A Middle Grade STEAM book list curated by The Children’s Book Review in partnership with Melanie Abed.
Kids who love a good mystery — whether it’s solved with a lab notebook, a magnifying glass, or sheer quick thinking — will find plenty to dig into with this roundup. These middle grade adventures put the scientific method, logic, and problem-solving front and center, proving that curiosity and courage are every young investigator’s best tools.
Here are 6 exciting STEAM mysteries for curious young problem-solvers:
Zombie Zoo: Adventures in Tub (Felix & Ninja, Book 1)
Written by Melanie Abed
Illustrated by Hisham Abed
Ages: 9-13 | 244 Pages
Publisher: Oculus Print (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9952813-0-6
What to Expect: Zombies, creative problem-solving, courage, science, STEAM learning
In the town of Spinachi, orphans Felix and Ninja want nothing to do with each other—he’s a naturalist who’d rather observe the world than interact with it, and she’s a fiercely independent, instinct-driven activist. But when disappearing green goo, strange green mists, and shuffling, shambling monsters start turning the town’s inhabitants into zombies, the two reluctant partners realize they’ll need each other’s skills—and the scientific method—to crack the case.
Fast-paced and packed with tantalizing clues, Zombie Zoo launches the Adventures in Tub series with humor, tender moments, and just the right balance of suspense and silliness for its middle grade audience. Told through multiple perspectives, this STEAM-savvy mystery is ideal for cross-curricular ELA lessons and will have readers recognizing scientific investigation as a genuine adventure.
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Chasing Vermeer
Written by Blue Balliett
Illustrated by Brett Helquist
Ages: 8-12 | Pages: 272
Publisher: Scholastic Press (2004) | ISBN: 978-0-439-37294-7
What to Expect: Art mystery, codes and puzzles, logical reasoning, intuition, sleuthing duo
When a priceless Vermeer painting vanishes amid a string of unexplainable events, sixth-graders Petra and Calder find themselves pulled into an international art scandal that has even the FBI stumped. Drawing on their instincts, powers of observation, and knack for spotting patterns, the unlikely pair must piece together clues before it’s too late. This Edgar Award-winning mystery is a longtime favorite for readers who love puzzling out a case alongside sharp, curious protagonists.
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The Mysterious Benedict Society
Written by Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrated by Carson Ellis
Ages: 8-12 | Pages: 485
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (2007) | ISBN: 978-0-316-05777-6
What to Expect: Logic puzzles, teamwork, code-breaking, resourcefulness, found family
When Reynie Muldoon answers a mysterious newspaper ad, he’s plunged into a series of increasingly tricky tests that only the sharpest, most resourceful kids can pass. Along with three other gifted children, Reynie is recruited for a secret mission that will demand every ounce of their logic, courage, and cleverness. This New York Times bestseller is packed with riddles, ciphers, and clever problem-solving that reward readers who like to think alongside the characters.
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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Written by Chris Grabenstein
Ages: 8-12 | Pages: 288
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (2013) | ISBN: 978-0-375-87089-7
What to Expect: Puzzles, logic and problem-solving, teamwork, library adventure, humor
When eccentric game maker Luigi Lemoncello designs the town’s new library, twelve-year-old Kyle Keeley is determined to be among the kids invited to its opening-night lock-in. But getting in turns out to be the easy part—when morning comes, the doors stay locked, and the kids must solve every clue and puzzle to find their way out. A #1 New York Times bestseller and modern classic, this puzzle-packed adventure channels the same investigative, think-your-way-out spirit that fans of Zombie Zoo will love.
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Space Case
Written by Stuart Gibbs
Ages: 8-12 | 368 Pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2014) | ISBN: 978-1-4424-9487-9
What to Expect: Space science, murder mystery, forensic-style investigation, humor, lunar setting
Twelve-year-old Dashiell Gibson is bored out of his mind living on Moon Base Alpha until the base’s top scientist turns up dead. Everyone else believes it was an accident, but Dash is convinced it was murder, and he’s determined to prove it before the killer strikes again. Packed with real details about lunar science and space station life, this starred-review whodunit turns cutting-edge science into the backbone of a genuinely gripping mystery.
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Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation
Written by Stuart Gibbs
Ages: 10-14 | Pages: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2019) | ISBN13: 978-1-5344-2477-7
What to Expect: Math and physics, code-breaking, high-stakes action, genius protagonist, global adventure
Charlie Thorne is a genius, a thief, and not even old enough to drive, but when a dangerous equation devised by Albert Einstein resurfaces, the CIA needs her code-breaking brilliance to find it before a shadowy group can weaponize it. Racing against time and rival agents around the globe, Charlie has to outthink everyone using real math and physics concepts woven into the chase. This series opener proves that a sharp mind for equations can be just as thrilling as any spy gadget.
