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Girl Heroes and Detectives

If your tweens and teens have moved beyond Nancy Drew but aren't quite ready for P.D. James, these girl-centered mysteries are just the thing. With strong heroes and gripping plots, they're bound to keep teens reading.

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The Detective's Assistant Poster Image
BOOK

The Detective's Assistant

age 8+

Action-packed female detective story champions smarts.

By: Kate Hannigan (2015)
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From the Desk of Zoe Washington Poster Image
BOOK

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

age 8+

Girl works to clear her father of a crime in smart tale.

By: Janae Marks (2020)
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Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit Poster Image
BOOK

Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit

age 8+

Action-packed mystery teaches kids detective skills.

By: Octavia Spencer (2013)
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The Real McCoys, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The Real McCoys, Book 1

age 8+

Imaginative artwork makes fun detective story a joy to read.

By: Matthew Swanson (2017)
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Friday Barnes, Girl Detective Poster Image
BOOK

Friday Barnes, Girl Detective

age 9+

Smart girl solves boarding school mysteries in fun romp.

By: R. A. Spratt (2016)
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P.K. Pinkerton and the Deadly Desperados: P.K. Pinkerton, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

P.K. Pinkerton and the Deadly Desperados: P.K. Pinkerton, Book 1

age 11+

Tween boy hunts killers in funny, violent Wild West saga.

By: Caroline Lawrence (2012)
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The Secret of Danger Point: Surfside Girls, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The Secret of Danger Point: Surfside Girls, Book 1

age 11+

Sunny summer mystery has a touch of the supernatural.

By: Kim Dwinell (2017)
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I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You Poster Image
BOOK

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

age 12+

Fun debut of spy school series is OK for tweens.

By: Ally Carter (2006)
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Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story Poster Image
BOOK

Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story

age 12+

Intriguing, history-minded mystery with a modern twist.

By: Marilyn Nelson , Tonya C. Hegamin (2008)
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Tokyo Heist Poster Image
BOOK

Tokyo Heist

age 12+

Manga, art, and life lessons in top-notch mystery adventure.

By: Diana Renn (2012)
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Matched, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Matched, Book 1

age 13+

Fun, provoking start to dystopian series for teens.

By: Ally Condie (2010)
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The Adoration of Jenna Fox: The Jenna Fox Chronicles, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The Adoration of Jenna Fox: The Jenna Fox Chronicles, Book 1

age 14+

Amnesia's just the half of it for post-coma teen.

By: Mary E. Pearson (2008)
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Confessions of a Murder Suspect Poster Image
BOOK

Confessions of a Murder Suspect

age 14+

Teen must prove she didn't kill parents in taut thriller.

By: James Patterson , Maxine Paetro (2012)
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