Books for Kids Who Love The Boxcar Children

Set in 19th-century Amsterdam, the story follows five orphans—Lotus, Egg, Fenna, Sem, and Milou—who have spent their lives at the grim Little Tulip Orphanage, run by the cruel matron who deems them “unadoptable.” When she decides to sell them off to a corrupt businessman, the children escape and embark on an adventure to find Milou’s family. Kids will love how each orphan has a unique personality and special talent, which distinguishes the five main characters. Also, despite the dark circumstances (and occasional brush with death), the story is full of hope, friendship, and found family. Ages 9+

In this middle grade mystery, siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock start their own detective agency during their summer in Miami simply because it sounds way more exciting than any other part-time job available. But by teaming up with their grandfather and a few friends, they investigate a decades-old conspiracy. Clever and contemporary, with an unexpected environmental aspect that makes this mystery one that readers will love. Ages 9+

Jessie Alden believes her mystery-solving days with her siblings are behind her. Now in middle school, she’s a typical 7th-grade girl with dreams of becoming a journalist. But when a new classmate’s family art store experiences several strange instances, Jessie and her friends are pulled into a fresh mystery. Fans of the original series will enjoy this modern spin-off, which offers a deeper look into Jessie’s personal world. My daughter and I read this together, and I appreciated the meaningful messages about friendship and family. The story is engaging, with each chapter leaving us eager to keep reading. Ages 8+

It’s 1940s London, and Jakob and Lizzie’s mother has disappeared. She’s presumed dead, but Lizzie just knows that can’t be the case. The two siblings end up at Bletchley Park—the secret hub for British codebreakers during WWII. Jakob and other mathematicians work on ciphers, while 14-year-old Lizzie is on a secret mission to uncover what really happened to her mother. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is suspenseful while still bringing in a great deal of historical facts. Highly recommend! Ages 10+

When Nancy visits a ski resort, she expects winter fun—not a mystery. But after a series of accidents, suspicious situations, and a missing necklace, she must solve the case before Christmas is ruined. This modern reboot of the classic mystery series features a first-person narrative style, bringing the reader closer to Nancy’s world. Each book follows Nancy and her friends, Bess and George, as they solve fresh, fast-paced mysteries. While some mysteries are sinister, the books retain a lighthearted tone, perfect for tween readers. We bought this for our 10-year-old for Christmas, and she loved reading it over the holiday break. Ages 9+

Elliot and Uchenna are members of a secret society with a mission to save mythological creatures. Along with their eccentric leader, Professor Fauna, the kids travel to Nepal in search of the elusive yeti. However, they soon discover that the legendary creature is being hunted by a powerful and ruthless organization. With the help of a local Sherpa girl, they must race against time to protect the yeti and its habitat. Award-winning author Adam Gidwitz, along with coauthor Hena Khan, blend mystery, magic, and conservation for an “unputdownable” read. If your child likes this book, there are several others in the series, each featuring a different location and mythical creature. Ages 7+

8-year-old twins Ethan and Ella travel around the world with their parents, who work as travel writers. Though unsure about their new unconventional lifestyle at first, the siblings quickly discover that each destination brings dual mysteries to solve. From Paris and Venice to Mumbai and Beijing, the twins use their detective skills to identify ancient paintings, track down a lion family, or discover a secret bakery before it’s time to move on. The series cleverly blends geography, culture, and adventure, making it a fun and educational read for young explorers. Ages 7+

After their parents vanish, sisters Sabrina and Daphne Grimm move in with their eccentric grandmother in Ferryport Landing—a town where fairy tale characters are real. As the new fairy-tale detectives, the sisters must solve magical mysteries, outsmart villains, and uncover their family’s secrets. Middle-grade readers will be hooked by this nine-book series filled with familiar fairy tale characters, sinister mysteries, and plenty of adventure. Ages 8+

Set in WWII England, orphaned siblings William, Edmund, and Anna are evacuated from London to the countryside, hoping to find a new family. As they’re shuffled between temporary homes, they find comfort in books—and in the compassionate village librarian, Mrs. Müller. Much like the Boxcar Children finding a home with Grandfather Alden, the siblings in this story eventually discover a forever home with someone who truly loves them. My kids and I absolutely loved this hopeful story about resilience, family, and finding home. Ages 9+

Orphaned at an early age, siblings Amy and Dan Cahill formed a close bond with their now-deceased grandmother, Grace. In her will, she gives her relatives a choice to accept a million dollars or race against rival families to uncover 39 clues that will lead to a powerful family secret. After accepting the challenge, Amy and Dan travel to new locations, solve historical mysteries, and face dangerous enemies. The new graphic novel format brings this bestselling series to life with bold illustrations and fast-paced, condensed storytelling, making it less intimidating and more accessible to reluctant middle grade readers. Ages 9+

11-year-old Ash and 13-year-old Willow are on a family road trip when heavy fog forces them to stop at the Exit 13 motel overnight. But what is supposed to be a quick detour turns into a longer stay when their father is injured almost immediately. The siblings notice that something is not quite right about the motel and the surrounding woods—suspicious hotel staff, a mysterious wolf, and a haunting voice make Willow and Ash realize that they need to figure out what’s going on before they never have the chance to check out. The book ends on a big cliffhanger, and kids who love spooky mysteries will be clamoring for the next book in the series. Ages 8+

On a dark and stormy night, three little girls— Rita, Peggy, and Dot– mistakenly uncover a secret society of some of the most famous female spies in history. Before long, the girls team up with the experienced spies and begin to solve “real” mysteries of their own. While fictional, the books feature real women who worked as spies throughout history. The series is heavily illustrated, making it perfect for young chapter book readers who love solving mysteries. Ages 7+

Bo is used to having her mom all to herself. But when they move to Harlem to live with her mother’s boyfriend, Bo finds herself in a full house— including three other 11-year-old girls. Bo is pragmatic and organized, so she finds it very difficult to adapt to her new lifestyle and fit in with her new blended family. Kids who enjoy stories about sibling relationships or who are navigating the challenges of blended families will find this book relatable. They’ll be drawn to the experiences of four very different girls as they adjust to their new lives together in New York City, facing both everyday struggles and big changes. Ages 9+

Becca, Zack, Cam, and Thomas may seem like an unlikely group of friends, but they share a serious passion for history! As members of their school’s history club, they have an important mission: to stop the villainous History Twister from destroying the past and changing the future forever. Although different in genre and tone than the Boxcar Children series, both feature resourceful young protagonists solving mysteries and relying on teamwork. Packed with action and adventure, many kids will also love the graphic novel format. Ages 8+

Brothers Frank and Joe head to New York City with their history club and stumble upon hidden documents from the Prohibition era. The documents claim that a famous speakeasy—which became the Prohibition museum the boys are visiting–may not have been owned by the people who were arrested for its’ bootlegging operations. Frank and Joe dive into the mystery, but begin receiving threats to stop digging into the past—or else. Much like the Nancy Drew Diaries, this series is a fresh and contemporary take on the classic Hardy Boys mysteries. Ages 8+