Encyclopedia Brown Inspires Readers – No Mystery There
Earlier this week, the world learned that Donald J. Sobol had passed away. Mr. Sobol is known most notably for his Two-Minute Mysteries, started and in syndication since 1959, and Encyclopedia Brown book series, which began in 1963. He also wrote a novel, several nonfiction books, and articles for literary magazines using a pen name. In all, he wrote 65 books. In 1976, the Mystery Writers of America honored Donald J. Sobol and his Encyclopedia Brown book series with a special Edgar Award.
I doubt there is a reader among us who hasn’t spent some time with Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown, Sally Kimball, and, of course, Bugs Meany and his Tigers.
Frankly, I can’t tell you for certain who came first, Encyclopedia Brown or Nancy Drew. They are two of my all-time favorite book series. Odds are pretty good, though that Sobol’s collections of short mysteries probably came first. Even now, whenever anyone asks about my favorite books as a kid, I always include Encyclopedia Brown.
Did I like to read before I met Leroy, his friends, and enemies? Yes, but thanks to those fast-paced, short stories I became a book addict. I was hooked by the idea that I might be able to outsmart the main character, and that even if I didn’t figure out the mystery right away, I had a plan b: the answers in the back.
The model for the Encyclopedia Brown book series is universal and timeless. The books I read in the early 1970s are now reprinted with publication dates in the 1990s and 2000s. The books have never been out of print and you can read them in 12 languages!
The stories people share in their Amazon reviews remind us how stories like these can and are hooking today’s kids on reading. Hawkeye Collins and Amy Brown and Einstein Anderson, Science Sleuth, are direct descendants in the crack-the-case-yourself book series genre. Readers can also tag along with Nancy Drew, Cam Jansen; Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden (aka The Boxcar Children); Jigsaw Jones, and many other peer problem solvers.
Is Encyclopedia Brown “the” right book for every young reader? Maybe not. Still, they offer a model of reading that is well suited to a child’s curiosity and desire to “know all the answers.” Here are a few other clues from the series that can help you in finding that perfect book …
- Each mystery is independent. You don’t have to know the characters or previous events to enjoy the story.
- The story is short, with an illustration. The image helps readers create a tangible, visual scene from the words they’ve been reading.
- Lots of dialogue makes it to share the reading and mystery solving!
- These are not “boy books” or “girl books.” There’s a character for everyone.
To keep generations of readers guessing for nearly 50 years (and going) is quite a remarkable achievement. To have inspired so many authors to write for children – many with equally successful book series – is truly amazing.
Readers, who inspired you?
I just replaced ALL the Encyclopedia Brown books in our library b/c our copies were falling apart and so many kids were asking for them. I got a new series last year, Doyle and Fossey, which is basically Encyclopedia Brown with SCIENCE and as a result of that series’ popularity have booktalked EB so much that he’s become one of my most popular series. Sobol’s death is a sad loss – I think I will go giggle over Secret Agents Four in memory.
You just made my day, Jennifer. I will have to check out Doyle and Fossey! When I was doing some research for the post I found Einstein Anderson, whom I wasn’t familiar with. I LOVE the idea of science-based mysteries / stories. My lasting memory is the case where EB realizes that someone couldn’t have witnessed the crime because the hood of the car was up. I missed the clue then and have never forgiven myself since!