Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Encyclopedia Brown is the literary equivalent of comfort food—not fancy, but it does what it promises. The interactive mystery format is genuinely engaging, and there's real value in books that teach kids to pay attention to details and think logically.

The problem is that it's old. Like, really old. Parents on Reddit report having to constantly reword things because the 1960s terminology confuses modern kids. Rotary phones, soda fountains, and small-town Americana that no longer exists create friction that pulls kids out of the story.

That said, for reluctant readers or kids who need quick reading wins, these books deliver. They're short, satisfying, and the puzzle element keeps pages turning. The 4.9 Amazon rating shows they still have fans. Just know you're signing up for a time capsule experience, and whether that's charming or frustrating depends entirely on your kid.

Bottom line: Solid brain-building puzzles wrapped in seriously dated packaging. Great for the right kid at the right moment, but there are more engaging mystery series out there for modern readers.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12, especially precocious early readers or reluctant readers who need quick wins. The simple mysteries and short format work well for building confidence, but the dated references and formulaic structure mean most kids age out by middle school.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Promotes doing the right thing, working hard, and being kind. Encyclopedia uses brains and wit rather than violence to solve problems. The bully (Bugs Meany) never wins. Traditional gender roles and lack of racial diversity reflect 1960s norms but don't undermine the core positive messaging.

Imaginative

76

Each chapter presents a mystery puzzle that kids solve alongside Encyclopedia, encouraging logical thinking and deductive reasoning. The format invites active participation rather than passive reading. However, the mysteries follow a fairly predictable formula and the 1960s setting limits contemporary relatability.

Safe

95

Completely safe content with no violence, mature themes, or inappropriate material. The mysteries involve small-town crimes like stolen bikes and neighborhood disputes. Perfect for independent reading without parental concern about unexpected content.

Enriching

73

Builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills through interactive mysteries. Encourages careful attention to detail and logical reasoning. However, the educational value is somewhat limited by dated references and the relatively simple mystery format. Quick reads (20-30 minutes per book) that are more entertaining puzzle than deep literature.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Interactive format where kids solve the mystery before flipping to the answer builds genuine problem-solving skills
Perfect for reluctant readers—short chapters, quick satisfaction, and the puzzle element keeps pages turning
Encyclopedia wins with brains, not brawn, modeling that intelligence and observation beat bullying every time
Bite-sized reading that doesn't demand huge time commitment (20-30 minutes per book)
Sally Kimball is Encyclopedia's partner who's just as smart and often tougher than the boys

⚠

What to Watch For

Seriously dated—kids will need translations for rotary phones, soda fountains, and other 1960s Americana that might pull them out of the story
The mysteries follow a predictable formula after a few books; some kids will love the consistency, others will get bored
Traditional gender roles and lack of diversity reflect the era; Idaville is basically all-white small-town America
More brain candy than literary nutrition—great for building reading confidence but not deep character development or complex themes

Conversation Starters

"Did you figure out the mystery before Encyclopedia revealed the answer? What clue tipped you off?"
"Some of the stuff in these books is pretty old-fashioned—what things seem weirdest to you compared to today?"
"Encyclopedia uses observation and logic instead of fighting. Can you think of a time when being smart helped you solve a problem?"
"If you were a kid detective, what kind of mysteries would you want to solve in our neighborhood?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic