinoceros, and, of course, the lion. The kids are so excited when they see four of the five animals within the first few days, but where are the lions? Both Ethan and Ella could swear they’ve seen a lion’s tail poking out from behind a tree, but they cannot seem to find the animal itself!
Then, the twins talk to a boy and girl who live in the Maasai Mara. The locals give Ethan and Ella some clues about spotting lions. With a little help and some good detective work, the twins discover a whole lion family on their last day in Kenya!
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
4. The Mystery Of The Cliff House
by: Jay Kaufman Release date: Oct 07, 2014 Number of Pages: 89 Find in Library Read Review |
“Go away,” the man growls down to them. “It is not safe here.”
Adventure and mystery lurk at every turn in Jay Henry Kaufman’s charming debut children’s story, The Mystery of the Cliff House.
Lucy, Eve, and Nate have always been the ultimate sibling trio. While Lucy is cautious and level-headed, Eve is outspoken and pushes everyone to take risks. Nate, on the other hand, is surprisingly intellectual for his age.
Together they hear about a large house on nearby Little Island that will be picked up and moved farther away from the approaching seaside cliff.
Thinking it will be the perfect place to search for fossils, the three children head off in search of adventure—but find a baffling mystery, instead!
After arriving on the island, Lucy, Eve, and Nate run into a sinister man who orders them off his property—and warns them of a giant, prehistoric shark that creeps within the island’s waters…
Does the shark really exist? And who is that strange man? Readers will delight in following the clues alongside the young explorers, where they will find the answers to their questions…not to mention some thrills along the way!
5. Intrigue in Istanbul: An Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure
by: Christine Keleny Release date: Dec 25, 2015 Number of Pages: 180 Find in Library Read Review |
If you enjoy Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce, you’ll enjoy Christine Keleny’s Agnes Kelly.
Book One of the Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure Series will make you laugh, set you on the edge of your seat, and leaving you wanting more – both the older and younger reader alike.
“Agnes Kelly, a girl growing up in the 1960’s, is not unlike twelve year old girls of the 21st century. She is inquisitive, observant and thoughtful. Middle school readers will relish Intrigue in Istanbul-An Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure by Christine Keleny from start to finish. I know my middle school students will thoroughly enjoy Agnes’ exciting escapades and so will you.”
Jill Peterson, teacher of 5th & 6th Grade Language Arts, Raymond, Wisconsin
Everyone at the table is as surprised by Grandma’s little maneuver as I am, but I’m not looking at my relatives or even at Peggy, I’ve got my eyes glued on Grandma Agee. She’s reading Uncle Bob the riot act over at the dessert table…I’m concentrating hard on Grandma’s face, specifically her lips. But she’s turned ever so slightly away from me so I can only make out a bit of what she’s saying: “I told ya…” and “…button your lip.” among the finger wagging and eye scowling she’s giving poor Uncle Bob.
With Grandma’s odd reaction and my dad being gone, unable to explain himself to me ever again, I feel an urgent need to find out is what in the world did he “get into” that Grandma Agee doesn’t want me to know about.
6. Amy Is a Little Bit Chicken (The Critter Club Book 13)
by: Callie Barkley, Tracy Bishop Release date: Dec 22, 2015 Number of Pages: 129 Find in Library Read Review |
Amy has never liked being in the spotlight. When all of her friends decide to form a team for the Santa Vista Quiz Bowl, Amy isn’t so sure it’s a good idea. She knows she can answer the quiz questions…but can she do it in front of hundreds of people?
Meanwhile, the Critter Club is caring for a few chickens that need a home. And as the day of the Quiz Bowl gets closer, Amy starts to feel a little bit chicken herself! Will she get over her stage fright and help her team win?
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers!
7. The Ants Dig To China (Buck Wilder Adventures)
by: Timothy Smith Release date: Jan 01, 2007 Number of Pages: 95 Find in Library Read Review |
Buck Wilder has ten books about nature and how we are connected to everything around us. His four hard covers books, Buck Wilder’s Fishing Guide, Hiking & Camping Guide , Boating Guide and Animal Wisdom are for kids of all ages. Each is filled with fun facts and interesting highlights of nature, wild imaginative drawings, and secret hidden characters on each page.
Buck Wilder’s ten chapter books are written for the early reader – early elementary level of reading. Each book is filled with fun illustrations, hidden messages, and an unique story about our outside world and how we can have fun with it. His books have sold 500,000 copies with his most popular title being ” Who Stole the Animal Poop?”
(Timothy Smith)
8. The Mystery at the Coral Reef (Greetings from Somewhere)
by: Harper Paris, Marcos Calo Release date: Jul 21, 2015 Number of Pages: 128 Find in Library Read Review |
Ethan and Ella are in Australia, home to beautiful beaches and some of the most famous coral reefs in the world—plus tons of cool fish and other underwater creatures! And not only that, Australia is home to Ethan and Ella’s aunt, uncle, and cousin. The twins dive right into the water for some snorkeling at their cousin’s beach house, and while they’re exploring, they come across a watch that’s still ticking. Whose is it? Then they hear reports of fishermen illegally taking coral from the reefs nearby. Could Ethan and Ella be on the trail of a coral thief?
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
9. The Lost Locket (Nancy Drew Notebooks #2)
by: Carolyn Keene, Anthony Accardo, Anne Greenberg Release date: Sep 01, 1994 Number of Pages: 192 Find in Library Read Review |
10. Booger Under My Bed
by: Tona Wyatt Release date: Jan 14, 2014 Number of Pages: 24 Find in Library Read Review |
11. The Mystery in the Forbidden City (Greetings from Somewhere)
by: Harper Paris, Marcos Calo Release date: Aug 05, 2014 Number of Pages: 128 Find in Library Read Review |
From the Great Wall to the dumplings, Ethan and Ella love China so far. And the Forbidden City in Beijing doesn’t leave anything to be desired, either! When the twins get separated from their parents, however, they get do some exploring on their own.
As they are wandering, the twins happen across an ancient-looking scroll that appears to have a map on it. Being the mystery-solving duo they are, Ethan and Ella attempt to navigate the map…but they get lost in the palace. There are thousands of rooms, and they all seem to look the same! Will the twins figure out where the map is leading them? And will they ever make their way out of the Forbidden City?
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
12. The Mystery of the Icy Paw Prints (Greetings from Somewhere)
by: Harper Paris, Marcos Calo Release date: Oct 20, 2015 Number of Pages: 128 Find in Library Read Review |
Ethan and Ella are back in the USA, though they’re still far from home. While visiting Alaska, the twins see glaciers and grizzlies, kayak through fjords, and learn about polar bears! They also meet some native people who tell them that lately their food supplies have been going missing. And when Ethan and Ella spot some nearby paw prints, they wonder who the paws belong to…and if they might belong to the thief responsible for stealing all the food!
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
13. Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective: Bad Bugs Are My Business
by: David Biedrzycki, David Biedrzycki Release date: Jul 01, 2009 Number of Pages: 44 Find in Library Read Review |
14. Albert’s Halloween: The Case of the Stolen Pumpkins
by: Leslie Tryon Release date: Sep 01, 1998 Number of Pages: 40 Find in Library Read Review |
Someone has stolen eighteen pumpkins from Patsy Pig’s Pleasant Valley Pumpkin Patch! Chief Detective Albert and his pals (see below) are hot on the trail of the Pumpkin Thief — but they need your help, or there may be no jack-o’-lanterns this Halloween! Follow along as theygo from clue to clue until they finally apprehend a surprising suspect — and learn how much they didn’t see along the way!
Illustrated in the same captivating style that has made Albert and his friends beloved by so many readers, Leslie Tryon takes the Pleasant Valley gang on a new adventure as they try to unravel the spookiest Halloween mystery ever!
15. A Mystery In The Garden
by: Debra A Warren Release date: Mar 22, 2014 Number of Pages: 26 Find in Library Read Review |
16. Tramp: A Detective Story (T. K. & Associates)
by: Bill Kennedy Release date: Mar 01, 2014 Number of Pages: 176 Find in Library Read Review |
17. Andy Shane and the Barn Sale Mystery
by: Jennifer Richard Jacobson, Abby Carter Release date: Feb 09, 2016 Number of Pages: 64 Find in Library Read Review |
18. Did You Make the Hole in the Shell in the Sea?
by: Janice S. C. Petrie, Janice S. C. Petrie Release date: Nov 18, 2013 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
Winner of the 2014 Silver Falchion Award: Sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Mystery Writers of America.
“An entertaining examination of oceanographic food webs, good for both everyday read-alouds and classroom instructional use… An informational picture book that solves a whodunit of the sea in lilting, rhyming text.” Kirkus Review
Was it a shark, or did some other sea creature make a perfectly drilled hole in a clamshell? Come along and solve the mystery. “Did You Make the Hole in the Shell in the Sea?” has rhythmic and rhyming text, and simply drawn illustrations that are brightly colored and inviting. Each expressive character helps to bring the story to life, and although the story is fictitious, all of the characters tell an authentic tale of what really happens at the edge of the sea. The repetitive text and rich vocabulary make this a fun read aloud for ages 3-10 for families. This book is also an entertaining choice for any classroom teacher who’s studying the sea, and searching for a fun book packed with true facts about coastal marine life including sea stars, lobsters, clams, moon snails, and seagulls. Don’t miss this seaside adventure. The journey is about to begin. And the next time you find a shell at the beach with a perfectly drilled hole, you’ll know exactly what made the hole in the shell in the sea!
19. Fowl Play
by: Travis Nichols Release date: Aug 04, 2015 Number of Pages: 40 Find in Library Read Review |
20. The Mystery of the Secret Society (Greetings from Somewhere)
by: Harper Paris, Marcos Calo Release date: Mar 22, 2016 Number of Pages: 128 Find in Library Read Review |
Ethan and Ella have never been anywhere as cool—or as old—as Athens, Greece. Surrounded by crumbling buildings and ancient sculptures, the twins are excited to follow in their Grandpa Harry’s footsteps and explore the ruins. While they’re exploring, they stumble upon a mysterious painting on an underground wall. What is it? And what in the world is the Society of Apollo?
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
21. In a Scary Old House (Picture Puffin books)
by: Harriet Ziefert Release date: Oct 01, 1989 Number of Pages: 208 Find in Library Read Review |
22. Mystery Mansion
by: Michael Garland, Michael Garland Release date: Aug 25, 2003 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
23. Young Cam Jansen and the Molly Shoe Mystery
by: David A. Adler, Susanna Natti Release date: May 15, 2008 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
Aunt Molly is in town. Cam Jansen and her best friend, Eric Shelton, are at the airport to greet her. They find Aunt Molly, but her favorite high heels are missing! Did she leave them in Peru, or China, or behind a trash can? Cam clicks her way through this brain-twisting easy-to-read mystery.
24. Young Cam Jansen and the New Girl Mystery
by: David A. Adler, Susanna Natti Release date: May 24, 2004 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
25. The Angie Jackson Mysteries:: “The Case of the Mummy Thief”
by: Vincent Kee Release date: Dec 31, 2014 Number of Pages: 60 Find in Library Read Review |
Signed,
Angie Jackson
Entry Log March 29, 1935
26. Barnyard Mystery (Golden Sight ‘n’ Sound Book)
by: Golden Books, Pat Relf Release date: Jan 22, 1992 Number of Pages: 24 Find in Library Read Review |
27. Bones and the Cupcake Mystery #3
by: David A. Adler, Barbara Newman Release date: Mar 03, 2005 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
Perfect for new readers, this Easy-to-Read mystery series-written by the author of the popular Cam Jansen books-features easy-to-follow storylines, brief sentences, and visual clues within the illustrations.
28. Clues in the Attic (My First Graphic Novel)
by: Cari Meister, Remy Simard Release date: Oct 01, 2014 Number of Pages: 32 Find in Library Read Review |
29. Digby O’Day and the Great Diamond Robbery
by: Shirley Hughes, Clara Vulliamy Release date: Aug 25, 2015 Number of Pages: 136 Find in Library Read Review |
Digby and Percy, best friends forever, have decided to take a vacation by the sea. Little do they know they’re about to drive right into another daring adventure! No sooner do they arrive at the Hotel Splendide when a very important guest—the fabulous pop star Peaches Meow—discovers that her priceless diamond necklace is missing. Can Digby and Percy track down the sinister figures at the heart of the mystery?
30. El oficial Correa y Gloria (Spanish Edition)
by: Peggy Rathmann, Ekare Release date: Oct 29, 2012 Number of Pages: 36 Find in Library Read Review |
Best Selling Books for 5 year olds:
- Action & Adventure
- Activities, Crafts & Games
- Animals
- Biographies
- Classics
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Early Learning
- Education & Reference
- Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
- History
- Holidays & Celebrations
- Humor
- Literature & Fiction
- Mysteries & Detectives
- Religions
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Science, Nature & How It Works
- Sports & Outdoors
- Computers & Technology
Recommended Books for 5 year olds:
- Action & Adventure
- Activities, Crafts & Games
- Animals
- Biographies
- Classics
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Early Learning
- Education & Reference
- Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
- History
- Holidays & Celebrations
- Humor
- Literature & Fiction
- Mysteries & Detectives
- Religions
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Science, Nature & How It Works
- Sports & Outdoors
- Computers & Technology
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 4:30 AM