A photo of a selection of children's crime books on a red background with a magnifying glass hovering over the book The London Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

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Children's reading lists

16 must-read crime and mystery books

A picture of several different books that celebrate differences and diversity on a green and pink background with white doodles

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Best children’s books that celebrate difference

13 feminist kids' books that fight the patriarchy

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12 feminist kids’ books that fight the patriarchy

Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery of the Disappearing Rabbit

'Short chapters and charming illustrations mean this gentle story is perfect for early readers' - BookTrust 
 
Join Lizzie and Lucky on another mystery-solving adventure - this time at a magic show! Perfect for fans of Holly Webb and Anisha, Accidental Detective. 
 
Young detective Lizzie and her puppy, Lucky, are off to a magic show. But during the performance, a world-famous rabbit disappears - and not on purpose! 
 
Can Lizzie and Lucky find Rudy the rabbit, get to the bottom of who stole him, and why? 
 
With charming illustrations throughout, and fun activities to try!

Short chapters and charming illustrations mean this gentle story is perfect for early readers. Animal lovers will enjoy the tips on how to care for rabbits at the back, as well as the details in the story. Lizzie and her family and Ted all use sign language, which is effortlessly incorporated as a normal part of day-to-day life. The author's own experience of partial deafness means that she's keen to share this beautiful language, and at the back she's included the letters of the alphabet in British sign language, and some words to learn.

Join Lizzie and Lucky on another mystery-solving adventure - this time at a magic show! Perfect for fans of Holly Webb and Anisha, Accidental Detective. 
 
Young detective Lizzie and her puppy, Lucky, are off to a magic show. But during the performance, a world-famous rabbit disappears - and not on purpose! 
 
Can Lizzie and Lucky find Rudy the rabbit, get to the bottom of who stole him, and why? 
 
With charming illustrations throughout, and fun activities to try!

Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery of the Stolen Treasure

Join Lizzie and Lucky on another mystery-solving adventure! Perfect for fans of Holly Webb and Anisha, Accidental Detective. 
 
When Lizzie and her cute puppy Lucky go on a family trip to the seaside, something doesn't seem right. There's talk of missing treasure no one has been able to find for years and years, and artefacts are mysteriously disappearing in the local museum. Anyone else would shrug it off but this dynamic duo just know there is a mystery to be solved here - and they won't leave until they figure it out!

Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery of the Missing Puppies

'A joyous tale celebrating animals, mysteries, family and friendship (both of the two-legged and four-legged variety!)' - BookTrust 
 
Meet Lizzie and Lucky: a sparky young detective and her loyal Dalmatian sidekick! 
 
Lizzie is desperate for a dog. In order to convince her parents to get one, she has to come up with 101 reasons why she needs one. Lizzie is a master at making lists, so thinking of 101 reasons is going to be easy! Especially as she is deaf and could train one to be her hearing dog. But as Lizzie begins compiling her list, she witnesses an adorable puppy being snatched away and put into a van by a mysterious-looking man. Can Lizzie solve the case - and maybe find herself a loyal friend at the same time...?

This sweet, feel-good mystery story, accompanied by warm and playful black-and-white illustrations, centres a deaf family, discusses accessibility, and celebrates sign language.

A joyous tale celebrating animals, mysteries, family and friendship (both of the two-legged and four-legged variety!)

Lizzie is on a mission to solve the case of the disappearing puppies... 
 
Lizzie is desperate for a dog. And in order to convince her parents to get one, she has to come up with 101 reasons why she needs one. Lizzie is a master at making lists, so thinking of 101 reasons is going to be easy! Especially as she could train one to be her hearing dog. But as Lizzie begins compiling her list, she witnesses an adorable puppy being snatched away and put into a van by a mysterious-looking man. Can Lizzie solve the case - and maybe find herself a loyal friend at the same time...?

The Lost War Dog

The brave, difficult and ultimately hopeful journey across wartime Germany of two best friends and the dog who brought them together. 
 
Tilly and Gretchen have been best friends all their lives, and Gretchen adores Tilly's beloved pet dachshund Wuffly like he's her own. 
 
But tensions are high in Germany in 1938. Tilly's Jewish family are in danger - and Gretchen's father is a train driver in the employ of the Nazis. Before long, Tilly is sent to England as part of the Kindertransport rescue mission. Heartbroken, she has to leave Wuffly and Gretchen behind. 
 
So begins an epic adventure as Gretchen makes the decision to follow her best friend and reunite her with her beloved dog - but when they touch down in England, Wuffly is immediately taken away. 
 
How will each of them fare, as German evacuees in England? And will the three friends ever be reunited in safety...?

Megan Rix is the hugely popular author of animal adventure books set in the modern day and key periods of history. An animal lover and dog-trainer, Megan draws inspiration from her own adorable dogs Traffy, Bella, Freya and Ellie, and many fascinating and extraordinary animal stories to engage her readers.

The brave, difficult and ultimately hopeful journey across wartime Germany of two best friends and the dog who brought them together. 
 
Tilly and Gretchen have been best friends all their lives, and Gretchen adores Tilly's beloved pet dachshund Wuffly like he's her own. 
 
But tensions are high in Germany in 1938. Tilly's Jewish family are in danger - and Gretchen's father is a train driver in the employ of the Nazis. Before long, Tilly is sent to England as part of the Kindertransport rescue mission. Heartbroken, she has to leave Wuffly and Gretchen behind. 
 
So begins an epic adventure as Gretchen makes the decision to follow her best friend and reunite her with her beloved dog - but when they touch down in England, Wuffly is immediately taken away. 
 
How will each of them fare, as German evacuees in England? And will the three friends ever be reunited in safety...?

Rosa and the Daring Dog

The brilliant new book from Megan Rix, telling the story of Rosa Parks from the perspective of a young girl and her faithful dog. 
 
HOWLY is a tiny puppy, left abandoned in a trash can next to a school. 
EDDIE is the young girl who finds him . . . 
 
Eddie is immediately drawn to the puppy, whose bravery and determination remind her of a very famous person indeed. 
 
Eddie's class are learning about Mrs Rosa Parks, whose act of courage on a bus in 1955 started a whole movement against racism in America. Mrs Parks herself soon visits Eddie's school, and when the great lady points out a stark reminder of racism in the school's own playground it's up to Eddie, her friends, and their new school dog Howly to remind everyone how to stay hopeful and stand up for what is right.

HOWLY is a tiny puppy, left abandoned in a trash can next to a school. 
EDDIE is the young girl who finds him . . . 
Eddie is immediately drawn to the puppy, whose bravery and determination remind her of a very famous person indeed. 
 
Eddie's class are learning about Mrs Rosa Parks, whose act of courage on a bus in 1955 started a whole movement against racism in America. Mrs Parks herself soon visits Eddie's school, and when the great lady points out a stark reminder of racism in the school's own playground it's up to Eddie, her friends, and their new school dog Howly to remind everyone how to stay hopeful and stand up for what is right.

Florence and the Mischievous Kitten

The brilliant new book from Megan Rix, telling the story of Florence Nightingale through the eyes of her young ward. Florence loved cats, and had many during her lifetime. This is the perfect introduction to the Lady with the Lamp for young children, told with warmth, humour and adorable animals. 
 
Summer 1888: In a fancy house in London, a kitten called Scamp escapes through an open window and finds himself lost in the middle of the city. Across Hyde Park, a young girl called Beth is marching with thousands of other girls to protest the working conditions in the Bryant and May match factories. 
 
When Beth stumbles across the tiny kitten she finds that he belongs to none other than Miss Florence Nightingale, who is now indebted to Beth for returning her beloved pet. So begins an unlikely friendship between the great lady, her mischievous kitten, and Beth the penniless orphan. 
 
But when Beth's sister Iris is struck down with illness in one of the poorest parts of London, can Beth, Scamp and Miss Nightingale find a way to save her before it's too late?

Megan Rix

A pacey mystery with authentic Deaf representation and a fun BSL fingerspelling challenge at the back.

Join young detective Lizzie and her adorable puppy Lucky on another mystery-solving adventure! Perfect for fans of Holly Webb and Anisha, Accidental Detective. 
 
Lizzie and Lucky are visiting the Five Freedoms Sanctuary. It's a lovely place for all sorts of rescued animals. 
 
When a local farmer announces some terrible plans for his land that could endanger the surrounding wildlife, our dynamic duo know they must investigate the case. Can they use their detective skills to stop him? 
 
While looking for clues, Lizzie spots some strange footprints and an unusual blue creature that stands out from the rest! But what is it, and where did it come from? Could it be the key to saving the day?

Megan Rix

Praise for Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery of the Lost Chicken

A pacey mystery with authentic Deaf representation and a fun BSL fingerspelling challenge at the back.

Books by Megan Rix

Series by Megan Rix

Lizzie and Lucky

Articles featuring Megan Rix

16 must-read crime and mystery books

Best children’s books that celebrate difference

12 feminist kids’ books that fight the patriarchy

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