[vespergirl]

Dear all,

I am planning to do a mystery-themed lit study next spring, and have to put in an order for books very soon. I searched this board for ideas, and thanks to those previous posts filled with suggestions, have settled on the following:

Murder at Midnight by Avi (for lower/reluctant readers)
Code Orange by Caroline Cooney

I need to come up with three more good titles, and am searching for 'classic' mysteries. Historical is fine; fantasy, not so much. For various reasons, I've debated and discarded The Westing Game, Chasing Vermeer and its sequels, The Skeleton Man (although it would be great for younger kids!), The Master Puppeteer, anything Agatha Christie, and The London Eye Mystery....although I have single copies to give to kids who finish the lit circle novels early. Still debating on The London Eye Mystery; I liked it but I'm not sure the kids would.

My kids are average to excellent readers. One author I'm tossing around is Joan Lowery Nixon but she's cranked out so many, it's hard to settle on one. Anyone have a particular favorite of hers?

Thanks.

[readwithme]

And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie (my higher readers do this one)

Man Who was Poe - Avi (average to lower)

[rmatwinsmom]

I always start my mystery unit with some Sherlock Holmes short stories. My class gets so into them. Some that I have done are: Speckled Band, Crown of Diamonds, and The Red-Headed league. There are so many good ones and you should be able to find them and various levels.

[MiddlingAZ]

The Name of the Game was Murder by Joan L Nixon won the 1994 Edgar for best YA mystery. Other titles of hers have been nominated, but that one was a winner.

How about Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (classic) or Hugo Cabret. I read about The Red Kayak on PT and thought it was pretty good.

Haven't had a chance to read the Newbery Medal winner, When You Reach Me, yet but sounds good. You said not fantasy; this is classified as sci fi/mystery, so maybe not what you want.

[mabeagle]

have your higher readers read them? I love all the Sherlock stories, but my kids struggle with the language. Does that make sense?

[vespergirl]

I'm still searching but have some possibilities. Middling, I'm reading that particular Nixon right now, and I had thought about When You Reach Me (love that book!) but it's so much better partnered with A Wrinkle in Time so one can understand all of the allusions. Still, a fabulous book!

[SMB]

The Face On The Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney and the Vandemark Mummy by Cynthia Voigt are two that I have used along with the Sammy Keyes mystery series by Wendelin Van Draanen.