Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes
by Donald J. Sobol, Rose Sobol
Scholastic 1991
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- true crime
- critical thinking
- justice
- ethics
- curiosity
- consequences
- human nature
About this book
This collection gathers real-life capers, bungled heists, and unbelievable courtroom twists curated by the creator of Encyclopedia Brown. Each short, high-interest chapter delivers a strange-but-true crime with kid-friendly context and plenty of wow moments. It’s a quick, fascinating read for mystery lovers and curious minds, especially those who enjoy bite-sized nonfiction. Great for grades 4–8 and reluctant readers who like facts that feel wilder than fiction.
Setting: Real-world crime cases across the United States and beyond, primarily 20th century
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes right for my child?
Yes — Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.2, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include true crime, critical thinking, justice.
How long does it take to read Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes takes around 1.9h to finish. The book has 20,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes have an AR quiz?
Yes — Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes has an AR quiz available, worth 3 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes?
Encyclopedia Brown's book of strange but true crimes has an AR reading level of 6.2, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.