Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective [Paperback]

Donald J. Sobol (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 6, 2007 | Age Range: 7 and up | Series: Encyclopedia Brown (Book 1)

Leroy Brown, aka Encyclopedia Brown, is Idaville neighborhood’s ten-year-old star detective. With an uncanny knack for trivia, he solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids through his own detective agency. But his dad also happens to be the chief of the Idaville police department, and every night around the dinner table, Encyclopedia helps him solve his most baffling crimes. And with ten confounding mysteries in each book, not only does Encyclopedia have a chance to solve them, but the reader is given all the clues as well. Interactive and chock full of interesting bits of information—it’s classic Encyclopedia Brown!

“I loved Encyclopedia Brown as a kid.”—Junot Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao


 

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A Civil War sword...

A watermelon stabbing...

Missing roller skates...

Atrapeze artist's inheritance...

And an eyewitness who's legally blind!

Theses are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him--the answer to all the mysteries are found in the back! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Donald J. Sobol was the author of the highly acclaimed Encyclopedia Brown series and many other books. His awards include a special Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for his contribution to mystery writing in the United States, and the Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers’ Choice Award for Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace.
 

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780142408889
• ISBN-13: 978-0142408889
• ASIN: 0142408883
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 69 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Boy Sherlock Holmes July 11, 2001

By M. Allen Greenbaum HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

"Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective" is a wonderful book for kids from about six years to about 12 or so. Published in 1963, it has a sweet tone reminiscent of 1950's TV shows. The fun, though, lies in tracing and anticipating young Brown's using logic, a little science, and keen observation to solve minor crimes and mysteries. Sometimes, he's helping his police chief father; other times kids bring the mysteries directly to him.

Your child may successfully solve the mystery on his or her own (each of the 10 cases ends with a question, e.g., "HOW DID ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN KNOW THIS?," or, after trying to find the culprit, they can turn to the back for the brief answers. There's no tricks, though at least one story assumes a little more knowledge than might be expected from the average grade schooler. For example, one hint is that "Bull Run" was the Northern name for the Civil War battle, not the Southern name (although this solution has an easier clue as well).

A wonderful, captivating series of vignettes (ten cases covering 78 pages, not including solutions), I recommend this very highly. It's also a great book for readers from about grades two through about six.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaches and Entertains September 13, 2001

By A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I read the Encyclopedia Brown series in the early 1970s, when I was in elementary school. I learned about being humble and smart, analytical and tricky (in a good way!).

A lot about life can be learned from observation. The evidence was often in clear view of Leroy, and he noticed this evidence. Your children will learn that before their eyes is where the answer often is.

I still remember how Leroy determined the cuprit by realizing the length of a knife can't be known while stuck inside a watermelon.

I fully recommend this book.

Anthony Trendl

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and captivating for the most reluctant reader. April 26, 2005

By Delirium

Format:Paperback

My 8-year old son does not like to read. The fact makes me especially sad, because the rest of the family is full of avid readers. But "Encyclopedia Brown" books kept his interest up. The books are collections of short stories with a mystery in them. Sometimes it takes logic, attention to details, and sometimes it takes some real knowledge to solve them. These are great books to read together, and I think I will always remember fun times of reading them with my son.

My son and I wish there were more of them.