Donald Sobol, author of beloved 'Encyclopedia Brown' children's mystery series, dies at 87

Laura Wides-Munoz

July 16, 2012 - 12:23 PM

MIAMI - Donald J. Sobol, author of the popular "Encyclopedia Brown" series of children's mysteries, has died. He was 87.

Sobol's son said Monday his father died in Miami from natural causes July 11.

Sobol's series featured amateur sleuth Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown, who would unravel local mysteries.

It also featured Brown's detective partner, tomboy Sally Kimball. Sobol's son said Sally's character was a strong role model for young girls, especially in 1963 when the series was first published.

The books became staples in classrooms and libraries. They were translated into 12 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.

John Sobol said his father's story was one of perseverance. His first Encyclopedia Brown book was turned down two-dozen times before it was finally published.

News from © The Associated Press, 2012

More News ...

THOMPSON: Department of War name change comes with hefty bill for American taxpayers
OPINION Last month, President Donald Trump decided he liked the sound of Department of War a lot more than Department of Defense. It was - like so many Trump impulses - a move that did little to change reality other t

Why some bars and most breweries close early in downtown Kelowna
It’s 10:30 p.m. and the night feels young inside one of Kelowna’s charming breweries, but your hope of painting the town red is dashed by last call. That’s a pretty common experience for folks who aren’t familiar wit

Why Okanagan cannabis shops aren't dominating the black market
Law abiding cannabis companies in the Okanagan deal with the government taking its piece of the pie at every turn, while trying to compete with a black market that's still going strong. Cannabis in B.C. gets taxed at several points betw

The story behind the Shuswap's familiar and historic Trickle Inn
A large, charming white house with green trim has been a familiar site for people travelling through the Shuswap for decades. Perched on side of the Trans-Canada Highway in Tappen, the house was a family home for the Carlin family for sever

Popular kelowna News

Why Okanagan Lake doesn't freeze anymore
Don Knox remembers not only skating on a glassy smooth Okanagan Lake as a young child, but also on a nicely frozen Mission Creek. “When we were kids – I can’t remember the
January 16, 2024 12:00 PM
Judge locks bank accounts of Okanagan business owner, suspected drug supplier
An Okanagan man suspected of using his car dealership and mortgages to hide drug money had his bank accounts frozen by a judge. He's one of three people included in the order as the prov
February 20, 2024 7:30 AM
Where to get weird and exotic snacks in Kelowna
Arabic malt energy drinks, protein Snickers bars, an edible Barbie dream house, Snoop Dogg chips; if any of those exotic snacks pique your interest there are places to get them in Kelowna. S
November 30, 2024 7:00 PM
The free life — and lives — of Dag Aabye
This feature first ran on iNFOnews in April of 2017. VERNON - For much of the year, home for Dag Aabye is a portable garden shed that he carried, in pieces, halfway up a mountain to a remo
August 22, 2021 12:00 PM
Slippery slide: The decline of the Okanagan's waterslides
They were once a mainstay of an Okanagan summer, where kids could burn off steam running back up the hill for another adrenaline-inducing ride down their favourite waterslide, while their parents
June 18, 2022 6:00 AM

Trending Now

TRENDING NOW: The last order of the day

View Site in: Desktop | Mobile

Donald Sobol, author of beloved 'Encyclopedia Brown' children's mystery series, dies at 87

Trending Now

Kamloops

Kelowna

Penticton

Vernon