Mysteries for Upper Elmentary

Grades 3-5

Updated April 26, 2024
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Woof : a Bowser and Birdie novel
Quinn, Spencer
Paper Book
"I defy anyone to read this book -- kid or adult -- without a big, goofy grin." -- HARLAN COBEN, #1 New York Times bestselling authorThe New York Times Bestselling MysteryThere is trouble brewing in the Louisiana swamp -- Bowser can smell it. Bowser is a very handsome and...
R.L. 4.3
Owl's Outstanding Donuts
Yardi, Robin
Paper Book
A wild California mystery full of feathers, sprinkles, and more Ever since Mattie Waters lost her mother, she's been sharing a trailer with her aunt Molly, the proud owner of Owl's Outstanding Donuts. This hoot of a donut shop serves up delicious snacks to people driving down California's...
R.L. 5.0
Hold fast
Balliett, Blue
Paper Book
From NYT bestselling author Blue Balliett, the story of a girl who falls into Chicago's shelter system, and from there must solve the mystery of her father's strange disappearance. Where is Early's father? He's not the kind of father who would disappear. But he's gone . . . and he...
R.L. 5.2
A royal conundrum
Yee, Lisa
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER .When a notorious thief is out for priceless treasure (gems! cats! general decorum!)-who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and...
R.L. 5.8
Scream for ice cream
Keene, Carolyn
Paper Book
How can a contest this sweet turn so sticky? Nancy and her friends think there is nothing more fun than ice cream in the summer. So when they find out that the owners of the local ice-cream factory are hosting a contest, the Clue Crew can't wait to enter! Contestants must come up...
R.L. 3.4
Timmy Failure : mistakes were made
Pastis, Stephan
Paper Book
"An endearingly pathetic antihero with delusions of greatness. . . . Seldom has failure been so likable -- or so funny." -- The Wall Street Journal Take Timmy Failure--the clueless, comically self-confident CEO of the best detective agency in town, perhaps...

R.L. 3.8

Insignificant events in the life of a cactus
Bowling, Dusti
Paper Book
"Aven is a perky, hilarious, and inspiring protagonist whose attitude and humor will linger even after the last page has turned." --School Library Journal (Starred review) The paperback edition of the bestselling middle grade novel about a...
R.L. 4.6
Three times lucky
Turnage, Sheila
Paper Book
Meet Miss Moses LoBeau-rising sixth grader natural born detective, borderline straight-A student, and goddess of free enterprise. Mo washed ashore in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, eleven years ago during one of the meanest hurricanes in history, and she's been making waves ever since. ...
R.L. 3.9
Cam Jansen and the mystery of the stolen diamonds
Adler, David A.
Paper Book
"Reissued in 2007 by Viking"--T. p. verso.
R.L. 3.2
The Swifts
Lincoln, Beth
Paper Book
'A stunning debut . . . laugh-out-loud funny' - Observer Discover the hilarious New York Times bestselling mystery adventure perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Lemony Snicket. On the day they are born, each Swift is brought before the...
R.L. 6.0
Bunnicula : a rabbit tale of mystery
Howe, Deborah
Paper Book
THIS book is written by Harold. His full time occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. X (here called Monroe) and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It is because of Bunnicula that Harold turned to writing. Someone had to tell...
R.L. 4.2
The Parker inheritance
Johnson, Varian
Paper Book
A Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor winner * Four Starred Reviews * Over Ten Best-of-Year Lists"Powerful.... Johnson writes about the long shadows of the past with such ambition that any reader with a taste for mystery will appreciate the puzzle Candice and Brandon must solve." -- The New York Times...
R.L. 4.2
The lost library
Stead, Rebecca
Paper Book
Now a New York Times bestseller and a #1 Indie Bestseller, readers won't want to miss this story of a little free library guarded by a cat, and a boy who takes on the mystery it keeps. A TODAY SHOW Kids' Read Pick! * The Amazon #1 Best Book for Kids * "A...
R.L. 4.3
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library
Grabenstein, Chris
Paper Book
R.L. 4.5
The boxcar children
Warner, Gertrude Chandler
Paper Book
Four brave siblings were searching for a home - and found a life of adventure! Join the Boxcar Children as they set out on their own in the first book in this illustrated chapter book series beloved by generations of readers. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are brothers and...
R.L. 3.9
Winterborne Home for vengeance and valour
Carter, Ally
Paper Book
When 11-year-old April joins a group of kids living at Winterborne Home she doesn't expect to be there for very long. But she soon learns that this home isn't like any of the others - especially when she unearths the secret of the missing-and-presumed-dead billionaire, Gabriel Winterborne, who is...
R.L. 4.7
From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Konigsburg, E. L.
Paper Book
The million-selling, Newbery Medal-winning classic novel, one of the most celebrated and beloved children's books of all time.
R.L. 4.7
One came home
Timberlake, Amy
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Juvenile Novel "An adventure, a mystery, and a love song to the natural world. . . . Run out and read it. Right now."-Newbery Medalist...
R.L. 4.8
Wretched waterpark
White, Kiersten
Paper Book
A middle-grade mystery series that's spooky, creepy, and filled with gothic twists!Meet the Sinister-Winterbottom twins, who solve mysteries at increasingly bizarre summer vacation destinations in the hopes of being reunited with their parents-or at the very least finally finding a good churro....

R.L. 4.9

Room one : a mystery or two
Clements, Andrew
Paper Book
Ted Hammond loves a good mystery, and in the spring of his fifth-grade year, he's working on a big one. How can his school in the little town of Plattsford stay open next year if there are going to be only five students? Out here on the Great Plains in western Nebraska, everyone understands that if...
R.L. 5.1
The fairy-tale detectives
Buckley, Michael
Paper Book
Fans of fractured fairy tales will be delighted to discover the fantasy, mystery, adventure, and humor in the belovedNew York Times bestselling Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley, now with new cover art! Orphaned sisters Sabrina and Daphne are sent to live with their newly discovered...
R.L. 5.2
Wonder undercover
Swanson, Matthew
Paper Book
In the third book in the critically acclaimed middle-grade series about mystery-solving siblings, Moxie McCoy, fourth grade detective, goes undercover. Moxie joins the Wonder Scouts to investigate a suspected saboteur in the badge competition. She's never liked the Wonder...
R.L. 5.2
The Westing game
Raskin, Ellen
Paper Book
A Newbery Medal Winner For over thirty-five years, Ellen Raskin's Newbery Medal-winning The Westing Game has been an enduring favorite. The Westing Game Deluxe Anniversary Edition Before writing The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin...
R.L. 5.3
Wrecker
Hiaasen, Carl
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Wrecker needs to deal with smugglers, grave robbers, and pooping iguanas--just as soon as he finishes Zoom school. Welcome to another wild adventure in Carl Hiaasen's Florida! Valdez Jones VIII calls himself Wrecker because his great...
R.L. 5.3
York. Book one, The shadow cipher
Ruby, Laura
Paper Book
"The pleasures of the novel go far beyond the crackling, breathless plot and the satisfaction of watching the puzzle fall into place. The book is shot through with humor, both laugh-out-loud and subtle." --New York Times Book Review From National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner...
R.L. 5.3
Absolutely Truly
Frederick, Heather Vogel
Paper Book
An unsent letter in a first edition copy of Charlotte's Web leads to a hunt for treasure in this heartwarming middle grade mystery from the author of The Mother-Daughter Book Club. Now that Truly Lovejoy's father has been injured by an IED in Afghanistan and is...
R.L. 5.4
Greenglass House
Milford, Kate
Paper Book
New York Times Bestseller * National Book Award Nominee * Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery It's wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler's inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers' adopted son, plans to spend his...
R.L. 5.4
Who could that be at this hour?
Snicket, Lemony
Paper Book
A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year*A Kirkus Best Book of the Year*A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year ★ "Fans of A Series of...
R.L. 5.5
Kat Wolfe investigates
St. John, Lauren
Paper Book
Join brave Kat Wolfe and her animal sidekicks in this first mysterious adventure filled with friendship, freedom and a fierce wild cat! Kat Wolfe loves her new home in idyllic Bluebell Bay, especially as it comes with a resident wildcat. But when she starts pet-sitting for...
R.L. 5.5
Book scavenger
Bertman, Jennifer Chambliss
Paper Book
A New York Times-Bestseller! "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...
R.L. 5.5
The name of this book is secret
Bosch, Pseudonymous
Paper Book
WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!...For amongst its contents you will find:two extraordinary adventurers...a missing magician's diary...a symphony of spells...and a deadly secret.But wait, you already know too much! It is too late. I'm afraid nothing will stop you now. Open the book if you must. But,...
R.L. 5.6
The detective's assistant
Hannigan, Kate
Paper Book
Based on the extraordinary true story of America's first-ever female detective, this fast-paced adventure recounts feats of daring and danger...including saving the life of Abraham Lincoln! Eleven-year-old Nell Warne arrives on her aunt's doorstep lugging a heavy sack of...
R.L. 6.2
The murderer's ape
Wegelius, Jakob
Paper Book
A captivating mystery adventure story, with gorgeously detailed black-and-white illustrations throughout 'I don't know when I last read a book with such pure and unalloyed pleasure. It's ingenious, it's moving, it's charming, it's beautiful, it's exciting, and most importantly the...
R.L. 6.4
The case of the missing marquess
Springer, Nancy
Paper Book
Now a Netflix original movie starring Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, and Helena Bonham Carter! Meet Enola Holmes, teenaged girl turned detective and the younger sister to Sherlock Holmes. When Enola Holmes, sister to the detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her...
R.L. 6.6

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