How am I defining a Willy Wonka-Like chapter book? You probably don’t need an explanation but here I go anyway:
- A wacky figure-head behind this adventure
- A competition between kids (though adults can be involved) OR
- A mystery that has to be solved through riddles and puzzles
Yep. That’s why I came up with this list. What am I missing? Please help me out! Thank you!
Books for Willy Wonka Fans
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
12-year-old Emily’s move to San Francisco is softened by the fact that Garrison Griswold, publisher of an online sensation called Book Scavenger, lives there. This hunt combines books and puzzle-solving into a competitive scavenger race. It’s all for fun and bragging rights, but then Emily finds an odd book with her new friend James that just might be a clue to how Griswold wound up in a coma. Is this the end of the Book Scavenger game?
Readers can solve the puzzles in the book OR go on a book scavenger of their own. Yes, it’s a real thing! [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
Luigi Lemoncello is the most famous and creative game maker in the world and now he’s building a very special library in Kyle Keeley’s hometown. Only twelve 12-year-old kids will be invited to spend the night at the library before it opens. They will play the game of their life: escaping from Mr. Lemoncello’s library. It’s not that easy. There are clues to find and solve in order to find a secret passageway out. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Stanley Will Probably Be Okay by Sally J. Pla
[Gramps] says, “I tell you, Stanley, I have been in the war, you know. The world can go crazy out there. People cope in different ways.”
That’s true. People do cope in different ways. Sometimes they desperately prepare, like Principal Coffin. Or they get kinda bitter and grumpy, like Gramps. Or they get mad, like Cal. Or they tune it out with work, like Mom. Or they find a good reason to leave, like Dad.
And then, there are much worse ways to cope. Dugs and drink and whatnot.
Stanley has started dreaded middle grade, but things aren’t right with his best, and only friend, Joon. To shore up their friendship, Stanley agrees to compete with him in a Trivia Quest scavenger hunt of San Diego’s landmarks in order to win tickets to Comic Fest. But when Joon ditches him for another friend, Stanley decides to enter anyway despite his sensory processing issues. His new homeschooled neighbor, Liberty, joins him as his partner. Together, they help each other out when they both need it most. Stanley discovers that his superpower might not be just his extensive knowledge of comic trivia. Perhaps there is a superhero inside him as well.
Sally J. Pla encourages readers to be more empathetic to those around them by gently exposing the stresses and anxieties that all of us carry around inside. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
The Book That Proves Time Travel Happens by Henry Clark
This is my diversity pick from this list. I love how race comes into play in this story set both in the present and back in time to 1852 United States. Sent back in time by a mysterious gypsy trombone, Ambrose Brody and two friends must dodge slave catchers and save ancestors from certain death in order to preserve their present-day selves. Their clues for survival seem to be coming through the I-Ching in Morse Code. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Liam looks like an adult, though he’s just a thirteen-year-old kid. This comes in handy when he enters a contest and wins a trip to a theme park in China. Infinity Park has the most exciting ride in the universe, a rocket ship launched into space. Now, it’s a contest to see which “dad” can win the adult spot on the rocket; Liam the pretend dad, or the other real dads? [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass
I’ve noticed from my kids and their friends how this book seems to appeal universally to both girls and boys. It reminds me the most of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but instead of kids winning a spot to tour the candy factory, they are invited instead to compete in a candy-making competition. Their ideas are as wondrous as Willy Wonka’s! There’s also the same element of intrigue with a possible spy in their midst. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
I grew up reading and loving this book but I haven’t been able to get any of my three kids to read it. Because there are not one but two movies, they feel like they’ve read the book even though they have only seen one of the movies. The book is always better than the movie! Are you able to get your kids to read such a well-known story or am I the only one having difficulties? [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein
My son and I are halfway through this book and I’m happy to report that it’s just as good as the first one! My son dropped the book he was currently reading for this one, a high compliment given that he’s been enjoying the Artemis Fowl series.
Our favorite characters are back, plus new ones are added including a few new ones. The games are now a national library event in a twelve-part format, and our hometown heroes are battling out with more at stake than just winning. The games themselves require knowledge and riddle-solving but most of all, teamwork, to win. I hope there are more books to come in this series! [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
The Secrets of Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
Ms. YingLing Reads has a great review:
“Elizabeth is so relieved to get back to Winterhouse and be with her grandfather Norbridge again that she doesn’t think too much about why her somewhat evil aunt and uncle appear sad at her leaving. She’s very glad to find out that her grandfather has finally taken care of all the legal details, and she will finally be living with him permanently. She is introduced to nearby Haventown, which has delightful shops, including a fantastic bookstore! Freddy, Leona and the other people at Winterhouse are also glad to have her back, but there are some troublesome guests. She had a run-in on the train with the Powter family, including nasty teenager Rodney, and is wary of Elana Vesper and her creepy grandmother. Something is up, and after a worker is attacked in the candy kitchen, Elizabeth and Freddy put their puzzle-solving skills to work. There is a mysterious verse that shows up in different places around the hotel, put there by Riley Granger, a guest long ago, and Elizabeth expects it is somehow tied to Gracella, whom she doesn’t think is completely dead. While she’s glad to finally be home for Christmas, Elizabeth wants to keep her new home safe from dangerous family magic.” [middle grade, ages 9 and up]
The Emperor’s Riddle by Kat Zhang
I really liked this clue-solving adventure set in modern-day China. It’s a “Pirate
Treasure Map Meets Ancient Chinese Hidden Treasure” epic quest that Mia Chen and her older brother must solve in order to find their missing Aunt Ling. Time is running out as her Aunt’s nemesis, Ying, is on the trail too. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
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A great list, these are some of the best types of books for children
Thanks so much Sonya! My son and I really enjoyed them all!
I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and haven’t read any of these books – thanks for this great list and I have lots of families to share it with.
Thanks so much for sharing Claire!!
Saw some books I need to check out – starting with the Book Scavengers.
Hi Pat,
Book Scavengers is great! I hope there is a sequel!!
This list is awesome! We’ve enjoyed a number of these books, The Candymakers on your suggestion. I’m glad that my daughter started with the original Charlie. She hasn’t read Book Scavengers yet, but I LOVED it.
I haven’t read these yet, but they are on my radar of books similar – Nooks & Crannies and The Detective’s Assistant.
Hi Michelle,
I can’t wait to hear what your daughter thinks of Book Scavengers. Thanks for your other great recommendations! I’ll check them out for my son; he loves this type of book!
Hi Mia. Looks like some good books here. Our grandson will be ready for chapter books next year. I’ll keep these in mind.
Hi Cheryl,
I hope your grandson likes these as much as my son does! He’s a gamer so I think he likes this type of plot which revolves around a competition; not so different from a video game!