Encyclopedia Brown

Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective

By Donald J. Sobol

Published by Scholastic Book Services (1967)

Reading Level: Ages 9-12 years

Pages: 75

Genre: Mystery

Summary: Encyclopedia Brown was called that because he is super smart and knows as much as an encyclopedia. He helped his father solve crimes over dinner. He decides to open his own detective agency. In the first case Encyclopedia helps his father figure out who robbed a store. The store owner claimed it was Natty Nat, but some of his story didn't fit with facts about Natty Nat so Encyclopedia knew that the store owner made up the story. In the next story Encyclopedia helped a boy get a tent that a group called the tigers had stolen from them by proving it wasn't theirs. Then he stops the tigers from selling a fake civil war sword. He then has a battle of wits with a girl named Sally that has beat the boys at nearly everything and wins. Then he helps identify a bank robber, and a bakeshop robber, and diamond necklace thief. He also figures out who broke into a store room and stole money, who stoles Sally's roller skates, and and finally why the egg spinner kept winning (it was a hard boiled egg).

My Reaction: I enjoyed trying to solve the mysteries before the end of the story and I was successful half the time, it was fun.

Potential Problems: I don't see any.

Recommendations: I would start recommending this to third graders through maybe fifth to sixth graders. Especially ones that like mysteries or problem solving. Although I think the problem solving would be fun for some adults too.