The best con man in the Midwest is only ten years old. Tom, a.k.a., the Great Brain, is a silver-tongued genius with a knack for turning a profit. When the Jenkins boys get lost in Skeleton Cave, the Great Brain saves the day. Whether it's saving the kids at school, or helping out Peg-leg Andy, or Basil, the new kid at school, the Great Brain always manages to come out on top-and line his pockets in the process.
The shrewdest con artist west of the Mississippi during the early 1900s was 10-year-old Tom Fitzgerald, alias "The Great Brain." The stories of his exploits and schemes are told by his younger brother J.D. "A lively, funny . . . touching book written with flair."--Saturday Review. Ages 9-12.
| Chapter 1 | The Magic Water Closet | 1 |
| Chapter 2 | Revenge Can Be Sour | 25 |
| Chapter 3 | The Great Brain Saves the Day | 43 |
| Chapter 4 | Abie Glassman Finds a Home | 68 |
| Chapter 5 | Greek Immigrant | 79 |
| Chapter 6 | A Wreath for Abie | 102 |
| Chapter 7 | The New Teacher | 116 |
| Chapter 8 | The Great Brain's Reformation | 139 |
Anonymous
Posted January 25, 2004
Dad enjoys reading this book aloud at night to the kids. They can't wait to get into pj's for the nightly ritual. All reading levels in the family enjoy listening to the exciting adventures of T.D.(Tom), and J.D. (younger brother John). We have read three of the sequels. They don't want to have dad stop at the end of each chapter. 'Keep reading!'
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2006
I remember reading The Great Brain series when I was a kid, back in the late 1970s. I loved them then, and I am so glad that they are still in print today. I can't wait for my son to be old enough to start reading them himself, and hopefully enjoy them as much as his mom did!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 8, 2013
A great boys book that holds their interest and teaches them to think about problems, social issues and their life.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.4thGradeTeacherUT
Posted November 22, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I am a 4th grade teacher, and have read 'The Great Brain' and 'More Adventures of the Great Brain' to my class for the past several years. As a result of this, whenever the older grades in our school have library, they snatch up any book in this series they can get their hands on. They then proceed to read them - over and over again - until they fall apart. This phenomena has been hard on our school librarian. The later books in the series are difficult to replace, and she's been asked "Which book comes next in 'The Great Brain' series?" so many times, that she finally made a laminated poster that lists 'The Great Brain' books in order. I'm pretty sure she's going to key my car any day now.
The story takes place in a small Utah town in the 1890s. It is told through the eyes of the "Great Brain's" 7 year-old brother, John D., who is awe struck at his 10 year-old sibling's genius. John D.'s hero worship of Tom (a.k.a. The Great Brain) is touching and provides some of the book's funniest moments.
The Great Brain is a bit of a complicated character. He hates seeing people treated unfairly, will always defend the underdog, and helps his uncle, the town's sheriff, uphold and defend the law, by solving crimes & mysteries with his 'great brain' that have stumped the grown-ups. However, he is far from perfect. His money-loving heart makes him completely unscrupulous when faced with a financial matter. He has made many an enemy by using his 'great brain' to turn a profit and by lording his intelligence over others.
The boys' long-suffering papa knows what his intelligent son is capable of, and he is hilariously paranoid that his son is the cause of anything unusual that happens in town.
The illustrations (done by Mercer Mayer, best known for the 'Little Critter' and 'Little Monster' books) are delightful and remarkably detailed.
I realize how popular fantasy books are with today's children (the Harry Potter Generation), and this book is definitely not a fantasy. However, once your kids (or students) get to know John D. and Tom D. and his great brain, they'll forget all about flying dragons and magic school.
Anonymous
Posted June 16, 2008
I'm a fifth grader and our class read this book. It was a great book and it always left you hanging. I would recommended this to everyone who likes adventure books. It's an awesome book.
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Posted December 5, 2007
I just loved this book as a kid. Now I am getting to pass it along to my 2 nephews. As well as my best friend who is mother of 3 boys wants to get it for her sons as well. Just a classic book!!
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Posted July 23, 2007
THE GREAT BRAIN is awesome!I have read THE GREAT BRAIN.It is great!
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Posted February 11, 2010
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Posted December 8, 2009
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Overview
The best con man in the Midwest is only ten years old. Tom, a.k.a., the Great Brain, is a silver-tongued genius with a knack for turning a profit. When the Jenkins boys get lost in Skeleton Cave, the Great Brain saves the day. Whether it's saving the kids at school, or helping out Peg-leg Andy, or Basil, the new kid at school, the Great Brain always manages to come out on top-and line his pockets in the process.
The shrewdest con artist west of the...