Book cover of The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1: Egypt's Fire

Book description

Hilarious, non-stop adventure, a mysterious jewel heist, and a detective team like no other make this a must-have middle grade series starter. Perfect for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Enola Holmes.

After twelve-year-old John Boarhog’s mom dies, the last thing he wants is to be schlepped off…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1 as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

An orphan who lives in the ceiling of New York's Natural History Museum, an oddball detective, a society of secret sleuths, and a race to find a stolen rare jewel to prove one's innocence, The Curious League is a love letter to classic middle-grade detective stories.

Truly madcap, this book will have kids in stitches and is a perfect read-aloud. It's also a series, so readers can jump right into book 2.

From Taylor's list on middle grade series to laugh out-loud.

This book is so cool because it takes place in a timeless version of New York City where 12-year-old John is an orphan, hiding out and living alone in the crawlspace of a museum. With zero formal education, he still has all the smarts he needs to take care of himself until he gets mixed up in a seemingly impossible jewel heist where he is the only suspect. John’s mind isn’t enough to get him out of the mess. Instead, it’s his budding friendship and apprenticeship with the world’s greatest detective, Toadius McGee, that lets him deal with the crime,…

If you love The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1...

Book cover of The Twins of Auschwitz: The inspiring true story of a young girl surviving Mengele's hell

The Twins of Auschwitz by Lisa Rojany,

This is the Inspiring true story of a young girl surviving Mengele’s hell. This is an incisive, harrowing, and touching memoir of Eva Mozes Kor and her twin sister Miriam, who are sent to Auschwitz only to be torn from their parents and given to Josef Mengele, "The Angel of…

Want books like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1.

Browse books like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1

Book cover of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
Book cover of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Book cover of City of Ghosts

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,397

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1, you might also like...

Book cover of The Afterlife of the Party

The Afterlife of the Party by Darcy Marks,

An interdimensional mixer with angels and other beings brings unexpected trouble for Malachi and his friends in this smart and uniquely funny second book about the squad of teens from hell.

When an angel comes to his home to deliver a message, Malachi immediately knows what’s going on. The seraph…

Book cover of My Real Name Is Hanna

My Real Name Is Hanna by Tara Lynn Masih,

“Hanna’s story...uncovers an astonishing, rich vein of hope in a world gone utterly dark. Both timeless and timely.”

—Elizabeth Wein, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity

Hanna Slivka is on the cusp of fourteen when Hitler's army crosses the border into Soviet-occupied Ukraine. Soon, the Gestapo closes…

5 book lists we think you will like!