Reviews (22)

Mysteries and Puzzles
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.

The Boy Sherlock Holmes
"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.

Average
It's an okay book. It's more puzzle book than story book. Each chapter is a short mystery with the who done it left to the reader to figure out. Any reader familiar with logic puzzles shouldn't be baffled by them at all.

Extremely Challenging Puzzles!
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 Does It Again
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. ... Read more

Book Description

How can a leftover slice of pizza point to a thief? What does an upside-down year have to do with a street address? And why will a turned-around clue catch a cheating treasure hunter?

Encyclopedia Brown knows! America's most popular boy detective is back, with ten brand-new solve- it-yourself mysteries to challenge and entertain his fans. You can match wits with the ten-year-old supersleuth as he and his partner, Sally Kimball, puzzle over clues and make some surprising discoveries. Their case load includes artistic cheats, phony worm pills, a leaking tent, and one of the world's slowest-growing trees. And if you're stumped, Encyclopedia tells how he did it in the back of the book. But don't peek until you're stuck!

Reviews (2)

my favorite
i like this book alot it has taught me a lot about solving cases. i enjoy this book because i want to be a detective just like him one day.

He does it again!
Encyclopedia Brown does it again! This book was just as entertaining as the others! I originally bought this book for my nephew (10 years) and I ended up reading most of it with him! Needless to say, he loved it and so did I! He now wants to read more about Encyclopedia Brown and I can't wait to buy them for him! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good book....
This is a good book.The cases are about a secret pitch,a balloon man accused of kidnapping,a cowboy that's ambushed,stolen gold,a hitchhiker who is a witness to a holdup gang,a boy poet who gets in a fight,a boy who gets shot by an air gun,a stolen penknife named Excalibur,a man who gts tricked out of his violin by a glass of ginger ale,and a stolen bike.

Mysteries and Puzzles
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 second 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.

This is a good book for kids.
You should read Encyclopdia Brown and the Case of the Seceret Pitch.It's exciting!! It's about a boy that solves mysteries.You should read it to find all the good funny mysteries in it.That's why I gave it five stars. Everybody should have one. ... Read more

Book Description

Who knows how a handleless teacup can point to a thief? What a pair of soggy sneakers has to do with three stolen fishing rods? How the word "Crabcake" can reveal the identity of a kidnapper?

Encyclopedia Brown knows?

The world's youngest supersleuth is here with ten brand-new solve-it-yourself mysteries to challenge and entertain his fans. Match wits with the ten-year-old detective as he and his junior partner, Sally Kimball, puzzle over brainteasers and coded messages, intrigues and whodunits. Their case load includes a perplexing calendar code, three water-filled canoes, a missing shopping bag, and a hundred-year-old treasure tree.

Reviews (4)

Too hard!!
The mysteries are cool. ( This is why I gave it 2 stars.) There are ten of them in the book. When you are done reading the mysteries they ask you how Encyclopedia Brown figured it out. You can never figure them out. They don't give you enough info. This makes it not very fun! Don't try the other books. They all have the same problem. Just don't waste your money. ( I gave the one star for trying.)

they're tough and fun to read.
They're tough and fun to read. I like black jack's treasure. It's about black jack's treasure and a tree with a mark on it. It's also about this kid named Wilford Wiggins. He tries to fool kids too.

We really love your book.We enjoy mysteries.
We liked all the details in your story. We liked how you had a Disgusting Sneaker Contest. We would like to try this at our school. Thanks for such a neat book.

I LOVE Donald Sobel books!
Donald Sobel is the best author in the WORLD!! IHave read many other Donald Sobel books but thisis the BEST! I would recomend it to kids who enjoy mysteries and ages 8 to 13. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mysteries and Puzzles
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 third 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. (The target reading level is ages 9-12).

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

Watch the Boy Work! Match Wits with Encyclopedia Brown
Teaching kids to observe, think, and have fun at the same time? Difficult? Not with the Encyclopedia Brown books!

This is actually the third book in the Encyclopedia Brown series by author Donald J. Sobol. In this volume, Encyclopedia Brown, the smartest kid in Idaville, tackles ten cases. Kids (and adults) will have a great time matching wits with Encyclopedia as they gather clues with him and seek to put together the pieces of the puzzle. If you can't crack the puzzles, don't worry: the solutions to each case appear at the end of the book.

These stories were first published in the 1960's, so they're a little dated, but they still provide loads of fun, and some of them are pretty tricky. If you'd like to develop critical thinking and observation skills in your kids, you can't go wrong with Encyclopedia Brown.

10 cases, 112 pages total

Can you clue in to the solution?
Donald J. Sobol has done it again with another great collection of 10 mysteries that his hero, Encyclopedia Brown, must solve. From the obvious to the scientific you'll have to use your wits to figure out these stories. From a kidnapping to stolen diamonds to a local bitter drink contest this book is a great get-away for those who like to think out solutions as they read. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All solves all sorts of cases
Encyclopedia Brown Solves Thems All is a great book I realy injoyed it. Encyclopedia Brown solves them all is about a boy named Leroy Brown but everyone calls him Encyclopedia becaus hes read a hole set of Encyclopedias.Him and his friend Sally run a detective agency in Idaville.Nothing realy happens in Idaville but when somthing dose Encyclopedia and Sally are there to solve the case.Somtimes you think Encyclopedia and Sally just might not solve the case,but somtimes you never know.My favrite one of Ecyclopedia and Sallys cases is The Case of The Missing Clues.A boy named Abner Nelson comes into the detective agency with a wagon full of fruit he clamed a boy named Bugs stole tree dolers worth of fruit .So Encyclopedia and Abner go looking for Bugs to see if he stole the fruit . Can Encyclopedia find out. Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All is a good book for people of all ages.After you've read all of Encyclopedia and sallys mystery cases I think you'll love the book just as much as I did.

This is soooo awesome!!!!
I liked this book because it was filled with plenty of exciting moments that will make your spine shake! Encyclopedia Brown is the ultimate investigator with a winning record. I love this book because he can also solve the case by dinner time.

Encyclopedia can solve every case.
The reason why I think it needs five stars is because its a good book for kids to read.The book is about a boy by the name of Encyclopedia Brown who can slove anyones case.Also most of the time Bugs Meany gets in trouble. Christina ... Read more

Reviews (4)

IF YOU LIKE MYSTERIES, GET THIS BOOK!
I like mysteries,and I couldn't find any. I tried this book and it is great! I think it was just the right book for me. It is very funny, and I think you will enjoy it.

A Very Good Book
Love the book. It was all about cases that Encyclopedia Brown was trying to solve. There were always bad and mean people in each case.

A very good book that builds brains
I liked this book because it made me a lot smarter, and sometimes it made me laugh, too. I would recommend it to anyone who loves mysterious stories and solving puzzles.

If you like Encyclopedia Brown, this book won't let you down
Very enjoyable reading. The clues are never too easy or too hard. The only problem is the case of the missing tennis balls. It seems EB may have gone out on a limb in quckly passing judgement based solely on the suspect knowing that tennis balls come three to a pack after claiming earlier that he knew nothing of tennis. Is it not possible that the suspect noticed this while in the tennis pro shop? ... Read more

Book Description

A new title in the bestselling series about the world's greatest supersleuth in sneakers!

A slippery salamander, a banana burglar, a judge who's run away, and a presidential toothbrush . . . these are just some of the clues that the world's greatest young detective must use to solve 10 all-new mysteries. Young readers can try to solve the cases alongside Encyclopedia--the answers to all the mysteries are in the back of the book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Encyclopedia Brown Rules!
I love Encyclopedia Brown books! I got hooked on them in 5th grade and I still love them! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not Quite Elementary
This is number 21 in the popular series by Donald Sobel. Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown, a winning fifth-grader, uses his powers of observation and logic to solve petty crimes and assorted other mysteries in his neighborhood. Aided in some stories by tough, bright Sally Kimball (look out, she hits!), Encyclopedia solves 10 cases here. The stories are formatted similarly: There's a problem (e.g., something is stolen, someone makes a possibly false statement), and Sobel mixes in a few good clues with a lot of dialogue and extraneous information. Brown announces that he has solved the case, and the reader is asked to come up with Brown's solution. Answers are given in the back.

Unlike some books in the series, all but two or three of the stories were solvable without special knowledge or assumptions. Our third-grader, who's quite the intellect himself, said that a few of these mini-mysteries were very hard; some of these stories are more appropriate for kids in upper elementary school grades. Each story is about 5-6 pages long; the solutions are about 1 page. The dialogue doesn't always sound very contemporary, at least not for those living in urban California. Close attention to detail will help the young Holmes in your house.

It was okay.
The bad part about it was it was exactly like the others and it can get boring.Out of all it was good. ... Read more

Book Description

Who hid the blond wig in the trash can near the Yacht Club...why does Tyrone Taylor have a black eye...and what about the mysterious handprints outside Mr. Heiden's cottage?

Who knows? Encyclopedia Brown, of course! America's Sherlock Holmes in sneakers is back, with ten brand-new solve-it-yourself mysteries to challenge and amaze his fans. You can match wits with the ten-year-old super-sleuth as he and his partner, Sally Kimball, track down clues and make some startling discoveries as they work to keep Idaville in order. There are puzzling problems of missing property, sabotaged races, a frame-up involving the boy wonder himself, and even a case of unrequited love. And if you get stuck, you can turn to the back of the book to see how Encyclopedia solved the mystery. But don't peek until you're stumped!

Reviews (3)

encyclopedia's review
You should get the book Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the mysterious hand prints because it is a great book.Donald J. Sobol wrote many Encyclopedia Brown's and this is the best by far. If you like mystery books Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the mysterious hand prints is the book for you.

A good book and a fun read for any Encyclopedia Brown fan!
Although Donald Sobol has written many wonderful books about Encycolpedia Brown this one required a little more guess work when trying to come up with the requisite solution. Encyclopedia Brown faces his favorite enemy, Bugs Meany and solves cases with his friend Sally. The stories are entertaining but some were a little hard to figure out such as deciphering punctuation and a blouse that was not reported missing. They were clues that were not obvious at all. It's still a good book but the earlier books were better done.

Cute stories but not quite as good as the first books
Although Donald Sobol has written many wonderful books about Encycolpedia Brown this one required a little more guess work when trying to come up with the requisite solution. Encyclopedia Brown faces his favorite enemy, Bugs Meany and solves cases with his friend Sally. The stories are entertaining but some were a little hard to figure out such as deciphering punctuation and a blouse that was not reported missing. They were clues that were not obvious at all. It's still a good book but the earlier books were better done. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Worth Your Time
This mystery takes place in downtown Idaville.Encyclopedia brown is the main chazracter who solves the mystery's for kids and adults.Cericeo is a minor charactor who tries to find out how seamen really behave, he has a play were he is a sailor.A problem accurs when he goes into a restaraunt with the sailors and pays for his meal and there is only a 2 cents tip so he leaves under the crowd and starts running down the street.The cook calls out to him that he'll fix him good so the boy is scared .The mystery is solved when Encyclopedia is the one to sort out the problem.

Intellectual Stimulation and Everyday Situations
I read all, yes all, of the 'Encyclopedia Brown' books as a child. My mother picked up the whole set at a garage sale, and it wasn't long before I had read and reread each of them several times. These books challenge young readers intellectually while presenting every-day situations. Encyclopedia Brown not only solves mysteries, he deals with his parents, the town bully, and amazed adults as well. I recommend this series to everyone; if you're older, you may not want to present a book report on an 'Encyclopedia Brown' book, but you'll enjoy it all the same. =)

Excellent series for young readers
This was a classic series of books when I was a kid, and I read a great many of them. I can still remember a lot of the details. Now I am getting them for my son. In my opinion, I think that 9-12 is a little old for this material. I recall in 7th grade (11-12 year olds) a boy in my English class was heckled for presenting a report on an Encyclopedia Brown book in front of class, as most of us had read them some years earlier. I would guess that average kids should read them from ages 7 to 9, with gifted children of 6 being old enough to enjoy them. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Two Spies
The Two Spies Two spies are exchanging top secret information- but how? They never see each other! It's up to Encyclopedia Brown to solve this case! The Stolen Coin A very valubale 19th Century coin has been stolen. And the man who owns it has been drugged! And also, the lights went out. Who did this? Encyclopedia Brown will figure it out! The Kidnapped Dog Someone has stolen Royal Blackie, a dog! And it's almost time for the dog show! And the theif wants ransom money! Who's doing this? Encycloepdia will figure it out!

Don't worry, that's only three of the ten cases! Look back at this book and find more reviews!

Encyclopedia Brown is the best!
Encyclopedia Brown is a ten-year-old detective, for those of you who don't know that. He solves cases for his police chief dad, as well as the kids around his city. There's also Bugs Meany, the big, tough leader of the Tigers. And Wilford Wiggins, the high school dropout who tries to cheat little kids from their savings. And, of course, Encyclopedia's junior partner, Sally Kimball. She isn't just the prettiest girl in the fifth grade and the best athlete, she can beat up Bugs Meany! By the way, with Encyclopedia on a case, none of these "seemingly cool" older kids (not counting Sally) can ever succeed on even one thing they want to do bad (as in the good, bad type of bad). My opinion on this book is that it's great, but since any Encyclopedia Brown book would be the same to me, all of them are truely terrific.

Encyclopedia Brown - a good detective
In "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Two Spies" there are some brain twisting investigations. And the answers are very elusive. I think that Donald J. Sobol has very good ideas and knows how to make them into mind bendng stories. I think it is a very good book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Stirs children to love reading
From the time I was a child, these books awakened a love for reading in me. They teach kids to be inquisitive, thoughtful, and also to have character. I am now working to become an English teacher and highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Thinking Book
The book is very good. I loved it. It is a thinking book becasue it haves crimes in it and you would have to think of what happened in that chapter. Then in the back of the book you would read it and it will tell you the answer that if you are right or not. I would tell other people to read this book because it is so good. The kids will think more to the book and start reading more and will start enjoying books. What are some of your thoughts of the book?

A perfect children's book!
I remember reading all the available Encyclopedia Brown books back in grade school, and have already started collecting them for my children! I would recommend these books to all parents with grade-school level children. The mysteries in the book are relatively simple to figure out, but they do make the children think, and it can be fun watching your kids trying to solve the puzzles! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This was a good book.
Encyclopedia Brown was a great detective. He solved lots of crimes with the help of his partner. His partner's name was Sally. After I read the first story about the missing telescope, I could not wait to finish the rest of the book. I did not like Bugs Meany....because he really was a 'meany'. This book shows that you should always tell the truth. If you like mysteries, you have to read this book.

An interesting book
Encyclopedia Brown is a boy detective who solves cases. I think the books are very interesting and you have to use your mind and try to help him solve the cases. The author gives you lots of clues and at the end of the chapter it will ask you a question and it tells you the page number where you can find the solution. I just turned ten years old and I love to read Encyclopedia Brown. I encourage lots of children to read the book.

This book is fun and funny.
I liked being able to guess who the culprit was in each case. I think kids of many ages would enjoy reading this book. Detective Brown and his partner,Sally, were smart and interesting. Some of the characters in the cases were funny.There were ten different cases in this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Quaint fun
This edition featuring Idaville's most famous detective includes a few mysteries that are rather challenging to solve. The challenge arises largely because of how long ago Sobol wrote the stories; solutions require knowing some quaint traditions or niceties that are not really part of today's society. Though perhaps a bit weak in terms of the evidence truly incriminating the criminal, the stories are fun and well-told.

very cool
i think it was very tough to solve the cases. but very cool ... Read more

Book Description

Match Wits With The World's Greatest BoySleuth

A hugefootprint in the soft earth . . . counterfeit money in abird's nest . . . threatening letter . . . anexploding toilet . . . a missing silver dollar . . .and a stolen newspaper clipping that could bevaluable! These are the only traces left at the sceneof ten brain-twisting crimes. But it's thatEncyclopedia Brown, boy super sleuth, needs to solvethem.

Answers are in the back, butcan you solve the mysteries first? ... Read more