Editorial Review

A Civil War sword, missing roller skates, a trapeze artist'sinheritance, a ghost who whistles, eight stuffed penguins... Is there any casethis kid can't crack? Introduce your favorite bookworm to boy detectiveEncyclopedia Brown, fifth-grade mastermind behind Idaville's police force, "acomplete library walking around in sneakers." Each book is set up so thatreaders can try to solve the case along with the boy genius, and the answers toall the mysteries are found in the back. This introductory set includes fourpaperbacks: Donald J. Sobol's Read more

Reviews (30)

Giving geeks a good name.
Encyclopedia Brown was my childhood hero. I liked him so much I named my cat Sally Kimball. Not one to stand out in a crowd, Cyc (on the covers of the old scholastic paperbooks) looked like a carbon copy of my 2nd grade self. Of course, I was sitting inside reading about his adventures during recess, not solving crimes, with wits perhaps not quite so sharp. And my suburb did not have quite as many opportunities for me to distinguish myself with crime-solving ability. Still, Cyc taught me lessons that I saw myself one day applying, once I escaped Red China.
Are You a good detective?
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!

Still a favorite after 20 years...
I read all the books I could find in this series as a young girl.To this day, I still remember some of the answers and clues (a door swings out towards its hinges).I am so glad to have found these books and hope to share them with my son and nephews when the time is right.I'll probably read them all over again...that is how much I enjoyed them growing up.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    6. Mystery and detective stories    7. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

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. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Literary recreations    7. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    8. Mystery and detective stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (5)

Can U Solve This Case?!?!
Leroy's back!Ten all new cases!He still solves them for his dad(chief of police)and has his own detective agency.This is good for kids my age since it really gets your brain thinking.This is the second book in the series and it's just like the first one except there's different cases.
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. Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    6. Adventure stories    7. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (4)

Encyclopedia solves them all
I like this book because when you read this book it and finish the chapter it gives you clues.It sometimes funny because the lady in the hair drier she is lips singing so she look funny.Also Encyclopida try's to prove the kid that he is wrong about bing strong.SoI think you should read it you mite like it.

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 ofEncyclopedias.Him and his friend Sally run a detective agency inIdaville.Nothing realy happens in Idaville but when somthing doseEncyclopedia and Sally are there to solve the case.Somtimes you thinkEncyclopedia and Sally just might not solve the case,but somtimes you neverknow.My favrite one of Ecyclopedia and Sallys cases is The Case of TheMissing Clues.A boy named Abner Nelson comes into the detective agency witha wagon full of fruit he clamed a boy named Bugs stole tree dolers worth offruit .So Encyclopedia and Abner go looking for Bugs to see if he stole thefruit . Can Encyclopedia find out.Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All is agood book for people of all ages.After you've read all of Encyclopedia andsallys mystery casesI 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 alsosolve the case by dinner time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. General    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    7. Mystery and detective stories    8. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (3)

Fun, But So-So Writing
I remember enjoying the Encyclopedia Brown solve-them-yourself mysteries when I was a kid. But as an adult, I'd prefer to see kids reading something with a little more writing quality. No characterizations, no drama, cliche descriptions -- couldn't someone do this genre better?

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 sodid I! He now wants to read more about Encyclopedia Brown and I can't waitto buy them for him! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    6. Mystery and detective stories    7. Brown, Encyclopedia (Fictitious character)    8. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories    9. Literary recreations    10. Problem solving   

Reviews (7)

TOO MANY RECIPES!!
I liked this book, but there were TOO MANY RECIPES!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost died from reading all the recipies.DO NOT READ THIS BOOK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IF YOU DON'T LIKE RECIPES!!!!! After reading this book you will have died in four different dimensions!! I do not recommend this for anyone who does not like recipes!!
the best story!!!!!!!!!!!
I like it because it had a lot of reiceps that I can write down so I can cook for my family like Tostadas. My family loves Mexican food we eat attoco bell.
Fun cool funny book!!
I think everybody should give this book Encyclopedia brown takes the cake 5 stars beacuse this is a good book and it teaches you how to cook and learn about food and how to slove mysteries like the case of the missing garlic bread .and the case of the fourth of July artist the case of the oven mitt the case of the overstuffed pinata and the case of the missing watchgoos and the case of the secret recipe and finely the case the chinese restaurant.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Cookery    5. Detective and mystery stories, American    6. Juvenile literature    7. Literary cookbooks    8. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (4)

it's Okay
I have not read many EB books but this was my first one. The first mystery was very easy. so i like it pretty much.

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

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    5. Mystery and detective stories    6. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

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 highlyrecommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    4. Mystery and detective stories    5. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

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. 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

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile Mysteries    6. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    7. Mystery and detective stories    8. Short stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

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 areentertaining but some were a little hard to figure out such as decipheringpunctuation and a blouse that was not reported missing. They were cluesthat were not obvious at all. It's still a good book but the earlier bookswere 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 areentertaining but some were a little hard to figure out such as decipheringpunctuation and a blouse that was not reported missing. They were cluesthat were not obvious at all.It's still a good book but the earlier bookswere better done. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Mystery and detective stories    7. Mystery/Suspense    8. Children's stories, American    9. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (5)

The cool 4 STAR
Encyclopedia BrownBy Donald J. Sobol
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. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    4. Mystery and detective stories    5. Children's stories, American    6. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

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

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile Mysteries    6. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    7. Mystery and detective stories    8. Short stories    9. Crime & mystery    10. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (2)

strain your brain. Jr. Detective
With just one question, the supersmart Leroy (a.k.a Encyclopedia) Brown will solve each mystery as he has for the past thirty years, using his superior logic skills. And because readers love to match wits with him, this series will endure for many more years, it is certain. Teachers can bedevil their students by reading a mystery each morning (they take about a minute each) and then letting the class try to solve it before the end of the day. When I did this, I had to hide the book in the trunk of my car because the kids were desperate to figure out the answer. Delightfully innocent, wonderfully tricky, all ages will love these quick vignettes with answers at the back of the book. Would also be good to use with seniors!

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs
Boy detective, Encyclopedia Brown returns as a parody of himself. What can you expect from a boy who's been 10 for 30 years?The stories (cases) takes place in a parallel time not the past and not the present.It's a time where kids have names like Herb, Rupert, and Wilford and a foil named Bugs Meany.You can still hire a boy detective for 25 cents a day and preteens say things like, "stop beating your gums," and "keen for the green."There is something appealing about heroes being called "goody goods,"by their foes and being told to, "go adopt an egg." It's good innocent fun.As for the mysteries, they are as clever and incomprehensible as the earlier books in the series--many will try, but few will figure them out.Solutions are in the back of the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile Mysteries    6. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    7. Mystery and detective stories    8. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

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 bookyou 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 levelchildren.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 kidstrying to solve the puzzles! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    4. Mystery and detective stories    5. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

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 thefirst story about the missing telescope, I could not wait to finish therest 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 youlike 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 thechapter it will ask you a question and it tells you the page number whereyou can find the solution. I just turned ten years old and I love to readEncyclopedia 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 kidsof many ages would enjoy reading this book. Detective Brown and hispartner,Sally, were smart and interesting. Some of the characters in thecases were funny.There were ten different cases in this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. General    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    7. Mystery and detective stories    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    4. Mystery and detective stories    5. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (2)

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 theTigers. And Wilford Wiggins, the high school dropout who tries to cheatlittle kids from their savings. And, of course, Encyclopedia's juniorpartner, Sally Kimball. She isn't just the prettiest girl in the fifthgrade and the best athlete, she can beat up Bugs Meany! By the way, withEncyclopedia 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'sgreat, but since any Encyclopedia Brown book would be the same to me, allof 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 theminto mind bendng stories.I think it is a very good book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Literary recreations    7. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    8. Mystery and detective stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (1)

The cool 4 star
Encyclopedia BrownBy Donald J. Sobol
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    4. Mystery and detective stories    5. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (4)

Excellent series
As a 46 year old, I remember to this day devouring the Encyclopedia Brown series at the local library.Many times, I checked out the book, read it cover to cover, and returned it the same day.
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 hegoes 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. =) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Mysteries / Detective    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    5. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (1)

An enjoyable book
The book was nice to read and the mysteries were kind of "always happening" like not so big mysteries, but some were tough to solve and I enjoyed reading this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Fiction    3. General    4. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    5. Mystery and detective stories    6. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories