Hello, everyone. Paul here today. I am pleased to bring you the International Authors’ Day Blog Hop hosted by my friend Debdatta at bookr3vi3ws. Debdatta is a prolific blogger (and a good friend) as well as a great friend to readers and authors all around the world. My task is to write a post about my favorite author, book, or a reading habit. I have chosen to write about my favorite author (at least one of them): Donald J. Sobol. Since this is a children’s/YA blog I’m focusing on an author in one of these genres.
Encyclopedia Brown Strikes Again by Donald J. Sobol
Donald J. Sobol is the author of Encyclopedia Brown. Encyclopedia Brown is a boy detective. The books are children’s mysteries. I loved these books growing up, and I still do today. Most of the books are a compilation of many different mysteries that Encyclopedia must solve. They were the perfect books for a young reader like me. As I’ve mentioned before, my parents worried I didn’t read enough books. Don’t misunderstand, I read plenty, but they were mainly comic books. I read Archie and Veronica, Beetle Bailey, Sad Sack, and even my brother’s Avengers comic books. The self-contained mysteries within each chapter of Encyclopedia Brown books were perfect my reading habits.
One of my favorites: Sad Sack
I also love, and still appreciate, the fantastic writing of Mr. Sobol. The stories are straight forward and basic, appealing to beginning readers, but clever enough to entertain and attract readers of all ages. According to Mr. Sobol, he “began writing children’s mysteries because the mystery element was really very small in the so-called mysteries that were written for children and I felt that was a shame.” It is a shame indeed. I believe the Donald J. Sobol paved the way for many great authors and children’s mystery series. Today we have Percy Jackson traveling all over the place solving mysteries. We also have popular author John Grisham contributing his talents to the genre with the Theodore Boone books. Mr. Solbol’s statement is untrue today all because of Encyclopedia Brown.
So, on this International Authors’ day, I urge you to pick up a book by one of your favorite authors, a book in your favorite genre, or one that looks like you might like it. Go ahead, give it a chance, you might just find a new favorite book. Happy International Authors’ day to readers and authors alike. To help celebrate this wonderful day, I am giving away one of my very own children’s mystery book: Lionel’s Grand Adventure: Lionel Goes to Camp. Enter with the rafflecopter below. And don’t forget to click on the blogs in the linky below to “hop” on over to other great sites and the chance to enter to win more great giveaways!
I have never read Encyclopedia Brown. Odd! I’d explored Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and, my favorite, Sherlock Holmes. Wonder how I skipped Brown.
I love mysteries. It’s probably my favorite genre, though I do enjoy SciFi, some fantasy, and suspense/thrillers.
Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing! Have you ever read The Three Investigators? That is another fun detective/mystery series for young readers.
Paul
With all the images of Pluto out there lately I felt like I was flying into your blog.
Fun Post, shared for you on Tumblr.
Happy Hopping
Catalina,
Thank you for the kind words and for sharing. Thanks also for stopping by!
Paul
like Jane Austen
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Paul
So many readers, so many different reading interests! Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for joining in on the celebration and for your giveaway! Nancy’s Blog
Thanks, Nancy!
I appreciate you stopping by and sharing. I’m excited to be a part of the celebration.
Paul