Keene, Carolyn. (1930). Nancy Drew: The Secret of the old Clock. New York: Grosset and Dunlap.

This book is the very first book in the classic mystery series Nancy Drew. This mystery is about Nancy Drew having to help Mr. Crowly's friends, the Turners, find his missing will. They must find his will before the evil Topham family steals his inheritance. When Nancy goes to look at the summer home she finds that they have stolen the Crowly Clock. She gets trapped there, but when she escapes with the clock as evidence, she is mistakenly accused of stealing the clock. Can Nancy solve the mystery and save herself and the Crowly inheritance?
This novel is a classic for all students to read. I think it should be a read aloud because every child should be introduced to Nancy Drew.
The following is the link to a game site that teachers could buy for their classroom centers: http://www.bigfishgames.com/games/1297/nancydrewsecretoft/?pc
The video below is a trailer for the Nancy Drew film:

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Erickson, John R. (1996). Hank the Cowdog: The Case of the Kidnapped Collie. London: Puffin Books.

This mystery is the 26th book in the Hank the Cowdog series. This particular novel is about a typical, dark day for the beloved dog, Hank. Loper invited Hank's enemy Plato the Bird Dog over for quail hunting on the ranch. Then more disaster happens when Beulah, Hank's crush, ignores him to watch Plato in action instead! However, later Beulah gets caught by an evil cannibal, which gives Hank a chance to solve a mystery and save his crush!
This novel would be a great read aloud for younger elementary students.
It would also be a great way to introduce young students to the genre of mystery.

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The following is the link to Hank's website: http://www.hankthecowdog.com/blog/the-case-of-the-turkey-bandits-from-the-case-of-the-kidnapped-collie-hank-number-26

Korman, Gordon. (2005). On the Run: Chasing the Falconers. New York: Scholastic Inc.

This book is the first book of a mystery series that intrigued me as an elementary reader. This mystery is about two children, Aiden and Meg Falconer, who are their parents' last hope. Their parents are in prison. However, Aiden and Meg have a chance to follow some clue in order to prove their parents' innocence. One night, Meg and Aiden are able to escape the juvenile detention center that they are kept in. The two siblings end up on the run from the authorities and s vicious attacker who is after them. The two siblings find themselves traveling across country trying to escape the people after them as well as trying to solve the mystery proving their parents innocent.

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The following is a link to flashcards for this novel that could be a center activity: http://www.cram.com/flashcards/chasing-the-falconers-455246
The following is a link to a book review for this mystery: http://motherdaughterbookclub.com/2010/02/book-review-chasing-the-falconers-by-gordon-korman/

Ernst, Kathleen. (2005). A Kit Mystery: Danger at the Zoo. Middleton, WI: American Girl.

This book is about the beloved American Girl character, Kit, who is growing up during the Great Depression. In this mystery, Kit finally earns a job at her local newspaper. She is in charge of the kid's column, and she finds some strange "monkey business." She is determined to find the mysterious story and solve an unknown mystery. As students read this book, they will become entranced as mysteries heighten and unravel.
This book would be a great recommendation for students that have fallen in love with the Kit character.
This would also be a good book for younger students to introduce the genre of mystery.
The following is an activity and discussion link for this novel: http://www.kathleenernst.com/cms-assets/documents/117979-5447.bookdangerzooteachers.pdf
The following is the link to the author's website: http://www.kathleenernst.com/book_danger_zoo.php

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Rowling, JK. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic.

This all-time favorite novel is about a young boy, Harry, living with his unfriendly aunt, uncle, and cousin. As strange letters begin to come for Harry, other unexplainable things also begin to happen at the Dursley's. On Harry's birthday, an unknown, giant visitor comes to the Dursley's telling Harry that he is a wizard! The wizard, Hagrid, takes Harry to the wizarding school, Hogwarts, where Harry meets his new friends Ron and Hermione. However, he also meets hostile characters, such as Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape. Harry learns wizardry and also finds out his talent for Quidditch. In the end, Harry finds himself entwined in the infamous wizard villain's, Voldemort's, history.
This book could be used for a literature focus unit.

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This video below is the novel on audiotape for students to listen to as the follow along:

This video below is an interview with author, JK Rowling:

Card, Orson Scott. (1985). Ender's Game. New York: Tor Books.

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This Science Fiction novel is geared towards older elementary students. This book is about the government program that trains child geniuses to be soldiers in order to fight in future attacks from aliens. Andrew (Ender) Wiggins ends up getting picked to join the training, and e is forced to leave his parents, hostile brother, Peter, and his beloved sister, Valentine. Ender becomes a leader and is a one of the best child soldiers. The students are trained in mock battles in the Battle Room in zero gravity. In such isolation, violence, and competition Ender faces many psychological struggles as a young boy. In the end, the question is can Ender and his siblings fight off the Buggers?
This novel has a lot of controversial issues within it. However, it would be a great book to recommend for boy students as well as higher level, mature students since it has heavy topics within it.
The following is an activity pack for this novel made by the author himself: https://www.prestwickhouse.com/samples/205072.pdf
The following is a link to a unit plan for this novel: http://msanaknudsen.weebly.com/uploads/9/3/6/8/9368722/e.g._packet_2012.doc..pdf

 

The above is the trailer for the movie made from this novel.

Funke, Cornelia. (2000). The Thief Lord. New York: Scholastic.

This wonderful children's novel is about two brother, Prosper and Boniface who ran away to Venice, Italy. They end up living with a group of abandoned children in an old movie theatre who are led by Scipio. Together they steal items and sell them to Barbarossa. Victor, a detective, begins to search for the missing brothers and are on their trails. It turns out that Scipio is actually the old movie theatre's owner's son. The Thief Lord is asking for the lion wing, which has the ability to change people's age. The children go on a journey in search of this enchanting item for the Thief Lord.
The following is a link to activities related to this novel: https://multcolib.org/thief-lord
I thought this novel would be a good time to talk about crime and law.
The following is the trailer for the movie for this novel:

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