These popular, easy-to-use detective cases are suitable for Grades 5 – 12+. Students must apply critical reading, critical thinking, and mathematical reasoning. The mathematics needed to solve these cases is accessible to middle school and upper elementary school students, but don’t be fooled! The real challenges are to first identify the clues by synthesizing from different witnesses and suspects, and then determine the necessary math needed to turn the clues into evidence. This book starts with cases that are generally more accessible than cases in the companion Critical Thinking Detective – Math (Grades 6 – 12+), and then builds towards cases of comparable difficulty.

Some cases may be more challenging for younger students, but teachers and parents can always use the optional hints provided to help students that reach a dead end. The cases also develop observation skills, reading comprehension, and deductive and inductive thinking skills. Learning to identify and evaluate evidence is the very heart of critical thinking.