Fitzgerald, John D. Books

Great Brain,The

John D. Fitzgerald

Amazon Price: $5.99 List Price: $5.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Puffin Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $2.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 79 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A great read but BEWARE. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This book is a wonderful protrait of 19th century rural America, but people should be aware that it was written at a time when there was much more freedom of speech than we have today. Topics in the book include suicide, religious intolerance and fear of immigrants. There is a scene where the boys go skinny dipping and also one story concerns John mating his dog, so this book probably should not be brought to a public elementary school for fear it might offend someone. Also there are no African-Americans in the book, and while the book does portray Jews, Moromons, Protestants and Catholics coexisting, there are no Muslims in this book, so it is not very politically correct. Also the "I" word is used casually and no mention is made of the plight of native Americans, except to say that they are the only non-immigrants in America. Women are displayed in subservient roles, always cooking, cleaning and taking care of the sick, although all the boys are portrayed as having chores. [...]

Editorial Review:

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.

More Adventures of the Great Brain

John D. Fitzgerald

Amazon Price: $5.99 List Price: $5.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Puffin Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $1.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Weakest link in a terrific series 3 out of 5 stars.
5 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Once again, the young narrator J.D. relates the adventures of his natural born con artist brother Tom, aka the Great Brain.

A hundred years after this series takes place, the writing that makes this series live and breathe is still in full force. The authentic details that flesh out life in the small town of Adenville, Utah are great touches and elevate the story above similar tales that take place in the present. The series also banks on the realistic and lovable main characters, especially John D. and Tom himself.

Despite all that, I have to say that this is the weakest of the Great Brain books. Tom's adventures are more grandiose than in the others, and I think that the series is more comfortable when Tom is operating within the realm of his peers, rather than conning the entire town on a big scale. He creates a stir when he convinces the entire town that a monster walks among them at night, and later in the book seeks to capture a ghost that has scared him and the other children away from an old mine. These episodes are just a little less fun than when Tom is conning quarters and dimes from the other kids.

Another chapter that I had a problem with was "The Taming of Britches Dotty," which is so demeaning toward women that I think it would actually be harmful for any child who reads it. Britches Dotty is essentially a rough and tumble cowgirl whom Tom "tames" by teaching her to wear pretty dresses and "act like a girl." He also teaches her to read and write, so it's not like the chapter couldn't work with some revision, but the notion that girls have to dress nicely, act demurely, and look pretty is so out of touch that the chapter should be altered or removed before it's given to a child.

But these books are episodic, and I do have to say that, on the positive side, this book has one of the best episodes in the entire series, which is when Papa and the boys get hopelessly lost among the local canyons, with Papa despairing that they will make it out alive.

There is also a touching chapter about the boys heading up a funeral for a local dog.

Mercer Meyer's detailed sketches are absolutely wonderful, with lots of detail and shading, and characters that retain some of their cartoonishness even as they look real.

This is a terrific series, and everyone who reads it will enjoy it.

Editorial Review:

Has Tom Jenkins, a.k.a. the Great Brain, given up his con-artist ways for a bicycle? Not for long. Soon the Great Brain is back to his old tricks, swindling and trading, even convincing the whole town there’s a prehistoric monster on the loose. But when someone robs the bank, even the police are stumped. Can the Great Brain solve the crime and put the crooks behind bars?

Me and My Little Brain (Great Brain)

John D. Fitzgerald

Amazon Price: $5.99 List Price: $5.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Puffin Amazon Marketplace: 52 new & used starting at $0.52

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

If I Only Had a Brain 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

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.

Editorial Review:

Tom, a.k.a. the Great Brain, is off to boarding school. Now his little brother, J. D., is free to follow in Tom’s ingenious, conniving, and profitable footsteps. All of J. D.’s attempts at turning a profit fail miserably, and he soon realizes that he just doesn’t have that crafty Great Brain knack. But when his younger brother is kidnapped, J. D. finds that his little brain may not be so ordinary after all....

The Great Brain Is Back

John D. Fitzgerald

Amazon Price: $11.55 List Price: $16.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Dial Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $8.74

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( F ) -> Fitzgerald, John D.

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

So-so entry into the Great Brain series... 2 out of 5 stars.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I would only give this 2.5 stars out of 5. As someone who grew up with the Great Brain series in the '70s I was quite pleased to hear about this "lost" book surfacing a few years ago. These were my favorite books when I was a kid and I kept them for many years afterwards. Imagine my disappointment when I read the introduction by the "editor." If one were to believe what she writes here, she is the one who should be commended for the "Great Brain" series, not Fitzgerald.

Oh, please.

Her insulting forward aside, readers should know that this book was assembled (after his death) from Fitzgerald's notes and we will never know for sure if he intended for it to be published or not. It's a fair book, but it doesn't have nearly the spark of the original works, all of which I would highly recommend over this, any day of the week.

Editorial Review:

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.

The Great Brain Reforms (Great Brain)

John D. Fitzgerald

List Price: $4.50 By: Yearling Amazon Marketplace: 13 new & used starting at $17.97

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( F ) -> Fitzgerald, John D.

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Trust me, he doesnt actually 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

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.

An Unforgettable Classic: A Must Read 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

John D. Fitzgerald, in the tradition of Mark Twain, wrote a semi-fictitious account of his childhood as a Mormon in Utah. The milieu and time for "The Great Brain" series is a Victorian, early 1900's era, making the stories more in the lines of Tom Sawyer and Huck Fynn. But that does not belittle this timeless classic written in the 70's. The Great Brain is in fact an interesting character to follow. The stories are told from the point of view of his younger brother, as he follows him through many schemes (all of which are money scams) and escapades, which somehow wind down to moral lessons. The Great Brain is a humorous, brilliant and witty work of historic fiction that is sure to touch every reader in some way. I first read the series as a young child myself, growing up in much the same way The Great Brain does- a strict religious family that promotes hard work and academic education. These stories are hard to find nowadays, Victorian morales having slipped away somehow in our modern day. I am glad to know that Amazon.com still has these great books and I recommend them to everyone, young and old. For me, reading the novels was a form of escape, as well as an insightful glimpse of a time that was far more innocent than our own- the violent gangs of today and MTV, Britney Spears, Joy of Pepsi, Ossie Osbourne generation compare nothing to the rebelliousnes of the Great Brain. All of the books are enjoyable, and it is not until the last book in the series, "The Great Brain Reforms" (the name says it all) that we discover the startling growth and changes the punky, swindling, intelligent adult-trapped in the body of a child Great Brain undergoes. A Must Read.

Editorial Review:

The Great Brain at the Academy (Great Brain)

John D. Fitzgerald, Mercer Mayer

List Price: $4.50 By: Yearling Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $9.37

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( F ) -> Fitzgerald, John D.

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Brain is just great 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

"If any of you kids want a bar of candy," Tom said, "it will cost you a dime."
"But they are only nickel bars of candy," Rory protested.
"That is the price in a store," Tom said. "Ten cents is the price in the academy."
Rory was completely flabbergasted as he stared at Sweyn. "What kind of a brother have you got?" he asked.
"An eighteen-karat conniver," Sweyn answered.

In this fourth chapter of the Great Brain books, John D. is left behind when Tom joins the oldest brother, Sweyn, at a learning institution. Tom's naturally independent nature, his demand to know the reason that things work as they do, and his self-righteousness combine with his smarts to get him into trouble at the academy. Every time he uses his brain to distinguish himself from his peers, he is slapped back down by the strict staff.

This book distinguishes itself from its predecessors by having a more cohesive storyline than the others. While many of the books involve stand-alone episodes in which Tom employs one scheme or another, this book has far more continuity, as Tom finds himself in an ongoing struggle with the academy administration, led by the harsh Father Rodriguez.

Partially because of this, the chapters deviate from the familiar formula of Tom extracting money from those around him. Instead, he has to use his wits to accomplish other feats, such as unlocking a locked door, for example, when he lacks the key.

This difference is generally a positive one, as we get more and more invested in the story as it develops. We are also treated to the inside of the religious academy, and we really get a sense of its inner workings and how students lived there.

As always, the language is engaging, filled with colloquialisms that are easily understood, even though they are far outdated. The books allow us to see a slice of American history while still being completely accessible to modern children.

Kids will love to place themselves in Tom's shoes, and imagine how they too can put one over on their peers and loved ones.

Editorial Review:

Everyone knew that Tom Fitzgerald, alias The  Great Brain, would get into trouble when he went off  to school at the strict Catholic Academy for Boys  in Salt Lake City. But no one--including Tom--knew  just how much. His tongue got him into fifteen  demerits worth of difficulty the very first day, but  his great brain refused to be defeated as Tom set  out to outwit the eighth grade, the  superintendent, and finally the bishop of the state of Utah.  Whether it's running an illegal candy store or  earning a reputation as the fastest potato peeler in the  world or introducing the newfangled sport of  basketball at the academy, Tom's great brain never  falters. And his money-making schemes rise to new  heights--or depths--faced with the challenge of  rigorous boarding-school life.

The Return of the Great Brain

John D. Fitzgerald

List Price: $4.50 By: Yearling Amazon Marketplace: 19 new & used starting at $17.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( F ) -> Fitzgerald, John D.

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Great Book 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The Return of the Great Brain is a excellent book to read!!! Tom ( the great brain ) is on trial. He has to reform.Tom uses his brain to solve a train robbery,to get a jackass, and many other things. Read The Return of the Great Brain to find out what happens!

Enjoyable Book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book was really entertaining, and I have read it more than once. I have not read a better book than this about what kids did in the past etc. It had intresting situation and intresting characters and I recomend it for everyone!

Editorial Review:

Tom Fitzgerald, alias The Great Brain, is back, struggling to stay reformed now that his friends have threatened to ostracize him if he puulls even one more swindle. But his brother J.D. knows Tom's reformation is too good to be true, and as a reformed Great Brain makes for a dull life, J.D. is not altogether unhappy--or blameless--when his brother's money-loving heart stealthily retums to business as usual.



Under the watchful eyes of parents and friends, Tom has to be craftier than ever, and indeed he is. Whether he's cleverly pulling an out-and-out swindle so as not to be caught or solving a train robbery and murder, Tom's Great Brain never fails.

Brave Buffalo Fighter (Young Adult Bookshelf Ser)

John D. Fitzgerald

Amazon Price: $9.56 List Price: $11.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Bethlehem Books Amazon Marketplace: 21 new & used starting at $5.55

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( F ) -> Fitzgerald, John D.
Subjects -> Children's Books -> History & Historical Fiction -> United States -> Fiction -> 1800s
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I second the comments of the previous reviewer. I read this book as a twelve year old, and have spent the last twenty years looking for another copy. Hard to find, but well worth the search.

Third Grade Memories Rushing Back.... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Having grown up on the East side of Utah, the Great Brain was a treasured child hood companion. However, I had completely forgotten that John Fitzgerald wrote this book too. My third grade teacher, Mr. Cody Jenkins read this book to us and I remember being "transported" to the times of the book--a feat that only great books can accomplish.

Good Book, but very different from Great Brain Series 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I just read Brave Buffalo Fighter, and thought it was a pretty good book. I didn't read it as a child, but decided to read it now, because I liked the Great Brain books so much, that I wanted to read more by John D. Fitzgerald. While the book kept my attention, I was surprised that the story was much more dramatic and had a harsher storyline than his other writings. This story lacked the humor of his other stories, but had the same historical fiction qualities.

Editorial Review:

Ten-year-old Susan relates the adventures and frustrations of her family's wagon train west, culminating when her twelve-year-old brother is asked to turn himself over to the Indians in order to save the lives of the rest of the party.

Brave Buffalo Fighter (Young Adult Bookshelf Ser)

John D. Fitzgerald

Amazon Price: $9.56 List Price: $11.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Bethlehem Books Amazon Marketplace: 21 new & used starting at $5.55

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( F ) -> Fitzgerald, John D.
Subjects -> Children's Books -> History & Historical Fiction -> United States -> Fiction -> 1800s
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I second the comments of the previous reviewer. I read this book as a twelve year old, and have spent the last twenty years looking for another copy. Hard to find, but well worth the search.

Third Grade Memories Rushing Back.... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Having grown up on the East side of Utah, the Great Brain was a treasured child hood companion. However, I had completely forgotten that John Fitzgerald wrote this book too. My third grade teacher, Mr. Cody Jenkins read this book to us and I remember being "transported" to the times of the book--a feat that only great books can accomplish.

Good Book, but very different from Great Brain Series 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I just read Brave Buffalo Fighter, and thought it was a pretty good book. I didn't read it as a child, but decided to read it now, because I liked the Great Brain books so much, that I wanted to read more by John D. Fitzgerald. While the book kept my attention, I was surprised that the story was much more dramatic and had a harsher storyline than his other writings. This story lacked the humor of his other stories, but had the same historical fiction qualities.

Editorial Review:

Ten-year-old Susan relates the adventures and frustrations of her family's wagon train west, culminating when her twelve-year-old brother is asked to turn himself over to the Indians in order to save the lives of the rest of the party.