Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective (America's Sherlock Holmes in Sneakers)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"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.

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.

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

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.

I read the whole series of Encyclopedia Brown books as a child and believe these books were the key to my desire to read so much. The mysteries/cases were very interesting, and will assist any child with their critical thinking skills and desire to read. The charactors were colorful and real enough to identify with. I truly enjoyed the series and will be purchasing the set to share with my daughter (14 yrs) and of course she will have to wait for me to reread each book just to see if I can solve the cases this time around. Thank you Amazon.com, you do carry everything.

This story is about a boy who starts a detective business and his name is Leroy Brown, but all his friends call him Encyclopedia. His father is the cheif of police and no one in the city of Idaville(where he lives)had gotten away with any crime in over one year! Whenever his father gets a hard case, he tells it to Leroy and it's solved very fast, but it's their little secret. The answers to all the cases are in the back of the book, but sometimes it's fun to solve them yourself. Some cases are easier than others and some are harder than others but they all make this a good book!

Encyclopedia Brown is a 5th grade boy who solves puzzles, crimes and mysteries as easily and as unconsciously as breathing.

Each book is a series of short mysteries (5-10 pages each) ending with a question - usually "how did Encyclopedia know that X was responsible for the crime". The answer to each mystery is at the back of the book. Solving the mystery takes no special knowledge, but it does require paying attention to detail. Don't turn to the answer too fast.

This book is the first in the series, but the books do not have to be read in order. I loved the Encyclopedia Brown books when I was growing up. I am reading them again before I give them to my nephew who I hope will enjoy them as I did.

Adults who like this series may also enjoy the Lateral Thinking Puzzles books.

My Mom gave me Encyclopedia Brown as a reading assignment.

Leroy Brown lives in the town of Idaville. He helps his dad solve police mysteries. No one in Idaville ever gets away with a crime when Encyclopedia is around!

I admire how Leroy stands up to the bully, Bugs Meany.
I really enjoyed trying to solve the mysteries. I think Leroy (Encyclopedia) Brown is the smartest person in the state!

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys solving a challenge. I have read a few others in the series and enjoyed those as well.

Encyclopedia Brown was one of my favorites when I was a boy. The mysteries are pretty challenging for an 11 year old but that just makes getting them correct all the sweeter. I gave my first Encyclopedia Brown book to my 11 year old a few weeks ago, hoping beyond hope that they hadn't lost their magic over the years. He devoured it! The stories are written in an easy to read style that makes the process fun. Each story also stands on its own, which makes the book easy to pick up and put down (and perfect for chewing up a daily bus ride). It is great stuff and if your kid likes it, there are tons books for him (or her) to read through.

I was an avid Encyclopedia Brown fan as a child, and, at 23 years-old, can remember solutions to cases like it was yesterday. (Dogs are color-blind.) I think this series is fantastic for thinking kids, kids who like puzzles and trivia. I found the cases semi-difficult as a child, and think that makes them much more interesting to read. I highly recommend this series.