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Encyclopedia Brown #8
Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down
Leroy Brown is back in the next six books in the Encyclopedia Brown series. As Idaville's ten-year-old star detective, Encyclopedia has an uncanny knack for trivia. With his unconventional knowledge, he solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids through his own detective agency. But his dad also happens to be the chief of the Idaville police department, and every night around the dinner table, Encyclopedia helps him solve some of the most baffling crimes. With ten confounding mysteries in each book, not only does Encyclopedia have a chance to solve them, but readers are given all the clues as well and can chime in with their own solutions. Interactive and fun—it's classic Encyclopedia Brown!
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
124 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. Sobol
183 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 74 reviews
March 21, 2020
Neo and I finished yet another (our ninth!!) collection of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries. The kid detective is back and Idaville, USA is free of crime. Encyclopedia is still clashing with Bugs Meany, determines why some birds are showing up drunk, and even helping a teenager with his worm fiddling skills (don’t ask, just read!). These wonderful five-minute mysteries entertain and exercise the brain. Neo and I use them as a before bedtime activity and we are getting much better. 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 (1960s) 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 (1960s) 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
Still great, but slightly obscure knowledge. Also, my copy of the book was super musty, so it's given me a bit too heady for me right now.
April 21, 2013
I got to learn more new things in this one: I learned what ambergris is, I learned it's possible to get birds drunk by feeding them fermented berries (hah! hilarioius chapter!) and I learned that worm fiddling is a real thing and was an actual sport-like event once upon a time. Oh, the obscure facts to be gained from children's books!
My favorite mysteries in this one are The Case of the Model Universe, The Case of the Flower Can and The Case of the Boy Boxers.
My favorite mysteries in this one are The Case of the Model Universe, The Case of the Flower Can and The Case of the Boy Boxers.
March 21, 2020
My dad and I finished yet another (our ninth!!) collection of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries. This kid detective keeps Idaville, USA free of crime, while showing off his smarts. Encyclopedia is still clashing with Bugs Meany, determines why some birds are showing up drunk (??), and even helping a teenager with his worm fiddling skills (don’t ask, just read!). These wonderful five-minute mysteries entertain and exercise the brain. We use them as a before bedtime activity and we are getting much better. Young sleuths in the making may want to sharpen their skills with the massive collection of stories.
I really likes the stories that keep me thinking. My dad says he had these stories read to him as a child. 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. Some stuff is a little outdated, says my dad, but the stories are still fun!
I really likes the stories that keep me thinking. My dad says he had these stories read to him as a child. 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. Some stuff is a little outdated, says my dad, but the stories are still fun!
March 13, 2019
Encyclopedia Brown is not your normal fifth grader. He's a regular Sherlock! And your kids will appreciate the genius way in which he's able to put clues together ... and how you have to turn to the back of the book for the big reveal! It's a clever format that enables you to have a chance at solving the mystery and checking your theory!
Ages: 9 - 13
Cleanliness: Golly, Gee Whiz, for Pete's sake, thank heavens and the like are used throughout. There are several town bullies and swindlers. There is usually a fist fight in each book (mostly referring to the time Sally beat up Bugs Meany, the town bully). Mentions a beer garden.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
Ages: 9 - 13
Cleanliness: Golly, Gee Whiz, for Pete's sake, thank heavens and the like are used throughout. There are several town bullies and swindlers. There is usually a fist fight in each book (mostly referring to the time Sally beat up Bugs Meany, the town bully). Mentions a beer garden.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
February 11, 2019
Leroy Brown is back in the next six books in the Encyclopedia Brown series. As Idaville's ten-year-old star detective, Encyclopedia has an uncanny knack for trivia. With his unconventional knowledge, he solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids through his own detective agency. But his dad also happens to be the chief of the Idaville police department, and every night around the dinner table, Encyclopedia helps him solve some of the most baffling crimes.
March 11, 2021
Ok - I’m re-reading the “classics” if you will. And whilst I give you respect Sobol - the explanations are a bit suspect.
Ya SUSPECT Sobol.
But I’ll prob keep reading...
Some are obvious - others.... yeah, no bro no one would get that bc it’s not even logical.
Ya SUSPECT Sobol.
But I’ll prob keep reading...
Some are obvious - others.... yeah, no bro no one would get that bc it’s not even logical.
April 3, 2020
I read this book aloud to my son and we both enjoyed it!
February 3, 2021
By this, the eighth book in the series, Sobol was clearly phoning it in. There are ten so-called mysteries to solve and none of them worth the investment, being in some combination muddled in the setup, purely for edification or monumentally facile.
July 5, 2023
It's funny that I know I haven't read this in at least 10+ years, but as soon as the story starts to form (ex. the mention of ambergris or worm fiddling) I immediately remember the solution.
April 23, 2009
A trip down memory lane via audio book with this entry about Encyclopedia Brown, boy detective.
The mysteries are fairly straight-forward and based, for the most part, on observational clues about the alleged crime. I recall reading and loving these growing up and to hear them read on audio again now as a grown-up is a lot of fun.
The mysteries are fairly straight-forward and based, for the most part, on observational clues about the alleged crime. I recall reading and loving these growing up and to hear them read on audio again now as a grown-up is a lot of fun.
November 12, 2023
This was a nice collection. A few of the cases take some thinking. Quite formulaic, but it worked just fine for this series. Some specific thoughts:
Champion Skier: I like the setup. The solution may be easy enough for some people, but it takes some reasoning. A good start to the book.
Smelly Nellie: A fun story. Would have been a bit trickier if the reader needed more background knowledge. This solution was kind of fed to the reader through the details.
Flying Submarine: A bit of a confusing setup, but an interesting story. The solution jumped out at me, but I don't think it's necessarily too obvious.
Boy Boxers: Took a bit of thinking at the end. I was able to reason it through, but this is a decent story.
Model Universe: Finally, one where a bit of background knowledge is needed. I figured it out, but the details in the solution are interesting.
Flower Can: The setup (letting the police in on a plan like this) is implausible, but the story itself is good. The reader may need to do a bit of thinking before the solution seems so obvious.
Half-White Horse: Again, some background knowledge needed. This is another one I remember from my childhood because of the solution.
Apple Cider: A decent story, although maybe a bit too straightforward for some. The setup is a bit odd, though.
Two-Dollar Bill: Again, a fairly straightforward solution that may be a bit easy for many readers.
Ax Handle: Couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong with the story. It made sense after reading the solution, but this one got me.
Champion Skier: I like the setup. The solution may be easy enough for some people, but it takes some reasoning. A good start to the book.
Smelly Nellie: A fun story. Would have been a bit trickier if the reader needed more background knowledge. This solution was kind of fed to the reader through the details.
Flying Submarine: A bit of a confusing setup, but an interesting story. The solution jumped out at me, but I don't think it's necessarily too obvious.
Boy Boxers: Took a bit of thinking at the end. I was able to reason it through, but this is a decent story.
Model Universe: Finally, one where a bit of background knowledge is needed. I figured it out, but the details in the solution are interesting.
Flower Can: The setup (letting the police in on a plan like this) is implausible, but the story itself is good. The reader may need to do a bit of thinking before the solution seems so obvious.
Half-White Horse: Again, some background knowledge needed. This is another one I remember from my childhood because of the solution.
Apple Cider: A decent story, although maybe a bit too straightforward for some. The setup is a bit odd, though.
Two-Dollar Bill: Again, a fairly straightforward solution that may be a bit easy for many readers.
Ax Handle: Couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong with the story. It made sense after reading the solution, but this one got me.
October 17, 2024
another five star mystery selection
"Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down" is a delightful collection of mysteries that captivates both young readers and adults alike. Each story is engaging, showcasing the cleverness of Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown as he unravels intriguing cases in his hometown.
While one minor detail about horse riding might not hold true—specifically the assertion that no rider mounts a horse from the right side—the charm and wit of the remaining stories far outweigh this small inaccuracy.
The writing is both accessible and enjoyable, making it a perfect read for children and a nostalgic trip for adults. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun and stimulating read!
"Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down" is a delightful collection of mysteries that captivates both young readers and adults alike. Each story is engaging, showcasing the cleverness of Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown as he unravels intriguing cases in his hometown.
While one minor detail about horse riding might not hold true—specifically the assertion that no rider mounts a horse from the right side—the charm and wit of the remaining stories far outweigh this small inaccuracy.
The writing is both accessible and enjoyable, making it a perfect read for children and a nostalgic trip for adults. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun and stimulating read!
August 7, 2018
I had to knock off a star for the horse one. Traditionally, a rider mounts and unmounts from the left, but there is nothing to stop them from doing so on the right. I have mounted from both sides before, and actually prefer the right as I am a lefty and feel more stable doing so. The answer to the riddle should always be something that cannot be changed, not something that depends on preference. Many traditions get broken by people.
June 8, 2020
We have been reading some old Encyclopedia Brown books through our Corona isolation journey.
They've been fun to revisit, to see them through my daughter's eyes - to have to explain so many references and moments because culturally they are so very different to now.
Overall, they've aged fairly well. A few of the answers aren't actually 100% correct but I remember thinking that when I was young as well.
We have been enjoying reading them together, for sure.
They've been fun to revisit, to see them through my daughter's eyes - to have to explain so many references and moments because culturally they are so very different to now.
Overall, they've aged fairly well. A few of the answers aren't actually 100% correct but I remember thinking that when I was young as well.
We have been enjoying reading them together, for sure.
May 25, 2023
As children, my brothers and I loved to try to solve the clues offered in the Encyclopedia Brown books, so when I ran across one at a little free library, I just couldn't resist! Sure enough, Encyclopedia (Leroy) Brown is still solving cases for a quarter! Just let the neighborhood bullies try to trick the kids out of their money and possessions! Encyclopedia will catch them in their trickery and lies. These books are just fun, and they make thinking fun!
January 5, 2018
I do not want to repeat myself... These books are fun and good as a thinking exercise, although they tend to repeat themselves in terms of their plot and they are solely based on logic (when so many times other factors influence the discovery of a case).
They are good fun, still.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 5 January 2018.
They are good fun, still.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 5 January 2018.
June 9, 2019
Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown is still relentless on his war on crime as he solves an international kidnapping case, cheaters, stolen coins, and crimes against mother nature, and several other mysteries. These ten short stories that are sure to keep the reader on the alert for the clues to match detection skills with Encyclopedia.
September 14, 2023
This book is a thrilling early chapter book that follows Encyclopedia Brown as he solves multiple mysteries in the fictional town Idaville. I enjoyed reading this book and enjoyed the thrill of following long as the main character solved the many mysteries. This book could be used in the classroom to encourage problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
September 18, 2025
This wasn’t quite as good a collection of mysteries as some of the previous ones, in my opinion. We have all the ingredients I have come to look forward to: Sally, Bugs, Chief Brown, etc. and I was stumped more than once but the mysteries/set up themselves were a little weak. I don’t think 10 year old me would have cared or notices, but old lady me did.
November 26, 2022
Fun Still…
Got five gotchas right, and one half. Four got this reader foiled again. Always pay attention to details no matter how insignificant it may seem. And don’t get too obvious. Still fun no matter what, even if one of the puzzlers was too easy. Recommended.
Got five gotchas right, and one half. Four got this reader foiled again. Always pay attention to details no matter how insignificant it may seem. And don’t get too obvious. Still fun no matter what, even if one of the puzzlers was too easy. Recommended.
April 24, 2025
A little old for Luna when we read but she eventually appreciated them some. I LOVED these as a kid…a little of a let down on how simple they are (figured out like all but one ahead of time)—will probably shelve others for till she’s older!
March 23, 2018
Good read.
April 27, 2019
I liked it a lot and the good Mystery's are the case of the flower can and the case of the two dollar bill those are my favorite ones in this book and I think this is a good mystery one.
June 15, 2020
Better than most books I've read.
November 16, 2020
These stories are funny and goofy. The silly puns make some of the outragous plots more palatable.
August 20, 2021
We love reading these short stories where we can help solve mysteries with Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown.
April 14, 2022
Read this with my son!
November 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!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews