The Boys of San Joaquin by D. James SmithPaolo, his brother, and their deaf cousin go on a quest to track down the other half of a $20 bill they find in the mouth of Paolo’s dog, and learn a lot about life and making the right choices along the way. Chasing Vermeerby Blue BallietSixth graders Petra and Calder, who share a love of art and blue M&Ms, put their heads together to figure out who has stolen a Vermeer painting. They give their minds a serious workout as they try to untangle a series of puzzling clues the thief has left in the newspaper. Chet Gecko seriesby Bruce HaleChet Gecko, a hilarious wisecracking 4th grade lizard detective with an enormous appetite for such sumptuous snacks as Lice Krispie Treats, partners up with Natalie Attired, a mockingbird, to solve some of Emerson Hickey Elementary School’s most baffling mysteries. Encyclopedia Brown series From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler The Egypt Gameby Zilpha Keatley SnyderSix kids from different backgrounds and cultures share one thing in common: a love of ancient Egypt. They gather in a vacant lot and create an elaborate role-playing game that soon becomes all too real. Herculeah Jones series by Betsy ByarsHerculeah Jones uses the sleuthing skills she has picked up from her parents (a private detective mother and police officer father) to solve every crime that comes her way. She is as strong and courageous as her name suggests when confronted with dangerous—and sometimes potentially deadly—situations. Lady Grace Mysteries by Lady Patricia FinneySet in 1569, Lady Grace Cavendish, a spirited 13-year-old maid of honor to Queen Elizabeth I, solves the many intriguing mysteries that perplex the queen’s court. The series offers readers a peek at Elizabethan life and culture. Lewis Barnavelt seriesby John BellairsAfter his parents die, Lewis Barnavelt moves into his uncle’s mysterious mansion. A big fan of magic, Lewis is thrilled to learn that Uncle Jonathan is a lovable wizard. Lewis, Jonathan, Mrs. Zimmerman—their neighbor, who’s a witch–and Lewis’s friend Rose Rita encounter downright spooky mysteries and plot to outwit forces of evil. The Name of the Game Was Murderby Joan Lowery NixonAugustus Trevor, a successful writer, has written a book that details the scandalous secrets of several celebrities. He invites them to his house and promises to edit them out of the manuscript if they can solve a puzzle. When Augustus is murdered, his 15-year-old niece is determined to find the killer. Nancy Drew series Sammy Keyes seriesBy Wendelin Van DraanenSammy Keyes deals with many problems common to seventh graders: school cliques, detention, an archenemy. She also faces some not-so-typical issues: Sammy lives with her grandmother in a retirement community while her mother chases her dream in Hollywood. Unlike most other middle-schoolers, however, Sammy has a knack for solving crimes. Quick-thinking and daring, Sammy gets to the bottom of every case. The Westing Game
