Books About Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles · 152 titles considered

The Best Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about codes, ciphers and puzzles? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

The Nebula Secret

By Trudi Trueit · Book #1 in the Explorer Academy series

A young explorer uncovers a family secret that threatens his future at an elite academy.

216 pages· 52,975 words· Est. 6 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,160 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado leaves Hawaii for the prestigious Explorer Academy, joining kids from around the world to train as future explorers. But Cruz's journey takes a perilous turn when he discovers his family's mysterious ties to the academy, putting his future at risk. Amidst thrilling classes and augmented-reality adventures, Cruz must unravel the enigma of who is targeting him and why. With puzzles and codes to solve, Cruz's quest for answers becomes a race against time. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2020

The Inheritance Games

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes · Book #1 in the The Inheritance Games series

A mysterious inheritance thrusts Avery into a deadly game of secrets and survival.

386 pages· 87,899 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,139,328 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: Avery Grambs' life flips when she inherits a billionaire's fortune, but there's a catch: she must solve the riddles of Hawthorne House. With the disinherited Hawthorne grandsons watching her every move, Avery navigates a world of wealth, danger, and secrets. Can she unravel the mystery before it's too late?

Sale price

$2850

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

Ready Player One

By Ernest Cline · Book #1 in the Ready Player One series

In 2045, a virtual treasure hunt turns deadly as rivals vie for control of a digital empire.

480 pages· 132,733 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,335,850 ratings

$30.00Save 5%

Summary: In 2045, Wade Watts escapes his grim reality by immersing himself in the OASIS, a vast virtual world. When its creator dies, he leaves behind a series of puzzles promising immense wealth and control of the OASIS to the first solver. Wade cracks the initial clue, igniting a fierce competition with ruthless adversaries willing to kill for the prize. As the stakes rise, Wade must navigate a perilous quest filled with pop culture riddles and deadly rivals. Can he outsmart them and claim the ultimate prize, or will he become another casualty in this high-stakes game?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1978

The Westing Game

By Ellen Raskin · Puffin Modern Classics series

Sixteen heirs must solve a cryptic puzzle to claim a fortune. But what is the real game?

Newbery Medal (1979)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (1978)

182 pages· 50,662 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 240,231 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Sixteen strangers gather for the reading of eccentric millionaire Samuel W. Westing's will, only to find themselves embroiled in a mysterious game. With a fortune at stake, they must unravel cryptic clues amidst blizzards, burglaries, and bombings. As alliances form and secrets unravel, the question remains: what is the true nature of Westing's final challenge? In this twist-filled mystery, the dead man's game is just beginning, and the stakes are higher than anyone imagined. Can they solve the puzzle before it's too late?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

Mission Unstoppable

By Dan Gutman · The Genius Files series

Twins on a road trip face mysterious threats and secret codes.

304 pages· 51,368 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 7,774 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Twins Coke and Pepsi McDonald thought their family vacation was ordinary until danger struck. Chased by mysterious foes and decoding secret messages, they must uncover the truth about The Genius Files. From California's quirky museums to Wisconsin's oddities, their journey is a thrilling race against time. Can they outsmart the threats and solve the mystery before it's too late?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

Winterhouse

By Ben Guterson, Chloe Bristol (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Winterhouse series

An orphan unravels a hotel's magical secrets, risking everything to break its curse.

370 pages· 76,175 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 13,211 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Orphaned Elizabeth Somers is sent to the mysterious Winterhouse Hotel, where she uncovers a magical book of puzzles. As she delves deeper, she learns of her unique connection to the hotel and its dark secrets. With the fate of Winterhouse and her newfound friends at stake, Elizabeth must solve the mystery and break the curse. But will her discoveries come at too high a cost? Adventure and intrigue await in this enchanting tale of magic and mystery.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2015

Secret Coders

By Gene Luen Yang, Mike Holmes (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Secret Coders series

A new student uncovers secrets and unexpected friendships at their school.

88 pages· 5,114 words· Est. 57 min read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,984 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Summary: At Stately Academy, mysteries abound. Hopper and Eni, armed with coding skills and sharp minds, dive into a world of puzzles left by the school's enigmatic founder. As they unravel each clue, the stakes rise. Can they solve the academy's secrets before it's too late? This thrilling adventure blends logic, programming, and mystery, challenging young minds to think outside the box. Join Hopper and Eni on a journey where every answer leads to more questions, and the truth is just a code away.

Sale price

$1501

Picture Book · Ages 5–8

The Stinky Giant

By Assistant Professor School of Architecture Ellen Weiss, Prof Mel Friedman M S, Alessia Girasole (Illustrator)

Two siblings try to solve a riddle to save their home from a giant's floods.

48 pages· 899 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.0/5 Goodreads · 304 ratings

$15.80Save 5%

Sale price

$1976

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

Code Talker

By Joseph Bruchac

A Navajo youth becomes a secret weapon in WWII, using an unbreakable code.

231 pages· 53,166 words· Est. 5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 19,285 ratings

$20.80Save 5%

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Ned Begay, eager to serve in WWII, joins the Marines as a Navajo Code Talker. Tasked with a top-secret mission, he uses his native language to send unbreakable messages across the Pacific. From Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima, Ned faces intense battles, his role crucial yet hidden from the world. As he navigates the horrors of war, he grapples with the weight of his secret contribution, one that remains classified long after the conflict ends. How will this experience shape him, and what will he sacrifice for his country?

Sale price

$1287

Picture Book · Ages 6–8

The Giant Jelly Bean Jar

By Marcie Aboff, Paige Billin-Frye (Illustrator)

Can Ben find his voice to win the jelly bean riddle challenge?

32 pages· 847 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.0/5 Goodreads · 78 ratings

$13.55Save 5%

Summary: Ben dreams of winning a jar of jelly beans at Jo-Jo's shop by solving a riddle. Despite knowing the answers, his fear of speaking holds him back. With his sister's encouragement, can Ben find his voice and claim the sweet prize? Discover how courage and a little help can turn dreams into reality.

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Browse by age

Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about codes, ciphers and puzzles for the youngest readers and listeners.

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Sale price

$1095

A Potato on a Bike

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Can you imagine a potato on a bike? Discover more silly surprises inside!

Series

Sale price

$995

Little Michigan

Ages 0–6 · 2010

Discover state secrets through rhyming riddles and colorful clues.

Series

Sale price

$995

Little North Carolina

Ages 2–4 · 2011

Discover state secrets through rhyming riddles and vibrant clues.

Series

Sale price

$999

Riddle Diddle Rainforest

Ages 2–4 · 2019

Guess the hidden rainforest animals in this rhyming lift-the-flap adventure.

Series

Sale price

$999

Riddle Diddle Ocean

Ages 2–4 · 2019

Guess the ocean creatures hiding under the flaps in this rhyming riddle book.

View all codes, ciphers and puzzles board books

Browse by age

Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about codes, ciphers and puzzles for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Series

Sale price

$1499

I Spy Christmas

Ages 3–5 · 1992

Uncover hidden holiday treasures in a festive search-and-find adventure.

Series

Sale price

$1499

I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles

Ages 6–9 · 1992

Solve riddles and uncover hidden objects in captivating photos.

Series

Sale price

$1499

I Spy Year-Round Challenger!

Ages 4–8 · 2001

Can you solve the toughest I Spy riddles yet?

Sale price

$1799

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code

Ages 9–12 · 2018

A young Navajo boy is forced to attend a boarding school where he is forbidden to speak his native language, but later uses it to help the US military during World War II.

Sale price

$399

Silly Milly

Ages 4–8 · 2010

Why does Miss Milly prefer green over red? Unravel the riddle!

Sale price

$1899

Code Breaker, Spy Hunter

Ages 7–12 · 2021

A cryptologist unravels codes to dismantle spy rings and save lives.

Series

Sale price

$1399

Can You See What I See?

Ages 4–8 · 2002

Solve mind-bending puzzles with hidden objects and unexpected twists.

Sale price

$2195

Enigma

Ages 5–10 · 2008

Magicians' props vanish. Can Bertie solve the mystery before the show is ruined?

Series

Sale price

$399

B is for Books!

Ages 4–6 · 1996

A worm's journey through the alphabet of books.

Sale price

$1799

Each Orange Had 8 Slices

Ages 4–8 · 1992

Discover hidden math puzzles in everyday life and solve them with fun and creativity.

Series

Sale price

$495

I Spy an Egg in a Nest

Ages 4–7 · 2011

Search for hidden treasures in a springtime adventure.

Sale price

$1799

Black and White

Ages 4–7 · 1990

Four tales intertwine, revealing a single, mysterious story.

View all codes, ciphers and puzzles picture books

Browse by age

Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about codes, ciphers and puzzles for developing and independent readers.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$599

The Book of Secrets

Ages 9–14 · 2017

An orphan's quest to decode a mysterious manuscript challenges his beliefs and sense of home.

Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious

Sale price

$999

Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious

Ages 8–12 · 2011

Test your wits with puzzles and riddles from the Mysterious Benedict Society.

#6 in Series

Sale price

$1799

Mr. Lemoncello's Fantabulous Finale

Ages 8–12 · 2024

Thirteen kids compete for a gaming empire, but sabotage threatens everything. Can they save it?

Sale price

$1899

Code of Honor

Ages 12–17 · 2015

Kamran races to clear his brother's name amid terror accusations.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$1399

Danger in Zion National Park

Ages 8–12 · 2023

Cryptic clues in Zion lead friends on a perilous quest against an elusive adversary.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$699

Out of Sight

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Twins race against time to solve a mystery in the City of Lights.

Series

Sale price

$1299

The Treehouse Joke Book

Ages 6–10 · 2020

Dive into a world of endless laughs with a joke book from the Treehouse series.

#1 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$799

Big Nate Boredom Buster

Ages 8–12 · 2014

Dive into Nate's world of puzzles, comics, and creative fun. Can you outsmart boredom with his quirky crew?

#6 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$699

Big Nate Puzzlemania

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Dive into puzzles and games with Big Nate's world of fun challenges.

#5 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$699

Big Nate Super Scribbler

Ages 8–12 · 2015

Dive into puzzles and mysteries with Big Nate and friends.

#3 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$699

Big Nate Doodlepalooza

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Dive into endless fun with puzzles, mazes, and doodles in Big Nate Doodlepalooza.

Sale price

$899

Rescue

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A girl must decode her father's messages to save him and guide refugees across Nazi-occupied France.

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Keep exploring

Books about inheritances Books about problem solving Books about curses and spells Books about enchanted places Books about explorers Books about family life Books about family problems Books about giants

Our 10 Favorite Books About Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles

Great books, picked for their age.

Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles Picture Books

Codes, Ciphers And Puzzles Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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