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Encyclopedia Brown #14
Encyclopedia Brown Carries On
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72 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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420 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 43 reviews
April 16, 2020
Neo and I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, having now completed fourteen collections. We tackled this group of stories, filled with some wonderful 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 battles the pre-teen bully (Bugs Meany) in a random draw caper, solves the case of a swimming pig, and works with a witness in an unconventional situation. 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 (1960s and 70s) 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 70s) 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...
July 15, 2018
This book features ten more chances to match wits with Encyclopedia Brown. Up first, he’s trying to figure out how to move a giant mousetrap that a would be criminal left outside town hall when no one would buy it from him. The rest of the stories find Encyclopedia and his partner Sally helping his friends and neighbors. They encounter Bugs Meany a few times when Bugs tries to rig a drawing and again when he tries to set Sally and Encyclopedia up with the police. They also help a friend keep his business giving for golf balls to himself and save the Left-Handers Club from sabotage.
These stories really are short, averaging about five pages each, with the piece of information that Encyclopedia used to stop the crime from taking place on another page at the end. I never could solve these as a kid, but I managed to do pretty well as an adult rereading this book. And no, it’s not because I remembered what had happened. The stories are a bit dated but that shouldn’t be too big an issue for today’s kids. The characters are also thin because there really isn’t time for character development, but again, kids won’t care. I certainly didn’t as a kid.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
These stories really are short, averaging about five pages each, with the piece of information that Encyclopedia used to stop the crime from taking place on another page at the end. I never could solve these as a kid, but I managed to do pretty well as an adult rereading this book. And no, it’s not because I remembered what had happened. The stories are a bit dated but that shouldn’t be too big an issue for today’s kids. The characters are also thin because there really isn’t time for character development, but again, kids won’t care. I certainly didn’t as a kid.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
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).
**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).
**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!
April 16, 2020
I enjoy reading these sets of Encyclopedia Brown mysteries with my dad. We are up to completing fourteen collections. Tackling this group of stories, we discovered they were filled with some wonderful mysteries we can process in a few minutes. We connect 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 battles the pre-teen bully (Bugs Meany) in a random draw caper, solves the case of a swimming pig, and works with a witness in an unconventional situation. 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.
What’s not to like about stories that keep me thinking? I listen to the stories and make an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. However, some solutions do not mention the criminal or offender in them, making it impossible to guess! 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 old 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.
What’s not to like about stories that keep me thinking? I listen to the stories and make an effort to uncover the clues that will help solve the cases. However, some solutions do not mention the criminal or offender in them, making it impossible to guess! 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 old 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.
April 4, 2022
After grabbing this book from my shelf, getting through over half of it on my first night, putting in in my blue bag the next day, losing the blue bag, and finally getting it back the day of this review, I’ve finished this book!
The books in this series are set in the town of Idaville, during a time when gas prices being under a dollar was a conceivable idea. Readers get to follow the series protagonist, Encyclopedia Brown, as he helps his friends and various other locals by solving mysteries. The books are almost if not entirely episodic, and you can enjoy each one without having read the others.
Common recurring elements include:
The first mystery beginning at the Brown’s dinner table, when Encyclopedia’s father, the chief of police, introduces a mystery that his son solves.
The second mystery introducing Bugs Meany, the leader of a group of tough older boys called the Tigers, who are almost always causing trouble.
The third mystery being about Bugs getting revenge on Encyclopedia and his partner, Sally.
These books were perhaps the first series of books that I became a fan of, and that love continues to this day. Five stars!
The books in this series are set in the town of Idaville, during a time when gas prices being under a dollar was a conceivable idea. Readers get to follow the series protagonist, Encyclopedia Brown, as he helps his friends and various other locals by solving mysteries. The books are almost if not entirely episodic, and you can enjoy each one without having read the others.
Common recurring elements include:
The first mystery beginning at the Brown’s dinner table, when Encyclopedia’s father, the chief of police, introduces a mystery that his son solves.
The second mystery introducing Bugs Meany, the leader of a group of tough older boys called the Tigers, who are almost always causing trouble.
The third mystery being about Bugs getting revenge on Encyclopedia and his partner, Sally.
These books were perhaps the first series of books that I became a fan of, and that love continues to this day. Five stars!
May 23, 2024
The last mystery (The Case of the Thermos Bottle) was pretty interesting. I think I got about half of them right this time.
Content: There's thieving and cheating, but nothing too explicit for kids.
Content: There's thieving and cheating, but nothing too explicit for kids.
June 12, 2013
Another Encyclopedia Brown book that was in the basement. This one was not as good as some of the others. Of the 10 stories, three of them were blah. Really, are we supposed to know the length of a dollar bill?
Even so, this is an enjoyable enough read. A few of the stories are typical Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, which is a good thing. It occurs to me that Sobol uses a few expressions that are dated these many years later. Perhaps that is to be expected.
This was the 14th book in the series. It seems to me that he was fetching for stories at this point.
Even so, this is an enjoyable enough read. A few of the stories are typical Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, which is a good thing. It occurs to me that Sobol uses a few expressions that are dated these many years later. Perhaps that is to be expected.
This was the 14th book in the series. It seems to me that he was fetching for stories at this point.
May 1, 2015
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12941465
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12941465
August 26, 2020
I ordered this book out of “The Weekly Reader” when I was in 5th grade. I loved it so much and read it many times down through the years. Encyclopedia Brown will always be one of my favorites.
March 10, 2022
Fun to reread this with the boys. Good childhood memories here.
December 30, 2023
A good but not great collection. My rating may be influenced by nostalgia. I definitely had this one decades ago and read it multiple times. Formulaic, as all Encyclopedia Brown books are, but some quirky stories make it memorable.
Giant Mousetrap - A solid start to the book. The bizarre premise grabs the reader's attention. Is it a great mystery? I'm not totally sold on that.
Bugs Meany, Thinker - Again, I like the premise. Bugs as not only a philosopher, but one qualified to award doctoral degrees. Unfortunately, the solution is a bit straightforward and doesn't live up to the rest of the story.
Grape Catcher - A fun approach. The solution is decent for this one, although some of the phrasing in the story might give it away too easily.
Left Handers Club - A great idea for a story. I love the idea for the club. I didn't love the solution years ago, but re-reading it this time made me appreciate it more.
Diving Partner - I feel like they use a few similar solutions repeatedly in the series. This one doesn't really stand out.
Marvelous Egg - The story is interesting. It's just one of those ones that make me wish the solution was tied more directly to the engaging parts of the plot rather than being a slip-up on the side.
Overfed Pigs - A fun idea. A bit of a dated solution. Still, I enjoyed it.
Ball of String - A bit of an obscure solution, although I remembered it from years ago. I just would have preferred if it was clear that the culprit was also entered in the useless junk contest. All three are entrants in other contests, so their involvement in the string theft doesn't make a lot of sense.
Thermos Bottle - The solution is pointed out early in the story, then highlighted directly in the middle, and can't be missed by the time Encyclopedia Brown says he knows the solution. I would have preferred that the book end with one of the other stories that don't beat the reader over the head with the solution.
Giant Mousetrap - A solid start to the book. The bizarre premise grabs the reader's attention. Is it a great mystery? I'm not totally sold on that.
Bugs Meany, Thinker - Again, I like the premise. Bugs as not only a philosopher, but one qualified to award doctoral degrees. Unfortunately, the solution is a bit straightforward and doesn't live up to the rest of the story.
Grape Catcher - A fun approach. The solution is decent for this one, although some of the phrasing in the story might give it away too easily.
Left Handers Club - A great idea for a story. I love the idea for the club. I didn't love the solution years ago, but re-reading it this time made me appreciate it more.
Diving Partner - I feel like they use a few similar solutions repeatedly in the series. This one doesn't really stand out.
Marvelous Egg - The story is interesting. It's just one of those ones that make me wish the solution was tied more directly to the engaging parts of the plot rather than being a slip-up on the side.
Overfed Pigs - A fun idea. A bit of a dated solution. Still, I enjoyed it.
Ball of String - A bit of an obscure solution, although I remembered it from years ago. I just would have preferred if it was clear that the culprit was also entered in the useless junk contest. All three are entrants in other contests, so their involvement in the string theft doesn't make a lot of sense.
Thermos Bottle - The solution is pointed out early in the story, then highlighted directly in the middle, and can't be missed by the time Encyclopedia Brown says he knows the solution. I would have preferred that the book end with one of the other stories that don't beat the reader over the head with the solution.
February 16, 2025
Encyclopedia Brown is somewhere close to the Hardy Boys. These are great reads for kids, but looking back...well, you just can't go back sometimes. I read, to date, all Encyclopedia Brown books in 4th and 5th grade. If there were more after that, and I think there were, I missed them. They were great at the time and Encyclopedia Brown was a hero...he rocked...he ruled. Did they ever make a movie?
However, looking back, there are a lot of holes in Encyclopedia's methodology, you aren't really given all the clues and not all the clues are concrete. The author took a lot of liberties and assumed, rightfully so, that fourth and fifth grade kids would not think past this. For the time, the books were great.
Having read Sherlock Holmes, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gives irrefutable evidence to Holmes's ability, the books are night and day. Encyclopedia is the amateur, Sherlock Holmes, the professional. However, it was fun to go back. Every fourth and fifth grader should read Encyclopedia brown. But when you get to middle school, you better be reading Sherlock Holmes.
However, looking back, there are a lot of holes in Encyclopedia's methodology, you aren't really given all the clues and not all the clues are concrete. The author took a lot of liberties and assumed, rightfully so, that fourth and fifth grade kids would not think past this. For the time, the books were great.
Having read Sherlock Holmes, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gives irrefutable evidence to Holmes's ability, the books are night and day. Encyclopedia is the amateur, Sherlock Holmes, the professional. However, it was fun to go back. Every fourth and fifth grader should read Encyclopedia brown. But when you get to middle school, you better be reading Sherlock Holmes.
September 26, 2018
A nice wholesome read for kids. I like Encyclopedia Brown. I wish my smarter niece would take a hint and learn to be humble like him. The stories can be solved on your own, but it will require that kids pay attention and think. I particularly liked the last story about how Bugs was able to cheat the system.
June 20, 2022
It’s fun to reread this series as an adult, as others have said : ) I’m not sure if I read this one as a kid, since I didn’t recognize any of the stories, but they have a lot of the typical elements. I thought this was an especially good one, with a few I definitely wouldn’t have figured out, but which made sense. And then a few that were a bit far-fetched as well… but that adds to the charm of these stories :D
August 8, 2019
Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown is back using his wits for using clues, and his love of trivia to solve ten different cases. Some include thief, sabotage, cons, and various other crimes, but none to clever to baffle Encyclopedia Brown.
June 27, 2021
Fun stories. They are harder now -- I didn't solve all of them, and I really had no chance with some. At least I knew that the phone numbers probably had letters. Kids today would be baffled that it's only 7 letter long.
April 9, 2018
The language of the book makes it difficult for modern audiences to comprehend. It is great for teaching inferences and close reading though.
November 30, 2019
very dated
February 2, 2022
Another great book on Encyclopedia Brown's detective mind at work.
July 22, 2023
One of my favorite book series as a kid. Reading them again with my kids. Are you as smart (or as observant) as Encyclopedia Brown?
October 19, 2024
not the greatest book in the world or anything, but it was a really fun little read !!
(and i felt so smart when i solved the mysteries lmao 😭)
(and i felt so smart when i solved the mysteries lmao 😭)
December 6, 2016
Enjoyed reading this book when I was a kid.
March 20, 2017
3.5 stars
June 9, 2022
Idaville! Crooks turned pale at the mention of the town. They knew what to expect there - a fast trip to jail. No one, grown-up or child, got away with breaking the law in Idaville. Police across the nation wondered. How did Idaville do it? What was the secret behind its record of law and order?...And, of course, it had a police station. But that was not the real headquarters of the war on crime. A quiet red brick house on Rover Avenue was. In the house lived Encyclopedia Brown, America's Sherlock Holmes in sneakers. (p 1)
Encyclopedia Brown is very smart and helps his Police Chief father on tough cases and in the summer sets up shop to solve cases in the neighborhood for just a quarter plus expenses.
Encyclopedia Brown has been around since I was a kid and I read them all. I read them for just entertainment without trying to solve them. But these short chapters were designed to be read and pondered and then solved by the reader. The answers to each mystery is at the end of the book so you can see if you are right. This title is number fourteen in the series.
The covers are updated for each new generation but the contents and inside illustrations remain the same. I never did really care for the cluttered pen sketches in the book.
The best mysteries from my childhood though was The Three Investigators series
Encyclopedia Brown is very smart and helps his Police Chief father on tough cases and in the summer sets up shop to solve cases in the neighborhood for just a quarter plus expenses.
Encyclopedia Brown has been around since I was a kid and I read them all. I read them for just entertainment without trying to solve them. But these short chapters were designed to be read and pondered and then solved by the reader. The answers to each mystery is at the end of the book so you can see if you are right. This title is number fourteen in the series.
The covers are updated for each new generation but the contents and inside illustrations remain the same. I never did really care for the cluttered pen sketches in the book.
The best mysteries from my childhood though was The Three Investigators series
November 29, 2015
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13094681
Book #43 for 2014
By the time this collection was issued in 1980, I had already moved on to Agatha Christie, so this was not part of my childhood reading experience. I did have fun reminiscing as I read these stories, though. There was just something magical about the whole youngster subculture of Idaville, and I always found it very appealing. (Of course, I wanted to be Sally Kimball.) In retrospect, I think we did have something a little bit like that in Marshall when I was a kid, but not on nearly the same level. Sadly, I doubt whether such a thing would be even remotely possible in today's society. Would a modern child even be able to relate to it?
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13094681
Book #43 for 2014
By the time this collection was issued in 1980, I had already moved on to Agatha Christie, so this was not part of my childhood reading experience. I did have fun reminiscing as I read these stories, though. There was just something magical about the whole youngster subculture of Idaville, and I always found it very appealing. (Of course, I wanted to be Sally Kimball.) In retrospect, I think we did have something a little bit like that in Marshall when I was a kid, but not on nearly the same level. Sadly, I doubt whether such a thing would be even remotely possible in today's society. Would a modern child even be able to relate to it?
May 19, 2011
I recommend Encyclopedia Brown. I was 8 when I first encountered this series. I loved it. It was recommended by a boy that I liked. What I liked about these books is that it taught me how to think before making wild guesses. Each book had several cases which were easy to read and follow for a child. I recommend this to any parent looking for helping their child to use logic and deductive reasoning. Great on how to look at relevant facts at a child's level.
February 4, 2012
I remember loving these Encyclopedia Brown books when I was a kid, but I don't remember them being so kitschy!!! I guess I didn't notice that back them.
The solutions were challenging for me back then and they are still challenging!!! However, it was fun learning about various things like sky diving and so on.
My favorite was the last mystery, "The Mystery of the Thermos Bottle". I wouldn't have figured it out in a million years but it was pretty ingenious.
The solutions were challenging for me back then and they are still challenging!!! However, it was fun learning about various things like sky diving and so on.
My favorite was the last mystery, "The Mystery of the Thermos Bottle". I wouldn't have figured it out in a million years but it was pretty ingenious.
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***
February 4, 2010
Having been an avid reader of Encyclopedia as a child, it was enjoyable to read this from an adult perspective. As a child I was always stuck and unable to "find the clue' for each short story. As an adult, I am proud to say that Encyclopedia only out thought me some of the time. An improvement for sure. Very fun brain candy and easy to put down to go to bed.
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April 9, 2008this is a great book and i recommend it to everyone
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews