Puzzles, Codes and Scavenger Hunts: Books for Young Readers

Do you like puzzles? Codes? Brain teasers? Do you want more than just a straightforward story? Do you want to get in on the action?

If you’ve always wanted to solve a mystery, go on a scavenger hunt, test your powers of deduction, or see if you would make a good detective, here is a list of some of my favorite books that are filled with logic puzzles, secret codes, and shared clues. All are available as e-books from the New York Public Library.

For Younger Readers

Judy Moody's Mini-mysteries

Judy Moody's Mini-Mysteries and Other Stuff For Super Sleuths by Megan McDonald

Includes solve-it-yourself cases, walks you through the steps to solve simple logic puzzles, and lists items every amateur sleuth needs in their detective kit.

 

 

 

 

Kayla and King

King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code by Dori Hillestad Butler

Kayla and her friend Mason both receive the same mysterious letter written in code. Who could have sent it and can they crack the code? King knows who sent the letter, but Kayla doesn’t understand “dog”!

 

 

 

 

For Older Readers

ambrose deception

The Ambrose Deception by Emily Ecton

When they are selected to compete for a $10,000 scholarship, Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi assume that they will have to pass some sort of written test. But instead, they are each given three cryptic clues which lead them on a scavenger hunt through Chicago. None of them are exactly top students, so why were they chosen and why were they sworn to secrecy? And who would give three kids their own drivers, unlimited debit cards, and the freedom to go anywhere within Chicago’s city limits? There has to be a catch, right?

 

 

 

Book Scavenger

The Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

On his way to reveal the first clue in his latest treasure hunt, Garrison Griswald, creator of the online game "Book Scavenger," is brutally attacked on a San Francisco train platform. When Emily and James find a brand new copy of Edgar Allen Poe's The Gold Bug  behind the trash can on that same platform and discover that it holds a hidden message, they are sure that they have found Griswald's first clue. But they are not the only ones after the hidden treasure.

This is the first book in the series.

 

 

Encyclopedia Brown

The Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol

Tackle the cases in the best known of the “Solve-It-Yourself” mysteries. Can you spot the incorrect facts or the inconsistencies in witness testimony and solve each case as quickly as Encyclopedia?

 

 

 

 

Lemoncellos Library

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Twelve lucky kids get to spend the night exploring and playing in the new town library designed by the quirky game maker Luigi Lemoncello. But in the morning, instead of the doors opening to let them out, they have one more game to play. Whoever finds the hidden exit using the clues and puzzles scattered throughout the library will win the Grand Prize.

This is the first book in the series.

 

 

 

Gollywhopper Games

The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

Gil is positive he can win the Gollywhopper Games, a nationally televised contest of trivia, brain teasers, and stunts. But he’ll have to compete with others who will stop at nothing to win.

This is the first book in the series.

 

 

 

Max Finder Mysteries

Max Finder Mystery Collected Casebook by Liam O'Donnell and Craig Battle

If you’re more into graphic novels, test your powers of observation with Max and his best friend Alison. All the clues needed to solve each case are in the illustrations. 

The e-book versions are available through TumbleBookCloud Junior and TumbleBooks Library which you can access for free with a NYPL library card.

 

 

 

 

North Star

The North Star by Kat Shepherd

Sophia’s family is ready to auction off the “North Star,” an heirloom diamond necklace, at the end of their fundraiser dinner. But it disappears before it could be unveiled. Sophia is positive it was in the family safe before the dinner started, so there is a chance that it is still somewhere in the house. Sophia and her friends, Zach, Evie, and Vishal explore the grounds around the large estate looking for clues. You can too, since the clues to the theft can be found in the illustrations.

 

 

 

Ring of Rocamadour

The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil

While cleaning, elderly Mrs. Harriman finds a 20-year-old birthday card with a cryptic clue for a treasure hunt written by her late father for his then 12-year-old granddaughter. She recruits Sophie, Margo, Rebecca and Leigh Ann to solve the puzzle and find the priceless gift that has been hidden for so long.  Can you solve the word and math puzzles that have the girls searching their school and neighboring church in their Upper West Side Manhattan neighborhood?

This is the first book in the series.

 

 

Westing Game

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The multi-millionaire Samuel Westing is dead. In accordance with his will, his sixteen heirs have been paired up, given $10,000, and a set of clues. Whoever can decipher the clues and solve the mystery of his death will inherit his millions and control of his company. In this whodunit filled with family secrets, red herrings, and a bombing, can you figure out the answer?

 

 

 

 


Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.
 
Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!