It is important that students read a variety of genres. This article will share 10 different mystery novels for middle school students are engaging and will keep them reading. Mystery novels are very popular among middle school students. One of the most visited places in my classroom is my classroom library which is sorted by genre. Students love that they can select a bin and all of the books in it are from one genre.
When students ask me for a book recommendation (this happens often), the first question I ask them is what genre do you want to read?
As an adult, I am very selective about the genres I read – so why not extend that courtesy to my students? I ask my students to read a variety of genres and use a checklist and journal writing to track their progress – but my students can select the schedule of when they want to read each genre.
Check out the list below for mystery novel series for middle school students. A mystery novel usually involves a puzzle or problem that a character in the novel is trying to find a solution to or solve.
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10 Mystery Novels For Middle School
The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
Amy and Dan have been given a mission – find and solve the 39 clues hidden around the world in order to find out what really happened to their parents. Series Box set found here: The 39 Clues Series
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
A fourteen-year-old boy is recruited to be a spy and save the world through various missions. Series box set found here: Alex Rider Series
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
A thirteen-year-old boy from Strattenburg who dreams of being a trial lawyer one day ends up in the middle of a murder trial for what he knows. Series box set found here: Theodore Boone Series
Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano
Morgan Stockhour lives on an island in the sky with no way off and life is good until a murder occurs that rocks the floating city.
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
Lucy Carlyle takes a job at a ghost-hunting company and while on the job the agency ends up in some trouble. To solve their issue they must spend the night in the most haunted place famous for its screaming staircase.
Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock
The story of a thirteen-year-old misfit in London in the 1860s who decides to see if he can solve a murder and ends up being the accused.
Chasing The Falconers by Gordon Korman
Two children escape a juvenile detention center to try to prove their parents are innocent and prevent them from spending the rest of the lives in jail. Series box set found here: On the Run Series
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Janie Johnson realizes the picture of a three-year-old girl on the milk carton is her and tries to determine who is Janie Johnson and what happened. Series box set found here: Janie Johnson Series
For Advanced Readers
Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous detectives in the worlds. He loves to solve mysteries and enlists the help of his good friend Watson.
For students who enjoy mystery novels and are advanced readers, have them try novels by the author Agatha Christie.
12 Genre Book Reports Assignment
Love teaching with genres?
Help your students dive deeper into their reading with these 12 different genre-focused book report assignments. Each assignment enables students to showcase their creativity while meeting curriculum standards. This assignment covers both fiction and non-fiction books. The assignment structure rotates every three months helping students achieve proficiency, while still providing student choice. Assignments can be used in any order. A sample teaching schedule is provided.
Included Genres
- Realistic Fiction
- Mystery Fiction
- Graphic Novel
- Science Fiction
- Biography & Memoirs
- Historical Fiction
- Classical Fiction (pre-1970)
- Fantasy Fiction
- Non-Fiction
- Traditional Literature vs. Fractured Fairy Tales
- Sports Fiction
- Free Verse Fiction
Assignment Types:
- Written Response – critical thinking and written reflection assignment.
- Creative Choice Board – students are provided with 3 options and must select which creative option they want to produce.
- Oral Presentation – a book talk format assignment.
- Student-Created Lesson based on a non-fiction book
- Traditional Literature vs. Fractured Fairy Tales Comparison Assignment
Find the 12 Genres Book Reports resource on Shopify CAD or Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
You might also want to learn more about:
Help Your Students Love Reading with Lit Launch
Are you ready to share your passion for reading and inspire your students?
Lit Launch: Middle School Reading Professional Development is for teachers looking to create meaningful reading engagement in their classrooms.
In just three hours, this online workshop equips teachers with strategies to connect with their middle school readers, ideas for classroom management challenges and shares high-impact lesson ideas.
Workshop Includes:
- 3 Hours of Professional Development Videos
- 145 Page Workbook
- 10 Reading Resources
- Professional Development Certificate
- Supporting Resource Links
- Reading Interest Inventory
In this self-paced workshop, teachers will get actionable ideas and lessons they can implement in their classrooms.
Learn more about Lit Launch on Teachers Pay Teachers USD or Shopify CAD.
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For more great middle school books, check out this blog post – Best Middle School Book Recommendations. Also, check out some fantastic YA books in this blog post – High School Book Recommendations.
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