Sally Kimball is a fictional character in the Encyclopedia Brown book series by Donald Sobol. She is Encyclopedia Brown's bodyguard,[1] sidekick,[2] best friend, and detective agency business partner.[3] In the television series, Sally was played by Laura Bridge.
| Sally Kimball | |
|---|---|
| Encyclopedia Brown character | |
| First appearance | Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective |
| Last appearance | Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme |
| Created by | Donald Sobol |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | American |
Alyssa Rosenberg suggests that both Encyclopedia and Sally are "terrific models of genre-busting characters", with Sally "effectively a ten-year-old action hero."[3] Bonnie Morris notes that "Sally served as the brawn to Encyclopedia's brain, as his enforcer, never his secretary: an invaluable boon to girls entering middle school just as Title IX became law."[2] Rosenberg also notes that Sally's looks "are always mentioned in the context of her physical prowess", as in "Sally was the prettiest girl in the fifth grade and the best athlete."[3]
Olivia Rutigliano, writing for Literary Hub, ranks Sally Kimball as the second greatest detective sidekick of all time, behind Dr. John Watson.[4]
References
edit- ^ Gilsdorf, Ethan (17 July 2012). "R.I.P. Donald J. Sobol, Encyclopedia Brown Author, 1924-2012". Wired. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^ a b Morris, Bonnie J. (2016). The Disappearing L: Erasure of Lesbian Spaces and Culture. SUNY Press. p. 8. ISBN 9781438461779. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^ a b c Rosenberg, Alyssa (18 July 2012). "Donald J. Sobol, 'Encyclopedia Brown,' and the Pleasures of Intelligence and Strength". ThinkProgress. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^ Rutigliano, Olivia (14 May 2020). "The Most Iconic Detective Sidekicks, Ranked". Literary Hub. Retrieved 15 February 2023.