Books About Criminals

The Best Criminals Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Law and Crime, featuring 15 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about criminals? 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.

#1 in Series

#4 in Series

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Criminals

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

Akata Witch

By Nnedi Okorafor · Book #1 in the The Nsibidi Scripts series

A young girl discovers her magical powers and must stop a criminal who wields magic too.

349 pages· 70,715 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 39,306 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Sunny, an albino girl in Nigeria, feels out of place until she discovers her magical abilities. Joining a group of young magic students, she learns to alter reality. But when a dangerous criminal with magic threatens their world, can they stop him in time? Dive into a world where magic and reality intertwine, and every choice could mean life or death.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2015

Code of Honor

By Alan Gratz

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

288 pages· 67,953 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 10,974 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Kamran Smith's world shatters when his brother, Darius, is accused of terrorism. Determined to prove Darius's innocence, Kamran embarks on a perilous quest, deciphering cryptic clues that could prevent a deadly attack. As friends turn against him, Kamran must confront the possibility of betrayal and danger. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late, or will his loyalty cost him everything?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2021

As Good as Dead

By Holly Jackson · Book #3 in the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series

A podcaster faces real-life danger as threats escalate and a serial killer's case resurfaces.

480 pages· 132,546 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 631,884 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Pip, a true-crime podcaster, is haunted by her last case as she prepares for college. Anonymous threats turn into real-life stalking, linking to a serial killer caught years ago. With police dismissive, Pip must unravel the truth herself or risk becoming the next victim. As the mystery deepens, her small town's secrets threaten to consume her. Can Pip solve the case before she disappears?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2022

The Clackity

By Lora Senf · Book #1 in the Blight Harbor series

A girl must outwit a sinister creature to save her aunt from a haunted world.

288 pages· 65,208 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 3,921 ratings

$17.99

Hardcover

Summary: In the haunted town of Blight Harbor, Evie Von Rathe's aunt vanishes into a forbidden slaughterhouse. To rescue her, Evie strikes a perilous deal with The Clackity, a shadowy entity demanding the ghost of a long-dead serial killer. As Evie ventures into a realm teeming with witches, ghosts, and a memory-thief, she must outsmart a relentless specter intent on claiming her soul. Can Evie navigate this eerie world and save her aunt, or is there a darker plot at play?

Sale price

$2560

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

City of Fallen Angels

By Cassandra Clare · Book #4 in the The Mortal Instruments series

Shadowhunters are being murdered, threatening peace. Clary must solve the mystery before losing everything she loves.

480 pages· 119,110 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 653,044 ratings

$26.95Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Clary Fray returns to New York, eager to embrace her Shadowhunter training and newfound love with Jace. But peace shatters as Shadowhunters are mysteriously murdered, reigniting tensions with Downworlders. Her best friend Simon faces his own crisis, leaving Clary to unravel a dark mystery alone. As Jace grows distant, Clary discovers she may have triggered a catastrophic chain of events. Can she stop the looming war and save those she loves, or will her worst fears come true? Dive into a world where trust is perilous and love could be the ultimate destruction.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–11 · 2022

Cop and Robber

By Tristan Bancks

A boy's criminal dad needs his help with a heist, but his mum is a cop.

256 pages

4.0 Goodreads · 422 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: Nash Hall's dad is a criminal who can't stay straight, and now he owes a lot of money to some very dangerous people. His plan is a big robbery, with Nash's help. The trouble is, Nash's mum is a police officer, and the target is Nash's own school. If Nash says no, it could cost both of them their lives. A tense, funny crime story.

Sale price

$1139

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2016

Stalking Jack the Ripper

By Kerri Maniscalco · Book #1 in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series

A young woman secretly investigates a series of gruesome murders, risking everything to uncover a killer.

318 pages· 87,200 words· Est. 8 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 188,327 ratings

Paperback

Summary: Audrey Rose Wadsworth, a lord's daughter, defies societal norms by studying forensic medicine in secret. Her clandestine work leads her into a chilling investigation of a serial killer. As she delves deeper, the line between her privileged life and the dark underworld blurs. Can Audrey uncover the truth before the killer strikes again? With shocking twists and real period photos, this gripping tale will keep you on edge.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2014

Jackaby

By William Ritter · Book #1 in the Jackaby series

A detective and his assistant hunt a supernatural killer in 1892 New England.

310 pages· 66,512 words· Est. 6 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 32,968 ratings

$9.95Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In 1892 New England, Abigail Rook, seeking work, joins R.F. Jackaby, a detective of the unexplained. Her first case involves a serial killer, but Jackaby suspects a supernatural culprit. As they delve deeper, Abigail is torn between Jackaby's insights and the enigmatic policeman, Charlie. Is Charlie an ally or does he hide a sinister secret? The stakes rise as they confront forces beyond the ordinary.

Sale price

$2469

Chapter Book · 2026

Winterveil

By Ava Reid

Four teenage criminals get a fresh start at a secret military academy, with a hidden mission.

448 pages

3.5 Goodreads · 896 ratings

$25.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In an alternate future where the Cold War still rages, four teenage criminals with dark skills and darker secrets are offered a fresh start at a secret military academy: a disgraced political heir, a ruthless strategist, a former pageant queen and a soldier with an enigmatic past. Instead of training to end the war, they are sent on a mysterious mission that will test their loyalties and may change the world.

Picture Book · 1977

It's So Nice to Have a Wolf Around the House

By Harry Allard, James Marshall (Illustrator)

A lonely old man welcomes a charming companion who happens to be a wolf.

4.0 Goodreads · 78 ratings

Paperback

Summary: Lonely old Mr. Bassington and his aging pets advertise for a companion, and the charming Cuthbert Q. Devine arrives at the door. He cooks, cleans and brings new life to the house, even though he is plainly a wolf. When Cuthbert falls ill, his shady past comes out, and his new family has to decide whether to stand by him.

Browse by age