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Encyclopedia Brown #18
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers
A stolen teacup... An extra set of footprints... Four very strange words... A pirate's treasure... And a race to find a cheater in Idaville's annual disgusting sneaker contest! These are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him--the answers to all the mysteries are found in the back!
92 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 2, 2020
Neo and I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, having read eighteen collections (when do we get our badges in the mail?). 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 helps solve a case of stolen sneakers with a ripeness to them, deflects a framing by Bugs Meany, and helps solve a smuggling ring in town. 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 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 1980s) 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 1980s) 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...
August 10, 2020
Yay ebooks! Boo that they used this cover, because it was *girls* competing for most disgusting sneakers. Yay for two different word puzzles. Boo for another . Yay for me being able to come up with some solutions. Boo for some of my solutions not being the ones Sobol had in mind. 3.5 stars rounded up.
April 3, 2020
Good fun-
Good fun- loved these books as a kid , so cool to read them now. Quick and a nostalgic will read a few more.
Good fun- loved these books as a kid , so cool to read them now. Quick and a nostalgic will read a few more.
August 31, 2023
This was a good mix of mysteries that I was able to guess correctly, and ones where I immediately headed to the solution.
June 22, 2022
You know why i read these short little brain exercises?
"Bugs Meany was the leader of a gang of tough older boys. They called themselves the Tigers. They should have called themselves the Steel Clocks. They were always giving some little kid a hard time."
"Bugs growled, "Make like the Wright brothers and take off."
"Not only was Sally the prettiest girl in fifth grade, she could do what no kid thought possible-blister Bugs's bluster.
Whenever they fought, Bugs ended up on his back, panting like a hot chicken."
Cheesy humor is appealed and it makes me pay attention to details so, good stuff.
"Bugs Meany was the leader of a gang of tough older boys. They called themselves the Tigers. They should have called themselves the Steel Clocks. They were always giving some little kid a hard time."
"Bugs growled, "Make like the Wright brothers and take off."
"Not only was Sally the prettiest girl in fifth grade, she could do what no kid thought possible-blister Bugs's bluster.
Whenever they fought, Bugs ended up on his back, panting like a hot chicken."
Cheesy humor is appealed and it makes me pay attention to details so, good stuff.
May 23, 2017
I loved this books as a kid - and they are still a decent challenge now. I managed to figure out only 3 out of 10! There's more funny one-liners than I remembered. It possible I didn't quite get them as a kid.
The only thing that doesn't stand the test of time well is the casual use of the word gypped.
The only thing that doesn't stand the test of time well is the casual use of the word gypped.
December 23, 2009
reread on 12/22/09 and increased to 4 stars
April 24, 2018
More fun stories of Encyclopedia Brown and his friends.
January 30, 2024
A quality collection. A definite step up from #17.
Fifth Word - This one was okay. The setup is okay, and the solution is logical. It's just implausible that someone would come up with this complicated code on the spot.
Teacup - Again, a pretty good story. Bugs Meany as an etiquette teacher is a fun thought. The solution is actually solid, with the necessary detail slipped into the story well.
Broken Vase - Another Bugs Meany revenge story--I always enjoy these ones. The phrasing of the solution is a bit unclear, but the story is fine. It also contains a wonderful understated sentence: "Suddenly, things happened."
Three Vans - Again, someone in a dangerous situation finds a way to write a serious of seemingly unrelated words. The people of Idaville must love spontaneous codes.
Rented Canoes - The solution was staring me in the face, but I didn't get there. Should've had it.
Brain Game - This one seemed more like a trivia question than a detective story. Not my favourite.
Black Jack's Treasure - I had actually wondered about this very thing not too long ago, so the solution was right there for me. I liked it. Will Wilford never win?
Missing Shopping Bag - The tone and writing was so different from the usual Encyclopedia Brown stories. It felt like it was a guest writer.
Disgusting Sneakers - They have a lot of interesting contests around Idaville. I wasn't sold on the solution.
Smugglers' Secret - This investigation was also pretty different from the usual. I liked the story. I didn't get the solution, but I should have figured it out. It was a strong ending to a solid collection.
Fifth Word - This one was okay. The setup is okay, and the solution is logical. It's just implausible that someone would come up with this complicated code on the spot.
Teacup - Again, a pretty good story. Bugs Meany as an etiquette teacher is a fun thought. The solution is actually solid, with the necessary detail slipped into the story well.
Broken Vase - Another Bugs Meany revenge story--I always enjoy these ones. The phrasing of the solution is a bit unclear, but the story is fine. It also contains a wonderful understated sentence: "Suddenly, things happened."
Three Vans - Again, someone in a dangerous situation finds a way to write a serious of seemingly unrelated words. The people of Idaville must love spontaneous codes.
Rented Canoes - The solution was staring me in the face, but I didn't get there. Should've had it.
Brain Game - This one seemed more like a trivia question than a detective story. Not my favourite.
Black Jack's Treasure - I had actually wondered about this very thing not too long ago, so the solution was right there for me. I liked it. Will Wilford never win?
Missing Shopping Bag - The tone and writing was so different from the usual Encyclopedia Brown stories. It felt like it was a guest writer.
Disgusting Sneakers - They have a lot of interesting contests around Idaville. I wasn't sold on the solution.
Smugglers' Secret - This investigation was also pretty different from the usual. I liked the story. I didn't get the solution, but I should have figured it out. It was a strong ending to a solid collection.
May 1, 2020
My dad and I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, having read eighteen collections (when do we get our badges in the mail?). 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 helps solve a case of stolen sneakers with a ripe smell, deflects a framing by Bugs Meany, and helps solve a smuggling ring in town. 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 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.
These stories really keep him thinking as I listen and understand. My dad had these stories read to him at my age and now he is helping pass along the tradition. I enjoy listening 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 1980s, around dinosaur times) 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.
These stories really keep him thinking as I listen and understand. My dad had these stories read to him at my age and now he is helping pass along the tradition. I enjoy listening 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 1980s, around dinosaur times) 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.
June 14, 2021
My older brother and I loved Encyclopedia Brown books when we were young, so when I stumbled across a copy of Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers by Donald J. Sobol at a rummage sale, I couldn't resist. The format is the same. Leroy (Encyclopedia) Brown's police father has a case he can't solve, so he runs through the facts and Leroy solves the mystery! The reader is given a chance to figure out how Leroy figured out the culprit, and then his thinking is explained. Just good fun for young (and, obviously, young-at-heart readers)!
May 2, 2019
As always, I enjoy the short, humorous nature of these mysteries. This book is perfect for times when I only have a few minutes to read. Some of the mysteries are almost impossible to solve if you're not living in the author's head, and others are so obvious that it's almost insulting, but overall I enjoy reading a mystery here and there throughout my day.
June 28, 2017
I remember having a set these when was younger no clue where at now. I enjoyed reading these each story was good and had me wondering how Encyclopedia figured it out so fast when I couldn't piece together myself.
this def good for the young detectives out there.
this def good for the young detectives out there.
June 12, 2019
Ten-year old Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown, Idaville's crime buster is back. He's out to stop smugglers, sneak thieves, kidnappers, break codes and a variety of mysteries in these ten short stories that are sure to keep the reader guessing, and trying to solve the crimes with the clues provided.
July 6, 2020
My favorite story in this book was "The Case of Black Jack's Treasure" when the wily Wilford Wiggins (high school dropout) matches wits against Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown (over-achieving fifth grader).
April 16, 2021
I always liked this series as a kid, and found one on the shelf so decided to read it!! I think these are good books to get kids interested in reading. Short chapters and can start up in almost any chapter.
November 2, 2022
I hate to admit this as an adult but this is such a fun quick read. As someone who loves puzzles, Encyclopedia Brown books are quick for anyone trying to catch up on their reading challenge or just trying to keep their brain sharp.
July 10, 2020
Read it to a kid so I guess it counts?
February 2, 2021
This book is a good mystery to fallow I also really like how it gives you a chance to figure out the mystery your self
March 19, 2021
I didn't like these one as much...
March 30, 2023
I loved these books as a kid. This one was cute!
July 24, 2024
Another good one, although sometimes the answers are difficult to get.
November 19, 2024
I probably read some of these as a kid, but now I find them pretty tedious.
Probably won't read any more
Probably won't read any more
October 24, 2021
I read a lot of detective/mystery books when I was a kid, but for some reason Encyclopedia Brown never made the list. By the time I discovered the series, it just seemed too young for me.
Now reading an Encyclopedia Brown for the first book, I have comments.
First, I just rolled my eyes when I learned in the first chapter that his dad is a cop. This is why most of us are still convinced cops are good guys who solve problems instead of power-hungry people who enjoy their status and don't care who they hurt.
Second, surprising that Encyclopedia is relatively well adjusted considering how nerdy he is (although he is stillin grade school, that's when your peers still care that you know how to get good grades at school).
Third, I noted that the bully's dad was made to be an owner of a car shop, which isn't a problem in itself but the blue-collar roots seems to be implied to be the reason he's a bully. (Although, in another story he does live in a two-story house. Although, in this story some cop apparently had been dispatched to the scene because the police totally believed the fears os some preteen had and the dispatched cop was so useless he couldn't figure out which kid was lying and wanted to take them all to the station.)
But most importantly, the reasoning behind each case can be not fact-based and assumes the reader comes from the same socioeconomic class as Brown/the author. In the case with the canoes, for example, the clue was something I had NO idea was a thing, although I could "solve" the case only because, notably, the narrator described the sizes/weight of the suspects.
To be fair, I know that if I were to reread some of the series I did enjoy as kids I would totally have similar thoughts as the ones I just did. This is not a uniquely Encyclopedia Brown problem.
Now reading an Encyclopedia Brown for the first book, I have comments.
First, I just rolled my eyes when I learned in the first chapter that his dad is a cop. This is why most of us are still convinced cops are good guys who solve problems instead of power-hungry people who enjoy their status and don't care who they hurt.
Second, surprising that Encyclopedia is relatively well adjusted considering how nerdy he is (although he is stillin grade school, that's when your peers still care that you know how to get good grades at school).
Third, I noted that the bully's dad was made to be an owner of a car shop, which isn't a problem in itself but the blue-collar roots seems to be implied to be the reason he's a bully. (Although, in another story he does live in a two-story house. Although, in this story some cop apparently had been dispatched to the scene because the police totally believed the fears os some preteen had and the dispatched cop was so useless he couldn't figure out which kid was lying and wanted to take them all to the station.)
But most importantly, the reasoning behind each case can be not fact-based and assumes the reader comes from the same socioeconomic class as Brown/the author. In the case with the canoes, for example, the clue was something I had NO idea was a thing, although I could "solve" the case only because, notably, the narrator described the sizes/weight of the suspects.
To be fair, I know that if I were to reread some of the series I did enjoy as kids I would totally have similar thoughts as the ones I just did. This is not a uniquely Encyclopedia Brown problem.
November 5, 2023
The sneakers case was... weird, but the words case was pretty interesting.
July 6, 2023
In the title story, the junior detective is hired to find out who stole the noxious sneaker of the front-runner for the annual disgusting sneaker contest. He and his sidekick-slash-bodyguard Sally figure out this and nine other cases, including recovering some stolen fishing rods and a missing shopping bag, stopping smugglers, and cracking a secret code. And, of course, in every book he needs to puncture holes in the scheme of some scam artist who was just about to bilk the overwhelmingly naïve people of Idaville. As is usual, some of the solutions rely on information not exactly given out fairly, and others are obvious even to the third graders. The gross sneakers and the mysteries are fun stuff for the kids, you know? The adults can groan quietly at the extremely corny banter (“They should be called the Steel Clocks. They were always giving some kid a hard time”).
August 6, 2019
RATING: 4.5 STARS
I loved this mystery series as a kid, but have not read them since so this review is based on my memories. My love of mystery started pretty early and Encyclopedia Brown was among my first series. Each book has several mysteries that you can solve along with Encyclopedia, complete with clues. I could not get enough of these books, and didn't realize that this series started in 1963.
These are easy to read chapter books for young kids.
***This is a series Review***
I loved this mystery series as a kid, but have not read them since so this review is based on my memories. My love of mystery started pretty early and Encyclopedia Brown was among my first series. Each book has several mysteries that you can solve along with Encyclopedia, complete with clues. I could not get enough of these books, and didn't realize that this series started in 1963.
These are easy to read chapter books for young kids.
***This is a series Review***
April 10, 2016
Awesome encyclopedia
I love encyclopedia brown because it is so fun to find out who did it. This book is so fun to read for all ages because it challenges you and makes you think. I gave this book 5 stars because all ages can read it and it always goes very fast. I love all the encyclopedia books. Try them out. If your older they are a very fun read and if anyone does reading logs. It really helps you get to your page amount.
I love encyclopedia brown because it is so fun to find out who did it. This book is so fun to read for all ages because it challenges you and makes you think. I gave this book 5 stars because all ages can read it and it always goes very fast. I love all the encyclopedia books. Try them out. If your older they are a very fun read and if anyone does reading logs. It really helps you get to your page amount.
September 27, 2010
I really don't like these kinds of books. Elizabeth seemed to be okay with it. My reason for not liking it is it is nearly impossible to ever figure out the answer and I don't like mystery/ case kinds of books.
July 18, 2007
It's good, except at the end when Encyclopedia beats an indigent man with a hose.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews