Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints by Donald J. Sobol

Mystery/Suspense

http://www.kijiji.ca/b-ontario/old-encyclopedias/k0l9004

Evaluation of Book

Do you love a good mystery? If so, then the Encyclopedia Brown series is as much fun today as it was back in the 1960’s. Donald J. Sobol’s reprinted editions continue to be enjoyed by children today. In this book Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints 10 year old Encyclopedia Brown solves a series of cases by being more observant than everyone else.

Sobol’s characters are fairly traditional in this series. Leroy Brown, known as Encyclopedia Brown to everyone in Idaville, is smart, witty and confident. His attention to details helps him solve cases that even his father, Mr. Brown the police chief, is unable to solve. On the other hand Encyclopedia’s rival, Bugs Meany, never wins. These predictable characters are great for early readers of chapter books.

There is a clear lack of racial diversity in this series. However, the series endorses many positive themes. Encyclopedia promotes that working hard, doing the right thing and being kind wins every time.

The organization of this series into collections of brief mysteries is also perfect for early or reluctant readers of chapter books. Each 8 to 10 page chapter contains one mystery that Encyclopedia has solved by the end. Readers can read and solve the mystery along with Encyclopedia and then turn to the end of the book to read how it was done.

Response

The writing in Sobol’s mysteries is fast paced and full of clever jokes. It was a series I remembered reading as a child. I loved the fact that each chapter was a self-contained mystery. I could read the book all at one sitting or easily come back to read another chapter mystery a month later. I must admit that I wasn’t very good at solving the mysteries as a child and I’m not sure my skills have improved too much as I’ve gotten older. I wouldn’t make a very good detective but I sure do like trying.

Conclusion

In the Case of the Mysterious Handprints Encyclopedia realizes that Molly Farrow has made some serious mistakes in her crime. It’s just one of 10 cases that Encyclopedia solves in this book. It’s certainly worth reading to find out who has committed the crime.

Citation

Sobol, D. J., & Owens, G. (20021985). Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the mysterious handprints. New York: Dell Yearling.