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Hit the books and crack the case with these school mysteries. These books are for ages 9-12.
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A girl blows bubblegum as three other girls look on; the title reads "Bubblegum Shoes" by Goldy Moldavsky.

Bubblegum Shoes: The Case of the Contraband Closet by Goldy Moldavsky

Angst-filled and action-packed, this middle grade mystery series follows seventh grade Maya, who is no stranger to classic investigators, as she tackles school cases. Witty and evocative, each book involves a different mystery but also depicts average middle school drama.

A girl with a cat stands outside a school as students look out the window; “Last Chance Academy” title above.

Last Chance Academy: A Study in Secrets by Debbi Michiko Florence

12-year-old Meg is pulled into a mysterious treasure hunt at her new boarding school and must learn to work with her new classmates, who all have secrets of their own…

A group of teens walk through a misty forest; "The Liars Society" title and author Alyson Gerber appear above.

The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber

When the money for their school trip is stolen at their elite Boston School, Weatherby and Jack, each protecting secrets that could destroy their lives, are invited to solve this high-stakes mystery, which would guarantee their entrance into the oldest, most powerful society in the world.

A girl with a pink backpack walks down a narrow alleyway lined with old buildings; book title on the right.

Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba

One rainy night, Kazu sees a strange figure in a white kimono sneak out of his house. Was he dreaming? Did he see a ghost? The next day at school, the very same person is sitting in his class–and all his friends are convinced that the ghost-girl Akari has been their friend for years. If that isn’t weird enough, Kazu learns that his house is in the exact location of an ancient temple called Kimyō, which, legend has it, could bring the dead back to life.

A golden trophy with a dart in it on a blue background; text reads "Second to None" by Destiny Howell.

Second to None by Destiny Howell

Twelve-year-old DJ has a reputation at his middle school for being able to solve just about any problem, so when somebody starts systematically sabotaging the kids who are the usual “first-raters” it is up to DJ and his crew to get to the bottom of what is happening.

Two girls stand in a doorway as orange leaves swirl around them; title reads "Shirley & Jamila's Big Fall.

Shirley & Jamila’s Big Fall by Gillian Goerz

Starting a new school in the fall with her friend Shirley, everything is going well for Jamila until Shirley pulls her into a new assignment: stop Chuck Milton, a school bully who is using blackmail and intimidation to become school president—an assignment that will involve a bit of breaking and entering.

Four diverse kids stand together in front of a futuristic building, beneath a dark, rainy sky. Book title above.

The Extradimensional Reappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari

Returning to Earth after escaping the Martian colony, Mars Patel and his friends, along with genius billionaire Oliver Pruitt, discover that all the adults have mysteriously vanished and, as tensions rise and new mysteries are revealed, must somehow discover the truth.

Three kids stand in front of a neon sign reading "The Double Trouble Puzzle" with a shadowy figure above them.

The Double Trouble Puzzle by James Patterson

Minerva Keen faces competition in her middle school detective club as they race to solve the mystery of a once-beloved teacher’s alarming behavior.

Three girls work together with laptops and cameras in a cozy room on the cover of "The Renegade Reporters.

The Renegade Reporters by Elissa Brent Weissman

After getting kicked out of their school’s new show, reporter Ash and her friends start their own news show, getting a big lead when they discover the educational company providing their school’s software is recording their every move.

Four worried kids stand behind a camera; "The Final Cut" title is above them in bold yellow letters.

The Final Cut by Denis Markell

Trying to salvage his seventh-grade year and determined to win the school’s Golden Reel competition, Alex Davis finds himself embroiled in a mystery when someone tries to sabotage his film.

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