Puzzle Books for Middle School
I have always loved mysteries. If you have followed Jackie and me for a while, you will know that The Westing Game has always been one of my favorite books. In recent years, there have been so many wonderful puzzle books for middle school that I knew I needed to put them in one place, so you do not have to scour to find books worth reading.
When I started a list of the best puzzle books, there were so many great picks for middle school aged kids, I knew I needed to put the books all in one place. Most of these books are mysteries, as you would expect, but some are fantasy books as well.
Don’t be put off by the age suggestions either. Even though these are technically puzzle books for middle school aged kids, adults will love these books as well.
The Best Puzzle Books for Middle School
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Puzzle Book for Middle School
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stuart- Jump to Section
Best Fantasy Puzzle Book for Middle School
The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Puzzle Books for Ages 9-13
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Year: 2007
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 9 – 12
More info: Mysterious Benedict Society #1
Plot
This delightful story is about a group of extremely gifted children who are sent to spy on an evil organization. Together, these genius kids use logic and quick thinking to accomplish their secret mission without being caught! The children in the Mysterious Benedict Society must infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened to uncover a plot to control the minds of citizens around the world.
Why Kirsten loves it
I read this story to my boys at bedtime and it was the perfect read-aloud. We all enjoyed the complexity of the story and the silly scenarios. Years later, we watched the Disney TV adaptation as well!
Why Jackie loves it
This is the first middle-grade book in a series that is geared toward older kids. It was funny and interesting and extremely clever.
Find this book in: Middle Grade Mystery Books / Puzzle Books for Middle School/ Books like KOTLC / Secret Society Books / Best Gifts for 10-year-olds / Best Books for a 10-year-old / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Author: Chris Grabenstein
Year: 2015
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 11
More info: Mr. Lemoncello’s Library #1,
Plot
Mr. Lemoncello’s library is one of a kind. It’s full of holograms, logic puzzles, and hidden games. To officially open the new library, a few lucky kids get to spend the night inside as they try to win Mr. Lemoncello’s game and be the first team to escape.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you are looking for great bedtime stories for kids, this series will hit the mark. It will get your kids engaged with one-of-a-kid puzzles and delightful twists and turns.
Find this book in: Audiobooks for Kids / Netflix Book Adaptations / Middle Grade Mysteries / Books for 10-year-olds / Read Aloud Books / Puzzle Books for Middle School
Chasing Vermeer
Author: Blue Balliett
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Year: 2004
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8 – 11
More info: Chasing Vermeer #1
Plot
When a famed Vermeer painting goes missing, Petra and Calder are thrust into the middle of a scandal! Can they solve an art mystery that’s stumped the F.B.I.?
Why Kirsten loves it
The first in a 4 book series, this is a great book that is interactive too. There are hidden puzzles in pictures and a code for readers to break in this tween mystery book.
Find this book in: Best Books for 8-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens / Puzzle Books for Middle School/
The Maze of Bones
Author: Rick Riordan
Year: 2011
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8 – 11
More info: 39 Clues #1
Plot
Grace Cahill dies and leaves orphan siblings Amy and Dan an option – 1 million dollars or a clue. Amy and Dan decided to take the clue and figure out what happened to their parents. Along the way, they run into other families on the hunt for clues.
Why Jackie loves it
This is like The Da Vinci code for kids. It’s a kids’ mystery book series filled with secret societies, hidden secrets, and an epic quest for treasure.
Find this book in: Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities / Mystery Books for Kids / Best Books for 10-year-olds
The Westing Game
Author: Ellen Raskin
Year: 1979
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 9 – 11
More info: Newbery Medal Winner
Plot
When Mr. Westing dies, he leaves the residents of Sunset Towers named in his will. But they need to solve the mystery of his death in order to win control of his company and gain his vast fortune. Your family will love trying to work out what happened along with the characters!
Why Kirsten loves it
The tween book that got me into mysteries as a child is also great as an audiobook. This classic 70s book is still a must-read today! It has withstood the test of time.
Find this book in: Best Middle Grade Mystery Books / Books for 11-year-olds / Newbery Award Winners / Family Audiobooks / Family Inheritance Novels / Puzzle Books for Middle School/
The Inheritance Games
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Year: 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
More info: Book 1 of 5: The Inheritance Games
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I knew I had to read this YA mystery series after it was compared to one of my favorite middle-grade mystery books, The Westing Game.
In this story, Avery, a poor orphan is told she’s just inherited a billionaire’s fortune. His family is determined to get to the money, but Avery has bigger fish to fry – the riddles and puzzles the deceased Tobias Hawthorne left behind for her to solve. As she teams up with unlikely allies, she’s forced to figure out who is a friend or foe. In order to receive the money, she must follow the clues.
Why Kirsten loves it
I flew through this story and can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy!
Why Jackie loves it
I loved everything about this series, from the characters to the plot to the mystery of “why”.
Adaptation Information
Amazon purchased the rights to this book intending to make a TV series with Lionsgate Television. This announcement comes after it had stalled in production.
Find this book in: Books for 13-year-olds / Best Mystery Books for Teens / Best Puzzle Books / Cozy Mystery Books / Fun Books for Teens / Books Becoming TV Series / Best Books About Siblings / Best Books About Siblings
The Grandest Game
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Year: 2024
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
More info: December 2024 Good Morning America YA Book Club Pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are back with an annual competition worth millions. It is the second annual Grandest Game in which seven people will receive golden tickets. Some of the competitors were chosen. by the Hawthorne brothers or Avery and the rest had to find their ticket. Every person there has a reason to win the game and they will all do whatever it takes.
The competition starts with the competitors participating in the most complex escape room. Who will make it out before dawn to go on to the next stage of the game?
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to the book and could not believe it was done. There are two reasons, one is that the story is far from over but the second is that I was so invested in the story. I cannot believe I have to wait until the next book comes out.
Find this book in: Giftable Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024/ GMA Book Club List 2024 / Puzzle Books for Middle School/
Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest
Author: Chris Grabenstein
Year: 2025
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8 – 12
Plot
Chris Grabenstein, of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library fame, is back with a road-trip-based puzzle story! When brothers Benjamin and Ethan Broderick are sent on a road trip to the Grand Canyon by their parents, they aren’t sure if they will make it through the journey because they just don’t have anything in common.
But when an impromptu pancake breakfast sends them on a quest for a million dollars, they need to learn to work together to try to be the winning team in the competition!
Why Kirsten likes it
This story felt like a good introduction to Grabenstein’s puzzle stories, like the Mr. Lemoncello series, without being as complex. I liked it, but it’s hard not to compare it to the beloved series that came before, and Mr. Lemoncello just reigns supreme. #Gifted by PRH Audio.
Fantasy Puzzle Books for Middle School
The Blackthorn Key
Author: Kevin Sands
Year: 2015
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 10+
More info: The Blackthorn Key #1
Plot
Christopher Rowe is an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn, a job that involves learning to solve puzzles, crack codes, and create potions and weapons. But London’s apothecaries are being targeted by a strange cult and murders are popping up at an astounding rate. Now, Christopher needs to use his skills to discover what is threatening to tear the world apart.
Why Kirsten loves it
When I say my son devoured this series, I mean he read all 6 books in less than 2 weeks. It’s a great middle grade fantasy for tweens and even teens because it handles darker, more mature content.
Find this book in: Books like Keeper of the Lost Cities
Winterhouse
Author: Ben Guterson
Year: 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery / Fantasy
Age: 9 – 13
More info: Edgar Award Finalist, Agatha Award Finalist
Plot
Elizabeth is an orphan whose aunt and uncle have shipped her to Winterhouse for the Christmas holiday. There, she meets the owner, Norbridge Falls, and learns secrets about his slightly evil family. Along the way, she meets another child guest – Freddy – and becomes fast friends with him. Together, they unlock codes and solve puzzles. The best part is that the first page of each chapter has a mini puzzle for readers to complete.
Why Kirsten loves it
My boys and I like to listen to books together in the car or when doing a puzzle. The standout book for me this month was Winterhouse. This middle grade mystery was as enthralling to me as it was to my children. I loved the slight bits of magic in the story and the captivating setting of an expansive ski hotel on a snowy mountain at Christmas time.
Find this book in: Books for a 10-Year-Old / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Hotel Novels / Christmas Chapter Books / Family Audiobooks / Ghost Books for Tweens
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: J. K. Rowling
Year: 2015
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 10+
More info: Harry Potter #4, New York Times Bestseller
Plot
Harry Potter finds himself participating in the Triwizard Tournament when someone tricked the Goblet of Fire and entered Harry’s name. He must compete against much more experienced wizards in tasks that will bring him glory or death.
Why Kirsten loves it
Harry faces dragons, dark wizards, and mermaids while performing magic he never thought possible. He faces the Death Eaters for the first time!
Why Jackie loves it
Although the order changes sometimes, this is my second favorite Harry Potter book in the series. In my opinion, it was the first book that really showed Rowling’s potential for great storytelling. If you are reading the Harry Potter books in order, as you should, you will LOVE this book.
Find this book in: Books About Secret Societies / Harry Potter Books in Order / Dragon Books for Tweens / Puzzle Books for Middle School/
Expert Tip
The books on this list are the best puzzle book novels that Jackie and I have found for middle school aged kids. At this age, it is so important for kids to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. When you combine these skills with reading, it is a fantastic way to help kids learn and grow.
- Have a look at Jackie’s and my descriptions of the books. We have read and love these. We included descriptions and triggers if applicable, along with age ratings and why we love the books.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some great puzzle books for Middle school?
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stuart is one of the best series for middle school aged kids. These books have some really fun twists and turns. If you are looking for a stand-alone, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin is a classic!
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Epilogue
What is your favorite puzzle book for middle school? Is there a book I should add to my list?
