Fr. Brown is the most unlikely of detectives in these adaptations of Chesterton's mystery books. Four of the mysteries in the Fr. Brown series are included in this reader: The Blue Cross, The Strange Feet, The Flying Stars and The Absence of Mr. Glass.

Fr. Brown's perception and quick wits assist him as he outsmarts the clever criminals who evade local authorities. While I usually do not appreciate children's versions of adult literature, I could not help but be amused by this humble priest who has a knack for details and for understanding human nature. Its short and suspenseful chapters make this a great book for reluctant readers.

Jennifer Minicus is a mother and teacher living in Ridgewood, NJ.

This article is published by Jennifer Minicus and MercatorNet under a Creative Commons licence. You may republish it or translate it free of charge with attribution for non-commercial purposes following these guidelines. If you teach at a university we ask that your department make a donation. Commercial media must contact us for permission and fees. Some articles on this site are published under different terms.