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Encyclopedia Brown #25
Encyclopedia Brown, Super Sleuth
1. The Case of the Hollow Tree
2. The Case of the Headless Ghost
3. The Case of the Stolen Moonstone
4. The Case of the Disappearing Hundreds
5. The Case of the Patriotic Volunteer
6. The Case of the Stolen Watch
7. The Case of the Gym Bag
8. The Case of the Supercomputer Brain
9. The Case of the Giggling Goldilocks
10.The Case of the Shoeless Sam
With a knack for trivia, Encyclopedia solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids through his own detective agency. But his dad is also the chief of police, and every night Encyclopedia helps him solve his most baffling crimes. Join Encyclopedia Brown as he solves ten new and even more confounding mysteries, including a case of a stolen watch, disappearing money, a headless ghost, and more. And with the clues given in each case, you can solve these mysteries too! Interactive and chock-full of interesting bits of information - it's classic Encyclopedia Brown!
2. The Case of the Headless Ghost
3. The Case of the Stolen Moonstone
4. The Case of the Disappearing Hundreds
5. The Case of the Patriotic Volunteer
6. The Case of the Stolen Watch
7. The Case of the Gym Bag
8. The Case of the Supercomputer Brain
9. The Case of the Giggling Goldilocks
10.The Case of the Shoeless Sam
With a knack for trivia, Encyclopedia solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids through his own detective agency. But his dad is also the chief of police, and every night Encyclopedia helps him solve his most baffling crimes. Join Encyclopedia Brown as he solves ten new and even more confounding mysteries, including a case of a stolen watch, disappearing money, a headless ghost, and more. And with the clues given in each case, you can solve these mysteries too! Interactive and chock-full of interesting bits of information - it's classic Encyclopedia Brown!
96 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2009
125 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. Sobol
181 books224 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 67 reviews
May 31, 2020
Neo and I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, having read almost 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 proving that Bugs Meany is a liar, helps a citizen achieve a home-run record, and solves a case involving modern art. 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 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...
May 23, 2020
Brief mentions of computers doesn't distract from the classic feel of the book. And the boy still only charges 25 cents a day. I'll continue to read these, so that I can feel as smart as a fifth-grader.
August 30, 2025
Pretty awesome sauce if you ask me!
December 13, 2021
In the final chapter of the book, Leroy helps a baseball umpire correct a controversial call. That is pretty good for a ten-year-old to accomplish such a feat, since he was watching the game from the stands just like all of the other fans.
December 11, 2020
3. Cute and fun to read a few at a time.
October 17, 2020
My dad and I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, having read almost 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 proving that Bugs Meany is a liar, helps a citizen achieve a home-run record, and solves a case involving modern art. 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.
I like the stories that keep me thinking. These stories were read to my dad when he was young as well, helping to pass along the tradition. I thoroughly 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.
I like the stories that keep me thinking. These stories were read to my dad when he was young as well, helping to pass along the tradition. I thoroughly 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.
March 28, 2024
This one just wasn't as good as most of the others in the series. I would say that two of the stories were good, a few were too obvious, and some just didn't tie things together as well as they could have.
Anyhow, some thoughts about individual stories:
Hollow Tree - Not much of a mystery. And not a solution that would hold up in court. More like an elementary school science lesson.
Headless Ghost - Okay, so I should have had this one. Fairly similar to a previous story, with a bit of a twist. A satisfying solution, even if I didn't catch it.
Stolen Moonstone - One of those stories that emphasizes a small detail so much that you know it's the central clue in the solution.
Disappearing Hundreds - Too easy. The solution is quite obvious, even before Encyclopedia asks the question that places the solution directly in the reader's lap.
Patriotic Volunteer - This one shouldn't take a detective to solve the case. It shouldn't even take a 10-year-old.
Stolen Watch - I don't know that I'm sold on this one. It requires the reader to use a literal interpretation of a common saying. I figured out the solution, but without going to the trouble of adding that layer. Not sure if I get credit for this one.
Gym Bag - Again, so much emphasis on a small detail that it's possible to predict the solution, even before finding out what the mystery is.
Supercomputer Brain - The solution is fine. The culprit just isn't good at what they do.
Giggling Goldilocks - The solution makes sense. I just don't know why the fact that she knew exactly which three breakfast cereals were in the neighbour's pantry wasn't part of the solution.
Shoeless Sam - Probably the second-best story in the book. A decent setup, a clue that makes sense but isn't too obvious, and a well-written solution.
Not the strongest in the series, but at least it ended on a decent note.
Anyhow, some thoughts about individual stories:
Hollow Tree - Not much of a mystery. And not a solution that would hold up in court. More like an elementary school science lesson.
Headless Ghost - Okay, so I should have had this one. Fairly similar to a previous story, with a bit of a twist. A satisfying solution, even if I didn't catch it.
Stolen Moonstone - One of those stories that emphasizes a small detail so much that you know it's the central clue in the solution.
Disappearing Hundreds - Too easy. The solution is quite obvious, even before Encyclopedia asks the question that places the solution directly in the reader's lap.
Patriotic Volunteer - This one shouldn't take a detective to solve the case. It shouldn't even take a 10-year-old.
Stolen Watch - I don't know that I'm sold on this one. It requires the reader to use a literal interpretation of a common saying. I figured out the solution, but without going to the trouble of adding that layer. Not sure if I get credit for this one.
Gym Bag - Again, so much emphasis on a small detail that it's possible to predict the solution, even before finding out what the mystery is.
Supercomputer Brain - The solution is fine. The culprit just isn't good at what they do.
Giggling Goldilocks - The solution makes sense. I just don't know why the fact that she knew exactly which three breakfast cereals were in the neighbour's pantry wasn't part of the solution.
Shoeless Sam - Probably the second-best story in the book. A decent setup, a clue that makes sense but isn't too obvious, and a well-written solution.
Not the strongest in the series, but at least it ended on a decent note.
December 17, 2019
I wasn't a huge fan of Encyclopedia Brown as a kid because the books weren't cohesive and I found the format choppy. But, one of my students wanted me to recommend one of the books in the series to the class (I give a chapter book recommendation every Monday as a way to introduce different genres). So I read this one to remind myself of what they were like. Since each chapter stands alone, I can see the appeal for kids that aren't quite to the point where they have the staying power to get through a chapter book but are feeling beyond picture books. I can see some of my students enjoying making guesses before reading the answers to the cases. We'll have to start out talking about what an encyclopedia is!
March 12, 2023
Grabbed one of these off the shelf to introduce them to my 9-year-olds. I read them all at around their age, and loved being able to solve the mystery before turning the page to the solution. The short mysteries in the book held the same appeal for them. They got better at them as they went along, so I think they were listening better to all the little details, looking for the giveaway detail that would solve it. So many things to like about this concept. First, as mentioned, the attention to detail when reading. This is a great skill to develop in a world where faster is deemed better and some readers can get in a skimming habit to get through a book. Second, the payoff to a complete story happens with every chapter. Each is a self-contained mystery. This can be helpful for reluctant readers for whom a whole chapter book can feel daunting. Third, in a group setting, this can be great way to practice debate skills. Readers posit their opinion on what the solution is to the mystery at hand. Differing opinions attempt to convince others to agreement. Fourth, there are some fun little facts that children can pick up during reading. The sound of a hollow tree is different from one that isn't, for example.
September 12, 2020
3 stars. I enjoyed this book! I was able to solve several of the cases which made me pretty happy. ;) These stories all had strong ’50s-’60s vibes which I enjoyed. :)
A Favourite Quote: “Chief Brown waited for a moment. ‘Now, tell me what happened—’
“Fleet and Baldy both started to talk at once.
“‘Once at a time, please,’ Chief Brown said, holding up his hands. ‘Fleet, you go first.’
“‘Why does he get to go first?’ Baldy whined.
“Because he’s not holding a gym bag over my head,’ Chief brown said calmly.
“Baldy sheepishly lowered the bag and handed it to the police chief.”
A Favourite Quote: “Chief Brown waited for a moment. ‘Now, tell me what happened—’
“Fleet and Baldy both started to talk at once.
“‘Once at a time, please,’ Chief Brown said, holding up his hands. ‘Fleet, you go first.’
“‘Why does he get to go first?’ Baldy whined.
“Because he’s not holding a gym bag over my head,’ Chief brown said calmly.
“Baldy sheepishly lowered the bag and handed it to the police chief.”
August 11, 2019
Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown returns with ten new cases involving theft, attempted robbery, con games, and an assortment of petty crimes in and around the seaside town of Idaville. No crimes to large or small for witty sleuth.
January 16, 2021
1/11/2021 - 6/10
After reading the first book, my 6 year old and I jumped ahead to a more recent version. It does seem like the author might be milking it a bit. The setting seems a bit out of time and place now. There were some interesting cases, but some seemed a bit too contrived.
After reading the first book, my 6 year old and I jumped ahead to a more recent version. It does seem like the author might be milking it a bit. The setting seems a bit out of time and place now. There were some interesting cases, but some seemed a bit too contrived.
October 25, 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.
March 11, 2023
Fun little mysteries.
*One picture didn't match the story--the police officer in the picture was a man while the one in the story was a woman. It didn't add or detract from the story, but I'm mentioning it because I found it amusing.
*One picture didn't match the story--the police officer in the picture was a man while the one in the story was a woman. It didn't add or detract from the story, but I'm mentioning it because I found it amusing.
May 15, 2024
Encyclopedia Brown, Super Sleuth, written by Donald J. Sobol, is a collection of short mysteries for children. The mysteries are clever and require common sense and a willingness to pay attention in order to solve them. Recommended.
September 27, 2017
My almost-6-year-old is tearing through these books. I like how they make him pay attention to details. Also good lessons in the ways people can be tricky.
April 30, 2019
Fun. Exciting. Mysterious.
8 year old boy
8 year old boy
October 1, 2019
Good book...I love good old Encyclopedia Brown
April 24, 2020
Not as what I expected.
May 4, 2020
Good read aloud. Good syntax. I loved saying, "How did Encyclopedia know? Turn to page __ for the solution.... The Solution to The Case of Shoeless Sam is..."
Read
December 31, 2020I enjoyed this just as much as I did reading Encyclopedia Brown as a kid.
June 30, 2021
Still having fun reliving my childhood.
August 23, 2021
Great little quick read
December 14, 2021
I liked these kinds of books where you don't have to read 266 pages to figure out something that you knew was going to happen.
Read this in one sitting and might have worsened my posture.
Read this in one sitting and might have worsened my posture.
August 27, 2022
These are such a fun read-aloud. Quick stories that require my daughter to pay close attention and piece together clues to solve the puzzles. She loves it.
May 14, 2023
I thought I'd go back and check out some childhood stuff. It wasn't nearly as good as an adult.
November 9, 2023
I grew up on these, so it’s fun to reread them. Love the logic challenge!!
August 2, 2024
Another good one featuring Encyclopedia and Sally.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews