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Encyclopedia Brown #26
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs
Encyclopedia Brown is back, protecting Idaville from swindlers, con men, and thieves. Since 1963 this brainy crime-stopper has been a favorite character among middle-grade readers. Follow the boy detective on ten new mysteries, including the puzzle of a giant shark tooth and the whodunit of a secret shipwreck. As fans of the series know, solutions can be found in the back so that readers can solve the cases, too.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2010
180 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. Sobol
181 books222 followersDonald J. Sobol was an award-winning writer best known for his children's books, especially the Encyclopedia Brown mystery series. Mr. Sobol passed away in July of 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 31, 2020
Neo and I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, having finally read all of the books!! We quickly read this group of stories, filled with some unique mysteries we can process in a few minutes, connecting with one another as we guess the all but obvious solutions. The kid detective still works his magic in Idaville, USA, keeping the town crime-free and collecting his coins from those who can pay. Encyclopedia assists with the return of barbecue supplies, debunks some UFO photos, and clears the air about a famous diary entry. These wonderful five-minute mysteries seek to entertain and exercise the brain of both child and adult, but require some keen sleuthing. Neo and I have used them as a before bedtime activity or over a spot of lunch and we are getting much better at piecing the clues together in a timely manner. Young sleuths in the making may want to sharpen their skills with the massive collection of stories.
Neo really likes the stories that keep him thinking. I remember having these stories read to me when I was young as well, helping me want to pass along the tradition. Neo thoroughly enjoys listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. He mentioned that these are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (even as they author writes in the 1990s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
Did you know Neo’s has his own GR account for reviews? Check him out: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Neo really likes the stories that keep him thinking. I remember having these stories read to me when I was young as well, helping me want to pass along the tradition. Neo thoroughly enjoys listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. He mentioned that these are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (even as they author writes in the 1990s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
Did you know Neo’s has his own GR account for reviews? Check him out: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
October 17, 2020
My dad and I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, having finally read all of the books! We quickly read this group of stories, filled with some unique mysteries we can process in a few minutes, connecting with one another as we guess the all but obvious solutions. The kid detective still works his magic in Idaville, USA, keeping the town crime-free and collecting his coins from those who can pay. Encyclopedia assists with the return of barbecue supplies, debunks some UFO photos, and clears the air about a famous diary entry. These wonderful five-minute mysteries seek to entertain and exercise the brain of both child and adult, but require some keen sleuthing. We have used them as a before bedtime activity or over a quick lunch and we are getting much better at piecing the clues together in a timely manner. Young sleuths in the making may want to sharpen their skills with the massive collection of stories.
I like the stories that keep him thinking. My dad had these stories read to him when he was young, helping to pass along the tradition. I enjoy listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. These are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (even as they author writes in the 1990s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
I like the stories that keep him thinking. My dad had these stories read to him when he was young, helping to pass along the tradition. I enjoy listening to the stories and making an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. These are perfect stories for parent-child reading, but would be great for a good reader when they have time or are on a road trip. A note to parents: the stories are dated (even as they author writes in the 1990s) and some of the terminology or word choices might not be as correct as you would like your young reader to use on a daily basis.
December 13, 2020
Kids love these books. We always try to guess the solution before it is given. Just wish it were longer. They gave it 4 stars bc they are too short. 🤣
July 12, 2025
Wrapping up my Encyclopedia Brown listening before their availability on audible expires. I loved reading through the mysteries as a kid, and listening to short mysteries as an adult has been just as thought-provoking.
March 9, 2019
Encyclopedia Brown was one of my gateway drugs into mysteries. As a kid, I always tried to figure out the solution before I read it in the back. Not always successful, but I did try!
Rereading them as an adult was straight-up nostalgia. The formula I remember from childhood was still there (you start to notice it when you read a lot of this series, especially in a row). The first puzzle is always from the Chief, told around the dinner table, the second is at the Brown Detective Agency. There is always at least one case with Bugs Meany and the Tigers, including a corny expression or pun about how crooked they are. And Sally is the junior detective, Encyclopedia's muscle, and both the prettiest girl and the best athlete.
And I still learn a little each time I read these! Despite the formula, they are great for building critical thinking with kids. Short stories let you get right into the puzzle, and are quick for short attention spans or quick reads when you only have a few minutes.
Encyclopedia debuted in the mid-60s. I was reading them 25+ years ago. And I'd still recommend them to budding mystery readers.
Rereading them as an adult was straight-up nostalgia. The formula I remember from childhood was still there (you start to notice it when you read a lot of this series, especially in a row). The first puzzle is always from the Chief, told around the dinner table, the second is at the Brown Detective Agency. There is always at least one case with Bugs Meany and the Tigers, including a corny expression or pun about how crooked they are. And Sally is the junior detective, Encyclopedia's muscle, and both the prettiest girl and the best athlete.
And I still learn a little each time I read these! Despite the formula, they are great for building critical thinking with kids. Short stories let you get right into the puzzle, and are quick for short attention spans or quick reads when you only have a few minutes.
Encyclopedia debuted in the mid-60s. I was reading them 25+ years ago. And I'd still recommend them to budding mystery readers.
September 1, 2015
This book and others are why I still read kids books. They're fun, interesting.
I used to read these Encyclopedia Brown books when I was a kid and forgot about them until recently. Still as much fun as I remember.
As an adult you can probably figure out what's going on but it's still enjoyable to read and see if you're right.
The main character, Encyclopedia Brown, reminds me of a young Sherlock Holmes. I wonder how many kids that read these stories move on to read Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
Well worth your time. Even if you don't have much time, the stories are short.
I used to read these Encyclopedia Brown books when I was a kid and forgot about them until recently. Still as much fun as I remember.
As an adult you can probably figure out what's going on but it's still enjoyable to read and see if you're right.
The main character, Encyclopedia Brown, reminds me of a young Sherlock Holmes. I wonder how many kids that read these stories move on to read Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
Well worth your time. Even if you don't have much time, the stories are short.
July 28, 2023
As an avid reader of the Encyclopedia Brown series since childhood, I can confidently say that "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs" continues to capture the essence of what makes this series so enjoyable. Donald J Sobol has once again crafted a delightful read with his lovable characters and engaging mysteries.
One of the remarkable aspects of the series is how the protagonist, Encyclopedia Brown, remains charming and relatable despite his vast knowledge and exceptional deductive skills. He could easily have been portrayed as an unlikeable know-it-all, but Sobol infuses him with a sense of humor and humanity that endears him to readers of all ages. This balance is what has made Encyclopedia a timeless and enduring character.
The author's ability to create a diverse cast of well-written and charming characters is also commendable. Even Encyclopedia's arch-nemesis, Bugs Meanie, manages to add a dose of hilarity to the narrative, and sometimes outright cracks me up. Bugs is a terrific character and a fantastic foil. As with Bugs, Sobol's talent lies in giving each character a unique personality, which breathes life into the stories.
In "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs," Sobol once again showcases his mastery of crafting clever mysteries. Though some of the plot elements may feel familiar, the author puts his own spin on them, resulting in engaging and quick-witted puzzles that keep readers on their toes. The mysteries are well-crafted and will undoubtedly appeal to both newcomers and long-time fans of the series. But even if you solve the cases too easily, it is the spirit of the mysteries and the charm of the characters and situations that truly make these stories shine.
Whether you are discovering Encyclopedia Brown for the first time or revisiting the series for the umpteenth time, "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs" is undeniably worth your time. The book delivers an endearing mix of humor, wit, and brain-teasing puzzles that will leave you thoroughly satisfied and looking forward to the next adventure. Donald J Sobol's legacy lives on in this delightful addition to the beloved series.
One of the remarkable aspects of the series is how the protagonist, Encyclopedia Brown, remains charming and relatable despite his vast knowledge and exceptional deductive skills. He could easily have been portrayed as an unlikeable know-it-all, but Sobol infuses him with a sense of humor and humanity that endears him to readers of all ages. This balance is what has made Encyclopedia a timeless and enduring character.
The author's ability to create a diverse cast of well-written and charming characters is also commendable. Even Encyclopedia's arch-nemesis, Bugs Meanie, manages to add a dose of hilarity to the narrative, and sometimes outright cracks me up. Bugs is a terrific character and a fantastic foil. As with Bugs, Sobol's talent lies in giving each character a unique personality, which breathes life into the stories.
In "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs," Sobol once again showcases his mastery of crafting clever mysteries. Though some of the plot elements may feel familiar, the author puts his own spin on them, resulting in engaging and quick-witted puzzles that keep readers on their toes. The mysteries are well-crafted and will undoubtedly appeal to both newcomers and long-time fans of the series. But even if you solve the cases too easily, it is the spirit of the mysteries and the charm of the characters and situations that truly make these stories shine.
Whether you are discovering Encyclopedia Brown for the first time or revisiting the series for the umpteenth time, "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs" is undeniably worth your time. The book delivers an endearing mix of humor, wit, and brain-teasing puzzles that will leave you thoroughly satisfied and looking forward to the next adventure. Donald J Sobol's legacy lives on in this delightful addition to the beloved series.
April 29, 2024
This was an okay collection of stories. A few stronger ones, but a few that just didn't quite work for me.
Stolen Stamps - This one seemed a bit obvious. Surely the chief of police would consider this possibility?
Secret UFOs - I thought this was a good solution. Straightforward enough when you think of it, but a detail that could slip right by.
Scrambled Eggs - Bugs doesn't even seem to be trying sometimes. And why, why, why would Encyclopedia take a case from him? Especially when it's so bizarre?
Roman Pots - It just doesn't seem plausible that someone so focused on Ancient Roman antiques would make such a silly mistake.
Grandma's Cookies - A variation of a solution that's been used multiple times.
Grabbed Groceries - Not exactly "beyond a reasonable doubt." This is a hunch, at best.
Giant Shark Tooth - Why does Idaville's #1 expert on teeth need to hire Encyclopedia to verify the authenticity of a tooth?
Missing Medallions - I've seen almost the exact same solution in several stories. Unfortunately for me, I overlooked the key detail.
Shipwreck - I didn't catch the solution to this one, but my solution also seems to work.
Mrs. Washington's Diary - A decent story. This one would fit well in the middle of a book. It just doesn't seem to have enough going for it to be the final story.
Stolen Stamps - This one seemed a bit obvious. Surely the chief of police would consider this possibility?
Secret UFOs - I thought this was a good solution. Straightforward enough when you think of it, but a detail that could slip right by.
Scrambled Eggs - Bugs doesn't even seem to be trying sometimes. And why, why, why would Encyclopedia take a case from him? Especially when it's so bizarre?
Roman Pots - It just doesn't seem plausible that someone so focused on Ancient Roman antiques would make such a silly mistake.
Grandma's Cookies - A variation of a solution that's been used multiple times.
Grabbed Groceries - Not exactly "beyond a reasonable doubt." This is a hunch, at best.
Giant Shark Tooth - Why does Idaville's #1 expert on teeth need to hire Encyclopedia to verify the authenticity of a tooth?
Missing Medallions - I've seen almost the exact same solution in several stories. Unfortunately for me, I overlooked the key detail.
Shipwreck - I didn't catch the solution to this one, but my solution also seems to work.
Mrs. Washington's Diary - A decent story. This one would fit well in the middle of a book. It just doesn't seem to have enough going for it to be the final story.
June 3, 2021
2021 is the year of the re-read. I started by re-reading all the Vonnegut and went from there. As a young child, I loved encyclopedia brown. Seeing the audio books on Hoopla, I decided to re-visit this young detective. I guess they were written all the way thru 2012, when the author died. As I'm almost (but not quite) 50, I surely hadn't read any of the books that came out after 1983 or so. So I picked a later book from 2010.
1. This book was just like I remember - almost like comfort food. A short story collection of different cases featuring kid detective Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown as he solves cases for his dad, the chief of police, and a wacky cast of neighbors. Sally, the prettiest & toughest girl, was his assistant and Tiger is still causing trouble.
2. I solved some of the cases, but sometimes, I just lacked the knowledge of shark anatomy or whatever to crack the case. Luckily, Encyclopedia Brown didn't lack that knowledge and was always able to solve the case. A lot of the cases were pretty simple, like a BC date. I mean, these stories are meant for young children, after all.
3. Upon Encyclopedia figuring out the flaw or lie, the culprit would almost always confess. Crime 101 is you stick to your story. Oh, well.
4. There were more puns than I remember. They were probably always there. In either case, I enjoyed them.
Anyway, this was a fun re-visit. A comfort food of the soul. It's good to see Donald J Sobol was cranking out these quality books until the end.
1. This book was just like I remember - almost like comfort food. A short story collection of different cases featuring kid detective Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown as he solves cases for his dad, the chief of police, and a wacky cast of neighbors. Sally, the prettiest & toughest girl, was his assistant and Tiger is still causing trouble.
2. I solved some of the cases, but sometimes, I just lacked the knowledge of shark anatomy or whatever to crack the case. Luckily, Encyclopedia Brown didn't lack that knowledge and was always able to solve the case. A lot of the cases were pretty simple, like a BC date. I mean, these stories are meant for young children, after all.
3. Upon Encyclopedia figuring out the flaw or lie, the culprit would almost always confess. Crime 101 is you stick to your story. Oh, well.
4. There were more puns than I remember. They were probably always there. In either case, I enjoyed them.
Anyway, this was a fun re-visit. A comfort food of the soul. It's good to see Donald J Sobol was cranking out these quality books until the end.
June 4, 2017
I loved these books as a kid. I grabbed this one to read to my kiddos and I was not disappointed. I love how they encourage critical thinking to solve the cases and since the answers are in the back, it's a chance to review the short story and see if you can solve the puzzle yourself. Granted, these are much easier to figure out now that I'm an adult, but I still was stumped on a few or didn't get the details just right. Perfect for my kiddos to get into. And after talking through some of the story details, they figured some of them out. I love to see their minds working and we'll be reading more of these together.
April 15, 2020
Still as solid a series as it ever was, but the stories this go round do have a certain “sameness” that an adult can’t help but notice. My grandson loves these mini mysteries all the same, and we enjoyed taking turns reading the cases aloud and trying to figure out the details of the crime. I’m going to dig out some of my older collections of Encyclopedia’s adventures to compare, so more reviews are probably forthcoming.
February 4, 2025
3.5 stars -- I am continuing my search for the perfect Encyclopedia Brown mystery to include in a lesson. Published in 2010, this collection of mysteries was definitely more up to date than the very first one, which was published in 1963. I must admit, though, that the charm of those older stories was missing in these. I did like several of these, however, and I am considering using "The Case of the Stolen Stamps" for my lesson.
May 27, 2020
In this one a reader has more chance of solving the puzzles if she or he has spent time reading the encyclopedia or otherwise learning 'trivia.' Iow, it's not a matter of logic usually. Still, most 5th graders have a shot at knowing some of this stuff if they've been paying attention. On the third hand, I have to admit that the title mystery stumped me (facepalm).
August 4, 2019
Pretty sure I read all of these when I was a kid. Loved em then, love em now. It’s fun as an adult trying to figure them out... I know way more about the world now than I did back then! Still, there are some answers that surprise me.
March 29, 2021
I loved Encyclopedia Brown as a kid so I’m reading them to my kids. Trying to figure out how I never noticed before that the majority of the mischief is older kids trying to con younger kids out of their allowances.
November 24, 2018
great book.
January 23, 2019
cute short stories.
August 11, 2020
I'm always worried reading classics with today's eyes. This one held up well and was still a lot of fun. Recommended for grades 3 & up.
February 8, 2021
I liked it because There wee questions at the end of chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2022
One of my favorite books in this series is Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Secret UFOs. All ten cases in this book are fun to read.
October 7, 2022
Fun puzzle book for an easy read. Definitely looking forward to reading more of these short stories to try and keep my brain firing on all cylinders!
June 18, 2024
If you love Encycolpedia Brown mysteries, there is nothing here to disappoint.
October 13, 2025
Fun interesting a book that I will never forget!
May 11, 2011
Oh man, you guys. I walked by this book in the New Section at the library and it caught my eye. I grabbed it and read the copyright date - 2010! An Encyclopedia Brown book published just last year? Of course I had to read it. My 8-year old self would have never forgiven me otherwise.
I re-read a few of these sometime last year as well as a new one I had never read that was published in 2007 or 2008. This one was just as formulaic but had slightly more plausible answers. It gave me a happy peaceful feeling though, I really did love these books as a kid.
3 stars because I loved reading it, even though I am WAY too old for these.
I re-read a few of these sometime last year as well as a new one I had never read that was published in 2007 or 2008. This one was just as formulaic but had slightly more plausible answers. It gave me a happy peaceful feeling though, I really did love these books as a kid.
3 stars because I loved reading it, even though I am WAY too old for these.
November 1, 2014
Another great book of deductive reasoning for kids. I am using this in homeschool lessons on critical thinking. Encyclopedia Brown has a detective agency and for a quarter, any kid can get him to solve a crime, check out a story, or tell if a sale is really a good deal.
Most of the mysteries can be solved by middle graders. I only found one that a child would have to have some special knowledge that wasn't typical for this age group.
I enjoy using the books for deductive reasoning, but I wish there was another series for older kids. Critical thinking is an important skill and it is sometimes hard to find ways to teach it.
Most of the mysteries can be solved by middle graders. I only found one that a child would have to have some special knowledge that wasn't typical for this age group.
I enjoy using the books for deductive reasoning, but I wish there was another series for older kids. Critical thinking is an important skill and it is sometimes hard to find ways to teach it.
August 28, 2013
Age range 5-8. Encyclopedia helps his friend Flash find out if he should get a picture of a UFO that is sold by the tigers. The tigers (a gang who bullies others)is selling them and claims they're real but with help from Encyclopedia YOU will find out if they are real. I loved the book because there are other mini stories in the book. I also like mystery's so its a good book for mystery lovers.
June 16, 2015
It's a good thing Encyclopedia Brown is around to solve the myriad crimes occurring in Idaville! The majority of the time, the crime can be solved in the details...either extra details given or details omitted. It's also good to know what happens in the Western hemisphere versus the Southern hemisphere and to have some knowledge of aquatic animals.
Entertaining...especially for young ones. :)
Entertaining...especially for young ones. :)
February 10, 2016
I downloaded the audible version for a short walk down memory lane. When I was a kid, I read these books and enjoyed the short stories, because let's face it, like a lot of kids, I didn't always have a long attention span. This made the short chapters desirable as they were quick and easy to get through, providing a nice wrap up at the end, seeing if you caught the same clues that Encyclopedia Brown did.
October 16, 2016
Genre: Mystery and Suspense
This book is for students in the intermediate-middle grades (3-8). This book is about Encyclopedia Brown trying to solve a case but has to solve mini cases to solve the big one. This is a good book because it is filled with puzzles which is great for critical thinking. The book also contains questions at the end of each story that a teacher can go over and have a mini discussion about the answers the students come up with.
This book is for students in the intermediate-middle grades (3-8). This book is about Encyclopedia Brown trying to solve a case but has to solve mini cases to solve the big one. This is a good book because it is filled with puzzles which is great for critical thinking. The book also contains questions at the end of each story that a teacher can go over and have a mini discussion about the answers the students come up with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews