The Great Brain is Back (Great Brain, Book 8) [Hardcover]

John D. Fitzgerald (Author), Diane deGroat (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Tom Fitzgerald, The Great Brain, has turned 13 and pretty Polly Reagan has put a spell on him. When it comes to swindling the kids of Adenville with his great brain and his money-loving heart, Tom hasn't changed a bit.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8?Fitzgerald wrote the first of his autobiographical yarns set in Mormon Utah in the 1890s in 1967. In 1975, what was thought to be the last of the series, The Great Brain Does It Again, was published. Readers of all ages will take delight in getting acquainted or reacquainted with these engaging characters in this eighth and last offering. Loose chapters found after the author's death have been nicely arranged by the editors into a novel in keeping with the style and tone of others in the series. In all this time, the narrator's older brother, Tom, has only reached the age of 13, and has fallen under the spell of pretty Polly Reagan?a situation that does not affect his great brain or his money-loving schemes and propensity to swindle his brothers and friends. From a slippery soap deal to outwitting a band of outlaws, Tom's antics are humorously told by J.D., whose view of his sibling is a wonderful mixture of admiration and exasperation. His narration provides an excellent example of the difficult-to-reach concept of voice in writing. A satisfying conclusion that's certain to be a hit with fans, as well as a great way to introduce a new generation of youngsters to an entertaining series.?Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. Published from a manuscript found after Fitzgerald's death, the eighth book in the Great Brain series will not disappoint his many fans. The year is 1899, and J. D. narrates this episodic novel, which follows the format of the previous books. Once again, it is J. D. on the defense as he describes his big brother Tom's conniving ways from the first chapter, in which Tom sells J. D. a wagonload of soap, through the last, in which J. D. claims that Tom is finally outswindled--by his own mother. DeGroat's full-page pencil drawings, one per chapter, capture the era well and portray the characters sympathetically, but the book's gentle humor finds expression mainly through the writing. A satisfying addition to a series that continues to attract young readers. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803713460
• ISBN-13: 978-0803713468
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John D. Fitzgerald is the author of seven Great Brain books. He died in Florida, his home of many years, at the age of eighty-one.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, but read the others first, January 2, 2005

By 

Anthony S. Alpert (Weaverville, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Brain is Back (Great Brain, Book 8) (Hardcover)

First, I loved the Great Brain series. My 11 year old son just got done reading the first seven. We agree that the first was the weakest, and the rest were amazing. His favorite is Me and My Little Brain, while mine is The Great Brain at the Academy.

I read the books in the 70's. I looked on Amazon.com for the books for my son and found this one. I bought, read it, and loved it. It was like meeting a best friend that you haven't seen for years, and starting right where you left off.

With that said, this book is not as good as the rest. It's a bit like saying Eric Clapton is not as good as Jimi Hendrix. Clapton is still better than 99.9% of the rest of the guitarist. And that's how you should look at this book. It's not quite as good as the original seven, but it's still great.

If you're thinking of buying this, read the rest of the series first. Then buy this one and enjoy it. If you read the series when you where young, then buy this book. You will love it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get the series, they are great, classic children's books, August 28, 2002

By 

Samuel Krikorian (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Great Brain is Back (Great Brain, Book 8) (Hardcover)

John Dennis Fitzgerald intended to chronicle his youth in Utah for adults, not children. His publisher thought otherwise and the result are these gems. I don't even call them children's lit gems because I find them just as enjoyable as an adult. Before I go on, you should know that Fitzgerald wrote one book about his youth that is for adults, called "Papa Married a Mormon". It is one of the most amazing books on the American west that I have ever read. Sadly, it is out of print, and you may, like me, have to pay an exorbitant sum to get a copy. Trust me, save up and do it. Now back to this book. Every single Great Brain book in the series is pure gold, and the entire set can be had cheaply, so I say buy them all at once. I "put my money where my mouth is" as Tom the Great Brain would say, and bought the lot.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Brain is Back (Great Brain, Book 8) (Hardcover)

It is great. I have recently started the Great Brain books and finished them all very fast. I coundn't stop reading them. You should read The Great Brain is Back and all of the other Great Brain books too!!!!!