Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boy solves crimes that stump adults in fun, funny mysteries.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In the ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN series, 10-year-old Leroy Brown is nicknamed "Encyclopedia" because his memory and observation skills have made him the most sought-after detective in Idaville. This small-town boy takes cases for 25 cents, finding anything from a lost earring to an escaped bank robber, figuring out who the town litterbug is, or determining if a kid really drank the bitter water and won the contest against nemesis Bugs Meany's gang.
Is It Any Good?
The writing in these mysteries is fast-paced, fun, and full of sly jokes. Each self-contained chapter in the Encyclopedia Brown books is only 8-10 pages long, so early or reluctant readers of chapter books will have an easy time focusing, and more advanced readers can whiz through case after case. The characters aren't at all complex and the names in the series are clues themselves (any kid named "Bugs Meany" or "Lefty Dobbs" is bound to be trouble), and there's humor in that simplicity. There isn't a lot of diversity in Idaville, but the series does try to expand gender roles a bit -- a girl playing football or having a better left hook than any boy. These are fun mysteries set in relatable situations, and the solutions will even keep adults guessing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Encyclopedia Brown keeps an open mind when he takes a case. How can you keep from jumping to conclusions about a person or incident?
Encyclopedia's key to solving cases is listening and observing carefully. How would this be helpful to you, even if you don't have a case to solve?
What other books have mysteries set in everyday situations? What are some of your favorite mystery books?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Leonard Shortall
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Puffin Books
- Publication date : September 6, 2007
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 96
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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