Cornelia Funke

Christian Birmingham

The enchanting international bestseller with bonus back matter and a beautiful new cover!

Two orphaned brothers, Prosper and Bo, have run away to Venice, where crumbling canals and misty alleyways shelter a secret community of street urchins. Leader of this motley crew of lost children is a clever, charming boy with a dark history of his own: He calls himself the Thief Lord.

Propser and Bo relish their new “family” and life of petty crime. But their cruel aunt and a bumbling detective are on their trail. And posing an even greater threat to the boys’ freedom is something from a forgotten past: a beautiful magical treasure with the power to spin time itself.

The Thief Lord

Julia Donaldson

Sara Ogilvie

detectives

books and reading

A rollicking rhyming picture book from bestselling author Julia Donaldson about a dog who uses her amazing sense of smell to solve mysteries. When Detective Dog Nell puts her nose to the task, there’s no mystery she can’t solve. Whether she’s tracking the missing shoe of her human, Peter, or locating some lost honeycomb, all Nell has to do is sniff, sniff, sniff and she’s hot on the trail. Besides solving mysteries, there’s something else Nell loves—listening to children read. Every Monday, Peter takes her to school where children tell her stories. One day, Nell and Peter arrive to find that all the books are gone. Who could have taken them? And why? There’s only one dog for the job, and Detective Dog Nell is ready to sniff out the thief!

The Detective Dog

Abigail Rayner

Molly Ruttan

fixing mistakes

stealing

When Eliza Jane Murphy–line leader, captain of the worm rescue team–impulsively pockets a sparkly green stone from her classroom’s “Exploring Green” display table, her heart crumples.

My heart stopped singing. My letters went wonky. I was too heavy to swing!

I wanted to put it back . . . But what if someone saw?

But when she discovers that nearly everyone in her family took something once in their lives–from her baby brother and mom, to her nana with her sausage-stealing dog–Eliza overcomes her shame to make things right.

A hilarious and heartfelt story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing.

I Am a Thief!

Kashmira Sheth

Jeffrey Ebbeler

Hard-working Jiva might not be the only one anticipating a delicious feast of peas from his garden.
Every morning, Jiva works in his garden until the sun turns as red as a bride’s sari. He plants peas and beans, potatoes and tomatoes, eggplants and okra in his vegetable patch. When his friend Ruvji admires his plants Jiva sings,
Plump peas, sweet peas,
Lined- up-in-the-shell peas.
Peas to munch, peas to crunch
A feast of peas for lunch.
But each time Jiva is ready to pick the peas for his feast, they’re already gone. What has happened?
From the award-winning author and illustrator team who created Tiger in My Soup, this original story set in India features a deliciously amusing mystery about gardening, anticipation, hard work, and generosity.

Feast of Peas

Renata Galindo

Chef Armand’s cakes are famous for the delicious red cherries that adorn each one. But when the cherries start disappearing, he sets a trap to catch the thief, with unexpected results! What will he do with the culprit, and is there a long-term solution that will make everyone happy? A charming debut picture book filled with very visual humour.

The Cherry Thief

Lemony Snicket

Seth

The first new series by Lemony Snicket since his global phenomenon, A Series of Unfortunate Events. In a fading town, far from anyone he knew or trusted, a young Lemony Snicket began his apprenticeship in an organization nobody knows about. He began asking questions that shouldn’t have been on his mind. Now he has written an account that should not be published, in four volumes that shouldn’t be read. This is the first volume. Lemony Snicket has sold over 60 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 39 languages. His books have been made into a Hollywood movie starring Jim Carrey and in this new series, fans of his best-selling books, young and old, can dive back into the gothic darkness of his murky but humorous world.

"Who Could That Be at This Hour?"

Lydia Monks

Ladybug is ready for a vacation! When she flies into the city, the last thing she expects is to run into those no-good robbers Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len. This time, the dastardly duo have their sights set on Monkey Joe, resident of the local zoo—with his help, they hope to break into the Queen’s palace! It will take all the animals, including the Queen’s famous corgis, to put an end to this royal mischief. Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks have done it again in this latest laugh-out-loud romp!

What the Ladybug Heard at the Zoo

Maribeth Boelts

Noah Z. Jones

When Ruben, who longs to have a bike like his friend Sergios that his family cannot afford, finds money in a grocery store, he has to make a tough decision about what to do with it.

A Bike Like Sergio's

Maureen Johnson

An electric new story of teenage Cruella de Vil in an original novel inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Studios Live Action Film, Cruella.   Swinging London, Summer 1967. Sixteen-year-old Estella, gifted with talent, ingenuity, and ambition, dreams of becoming a renowned fashion designer. But life seems intent on making sure her dreams never come true. Having arrived in London as a young girl, Estella now runs wild through the city streets with Jasper and Horace, amateur thieves who double as Estella’s makeshift family and partners-in-(petty)-crime. How can Estella dedicate herself to joining the ranks of the London design elite when she’s sewing endless costumes and disguises for the trio’s heists?  When a chance encounter with Magda and Richard Moresby-Plum, two young scions of high society, vaults Estella into the world of the rich and famous, she begins to wonder whether she might be destined for more after all. Suddenly, Estella’s days are filled with glamorous parties, exclusive eateries, flirtations with an up-and-coming rock star, and, of course, the most cutting-edge fashions money can buy. But what is the true cost of keeping up with the fast crowd–and is it a price Estella is willing to pay?

Hello, Cruel Heart

Adam Jay Epstein

Wily Snare sets sail on the high seas in the third and final installment of the middle grade fantasy adventure series from Adam Jay Epstein, Snared: Voyage on the Eversteel Sea Wily’s enemies are after his throne. The man who kept him captive for much of his childhood, the evil mage Stalag, is still at large, and Wily knows the kingdom will never be safe as long as he’s a threat. Meanwhile, Wily’s father, the Infernal King, has escaped prison and he’s looking to retake power. When Wily learns the villains are traveling to the fabled Eversteel Forge to build a mechanical army, it’s up to him and his companions to journey across the sea and stop their enemies. On the way, they face piracy, betrayal, sea monster attacks, and the dangers of a mysterious desert island. But the greatest challenge is to Wily’s loyalties–and if he can forgive a father he no longer trusts. An Imprint Book Praise for Snared: Lair of the Beast: This action-packed, fast-paced read is funny, heartfelt, and filled with adventure. –School Library Journal: Xpress Reviews Praise for Snared: Escape to the Above: “A heartfelt tale filled with whimsy, wonder, and magic…truly satisfying.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Snared: Voyage on the Eversteel Sea

Mac Barnett

Mike Lowery

Mac B. is back… and this time, a new enemy is after the Crown Jewels! Will Mac solve this locked-room mystery in time?An instant New York Times bestseller!The Crown Jewels are in danger… again! When the jewels go missing from inside a locked room, Mac’s spy skills are put to the test. How did the thief break in? Where did the jewels go? And will Mac be able to solve this locked room mystery before the thief escapes? This mystery isn’t just a whodunit… it’s a howdunit!The action in this adventure is nonstop, as Mac travels to an ancient Irish castle to solve the mystery. There, he encounters everything from killer king cobras to bizarre ice sculptures… and even a revenge plot dating back hundreds of years! Will you be able to solve the mystery before Mac does? Also features historical facts masterfully woven throughout the plot, and full-color illustrations on every page. Don’t miss the installment of this totally smart and sidesplittingly funny New York Times bestselling series, Mac B., Kid Spy.

Impossible Crime

A thrilling, hilarious fully-illustrated spy adventure series, from the esteemed New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author Mac Barnett!

A New York Times bestsellerAn Amazon Best Book of 2018Before Mac Barnett was an author, he was a kid.And while he was a kid, he was a spy.Not just any spy.But a spy…for the Queen of England.James Bond meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid with this groundbreaking fully-illustrated chapter book series Mac B., Kid Spy. The precious Crown Jewels have been stolen, and there’s only one person who can help the Queen of England: her newest secret agent, Mac B. Mac travels around the globe in search of the stolen treasure…but will he find it in time?From secret identities to Karate hijinks, this fast-paced, witty and historically inspired chapter book will keep readers guessing until the very last page. With full-color illustrations and fascinating historical facts masterfully sprinkled throughout, this series offers adventure, intrigue, absurdity, history and humor. Discover this totally smart and side-splittingly funny series, and experience what it’s really like to be a kid spy.

Mac Undercover

Steve Brezenoff

A trip to the natural history museum quickly turns into a case for Gum Shoo and friends when a dinosaur, among other things, goes missing.

The Dinosaur That Disappeared

The Mystery in New York

Twelve-year-old Abigail Hensley is a socially awkward aspiring anthropologist who has always had trouble connecting with her peers. Abigail is hopeful that a week at sleepaway camp is the answer to finally making a friend. After all, her extensive research shows that summer camp is the best place to make lifelong connections. Using her tried-and-true research methods, Abigail begins to study her cabinmates for friendship potential. But just when it seems that she is off to a good start, her bunkmate’s phone gets stolen, and Abigail is the main suspect. Can she clear her name, find the real culprit, and make a friend before the week is done?

Rating Your Bunkmates and Other Camp Crimes

Janet Gurtler

Katie Wood

Cora is so excited about the upcoming school swim meet – she’s sure she and her friends will win the relay race. But when the team mascot goes missing, Cora is convinced her luck and talent has disappeared with it. She’s determined to find the culprit before it costs her team the race.

Cora's Mystery

Ron Roy

Timothy Bush

From popular A to Z Mysteries author Ron Roy comes a red, white, and blue mystery perfect for the election season! In the seventh book of the Capital Mysteries–an early chapter book mystery series featuring fun facts and famous sites from Washington, D.C.–KC and Marshall are thrilled to take a tour of the United States Treasury where stacks and stacks of money zip off the presses in the printing and engraving building, millions of dollars a day. But the friends find that a bundle of bills is missing. That’s a hundred thousand dollars - gone! How did the thief slip the money out past cameras, guards, and locked doors? KC has a suspect. She has a clue. Now she just needs to figure out how in the world it was done! Each book highlights one of the famous museums, buildings, or monuments from the Washington area and includes a map and a two-page fun fact spread with photographs. Parents, teachers, and librarians agree that these highly collectible chapter books are perfect for emerging readers and any kid who love mysteries!

Trouble at the Treasury

Lisa K. Weber

When the spacesuit of famous astronaut Sally Ride is stolen from a traveling exhibit, there’s no shortage of suspects in Capitol City. Thankfully, Amal Farah, daughter of the Air and Space Museum’s head archivist, and her friends are on the case. But they’re running out of time and clues are hard to come by. Can they solve the mystery of the space case before the one-of-a-kind artifact is lost for good?

The Case of the Stolen Space Suit

LOOT hits the jackpot. – Rick Riordan, #1  New York Times  bestselling authorOn a foggy night in Amsterdam, a man falls from a rooftop to the wet pavement below. It’s Alfie McQuinn, the notorious cat burglar, and he’s dying. As sirens wail in the distance, Alfie manages to get out two last words to his young son, March: Find jewels. But March learns that his father is not talking about a stash of loot. He’s talking about Jules, the twin sister March never knew he had. No sooner than the two find each other, they’re picked up by the police and sent to the world’s worst orphanage. It’s not prison, but it feels like it. March and Jules have no intention of staying put. They know their father’s business inside and out, and they’re tired of being pushed around. Just one good heist, and they’ll live the life of riches and freedom most kids only dream about. Watch out! There are wild kids on the loose and a crime spree coming …

Loot

Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Real-life super-sleuth and media sensation Hilde Lysiak’s reporting skills are put to the test in this fun early chapter book mystery series!Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very own early chapter book series – inspired by news stories Hilde wrote in real life! In this first book, there’s been a break-in on Orange Street! Cupcakes have been stolen, and soon a pie goes missing, too. Hilde and her sister/photographer, Izzy, must interview witnesses and follow the clues. Can Hilde crack the case in time to post her news story online? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff’s personality-filled illustrations appear on every page, bringing Hilde’s adventures to life for young readers!

Hero Dog!

Jack London

Jack London’s novels and ruggedly individual life seemed to embody American hopes, frustrations, and romantic longings in the turbulent first years of the twentieth century, years infused with the wonder and excitement of great technological and historic change. The author’s restless spirit, taste for a life of excitement, and probing mind led him on a series of hard-edged adventures from the Klondike to the South Seas. Out of these sometimes harrowing experiences – and his fascination with the theories of such thinkers as Darwin, Spencer, and Marx – came the inspiration for novels of adventure that would make him one of America’s most popular writers.The Call of the Wild, considered by many London’s greatest novel, is a gripping tale of a heroic dog that, thrust into the brutal life of the Alaska Gold Rush, ultimately faces a choice between living in man’s world and returning to nature. Adventure and dog-story enthusiasts as well as students and devotees of American literature will find this classic work a thrilling, memorable reading experience.

Call of the Wild

David A. Kelly

Mark Meyers

Batter up! Baseball action and exciting whodunits star in this series! Next up is Washington D.C. and the Nationals team!   Mike and Kate are about to face their biggest, most important mystery yet! Why? It involves the president of the United States! The president’s brother is a catcher on the Nationals baseball team, and someone is stealing his equipment! Can these super-sleuths help the commander in chief catch a criminal?  Ballpark Mysteries are the all-star matchup of fun sleuthing and baseball action, perfect for readers of Ron Roy’s A to Z Mysteries and Matt Christopher’s sports books, and younger siblings of Mike Lupica fans. Each Ballpark Mystery also features Dugout Notes, with more amazing baseball facts.

Capital Catch

Geronimo Stilton

It was spring in New Mouse City! I love to celebrate the season with my fellow mice by exchanging chocolate eggs and competing in a confectionary challenge. This year, there was also a special exhibition of priceless jeweled Mousebergé eggs in town. Then one of the Mousebergé eggs was stolen… and it was up to me to find it! Squeak! Could I chase it down?

The Chocolate Chase

Elisa Paganelli

In The Highland Falcon Thief: Adventures on Trains #1, a middle-grade series starter from MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman, a young boy is swept up in an investigation to uncover the perpetrator of a jewel theft. When eleven-year-old Harrison Hal Beck is forced to accompany his travel-writer uncle on the last journey of a royal train, he expects a boring trip spent away from video games and children his age. But then Hal spots a girl who should not be on board, and he quickly makes friends with the stowaway, Lenny. Things get even more interesting when the royal prince and princess board for the last leg of the journey–because the princess’s diamond necklace is soon stolen and replaced with a fake! Suspicion falls on the one person who isn’t supposed to be there: Lenny. It’s up to Hal, his keen observation, and his skill as a budding sketch artist to uncover the real jewel thief, clear his friend’s name, and return the diamond necklace before The Highland Falcon makes its last stop.

The Highland Falcon Thief

Doug Cushman

In the town of Ghostly, where everything is spooky, something really strange is going on: Books are disappearing! And not just any books–only those written by the famous author Edgar Bleek.Luckily ace reporter Dirk Bones is on the case. As Dirk tracks down information about the only clue–a weird spotted leaf–the mystery gets even more bizarre. What is happening in Ghostly?Expect the unexpected in this second Dirk Bones mystery about a fearless reporter in a town full of silly, creepy creatures.

Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Missing Books

Heather Vogel Frederick

In Book 3 of the newly repackaged Spy Mice series, the secret agents head to London–and uncover an international mystery. Oz Levinson is beyond excited when his family decides to spend winter vacation in England. The chance to tour London (a.k.a. James Bond’s home base) and get a break from the school bullies will make this a very jolly holiday indeed. Even better, his friend Glory Goldenleaf–world-renowned spy mouse–is along for the ride. Soon though, their vacation turns into a business trip. A series of jewel thefts have left the police baffled, and Glory has her eye on some pocket-size suspects. It looks like Goldwhiskers–the richest rat in the world–and some familiar rodent villains have their paw-prints all over this. Then the rat thieves go after the big cheese: the Crown Jewels. In a race to return England’s national treasures to safety, Glory Goldenleaf, international mouse of mystery, and her friend Oz are on the case!

Goldwhiskers

Lisa Papp

A letter arrives for Caroline, asking her to come help her uncle Aaron and cousin Lydia on their new farm for the summer. Although Caroline is reluctant to leave her family, she’s eager to lend a hand. So when she suspects that a thief has been stealing much-needed food from the farm, Caroline helps keep watch to guard against the uninvited visitor. Then she makes an unexpected discovery–and learns that some things are not as simple as they seem. The illustrated “Looking Back” section explores how America began to change at the end of the War of 1812.

Changes for Caroline

Crime reporter Hilde Lysiak has to catch a thief!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Real-life crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very own early chapter book series – inspired by real news stories she has written! In this sixth book, tomato plants are stolen from a local garden! Hilde needs to catch the thief fast. But when she and her sister Izzy interview witnesses, they discover something strange: people all around town are getting sick! Can this real-life reporter get to the ROOT of these two mysteries? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff’s personality-filled illustrations appear on every page, bringing Hilde’s adventures to life for young readers!

Thief Strikes!: A Branches Book (Hilde Cracks the Case #6), Volume 6: A Branches Book

Help Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries from A to Z!    Kids love collecting the entire alphabet and super editions! With over 8 million copies in print, the A to Z Mysteries(R) have been hooking chapter book readers on mysteries and reading for years. Now this classic kid favorite is back with a bright new look!   T is for T. Rex . . . It’s the biggest mystery yet! The kids’ friend Jud brings a surprise to Green Lawn–a giant talking, moving T. rex statue! This touring T. rex will help raise funds for a dinosaur museum. But after the show, Jud’s money disappears. Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose track down the cash and solve this prehistoric pickle?

Talking T. Rex

Macky Pamintuan

Magic, friendship, and adventure are the perfect ingredients for a new twisted fairy tales Branches series from Anna Staniszewski!Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Kara and Zed are ready for a new adventure! When Prince Charming loses the girl and the glass slipper, Kara knows this is her chance to find the shoe, foil an evil plot, and save the day. But will Kara and Zed fix the prince’s happily ever after, or wind up thrown in a dungeon? Macky Pamintuan’s illustrations are on every page, welcoming readers into the adorably silly world of the Once Upon a Fairy Tale series.

The Stolen Slipper

E is for Envelope…Dink keeps getting envelopes in the mail addressed to”D. Duncan.” But the letters inside all start with “Dear Doris” and don’t makeany sense! Josh and Ruth Rose think someone’s playing a trick on Dink. But Dinkis sure there’s more to it than that, especially after Doris herself shows upand demands her letters!

A to Z Mysteries: The Empty Envelope

Paula Harrison

Jenny Lovlie

Girl by day. Cat by night. Ready for an adventure. This chapter book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8 who are ready to read independently. It’s a fun way to keep your child engaged and as a supplement for activity books for children.Meet Kitty, a charming chapter book character with catlike superpowers. In book two in this chapter book series, Kitty must recover the priceless Golden Tiger treasure after it’s been stolen. With dramatic two-color art on every page and an emphasis on friendship, family, and building self-confidence, the Kitty books are the perfect choice for newly independent readers and fans of Rebecca Elliott’s Owl Diaries. When a new exhibition arrives at the local museum, Kitty is excited to see its most prized artifact, the Golden Tiger. Sadly, her cat, Pumpkin, won’t be able to see the Golden Tiger because pets aren’t allowed to visit the galleries. That night, Kitty decides to use her catlike superpowers to sneak Pumpkin into the museum. When they arrive, it’s just in time to see someone stealing the Golden Tiger statue! The museum’s security cat, Cleo, is devastated that she let the bandit get away. But never fear! Kitty and Pumpkin are there to help Cleo track down the culprit and recover the statue before morning.Kitty and the Tiger Treasure is the second book in a chapter book series about Kitty and her superhero adventures. With an aspirational main character, a kindle of cats, striking two-color art on every page, and fun facts included at the end of each story, these chapter books are just right for newly independent readers.

Kitty and the Tiger Treasure

A girl gets into a mouthful of trouble in this modern fractured fairy tale, from the author of The Mother-Daughter Book Club.  Once upon a time, Cat Starr lived with her astronaut mom in Houston. But when her mother gets sent on a long-term mission, Cat has to move to a far away land–her dad’s house, halfway across the country–and share a room with her real-life evil stepsister, Olivia. Just when Cat can’t take it anymore, Great-Aunt Abyssinia comes to the rescue. And things go from bad to worse. The next morning, Cat opens her mouth and a toad hops out! What’s more, when Olivia speaks, diamonds and flowers appear. How unfair is that? Before you can say “happily ever after,” the girls are on the run from jewel thieves and a government agency. Can Cat save the day–and get rid of all those toads? This is an enchanting fractured fairy tale from acclaimed Mother-Daughter Book Club author Heather Vogel Frederick.

Once Upon a Toad

Tracey West

Drake and the rest of the Dragon Masters are back for another adventure!This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! In this third book in the series, someone is trying to steal the Dragon Stone. Drake soon discovers that the thief is his friend and fellow Dragon Master, Bo! Could the dark wizard somehow be behind this? The Dragon Masters must find a way to protect the Dragon Stone–and keep Bo’s family out of danger. Will the secret to solving their problems lie with Bo’s dragon, Shu? Drake is about to find out!

Secret of the Water Dragon

Cleopatra’s space adventure in the REALLY far future continues!A mysterious thief has stolen the ancient sword Cleo recovered in Book One: Target Practice, and she’s determined to get it back. But her teachers at Yasiro Academy forbid her from risking her life, so she’s stuck at school, trying to adjust to her newfound popularity and responsibility. And when she learns more about the prophecy that names her the savior of the galaxy, she must go on a dangerous journey to find the time tablets that could decide her fate… before they fall into the wrong hands! Now a TV series on NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock!

Thief and the Sword (Cleopatra in Space #2), Volume 2

The third action-packed book in Mike Maihack’s graphic novel series featuring a young Cleopatra and her adventures in the far, REALLY far future!Cleo and her friends journey from Yasiro Academy to the city of Hykosis, where some of the most notorious thieves and assassins live. They’re in search of information about the time tablets that could determine Cleo’s fate – whether she wants them to or not. But the group is separated when Xaius Octavian’s fleet attacks their ship, and Cleo and Akila are on their own until they run into an old nemesis. Will Cleo find the information she needs and get out of Hykosis alive? Now a TV series on NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock!

Secret of the Time Tablets (Cleopatra in Space #3), Volume 3

Rebecca Elliott

Eva’s teacher is getting married–and the whole class is invited to the wedding!This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Eva’s teacher, Miss Featherbottom, is getting married. All of her students have been invited to the wedding. And Eva starts a Secret Wedding Planners Club! But before Miss Featherbottom walks down the aisle, her necklace goes missing. Eva wants to help! She quickly turns her Wedding Planners Club into a Detectives Club. Can Eva track down the missing necklace before Miss Featherbottom’s wedding is ruined?

Woodland Wedding

Bernadette Watts

While Isobel is playing with her best friend’s beautiful store-bought Doll’s House, she becomes intrigued by one of her friend’s toys–a small golden plate. But when Isobel takes the golden plate home without asking for permission, she gets more than she bargained for: the plate doesn’t look right in her handmade Doll’s House, and she feels guilty for having taken her friend’s toy. Isobel’s supportive mother helps her find a solution that makes Isobel feel better. And on Isobel’s next birthday, she is rewarded for following her heart. Bernadette Watts’s colorful, delicate illustrations are filled with wonderful details in this charming and thought-provoking story about friendship, sharing, and feelings.

Golden Plate

Peter Bently

Dodie Smith

Steven Lenton

Dalmatian dogs

rescues and rescuing

Dodie Smith’s classic tale adapted into a playful and stylish new picture book

Dalmatians Pongo and Missis live in London with their beloved owners. When Missis finds out she’s going to have puppies, they’re all thrilled! But, Missis doesn’t just have one puppy . . . or two . . . or three . . . she has fifteen! When the puppies go missing, Pongo and Missis know that there’s only one woman who can be behind the dognapping: the notorious Cruella de Vil. They strike out across the city and—with a little help from the street dogs of London—rescue their pups and many, many more from a terrible fate.

The Hundred and One Dalmatians

Harriet Whitehorn

Becka Moor

Join amateur Sherlock Holmes, Violet Remy-Robinson as she tries to track down a stolen mummy in this novel that’s part of a delightful detective series that’s perfect for fans of Robin Stevens’s Wells &amp;amp;amp; Wong mysteries!When Violet’s cousin Agnes and her Aunt Mathilde arrive from Cairo, Violet is delighted. Aunt Mathilde is a professor of Ancient Egyptology and has discovered a mummy that may be the key to revealing the secret location of Queen Nefertiti’s tomb. Violet can’t wait to find out more! So when the precious mummy is stolen from the British Museum, it’s a disaster. Who has managed to pull off this crime right under the security guards’ noses and where is the mummy now? It’s up to Violet and the gang to save the day!Beautifully designed and filled with gorgeous two-color illustrations throughout, everyone is bound to fall in love with Violet and the colorful characters that make up her world.

Violet and the Mummy Mystery

A. B. Greenfield

Sarah Horne

A smug royal cat turned detective and his dung beetle sidekick are on the case when a precious tomb gets ransacked in the Valley of the Kings. 

Ra the Mighty adores his duties as Pharaoh’s cat: naps by the pool and plenty of snacks. Being lazy is so much fun. But when a royal tomb gets robbed, Ra and his hardworking friend Khepri must team up to restore justice. The clues point to a young boy whom Ra admires. Will the Great Detective play favorites, or will he uncover the truth? Mystery awaits!

More than thirty wacky illustrations with fun historical details bring these oddball characters to life, along with a glossary, pronunciation guide, and detailed author’s note about ancient Egypt. Fans of Bad Kitty will love Ra’s witty voice and arrogant antics. Pair with companion, Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective.

Ra the Mighty: The Great Tomb Robbery

Phil Gosier

R. A. Spratt

mystery and detective

The mystery hits close to home when Friday learns her mother has been kidnapped. But she’s distracted by other happenings at school: a new VIP student (a Norwegian princess!) has just arrived and a master thief called the Pimpernel is causing chaos across campus. Can Friday crack the case of her missing mother, reign in a royal brat, and unmask the elusive Pimpernel?

Big Trouble: A Friday Barnes Mystery

Dosh Archer

Detective Paw and Patrol Officer Prickles reunite for The Case of the Stolen Drumsticks! Vinnie “The Crash” McClaren’s drumsticks disappear right before the Battle of the Bands! Can Detective Paw and Patrol Officer Prickles find the culprit before the show? Young readers can learn about police procedures and detective work as they follow along with Detective Paw and try to solve the case themselves!

The Case of the Stolen Drumsticks (Detective Paw of the Law: Time to Read, Level 3)

William Shivering

Anna Earley

Artemis Fowl meets The Spiderwick Chronicles in this brand-new middle-grade fantasy series brimming with action, humor, and monsters beyond imagining.

Twelve-year-olds Arthur and Wally are determined to steal their way up the ranks of the notorious Black Feathers gang. With loan sharks chasing after Arthur’s father and Wally’s brother’s hospital bill due, they’re in need of serious cash.

When Arthur spots some wealthy strangers exiting a derelict mansion, he smells an opportunity for a big score. Little do the boys realize, they’ve stumbled upon Weirdwood Manor, the headquarters of a magical order who protect the Balance between the Real and Imaginary worlds. When Kingsport is besieged by nightmarish Imaginary monsters, it’s up to these young thieves to save their city.

Thieves of Weirdwood

Sam Hay

Two young adventure-loving and gadget-obsessed penguins dream of joining the FBI (Frosty Bureau of Investigation) in Sam Hay’s hilarious new illustrated chapter book series, Spy Penguins. Adventure-loving penguin Jackson dreams of being a secret agent like his Uncle Bryn, who works for the Frosty Bureau of Investigation. Jackson and his gadget-inventing best friend Quigley might officially be too young to join the FBI, but they aren’t going to let that stop them! They just need to come up with the right plan to prove that they are worthy. But when one of Q’s inventions goes dangerously wrong, Jackson suddenly finds himself dropped right in the middle off an FBI stakeout. There’s fishy business afoot at the city’s aquarium; rare fish are vanishing and not even the FBI can work out what’s going on. It’s up to Jackson and Quigley to solve the crime!

Spy Penguins

Although much quieter than the farm animals that moo, cluck or oink, a gentle ladybug is instrumental in foiling a plan to steal the farm’s prize-winning cow. By the author of The Gruffalo.

What the Ladybug Heard

Someone has broken into the fancy art gallery and stolen a painting! Can Detective Paw and Patrol Officer Prickles discover who took it? Young readers can learn about police procedures and detective work as they follow along with Detective Paw and try to solve the case themselves!

The Case of the Missing Painting

Lauren Magaziner

Troublemaking George has never heard of Pilfer Academy, a top-secret school for training young crooks, until he’s kidnapped as its newest student. Between disguise classes, cracking safes, and DIY gadgets, George becomes an expert bandit and finds true friendship with Tabitha, his new partner-in-crime. But everything is ruined when George realizes he’s just too good-hearted to be a thief! Unfortunately, not thieving is not an option at Pilfer Academy. In order to gain their freedom, George and Tabitha must pull the biggest heist the school has ever seen and reveal their true colors not as thieves, but as kind (and, okay, mischievous) kids.

Pilfer Academy

Jon Burgerman

In this buoyant rhyming romp, words have gone mysteriously missing: Who stole Marlow’s happy smile, and replaced it with a crocodile? Who swiped Dingle’s sneeze–aaaaachooo!–and left a stinky cheese? The thief took Tumble’s orange, and switched it with a . . . with a . . . Hey, does anything rhyme with orange? No? Aha! Could this be the rhyming robber’s undoing? Guided by bright, clever artwork, kids are empowered to put the final clues together for themselves to solve this silly rhyme crime, then guess at the name-nabber’s next sneaky move. Splendid, satisfying, inspiring.

Rhyme Crime

Robert Quackenbush

While surfing in Hawaii, Miss Mallard launches into one of her most dangerous cases—one which involves the ownership of sacred land and leads to kidnapping, mistaken identities, bribery, blackmail, and death-defying chases.

Top 10 Thieves Books