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

The Most Beautiful Place in the World

A moving tale about following your dreams, which will surprise and delight young readers.

Seven-year-old Juan lives in Guatemala, a place of stunning beauty and grim economic reality. Abandoned by his mother, Juan lives with his grandmother and shines shoes. He passionately wants to attend school, but fears Grandmother will say no. Finally gathering his courage, he is surprised when she not only agrees to send him to school but also chides him about the importance of standing up for himself. Juan tells this bittersweet story, which reads smoothly and powerfully on several levels, with warmth and dignity.

Ann Cameron has worked in publishing, as a university teacher and as a camp cook on a Mayan dig in Belize where boa constrictors climbed into the thatch of the roof to hunt mice at night. 
 
Ann has written a number of books for children.

Juan lives in Guatemala, in the mountains. It is a poor but beautiful place, with volcanoes rising from the shores of a blue lake, and flocks of brilliantly plumed wild parrots living in the trees. 
 
Juan is a shoe-shine boy. Although he’s only seven years old, he works hard every day to earn his keep. He has lived with his grandmother since his parents abandoned him. 
 
But Juan dreams of other things. Most of all, he longs to go to school like other children his age . . .

Huey's Tiger

A brilliantly funny Julian and Huey story about playing tricks – and making a new friend.

These stories are the sort that will make children ask for more

Ann Cameron has worked in publishing, as a university teacher and as a camp cook on a Mayan dig in Belize where boa constrictors climbed into the thatch of the roof to hunt mice at night. She is author of the timeless series of stories featuring brothers Julian and Huey.

How do you catch a zebra? 
 
Huey’s big brother, Julian, is mean. He says that Huey is too little and noisy to play with him. But Huey has a plan. 
 
With a few tools and a lot of skill, Huey teaches his brother a lesson – and makes a new friend along the way!

Banana Spaghetti

A brilliantly funny Julian and Huey story about big brothers and being brave.

Ann Cameron has worked in publishing, as a university teacher and as a camp cook on a Mayan dig in Belize where boa constrictors climbed into the thatch of the roof to hunt mice at night. She is author of the timeless collection of stories featuring brothers Julian and Huey.

Huey has a bright idea! 
 
Huey wants to surprise his mum on Mother's Day, so he invents banana spaghetti. It takes a bit of help from Dad to get it right, but Huey is determined to show everyone that he is just as clever as his big brother, Julian. 
 
And when Huey beats his fear of the dark, he proves he is just as brave too.

Julian, Secret Agent

A brilliantly funny Julian and Huey story about catching crooks and causing trouble!

Julian to the rescue! 
 
Grown-ups aren’t very good at solving crimes. That’s why it’s time for Julian, Huey and Gloria to take matters into their own hands. 
 
The crime-busting kids go on a mission to track down wanted criminals. They have a special motto, a secret code and plenty of plans. All they need now is their first crook . . .

The Julian Stories

Warm-hearted, funny and full of mischief: the perfect read for children aged 7+

Cameron is a virtuoso storyteller with a gift for revealing the heart and soul of childhood in her stories.

Cameron's words sing and the relationships are lovingly in tune.

One of the author's strengths is her ability to impart such lessons as an older sibling's responsibility for a younger one and the meaning of friendship.

Never leave a yummy pudding lying around! 
 
Dad makes a pudding that tastes like a whole raft of lemons and a night on the sea. But then he does something really silly. He goes for a nap and leaves Julian in charge. Bad idea. 
 
Before he knows it, Julian’s in a sticky situation. And that’s just one of his many adventures, which involve catalogue cats, cave-boy teeth . . . and a new next-door neighbour!

Ann Cameron

Your wildest dreams can come true! 
 
Julian and Huey want to give their dad the best birthday present ever – something he has always dreamed of. But what could that be? They watch Dad while he’s sleeping to find out. 
 
It’s hard to read someone’s thoughts, but Julian finds a way. And it seems that Dad’s biggest dream is . . . two big snakes! Or is it . . . ?

Ann Cameron

Julian, Dream Doctor

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