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John D. Fitzgerald

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The Great Brain Hardcover – January 1, 2000

by John D. Fitzgerald (Author), Mercer Mayer (Illustrator)

1,010

Book 1 of 8: The Great Brain

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J. D. idolizes his older brother Tom, a.k.a. The Great Brain, a silver-tongued con artist with a genius for making a profit. No matter what the situation, The Great Brain will always find a way to turn it to his advantage--usually, his financial advantage. As boys growing up at the beginning of the 1900s, J. D. and Tom have plenty of scope for their adventures. And while J. D.'s ingenuity may not equal his conniving brother's, as a narrator he is endearingly sympathetic and wildly entertaining. First published in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this classic series has been popular ever since. Now the first three books are again available in hardcover, complete with their original illustrations. Join the amazing Great Brain and his befuddled brother as they continue to captivate generations of young readers.

Reading age

8 - 10 years, from customers
Book 1 of 8

The Great Brain
Print length

192 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Preschool - 7
Lexile measure

840L
Dimensions

5.81 x 0.71 x 8.56 inches
Publisher

Dial Books
Publication date

January 1, 2000
ISBN-10

0803725906
ISBN-13

978-0803725904
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Editorial Reviews

Review

* "A funny, fast-moving, endearing book that [readers] will lap up!"--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

About the Author

John D. Fitzgerald was born in Utah and lived there until he left at eighteen to begin a series of interesting careers ranging from jazz drummer to foreign correspondent. His stories of The Great Brain were based on his own childhood in Utah with a conniving older brother named Tom. These reminiscenses led to eight memorable Great Brain books. John D. Fitzgerald also wrote several best-selling adult books, including Papa Married a Mormon. He died in Florida, his home of many years, at the age of eighty-one.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dial Books (January 1, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0803725906
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0803725904
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 10 years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 840L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.81 x 0.71 x 8.56 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,031,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #820 in Teen & Young Adult United States Historical Fiction
- #1,127 in Teen & Young Adult Humorous Fiction
- #6,667 in Teen & Young Adult Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
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John D. Fitzgerald

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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.

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4.7 out of 5

1,010 global ratings

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Ogg-the-Bear

Hillarity for "kids" of all ages

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2006

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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.

3 people found this helpful

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Passerby

My Student's Review of the Great Brain

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023

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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.

2 people found this helpful

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Jennifer I.

Better reading as an adult!

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2023

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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.

2 people found this helpful

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Holly Langel

Perfect

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2023

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Arrived promptly and in great condition!

Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2020

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

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Diego De La Vega

Light-heated View of Childhood and Early Utah

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2022

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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.

3 people found this helpful

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Missy Bush

lifelong favorite

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023

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

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green manalishi

More or Less Profound, and Profoundly Entertaining

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2011

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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.

8 people found this helpful

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Redrover

Awesome stories from a simpler time

Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2022

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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

One person found this helpful

Amazon Kunde

Lesenswert

Reviewed in Germany on January 31, 2021

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Ein großartiges Buch für Kinder und für Erwachsene.

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Amazon Customer

Gift for ESL student

Reviewed in Japan on May 10, 2020

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Excellent graduation gift for young ESL student

Raghav Mittal

Very nice book.

Reviewed in India on January 24, 2017

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You just enjoy reading. Nicely written.

L. Shannon

Timeless!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2014

Verified Purchase

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!

One person found this helpful

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