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The Great Brain At the Academy
Paperback
Published January 1, 1973
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December 16, 2025
Who would have thought that a book set in the 1890s about a twelve-year-old con artist would be so funny! Well, the main character Tom inThe Great Brain at the Academy by John D. Fitzgerald is exactly the guy I’m talking about. Tom Fitzgerald (yes, he’s named after the author’s real-life brother) leaves his small Utah town to attend a Catholic boarding school in Salt Lake City. He quickly discovers that the Academy has its own strict rules and tough students, but he is confident his “Great Brain” can handle anything. Tom uses his cleverness to solve problems, but he also finds ways to make a little money on the side. At school, he meets new friends who are impressed—and sometimes annoyed—by how smart and tricky he can be. Tom also faces challenges that test his confidence and force him to prove himself in unfamiliar situations.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
This book made me laugh out loud when I was a kid, and when I re-read it I remembered why. Some of the things Tom makes the priests believe are crazy, such as when he pretends to hypnotize himself to peel potatoes. Tom is a kid who likes to push the limits and challenge the rules. And, at a Catholic boys academy that is a risky thing to do. Tom not only does this but gains the respect of his classmates. One way he does this is to re-create a mental magic show the boys at the academy see at a theater. Not only does he do it, but he wins money taking bets on if he can do it. To add insult to injury, he makes the kids pay for him to explain the trick. His greatest trick is how he convinces the head priest and director of the academy that the Pope has approved a new athletic program for the whole school. If you want to laugh out loud, then you should definitely pick up this book. It has my highest recommendation.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
This book made me laugh out loud when I was a kid, and when I re-read it I remembered why. Some of the things Tom makes the priests believe are crazy, such as when he pretends to hypnotize himself to peel potatoes. Tom is a kid who likes to push the limits and challenge the rules. And, at a Catholic boys academy that is a risky thing to do. Tom not only does this but gains the respect of his classmates. One way he does this is to re-create a mental magic show the boys at the academy see at a theater. Not only does he do it, but he wins money taking bets on if he can do it. To add insult to injury, he makes the kids pay for him to explain the trick. His greatest trick is how he convinces the head priest and director of the academy that the Pope has approved a new athletic program for the whole school. If you want to laugh out loud, then you should definitely pick up this book. It has my highest recommendation.
Displaying 1 of 1 review