Encyclopedia Brown books have reached generations of readers.
I love reading mysteries, and the news of Donald Sobol's recent death --
read an obituary here -- had me thinking about my favorite childhood detectives.
Sobol's Encyclopedia Brown ranks at the top of my list. Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown was the son of a police chief and ran a detective agency that charged neighborhood kids 25 cents a day, plus expenses. I loved that he used his encyclopedic knowledge to help right wrongs in the community and fight bullies, and I also liked that Sally, his associate and bodyguard, played against so many stereotypes. Half the fun of the books for me was trying to solve the mystery before turning to the answers at the back. The stories are short, easy reads, and there are several in each book.
But Encyclopedia Brown isn't the only young detective out there. Here is a list of other mystery series -- both past and present -- that your children may want to explore.
Cam Jansen -- "Click." Cam has a photographic memory and, with the help of her friend Eric, uses it to solve mysteries ranging from a jewelry store robbery to a missing popcorn popper. Author David Adler has written this series for children between easy readers and longer chapter books. He has also written Young Cam Jansen books and Jeffery Bones mysteries for the easy-reader level.
The Happy Hollisters -- This old-fashioned set of mysteries by Jerry West centers on the Hollister kids -- Pete, 12; Pam, 10; Ricky, 7; Holly, 6; and Sue, 4. They get along well and solve mysteries through teamwork. I read the entire collection at the Sapulpa library in one summer.
Geronimo Stilton -- Geronimo Stilton is editor of The Rodent's Gazette in New Mouse City. He is a mouse with an attitude. Aimed at children 6-12 years old, the writing is lively and colorful -- literally -- with lots of illustrations.
Sammy Keyes -- Wendelin Van Draanen's heroine is a young junior high school student who stumbles into mysteries. Sammy lives with her grandmother -- even though she's not supposed to -- in a retirement center. She gathers a group of friends, a helpful neighbor and hostile-cop-turned-friend to pitch in and solve mysteries. She also battles her nemesis, Heather. The series is aimed at 9- to 15-year-olds.
Trixie Belden -- Julie Campbell's mysteries are still a fun read with Trixie and the Bob-Whites getting into scrapes, solving mysteries and valuing family and friends. A tomboy with three brothers, 13-year-old Trixie can't keep her nose out of other people's business. These stories are written for 9- to 15-year-olds.
Nancy Drew -- Everyone knows the Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene, but I was pleased to discover a more recent series called Nancy Drew Notebooks with Nancy as a third-grader solving mysteries. Her friends Bess and George are here, too, and they tackle modern-day problems and always learn a lesson.
The Hardy Boys -- Frank and Joe Hardy have been around since 1927, but the high school-aged detectives from Franklin W. Dixon have evolved over time. A recent incarnation, Hardy Boys Casefiles, includes stories of murder and international espionage. These books are written for ages 8 and older.
