5 Books for Spy-Loving Kids

Share these titles with your super sleuth who love to solve mysteries.

By Jodie Rodriguez
May 18, 2017

Ages

4-8

5 Books for Spy-Loving Kids

May 18, 2017

Hidden on many bookshelves are some super sleuth tales that your little ones are sure to enjoy. Today, we're uncovering great ninja, spy, and detective books, so grab a spyglass because your curious kids will want to explore every detail of these five books.


Nate in Nate the Great, by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, is one of the first detectives all young readers should meet. This early chapter book series is perfect for your new chapter book readers and also makes a great first chapter book read-aloud for younger children.


The Web Files by Margie Palatini is the story of two duck detectives trying to crack the case of missing food on the farm. Throughout the story, your kids will revisit familiar nursery rhyme characters which add to this comical mystery.


A Wilcox and Griswold Mystery: The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake by Robin Newman will have your kids thinking about clues and making predictions throughout the entire book. Wilcox and Griswold try to find out who took the carrot cake and they have lots of suspects on their list.


Your little ones will love the ninja's mission in Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta. In the middle of the night, a little ninja sneaks through the house in search of a yummy treat.


Spy Guy: The Not-So-Secret Agent by Jessica Young is a funny story about a child who is on a quest to find out the secret to spying. Your kids will giggle their way through the book as they go on this mission with Spy Guy.

For Enrichment: A Kitchen Table Spy Activity

Now that you have filled up on spy and mystery stories, invite your kids to practice their spy skills at the kitchen table. Not only will they have fun, but they'll also be building their visual discrimination skills. Here are the activity's easy steps:

Step 1: Cover the kitchen table with small items (silverware, crayons, small toys, buttons, coins, candy, leaves, game board pieces, etc.). The older your kids, the more items you should use.

Step 2: Have your kids sit around the table.


Step 3: Name an item, and then have your kids spot it.

Optional: If you'd like to turn the activity into a competition, you can keep score and award a point to the person who finds each object first.

Super-sleuth your way through these books and activity, and your kids will feel like literacy ninjas!

Featured Photo Credit: © ParkerDeen /iStockphoto

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