Emil and the Detectives: questions to ask and activities to try
Emil's money is stolen on the train to Berlin, so he teams up with a gang of children to catch the thief. Emil and the Detectives is a classic detective story.
What age is it for? Emil and the Detectives is best for ages 7–10. Good for: A boy and a gang of children catching a thief.
Emil and the Detectives (Erich Kästner)
- Age
- 7-10
- Best for
- A boy and a gang of children catching a thief
Read a chapter a night. Talk about how the children worked together.
What it helps with
- Teamwork
- Justice and fairness
- Bravery
- Classic novels
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Where was Emil going?”
- “What happened on the train?”
- “Who helped him?”
- “How did they follow the thief?”
- “How was he caught?”
- “What would your detective gang do?”
5-minute activities to try together
Gang plan
Plan how a group of friends would follow a suspect.
Train journey
Draw Emil's journey to Berlin.
Free printables: Emil and the Detectives worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Violet and the Pearl of the Orient (Harriet Whitehorn and Becka Moor)
- Best for
- An amateur detective and a missing pearl
- Age
- 7-10
Anisha, Accidental Detective (Serena Patel and Emma McCann)
- Best for
- A wedding, a kidnapping and an accidental detective
- Age
- 7-10
The Beast Beyond the Fence (Marcus Rashford, Alex Falase-Koya and Marta Kissi)
- Best for
- Friends investigating a spooky mystery
- Age
- 7-10
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.