Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective [Paperback]

Donald J Sobol (Author), Illustrated by Leonard Shortall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1978

The first book in the series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 83 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Skylark Books (1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553150251
• ISBN-13: 978-0553150254
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,894,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective (Encyclopedia Brown #1) (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.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedia Brown Does It Again, September 7, 2002

By 

Z. Blume (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective (Books 1-4) (Paperback)

I remember listening to a camp counselor read me Encyclopedia Brown mysteries years ago and being captivated by the short, though tricky cases. This summer, I became the counselor, and though my campers were reluctant to have me read to them at first, these books had an incredible impact on them. They quieted down and listened intently for as long as I would read and after each mystery would excitedly participate in a discussion about the solution. It also inspired several of them to start reading their own books or to ask me to borrow some of mine. These are very fun stories, well written, and have tremendous appeal for kids. I would recommend them to anyone who wants to read good books to kids or any kids who would like to provide themselves with hours of entertainment.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "What should ... (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective (Encyclopedia Brown #1) (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