Keep kids engaged with these good 4th and 5th graders mystery books. In each of the following titles, children will be challenged to solve the mystery. There are plenty of variation in stories- creepy ancient house, murder mystery, theatre mysteries and more. 9-10 year-olds love these popular mystery books. Also check out other books from the mystery series titles.
21 mystery books for 4th & 5th graders (Ages 9-10 Years)

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Here are a few of mystery books for 4th and 5th graders. So, take out the magnifying glass, put on a thinking cap, and go for clue hunting with your little detective.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a story of four kids on a mysterious secret mission. After they pass through a series of mind-bending tests, these kids are put undercover in an institute. But with hidden tunnels and many other features, this school is more than what meets the eye.
Read for: Start of a fascinating mystery series
Sleuth & Solve: History is a collection of 20 mysteries from history For 4th Grade and above. The period covers the middle ages to Renaissance, French Revolution, and beyond. Kids are encouraged to read clues and use logical deduction and creative thinking to solve.
Read for: A fun book for the entire family
The Mystery of the Titanic takes 9 and 10 year-olds on an exploration of the tragic famous mystery. Children will learn many minute details about the ship and discover secrets resting at the bottom of the sea. Pictures, diagrams, illustrations take readers through the scientific technique used to locate the ship wreckage.
Read for: A new look at the Titanic mystery for kids
The Super Code is a fun mystery adventure chapter book. Avina has a gift of transforming black and icy hearts into loving ones through coding. But then an evil hacker programs a powerful virus.
Read how Avina and super-fairy bodyguard Floretta in an adventure to track down the hacker. They have to save the world!
Read for: Humorous school mystery series
The Westing Game is a Newbery Medal Winner mystery. Sixteen people have gathered to read the will of Sam Westing. However, his vast fortune surprisingly gets inherited by a possible murderer. Is Sam Westing playing one last game? A book your fifth grader would not be able to put down.
Read for: Smart mystery with disguises, aliases
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories is a collection of the series – books 1-4. Generations of kids grew up reading these vintage mysteries. Let your little detective get inspired by these vintage stories.
Read for: Classic mystery series for girls
The Feather Chase is the first book in the Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries series. Cousins Sophie and Jessica are different from each other. But when forced to spend the summer together they discover an abandoned briefcase inside a forest. Thus starts the story of the cousins bonding and solving mysteries.
Read for: Cousins working together solving mysteries
The Mystery of the Haunted House. Three kids Noah, Josh, and Olivia team up to spy on the haunted house. Then one of them goes missing. What do the kids do! Find out in this exciting and simple read. The story has the right level of mystery and action in it. Check out the other books from the Sycamore Street Mysteries.
Read for: A simple mystery series for Tweens
Detective Science has 40 crime activities for fourth & 5th graders to solve. Kids will learn how to use science to solve mysteries. Pretty soon your child would be an expert in making a plaster cast of a shoe, examining hair clothing fibers, and many such forensic objects.
Read for: Detective activities for tweens
Legacy of the Inventor In this Timmi Tobson book, Timmi and his friends have to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of a world-famous inventor. The book is divided into 31 chapters. A puzzle is given at the end of each chapter, where visual clues are concealed with beautiful color illustrations. A perfect reading time book for the 4th-5th grade level.
Read for: Solve it yourself mystery
Clubhouse Mysteries (Super Sleuth Collection) The four friends Ziggy, Rashawn, Jerome, and Rico form a clubhouse to solve mysteries and help communities. The black and brown characters add diversity to this book series. The stories are heart-warming and with a good message in the end. This set is the collection of five books from the popular series.
Read for: Black and brown detective boys series
Find more boy mystery books here.
The Mystery of Craven Manor 11-year-old Matt is rescued and taken to a manor. This is where the mystery of the book starts. The entire house and people in it are strange and frightening. Matt tries to escape when he finds his life in danger. Will he succeed?
Read for: Creepy mystery in old house
Shadow Jumper (A mystery adventure) Jack is allergic to the Sun and can not step into the light. He finds solace in shadow jumping at the rooftop. When his health deteriorates, he and his new friend, Beth – start their search for his missing scientist father. Only he can save Jack. Join the mysterious journey of the duo as they uncover one secret after another. A thrilling read with interesting plot twists.
Read for: Fast paced thriller
Secret Agent 6th Grader Brody’s life suddenly takes a turn when she discovers a dangerous secret. A humorous and simple book – perfect for reluctant 9-10-year-old readers.
Read for: Humorous mystery set in school background
Midnight at the Barclay Hotel is a murder mystery book for kids. A young child, Jacobson is obsessed with ghosts. He goes with his mother to a hotel – rumored to be a haunted place. There he meets two more children – Penny and Emma. Together they need to solve the murder mystery and clear the name of Jacobson’s mother. She has been accused of murder. The book is full of twists and turns. Suitable for young readers, as there is no violence.
Read for: Murder mystery (nonviolent)
The Lost Temple (Jack Jones) is a thrilling adventure book from the Jack Jones book series. The Jack Jones team discovers an ancient temple. Would they be able to track down missing articles by solving all mysteries? Join in to know. There are plenty of fun-filled surprises on the way. A book recommended for fun reading and a positive character portrait. Ideal for upper elementary grade children.
Read for: Ancient temple mystery
Stage Fright (A Diamond Minds Mystery) A teacher goes missing from the drama camp. Would The Diamond Minds Detectives trio be able to solve the mystery? The book is fast-paced, and the characters are adorable. The information about theatrical art would surely delight art lovers. A good adventurous read.
Read for: Mystery set in theatre background
The Hardy Boys – Secret Files Collection is a set of five books for the classic Hardy Boys series. The books are a slightly updated version of the classic. The mysteries are simple- keeping in mind the elementary group readers. The storyline is engaging and involves child-friendly things like video games, baseball, etc. A recommended read-aloud book for reluctant readers.
Read for: Classic Mystery
The Bowling Lane Without Any Strikes A champion bowler only bowls gutter balls on a field trip. What is the reason? Unravel the mystery with Cat Duran.
Read for: Girl detective story
The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions. Animals are disappearing without a trace. And it is up to three friends – a fox, a pangolin, and a sugar glider to solve the mystery. They are joined by their friends – a wombat, a band of coyotes, some bats. Journey to the center of the earth with the nocturnals to unravel the mystery. An animal mystery book with adorable characters and pictures.
Read for: Adorable and entertaining animal mystery
Farewell, My Lunchbag. Someone is stealing food from the school cafeteria. And Chet Gecko is hired to find the culprit. But he ends up becoming the main suspect. What would he do next? The entire Chet Gecko series is funny and makes school a fun experience. The writing is crisp and refreshing, with humorous pictures. A worthy mystery series for advanced fourth and fifth graders.
Read for: Humorous school mystery series
More Mystery Novels For Kids
Mystery books are a great way to keep children engaged in reading. Kids love being able to solve the mystery and work through different clues.
For beginner readers, start with these mystery books.
Advanced Readers would surely enjoy these middle-grade mysteries.