The Great Brain (Great Brain, Book 1)

The antics of the Great Brain as told by his brother are some of the funniest, twisted, and gut-splitting moments in popular literature. I remember reading the entire series when I was a kid and I was stunned to find every moment as hillarious at age 40 as they were back when I was 10. My nine year old is reading the series now. It's a real pleasure to hear her giggles and howls of laughter coming from her loft as she experiences the adventures and hijinx of JD and the gang for herself.In terms of reading pleasure, JD Fitzgerald's style and use of language, subtle dry whit and sideways descriptions add to the plot & character driven moments, making these tomes some of the best of American literature. Adults who can hammer down a David Foster Wallace novel can sink their literary teeth into JD's reflexive fiction with just as much sophisticated vigor. If you have one of those little Great Brains in your own home, you'll instantly recognize the genuis and perverse brilliance in Fitzgerald's characters. In an age of labels and neuroses run amuck it feels good to see, yeah, here's a fictional (?) character who's just like my kid.This stuff is beyond funny. Just be sure you have a massage afterwards because your muscles will ache from the laugh-reflex.

The Great Brain is about a relatively normal family living in Utah that happens to have a very, very smart son who is always looking for ways to get things for himself. The story takes place in 1896, so many parts of the story surprised me; the world has changed a lot in 127 years! Still, I could relate to a lot of things in the story; the kids had to go to school every day, they played games with their friends, and they had chores to do. And, more importantly, the story kept things interesting. Sometimes, Tom was trying to find ways to make money. Other times, J.D. was learning lessons about life. Occasionally, lives were even at stake. But the stories stayed interesting, no matter what was happening.I especially loved Tom Dennis, the character whose “Great Brain” is the source of the book’s title. In the beginning, Tom enjoys tricking people to make himself small sums of money (sometimes so tiny they made me laugh), but by the end of the book, he realizes that he can use his mind to help other people in extremely important ways. Over time, Tom learns to feel how other people feel and sympathize with their needs. This leads him to give up “his crooked ways” and become a kind person who primarily serves others instead of himself. His story makes me want to find more ways to benefit the people in my own life.Tutor’s Warning: This book has very sensitive subject matter at times involving abuse of children that will require significant guidance and explanation. Definitely review the story before sharing this with your student.

This was my favorite series as a little girl. Such rich and fun characters. It was such a joy to be able to read this to my son.

Arrived promptly and in great condition!

My grandson enjoyed it very much. We'll go on with the next book in the series.

I purchased all the books in the "Great Brain" series. The author, John D. Fitzgerald gives a refreshing view of early Utah about the time it gained statehood. John D. Fitzgerald came from what in Utah is called a "part-member" family. Where some of the family is Latter-day Saint and other members of the same family are of different or no particular faith. JDF shows the interesting dynamics between Mormon and "Gentile" factions in a rural Utah town circa 1896 in a very comical and entertaining way. If you are interested in Utah history through a comical lens, you will enjoy these books. The book, "Papa Married a Mormon" by JDF is a pre-quel to the "Great Brain" series.

Loved this book since the 4th Grade. Thank you Mr. Gripper!!!Great storytelling. One of my lifelong favorites and I highly recommend.

I probably read this novel as a kid some 30 years ago, and remember enjoying it then. Imagine my surprise when I only just recently re-read it and found it as good or better than I even remembered it! I'd have to say I enjoyed it at least as much as anything I've read by Twain, though not to its detriment the writing style is somewhat more simplistic and easier to read, but no less riveting as a character study and story. To say readers will "lap up the story" is no understatement, and there is nothing childish in any negative connotation about the first person narration as told by J.D., The Great Brain's younger brother. It is a hilarious read and even moving by the time it reaches its conclusion. It's fun to re-look at Tom's shennanigans as an adult and to see how "off" and "on" he really was from that perspective. I've heard people say this first book wasn't the best in the cannon, but if that is true, how much more I look forward to re-reading the books that follow. Incidentally, having mentioned Twain, and if you are a fan of that great author and haven't done so yet, check out his last, somewhat more obscure novella "The Mysterious Stranger" for another riveting yet cynical and supernatural tale, probably more adult than children's fiction, though the story's characters are children. I'm on to book 2 of "The Great Brain".Another fantastic children/adult novel highly recommended: Lizard Music by Daniel Pinkwater.

I got these books for my niece and nephew because I loved them when I was a kid - Tom (the great brain) is just that kind of brother and friend everyone wishes they had growing up

Ein großartiges Buch für Kinder und für Erwachsene.

Excellent graduation gift for young ESL student

You just enjoy reading. Nicely written.

The Great Brain books were one of my absolute favourite series when I was a kid - now that I'm grown up and I've got three sons of my own - who rather shockingly correspond to Sweyn, Tom, and JD - these books have become bedtime favourites. Each chapter gives plenty of discussion material both on how things used to be way back when and on the moral and ethical situations created by Tom. The kids hang on every word, and the whole series shines as brilliantly for me as an adult as it did when I was a kid myself. The Great Brain at the Academy is still my favourite, but you've just got to do the whole series!