If your middle-grade reader liked Holes, they might also like…

• The Mysterious Benedict Society

• Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

• The Westing Game

• Chasing Vermeer

These books weave mystery, friendship, and layered storytelling into clever plots that reward patient, curious readers.

Here’s what they’re about

Holes

Stanley Yelnats believes his family is cursed, and when he’s wrongly accused of theft, he’s sent to Camp Green Lake — a desert detention centre where boys dig holes all day, every day. As Stanley befriends the other campers, he begins to uncover layers of mystery connecting the camp’s cruel warden, a long-lost outlaw, and his own family history. Cleverly structured and deeply satisfying, Holes weaves past and present together in a story about fate, friendship, and justice.

The Mysterious Benedict Society

A group of gifted children are recruited through a series of strange tests to join a secret mission led by the brilliant Mr. Benedict. Their task: infiltrate a sinister institution and stop a mind-controlling plot that threatens the world. As the children rely on their unique strengths — intelligence, empathy, creativity, and courage — they form deep bonds of friendship. This richly layered story combines mystery, humour, and moral depth, making it ideal for readers who enjoy clever plots, eccentric adults, and thoughtful adventures.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

When Kyle Keeley is chosen to attend the grand opening of the world’s most high-tech library, he expects fun — not to be locked inside overnight. To escape, Kyle and a group of clever kids must solve riddles, decode clues, and outsmart the eccentric (and brilliant) Mr. Lemoncello. Packed with wordplay, teamwork, and puzzle-solving, this fast-paced mystery celebrates curiosity and problem-solving. It’s an irresistible choice for readers who love brain teasers, escape rooms, and stories that make them feel part of the game.

The Westing Game

Sixteen strangers are invited to live in an apartment building owned by the mysterious millionaire Sam Westing — and when he dies, they become players in a game to solve his murder. Each resident is given cryptic clues, but nothing is as it seems. As alliances form and secrets unravel, one sharp-minded child may be closer to the truth than all the adults combined. Clever, twisty, and endlessly re-readable, The Westing Game rewards careful readers who love puzzles, wordplay, and surprising endings

Chasing Vermeer

When a famous painting disappears, two sixth-graders — Petra and Calder — find themselves drawn into a web of codes, clues, and art-world mysteries. As they investigate, the story weaves in real-life puzzles, pentominoes, and questions about truth and perception. Chasing Vermeer is a thoughtful, intriguing mystery that encourages readers to think deeply and look closely. It’s perfect for kids who enjoy quiet cleverness, art, and mysteries that unfold gradually rather than relying on action alone.