Customer Reviews

Me and My Little Brain (Great Brain, Book 3)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

This book presents a very nice change of pace in the Great Brain series. The Great Brain has gone off to boarding school, and J. D. thinks that he will fill the Great Brain's shoes and try to swindle the kids in town. All of J. D.'s plans backfire, and he learns that swindling people is not something that is to be admired or done. The main focus of the book is on J.D.'s family's adoption of Frankie, a little boy whose parents were killed in an accident. It's a very heartwarming portrayal of a family's acceptance of a new member, and it is not at all lacking in comic relief. Mr. Fitzgerald's humor is not at all lacking in this book, and perhaps is even better than in the rest of the series. I definitely enjoyed this book.

Overall grade: A

I read these books as child by checking them out of a library. Now almost 20 years later, I have decided to reread them all starting from the beginning. In this book, J.D. decides that he can fill the Great Brain (T.D.)'s shoes, while T.D. is away at the Academy in Salt Lake City. It turns out to be a humbling experience, thus the title, Me and My Little Brain. While some people may tell you that this book isn't as good without the presence of the Great Brain, I found this book just as entertaining as the rest. The storytelling is as superb as the rest. You don't want to miss this book because it introduces the character, Frankie, who allows this book to still be about brothers. Towards the end of this book, we find out that J.D. can still do some amazing stuff even though he has a little brain. This book and The Great Brain at the Academy are parallel books, which describe events happening at the same time, however, you should read this book first to have things make sense.

I was introduced to "Me and My Little Brain" back in the late 70's when my 4th grade teacher assigned it to the class. Not only do I remember being obsessed with this book, I made my parents go out and buy the rest of the Great Brain books so I could read them all. It was an excellent beginning for me as a reader, and it became the first series of books I wanted to read, not just because I had to for school. The fact is, I can't wait to share it with my own son when that time comes. I highly recommend this one, and Fitzgerald's entire catelog of Great Brain books.

I was always the recipient of hand downs from my two older brothers - not just in Toughskin Jeans but in books too. Naturally I got all the Great Brain books since my family wasn't aware that there were girls reading at the time. WOW! I totally loved TD, JD and probably would have married Sweyn if he wasn't 100 by the time I knew about him. The whole series is really, really great. They deal with clever actions and their consequences in the most humorous light. I was so happy when our school's accelerated 2nd grade reading club (boys and girls, of course) loved The Great Brain and asked for more. Me and My Little Brain was the second selection and most prefered it to the first. I guess after awhile you do just get sick of the smart, manipulative brother and want to root for his intelligent but not so clever little one.
I would read this to any child who likes to sit and focus and be read to or allow a kid to read it on his own. Expect questions about Jack-Ass-Leap-Frog and Waterclosets.

This is an amazing series! I first read it in the early 70's as a fifth grader and as teacher I read it every year to my third, fourth and fifth graders. They love it.

I remembered reading these books in the 70's and got this book for my son. My "reluctant reader" fifth grader loved the entire series. A great pick for kids who are more interested in straight fiction "real" characters and plots, as opposed to fantasy/science fiction (which can confound less strong readers). I wish the entire series was in print.

The third book in the series has mighty big shoes to fill but it lives up to expectations very well.
Other reviewers have expressed concern over the lack of stories with the main character (Tom), but this book is true to it's title and deals with the younger Fitzgerald in very well.\

I applaud the author for taking time to focus on the troubles of a younger sibling when his older (and more conniving) brother is absent.

I enjoyed this book very much when I was younger, and still enjoy it now that I am an adult and father.

This series is one that I hope to share with my children as they grow up, and I hope they will get as much pleasure from the stories as I did.

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.

I remember when my fourth grade teacher Mr. Moore read this and other books written by John D. Fitxgerald, they were the neatest books in the world. I can still picture the rockslide, the silent treatment, and J. D.'s trial amongst other scenes from the books in my head. They are amongst the greatest books for your children, along with the cronicles of Narnia. A classic that will take your children's imaginations to a far away place filled with danger and aventure and the excitement of the 'Wild West' (though slightly more civilized). A must for every child's library.