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The Great Brain #2
More Adventures of the Great Brain
Has Tom, a.k.a. the Great Brain, given up his con-artist ways for a bicycle? Not for long. Soon the Great Brain is back to his old tricks, swindling and trading, even convincing the whole town there's a prehistoric monster on the loose. But when someone robs the bank, even the police are stumped. Can the Great Brain solve the crime and put the crooks behind bars?
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
111 people are currently reading
965 people want to read
About the author
John D. Fitzgerald
41 books163 followersOFFICIAL WEBSITE REFERENCED REPORTS:
John Dennis Fitzgerald was born in Price, Utah, on February 3, 1906, to Thomas and Minnie Melsen Fitzgerald. His father had a pharmacy degree but engaged in a number of business ventures and served on the Price Town Council for four years. John graduated from Carbon High School and at the age of eighteen and left Utah to pursue a career as a jazz drummer. He worked in a variety of occupations during his life, including newspaper reporter for the World-Tribune in New York City, foreign correspondent for United Press, advertising and purchasing agent, and bank auditor. He also served on Wendell Willkie's staff when Willkie was running for president.
At the time his first book, Papa Married a Mormon (1955), was published, he was living in Los Angeles and working as a steel buyer. Fitzgerald had collaborated with his sister, Belle Fitzgerald Empey, to write this book. Her name was not included as coauthor of the book because it was written in the first person. Papa Married a Mormon was very popular and was reprinted in several foreign-language editions, including Chinese. Twice chosen as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, it was also serialized in McCall's Magazine. A sequel, Mamma's Boarding House, appeared in 1958.
Fitzgerald moved to Denver in 1960 where he tried for a short time to make his living as a full-time writer. He later reported that "I quit my job and went to a mountain cabin to make my living writing. I had to sell my jack and a tire to get back to Denver. When I got there I sold my typewriter and swore I would never write again." His wife later bought him another typewriter and he eventually resumed writing.
He had a very successful writing career, publishing more than 500 magazine articles, as well as poetry and songs and two books on writing, The Professional Story Writer and His Art (1963) and Structuring Your Novel: From Basic Idea to Finished Manuscript (1972).
His most successful and widely read novels are the juvenile books in the Great Brain Series. They were loosely based on the adventures of his brother Thomas N. Fitzgerald. Books in this series include: The Great Brain (1967), More Adventures of the Great Brain (1969), Me and My Little Brain (1971), The Great Brain at the Academy (1972), The Great Brain Reforms (1973), The Return of the Great Brain (1974), and The Great Brain Does It Again (1976).
The Great Brain Series has led to one of the most asked questions in Utah literature: "Where is Adenville, Utah?" Adenville is a fictional town created by Fitzgerald, but most readers believe that the geographical setting loosely fits that of a small town in southern Utah.
Fitzgerald and his wife, Joan, moved to Titusville, Florida, in about 1972 where he continued his writing career. He died there May 20, 1988, at the age of 82.
John Dennis Fitzgerald was born in Price, Utah, on February 3, 1906, to Thomas and Minnie Melsen Fitzgerald. His father had a pharmacy degree but engaged in a number of business ventures and served on the Price Town Council for four years. John graduated from Carbon High School and at the age of eighteen and left Utah to pursue a career as a jazz drummer. He worked in a variety of occupations during his life, including newspaper reporter for the World-Tribune in New York City, foreign correspondent for United Press, advertising and purchasing agent, and bank auditor. He also served on Wendell Willkie's staff when Willkie was running for president.
At the time his first book, Papa Married a Mormon (1955), was published, he was living in Los Angeles and working as a steel buyer. Fitzgerald had collaborated with his sister, Belle Fitzgerald Empey, to write this book. Her name was not included as coauthor of the book because it was written in the first person. Papa Married a Mormon was very popular and was reprinted in several foreign-language editions, including Chinese. Twice chosen as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, it was also serialized in McCall's Magazine. A sequel, Mamma's Boarding House, appeared in 1958.
Fitzgerald moved to Denver in 1960 where he tried for a short time to make his living as a full-time writer. He later reported that "I quit my job and went to a mountain cabin to make my living writing. I had to sell my jack and a tire to get back to Denver. When I got there I sold my typewriter and swore I would never write again." His wife later bought him another typewriter and he eventually resumed writing.
He had a very successful writing career, publishing more than 500 magazine articles, as well as poetry and songs and two books on writing, The Professional Story Writer and His Art (1963) and Structuring Your Novel: From Basic Idea to Finished Manuscript (1972).
His most successful and widely read novels are the juvenile books in the Great Brain Series. They were loosely based on the adventures of his brother Thomas N. Fitzgerald. Books in this series include: The Great Brain (1967), More Adventures of the Great Brain (1969), Me and My Little Brain (1971), The Great Brain at the Academy (1972), The Great Brain Reforms (1973), The Return of the Great Brain (1974), and The Great Brain Does It Again (1976).
The Great Brain Series has led to one of the most asked questions in Utah literature: "Where is Adenville, Utah?" Adenville is a fictional town created by Fitzgerald, but most readers believe that the geographical setting loosely fits that of a small town in southern Utah.
Fitzgerald and his wife, Joan, moved to Titusville, Florida, in about 1972 where he continued his writing career. He died there May 20, 1988, at the age of 82.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
February 28, 2024
The juvenile master of swindling is back at it, manipulating the poor folks of his hometown, showing up the adults, and gaslighting his poor little brother, JD. But in all honest, JD does seem to fall for the same stupid stuff time and again.
It's so weird listening to the audiobook. I so recall the story-lines. From the short-lived competing newspaper, to Dottie, to the ghost town, I'm pretty amazed at how much of an impact these books had on me. I knew it even at the time, but having them recited and STILL enjoying them. That's saying something.
It's so weird listening to the audiobook. I so recall the story-lines. From the short-lived competing newspaper, to Dottie, to the ghost town, I'm pretty amazed at how much of an impact these books had on me. I knew it even at the time, but having them recited and STILL enjoying them. That's saying something.
August 28, 2011
Again, lots of laughs or tears, depending on the chapter. Lots of boyness. And lots of crazy exploits from Tom. There is a ghost story in this one that worried the littler boys, but all ended well. And there was a KISS. Oh, the horror!!!!
My sons would tell me the 'moral of the story' or explain why what Tom did was wrong so I wasn't too worried about them becoming little hoodlums after reading this.
My sons would tell me the 'moral of the story' or explain why what Tom did was wrong so I wasn't too worried about them becoming little hoodlums after reading this.
January 1, 2013
So happy to be rediscovering this seemingly forgotten series set in a fictional Utah pioneer town at the end of the 19th century.
While Tom, the middle child Great Brain, is bound to appeal to upper grade elementary school children, the sweet nature of this particular book reminded me why adults will also love the series. The transformation of Britches Dotty, a motherless girl, uneducated and raised to dress like a boy, was the sweetest story in this book, while the story of the children and adults of Adenville coming together to mourn the death of well loved mongrel dog was equally redeeming.
What a perfect book for parents to read to children!
While Tom, the middle child Great Brain, is bound to appeal to upper grade elementary school children, the sweet nature of this particular book reminded me why adults will also love the series. The transformation of Britches Dotty, a motherless girl, uneducated and raised to dress like a boy, was the sweetest story in this book, while the story of the children and adults of Adenville coming together to mourn the death of well loved mongrel dog was equally redeeming.
What a perfect book for parents to read to children!
January 19, 2025
The Great Brain seems to reform...right before Christmas...and as soon as he gets the bicycle he wants, he's back with his con games, euchring the kids out of their money and toys.
Along the way, he does do a few good things, but under protest.
Along the way, he does do a few good things, but under protest.
October 31, 2022
Nothing has changed my mind with the existing review (below).
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I've probably read this entire series over 50 times in my life so the 5 star rating should come as no surprise.
The characters are amazing, the storytelling is unsurpassed, every chapter tells a new story of "The Great Brain"...The Ghost of Silverlode, Britches Dotty, Tom scooping Papa's newspaper and the list goes on.
In my opinion any and all of the Great Brain books are the peak of children's literature. I've read them to my kids, my wife loves them and of course I re-read them whenever I can.
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I've probably read this entire series over 50 times in my life so the 5 star rating should come as no surprise.
The characters are amazing, the storytelling is unsurpassed, every chapter tells a new story of "The Great Brain"...The Ghost of Silverlode, Britches Dotty, Tom scooping Papa's newspaper and the list goes on.
In my opinion any and all of the Great Brain books are the peak of children's literature. I've read them to my kids, my wife loves them and of course I re-read them whenever I can.
August 24, 2013
This was a bit less edgy than the first book in the series - in that book, the narrator tried his best to help his friend commit suicide after his friend lost the bottom half of his leg, because his friend felt worthless.
Regardless, "The Great Brain" remains a rather interesting character as is more complex than most in children's literature in that he's both 'halos and horns,' and there are times when he's quite irritating in his con-artist glory.
Nonethelest, a fun quick read - no longer as PC as it was when written, but that's part of what made it interesting - to me, at least.
Regardless, "The Great Brain" remains a rather interesting character as is more complex than most in children's literature in that he's both 'halos and horns,' and there are times when he's quite irritating in his con-artist glory.
Nonethelest, a fun quick read - no longer as PC as it was when written, but that's part of what made it interesting - to me, at least.
June 6, 2017
Highly entertaining. Full review here: http://www.sunlitpages.com/2017/05/th...
August 14, 2012
I would not recommend this book to children of any age. The writing is wordy and flat, making it difficult to imagine the characters and events and really get into the story. In addition, this book seems to condone lying, cheating, and swindling as long as you do not get caught; these are not positive attributes to be teaching children. Tom is also constantly taking advantage of John, who is too naïve to understand what is happening, which is also something we should not be teaching children to do to one another. Because of the time period this book was written in, it also has some content problems as well. It suggests that it is not appropriate for girls to like boy things and that they must wear dresses and play with dolls in order to be acceptable to society. It also makes numerous pointed statements about how Mormons are rude, unaccepting, and too numerous for the good of the general population. It might be helpful to read this book to children if the goal is to teach them about what people used to think about women and other faiths like Mormonism, but I would not feel comfortable having a child read these things alone without being able to teach them what is wrong with this way of thinking in today’s world.
December 6, 2019
Although certainly not a bad book, this one was a little boring for me as the reading-aloud parent, compared to book #1 in this series. I strongly recommend the first book in this series, which introduces the unreliable narrator and wonderfully opened my kids up to ideas of reading critically.
As mentioned in my review over there, please, parent, read aloud with your kids, particularly with this series. Because it doesn't spell out the moral issues, and indeed purposefully gets some of the issues wrong, your kids will need your interaction. (Don't get scared though. The moral issues are softballs FOR YOU. You don't need to say much more than, "Is Tom really trying to help?")
As mentioned in my review over there, please, parent, read aloud with your kids, particularly with this series. Because it doesn't spell out the moral issues, and indeed purposefully gets some of the issues wrong, your kids will need your interaction. (Don't get scared though. The moral issues are softballs FOR YOU. You don't need to say much more than, "Is Tom really trying to help?")
September 17, 2015
3.5 stars
Personally, I didn't find this book as enjoyable as the first. It's a little milder and a little more predictable. But the familiar, lovable characters are still there, and Tom's "great brain" continues to get him into sticky situations. I really liked the subplots of Britches Dotty and Old Butch's Funeral; they were pretty creative, and added warmth to the story. But aside from those stories, the book felt a bit dry to me. But it's still a decent book, and of course, there are still those great Mercer Mayer illustrations!
Personally, I didn't find this book as enjoyable as the first. It's a little milder and a little more predictable. But the familiar, lovable characters are still there, and Tom's "great brain" continues to get him into sticky situations. I really liked the subplots of Britches Dotty and Old Butch's Funeral; they were pretty creative, and added warmth to the story. But aside from those stories, the book felt a bit dry to me. But it's still a decent book, and of course, there are still those great Mercer Mayer illustrations!
June 5, 2013
If my memory serves me well, all of these Great Brain books are fun and interesting, but I was pleasantly surprised that some of the adventures and schemes in this book involved helping people out. The Great Brain helps a girl learn to read, and rescues his family when their dad gets them lost in the mountains. There are a couple classic mischief stories too. This is good fun for kids and grownups alike.
November 26, 2010
My boys can't get enough of these books. They even have started accusing each other of having a "great brain" when they feel one is trying to take unfair advantage or "swindle" the other. Lots of fun stories about boys being boys in a day when you could explore and have adventures, as long as you got your chores done first and were home by dinner.
January 28, 2013
I love these great brain stories. They are really funny, and yet have some really sweet moments. My six year old and I read this one together after reading The Great Brain and loved it just as much. Our favorite part was the ghost town. Oh, and the funeral for the dog. Great books!
March 13, 2017
We loved this book just as much as the first! Surprising because we usually like one better than the other but both the 1st and 2nd book were so engaging and the reader Ron McLarty does a fantastic job. Listened to this while taking Auntay home...krb 3/13/17
April 30, 2009
All of the Great Brain books are charming, delightful stories to read to your kids. Very cleverly thought out and written. Fun reads.
October 15, 2020
My oldest son was a great fan of these books while he was growing up, and I think I’ve figured out why. He was a “conniver” like Tom Fitzgerald (the Great Brain himself), but also like Tom, his schemes were nearly always “win-win” affairs. In this second volume of the series, Tom publishes his first edition of a newspaper competing with his Dad’s, but his main story exposes the perpetrators of a bank robbery. My son’s schemes were never so dramatic, and the benefits to others weren’t always obvious. (As in, “Mom, Dad! I have a great idea! You buy a bow and some arrows and I’ll shoot them!”) But as an adult, he still dreams up great projects, and his deals are always “win-wins.” Humm, do these books take the Great Brain into adulthood?
April 27, 2018
I thought this was an amazing book! I love how funny and intriguing it is. This book seems to suck you into reading more and more. I recommend this for everyone who loves funny books!
February 19, 2019
This series is quickly becoming our family’s favorite kids’ read aloud. It has kept us all in stitches.
December 5, 2023
another great book in the great brain series (yes i am a grown woman reading these) and just as dark as always. poor old butch, poor britches dotty who just wants to wear jeans and not learn, and poor jd who is literally always getting swindled by tom
June 15, 2017
The Great Brain strikes again... If you need an awesome kids read, this is it!! Funny, light, and a engaging read for children between the ages of 6-13.
Tom is a genius, and the entire town of Adenville suffers from his pranks from time to time. All kids have lost toys, and other items to Tom, but he is about to pull one of his largest swindles yet, and it will leave his father speechless. Join the Fitzgerald brothers as they solve a crime and capture a ghost, all in the span of one summer! The adventures just keep coming, and the brothers never disappoint on the shenanigans pulled..
Tom is a genius, and the entire town of Adenville suffers from his pranks from time to time. All kids have lost toys, and other items to Tom, but he is about to pull one of his largest swindles yet, and it will leave his father speechless. Join the Fitzgerald brothers as they solve a crime and capture a ghost, all in the span of one summer! The adventures just keep coming, and the brothers never disappoint on the shenanigans pulled..
April 19, 2016
** spoiler alert **
Di akhir buku pertama aku mikir2, ini klo T.D. akhirnya tobat gini trus buku kelanjutannya mau nyeritain soal apa? Beneran deh, tobatnya T.D. ini tobat sementara bahkan termasuk dalam rencananya untuk mendapatkan sepeda sebagai hadiah natal wkwk.
Tapi akhirnya di tengah-tengah bukui ni, T.D. berjanji pada ayahnya, ga ada aksi tepu-tepu lagi. Malah setelahnya, T.D. sempat melakukan kebohongan demi menyelamatkan harga diri ayahnya yang mengancam ga mau pulang dan mau tinggal di hutan. Cubet.... :D
Ya, T.D. semakin dewasa. Dia menemukan hal yang lebih penting daripada bermain. Sementara J.D. si bungsu masih menganggap pendapat itu konyol. J.D. ini lugu banget dan pernyataan-pernyataannya sering bikin ngakak.
Suka deh sama setting buku ini yang jadul. Nilai-nilai yang dipegang sama anak-anak ini sangat... Apa ya? Sangat jadul? Wkwk... Misal, klo anak cowok main sama anak cewek artinya sissy :P. Klo punya kakak yang mulai pacaran rasanya seperti aib sealam semesta. Klo dicium cewek itu kiamat. Klo ditantang ga mau artinya pengecut. Istilahnya mending mati karena menjalani tantangan daripada dikatain pengecut seumur hidup. Trus juga orang-orang dewasanya juga pake cara-cara jadul untuk mengatur anak-anak mereka. Misal, nyebarin mitos ada monster di dalam gua biar anak-anak ga kesesat karena sok sok mau menjelajah gua namun akhirnya ga mampu keluar lagi. Satu lagi, mitos ada setan di kota tambang yang sudah tak berpenghuni dengan alasan yang sama. Ada satu lagi, ngakak baca cerita dua perampok yang nangis histeris gara-gara ketauannya sama anak-anak kecil. Mending ketauan sama polisi. Kebayang mereka di penjara nanti bakal jadi bulan-bulanan sesama napi :D. Tapi asyik banget juga sih. Anak-anak masih penuh petualangan. Bebas melakukan aksi nakal-nakal kecil. Di sisi lain mereka juga masih tetap patuh sama ortu, dan masing-masing menjalankan tugas-tugas di rumah dengan tertib.
Di akhir buku pertama aku mikir2, ini klo T.D. akhirnya tobat gini trus buku kelanjutannya mau nyeritain soal apa? Beneran deh, tobatnya T.D. ini tobat sementara bahkan termasuk dalam rencananya untuk mendapatkan sepeda sebagai hadiah natal wkwk.
Tapi akhirnya di tengah-tengah bukui ni, T.D. berjanji pada ayahnya, ga ada aksi tepu-tepu lagi. Malah setelahnya, T.D. sempat melakukan kebohongan demi menyelamatkan harga diri ayahnya yang mengancam ga mau pulang dan mau tinggal di hutan. Cubet.... :D
Ya, T.D. semakin dewasa. Dia menemukan hal yang lebih penting daripada bermain. Sementara J.D. si bungsu masih menganggap pendapat itu konyol. J.D. ini lugu banget dan pernyataan-pernyataannya sering bikin ngakak.
Suka deh sama setting buku ini yang jadul. Nilai-nilai yang dipegang sama anak-anak ini sangat... Apa ya? Sangat jadul? Wkwk... Misal, klo anak cowok main sama anak cewek artinya sissy :P. Klo punya kakak yang mulai pacaran rasanya seperti aib sealam semesta. Klo dicium cewek itu kiamat. Klo ditantang ga mau artinya pengecut. Istilahnya mending mati karena menjalani tantangan daripada dikatain pengecut seumur hidup. Trus juga orang-orang dewasanya juga pake cara-cara jadul untuk mengatur anak-anak mereka. Misal, nyebarin mitos ada monster di dalam gua biar anak-anak ga kesesat karena sok sok mau menjelajah gua namun akhirnya ga mampu keluar lagi. Satu lagi, mitos ada setan di kota tambang yang sudah tak berpenghuni dengan alasan yang sama. Ada satu lagi, ngakak baca cerita dua perampok yang nangis histeris gara-gara ketauannya sama anak-anak kecil. Mending ketauan sama polisi. Kebayang mereka di penjara nanti bakal jadi bulan-bulanan sesama napi :D. Tapi asyik banget juga sih. Anak-anak masih penuh petualangan. Bebas melakukan aksi nakal-nakal kecil. Di sisi lain mereka juga masih tetap patuh sama ortu, dan masing-masing menjalankan tugas-tugas di rumah dengan tertib.
May 14, 2014
I have fond memories of many of the books I read as a child. That list includes at least a couple of the books from the “Great Brain” series by John D. Fitzgerald. In particular, “The Great Brain at the Academy” stands out in my memory, as it was instrumental in building my expectations about what Catholic school would be like (expectations that were wholly and utterly unlike the actual experience, as it turned out). Beyond that and a general memory of finding these stories highly enjoyable, I don’t remember which specific books I read or much in the way of details from the stories. However, after reading this book, I suspect that this was one that I read as a child, since so many of the details seemed familiar to me.
These stories are fictionalized stories from the author’s childhood, and focus on the antics of the author’s older brother Tom, aka “The Great Brain.” Set in Utah in the late Nineteenth Century, the antics of these boys will probably have parents of boys everywhere nodding as they see their own son’s behavior mirrored here. Tom is an exceptionally bright and creative boy, who uses his intellect and imagination to con anyone he can, peers and parents alike. While his schemes often cause untold trouble, and don’t always work out quite the way he intended, he never stops his scheming. Along the way, he and his friends learn a number of life lessons, often the hard way.
This book was a wonderful trip down memory lane to my own childhood, and it is terrifically entertaining, especially for boys, who will probably find the “Great Brain” to be an inspirational character. In spite of the differences in our society wrought by time, boys will likely find that these characters ring true to them, and they will probably find these adventures highly compelling.
These stories are fictionalized stories from the author’s childhood, and focus on the antics of the author’s older brother Tom, aka “The Great Brain.” Set in Utah in the late Nineteenth Century, the antics of these boys will probably have parents of boys everywhere nodding as they see their own son’s behavior mirrored here. Tom is an exceptionally bright and creative boy, who uses his intellect and imagination to con anyone he can, peers and parents alike. While his schemes often cause untold trouble, and don’t always work out quite the way he intended, he never stops his scheming. Along the way, he and his friends learn a number of life lessons, often the hard way.
This book was a wonderful trip down memory lane to my own childhood, and it is terrifically entertaining, especially for boys, who will probably find the “Great Brain” to be an inspirational character. In spite of the differences in our society wrought by time, boys will likely find that these characters ring true to them, and they will probably find these adventures highly compelling.
November 9, 2015
You know how you revisit childhood books or shows and realize they were actually kind of stupid? This is not one of those. I already gave this 5 stars based on my childhood memories of the book, but I've been listening to the audio tapes with my boys lately and the 5 stars (and my nostalgia) still stand.
And now I can add a maternal perspective: I appreciate that this book takes my kids to an era where there were no video games, chores were a given, and free-range parenting was just called "parenting." Bonus that it's set in Utah and my kids can take in the local history they won't get in church. I hope I can find the rest of the series in audio at the library.
This story is set around turn-of-the-century rural Utah and told by Tom "The Great Brain"'s younger brother, with much of the humor coming from his naïvete in narrating the various ways in which his scheming older brother takes advantage of him and other kids. This sounds like a terrible premise -- like maybe the childhood of a sociopath -- but it's quite funny, and for all his manipulation Tom's heart is actually made of...well, not gold, but maybe pyrite.
And now I can add a maternal perspective: I appreciate that this book takes my kids to an era where there were no video games, chores were a given, and free-range parenting was just called "parenting." Bonus that it's set in Utah and my kids can take in the local history they won't get in church. I hope I can find the rest of the series in audio at the library.
This story is set around turn-of-the-century rural Utah and told by Tom "The Great Brain"'s younger brother, with much of the humor coming from his naïvete in narrating the various ways in which his scheming older brother takes advantage of him and other kids. This sounds like a terrible premise -- like maybe the childhood of a sociopath -- but it's quite funny, and for all his manipulation Tom's heart is actually made of...well, not gold, but maybe pyrite.
April 9, 2015
I think I might love this Great Brain book better than the first in the series.
T.D. Fitzgerald (not Jenkins like the synopsis her says) is up to his scheming ways again. My children love to shake their heads at his antics and unabashed pride in himself. The stories of childhood at the turn of the century are awesome. When I think about the freedoms I enjoyed as a child and then compare them to what my parents had it still isn't close to what the children enjoyed then. Perhaps because each generation clamps down more and more on their children? I don't know.
Our whole family loved this book. We listened to the performance by Ron McLarty and when the end of the book came and he says he hopes we've enjoyed this production, my eight-year-old hollered out from the back seat, "We sure did!!"
As with the first book in the series this was a great starting place for discussions about consequences, considering others' feelings, safety, obedience, and honesty.
Was childhood more fun at the turn of the century? John D. Fitzgerald site makes me think so.
T.D. Fitzgerald (not Jenkins like the synopsis her says) is up to his scheming ways again. My children love to shake their heads at his antics and unabashed pride in himself. The stories of childhood at the turn of the century are awesome. When I think about the freedoms I enjoyed as a child and then compare them to what my parents had it still isn't close to what the children enjoyed then. Perhaps because each generation clamps down more and more on their children? I don't know.
Our whole family loved this book. We listened to the performance by Ron McLarty and when the end of the book came and he says he hopes we've enjoyed this production, my eight-year-old hollered out from the back seat, "We sure did!!"
As with the first book in the series this was a great starting place for discussions about consequences, considering others' feelings, safety, obedience, and honesty.
Was childhood more fun at the turn of the century? John D. Fitzgerald site makes me think so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2016
I read the books out of order to my daughters so we finished with this one. It is a nice one to finish with. It has all of the things I love about the Great Brain books (my fav children series) and avoids making the Great Brain too ruthless and money grubbing as some of the later books do. We have the creative and engaging stories with Tom (the Great Brain) solving a robbery, uncovering the mystery of a ghost, and my personal favourite, the Great Brain teaching a girl how to read. I liked the last one the best because it showed the best of Tom. Many stories have him looking a bit heartless, so it was good the author threw in stories like this to show he also wanted to help. Along those lines the chapter when he threw a funeral for a town dog was also very touching. And him saving his family when his father gets them lost was also a nice touch. This whole series is amazing and should be on any parent's reading list for their children. I know my 6 and 9 year old daughters loved all the books.
March 10, 2009
The great brain named Tom always swindles kids out of everything that they have. All the kids parents are always complaining about how their kids lost all their toys to him. Tom is always making money. Once he tried to scare a kid named Parley Benson. He claimed that he was very brave so Tom said that if Parley showed up at the mouth of skeleton cave then Parley was brave. Skeleton cave was like a labyrinth and a lot of kids died because they were lost. Tom decided to make tracks in the dirt to scare Parley away. But some grownups found the fake tracks and thought that they where from a prehistoric animal. Tom had to tell them it was him because "the grownups where being stupid"
I love this series. Read it!
I love this series. Read it!
December 5, 2014
My respect for John D. Fitzgerald's The Great Brain series, and More Adventures of the Great Brain in particular, is such that I may have given it the 1970 John Newbery Medal, even over a story as solemnly lovely as William H. Armstrong's Sounder. I love this book, and have thought fondly of it many, many times in the years since being introduced to it by my fifth-grade schoolteacher, musing over certain tales and remembering how much fun they were to read about. I definitely need to get back to this series again someday, as I'm not finished; in fact, I'm not even halfway through, as of the time of this writing. More Adventures of the Great Brain is a special favorite of mine, and I can't recommend it to my friends highly enough.
June 23, 2017
More Adventures of the Great Brain (The Great Brain #2) by John D. Fitzgerald (Puffin Books 1969) (Fiction – Children's). These are the further adventures of a young boy in Utah growing up with an older brother who had a “Great Brain.” The younger brother served as the narrator; he glowingly described the various ways “The Great Brain” managed to deceive or outsmart others into doing his bidding. But helping a crippled schoolmate learn to walk eventually caused The Great Brain to repent his devious ways; it looked like the fun was over. However, The Great Brain scaled back his repentance, and as book two commences, the party is on again. This is another very funny book. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 1970.
April 11, 2016
The Great Brain continues to impress me with his wit. John D. Fitzgerald's classic children anthology provides a Good Read for kids of all ages. these stories are based off the life experiences of author John D Fitzgerald with his older brother. Set in the late 19th century, these stories follow the adventures of the young clever swindler Tom Fitzgerald. Tom is a typical boy that will bamboozle his friends, solve any mystery case, help save the town and never shy away from a challenge in the changing 19th century. I enjoyed reading a classic 1970's book that my parents had read. These short stories are great comedies and will test you brain, the brilliant Great Brain outwits his friends, his parents, and you
August 16, 2019
Monsters, the taming of wild children, when Papa got lost!, Tom scoops Papa's newspaper, the death of the town's dog, and a hair raising episode of "The Ghost of Silverlode," combine into lighthearted stories that amuse and illuminate the hopes and fears of children the world over. A fun, family read, particularly good for boys.
We have now finished reading it for homeschool, and my son is hooked! Books 1-4 are a little challenging to find, and 5+ even harder. I shall have to start looking, as our entire family enjoys these stories!
Me and My Little Brain (The Great Brain #3), Fitzgerald, 1971
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
We have now finished reading it for homeschool, and my son is hooked! Books 1-4 are a little challenging to find, and 5+ even harder. I shall have to start looking, as our entire family enjoys these stories!
Me and My Little Brain (The Great Brain #3), Fitzgerald, 1971
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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