Books About Puzzles

The Best Puzzles Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about 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.

Ready Player One
#1 in Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Puzzles

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 · 1,338,461 ratings
$30.00Save 5%
Hardcover
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?
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 · 13,244 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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.
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2020

Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket

Four kids race through life-sized games to uncover a secret in Lemoncello's new factory.

304 pages· 44,667 words· Est. 5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,585 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Luigi Lemoncello, the master game maker, invites four kids to his secretive Gameworks Factory. Inside, they face colossal challenges like skyscraper Jenga and real-life Chutes and Ladders. The prize? A titanium ticket and a chance to join an elite group vying for Lemoncello's empire. As they navigate these thrilling games, the true mystery of Lemoncello's legacy unfolds. Who will claim the ultimate prize and uncover the hidden secret?
Picture Book · Ages 3–9 · 2023

I'm Just a Kid

By Chandele Morris, Jeric Tan (Illustrator)

A child learns to manage overwhelming emotions with a little help from Mom.

28 pages· 302 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.5/5 Goodreads · 235 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Ben loves puzzles but struggles with big emotions when things go awry. His frustration often leads to outbursts, leaving him and his mom searching for solutions. In 'I'm Just a Kid,' Ben embarks on a journey to understand and manage his feelings. With his mom's guidance, he discovers mindfulness and self-regulation techniques to calm his anger. Will Ben find the balance he needs to enjoy his playtime without the emotional storms? This story is a vital tool for teaching children emotional resilience and anger management, perfect for parents and educators alike.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026

Europa

By James Ponti · Book #7 in the City Spies series

Spies race to stop a criminal's escape and prevent attacks across Europe.

384 pages· 61,693 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,761 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: The City Spies face their toughest mission yet as a criminal mastermind threatens chaos unless freed. Racing through Rome, Paris, London, and Amsterdam, they must solve cryptic codes and unravel clues to prevent disaster. Can they outsmart the villain and keep Europe safe?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

The House With No Keys

A new escape room tests friendships and reveals hidden secrets.

248 pages· 47,212 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 535 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Sarah, Hannah, and West face their toughest challenge yet at The Mystery Mansion, a rival escape room promising a hefty prize. As secrets unravel and trust wavers, can they escape with their friendship intact? With everything on the line, nothing is as it seems, and not everyone plays fair. Will they outsmart the mansion or fall victim to its mysteries?
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1993

I Spy Mystery

Solve riddles and uncover hidden objects in captivating photos.

37 pages· 414 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 858 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Dive into a world of search-and-find riddles with stunning photographs. From cluttered attics to seas of marbles, each page challenges you to spot hidden objects. Can you become the ultimate I Spy detective?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

Mr. Lemoncello's Fantabulous Finale

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

304 pages· 35,361 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 890 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Kyle Keeley and twelve others face the ultimate challenge to win Mr. Lemoncello's gaming empire. As they navigate thrilling games and puzzles, a mysterious threat looms, aiming to destroy everything Mr. Lemoncello stands for. With imagination and knowledge at stake, can Kyle outsmart the saboteur and claim victory? Journey from the New York Public Library to the exhilarating Lemoncelloland amusement park, where every clue could be the key to saving the empire. Adventure, mystery, and unexpected allies await in this high-stakes race against time. Will Kyle's dreams come true, or will chaos reign?
Chapter Book · Ages 9–14 · 2018

The Alcatraz Escape

A mystery game on Alcatraz turns dangerous as sabotage threatens Emily and James.

272 pages· 50,594 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,883 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Emily and James face their toughest challenge yet on Alcatraz Island, where a literary escape-room game becomes perilous. As threatening notes and mysterious accidents unfold, Emily's brother is framed, putting his future at risk. Can Emily and James unravel the mystery before it's too late, or will their fame make them targets in a game with high stakes and hidden enemies?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

The Clockwork Ghost

By Laura Ruby · Book #2 in the York series

A cryptic puzzle threatens New York. Can three friends solve it before danger closes in?

480 pages· 82,831 words· Est. 11.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,079 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Tess, Theo, and Jaime are on a perilous quest to unravel the Old York Cipher, a mystery embedded in New York's architecture by the enigmatic Morningstarr twins. As they delve deeper, strange technology and relentless adversaries challenge their every move. With the city's foundations crumbling around them, they must decide how far they'll go to uncover the truth and if the secrets they seek are worth the cost. Will they solve the puzzle, or will the city's mysteries consume them?
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Puzzles Picture Books

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

I Spy: A Balloon

Ages 4–8 · 2005

Solve picture riddles and find hidden objects in a spring-themed adventure.

Twenty Questions

Ages 4–8 · 2023

Explore questions with endless answers and discover where they lead.

How to Catch a Bookworm

Ages 4–10

Can the kids catch the elusive Bookworm before class starts?

#8 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$599

Fun and Games

Ages 5–7 · 2023

Unicorn and Yeti navigate playful challenges in a magical world of games.

Yasmin the Doctor

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A puzzling illness challenges Doctor Yasmin's detective skills.

The ABC Mystery

Ages 3–7 · 1993

An alphabetical list holds the key to a stolen art mystery.

View all puzzles picture books
Browse by age

Puzzles Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about puzzles for developing and independent readers.

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Sleeping Dog

Ages 8–12 · 1998

Can the boy detective outsmart a schemer and solve quirky town mysteries?

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

Ages 8–12 · 2006

A mysterious box promises the meaning of life, but the keys are missing.

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Midnight Visitor

Ages 8–12 · 1977

A young detective tackles baffling mysteries, inviting readers to solve them too.

Death by Candlelight

Ages 9–14 · 1995

Can six friends solve ten mini-mysteries before time runs out?

Sale price
$699

Nate the Great and the Phony Clue

Ages 6–9 · 1977

A detective solves a case by finding the missing pieces of an invitation.

The Shadow Cipher

Ages 10–13 · 2017

Three kids race to solve a legendary New York puzzle to save their home.

Encyclopedia Brown Carries On

Ages 9–12 · 1980

A young detective unravels puzzling mysteries in his town.

Sale price
$1699

The World-Famous Nine

Ages 9–12 · 2024

Can Zander and Natasha uncover the secrets of The Nine before it's too late?

Sale price
$599

Nate the Great and the Musical Note

Ages 6–9 · 1990

A detective races against time to solve a musical riddle.

The Case of the Perfect Prank

Ages 7–10 · 2004

Can young detectives solve a puzzling mystery before it's too late?

Keep exploring
Books about codes, ciphers and puzzlesBooks about curses and spellsBooks about enchanted placesBooks about imaginary placesBooks about popular cultureBooks about problem solvingBooks about utopias

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