The Great Brain

The Great Brain is a children's book series set in 1890s Utah that follows the adventures of ten-year-old Tom Fitzgerald, a quick-witted boy known for his schemes and money-making ventures. The stories are narrated by Tom's younger brother John, who watches and sometimes participates in his brother's exploits in their small town of Adenville. The series captures life in a late nineteenth-century Mormon community, where Tom uses his self-proclaimed "great brain" to solve problems, help others, and occasionally con his fellow townspeople. The books feature period details about daily life, technology, and social customs in the American West during this era. The original books, illustrated by Mercer Mayer, blend humor with historical elements as Tom navigates childhood in a changing world. The stories involve local children, town characters, and the Fitzgerald family, including their parents and older brother Sweyn. The series explores themes of growing up, morality, and the complex nature of right and wrong through Tom's creative but sometimes ethically questionable solutions to problems. These books present lessons about conscience and community while maintaining a focus on entertainment and adventure.

Readers remember this book fondly from childhood and often seek it out to share with their own children. The narrative voice and humor connect with both young readers and adults. Readers appreciated: - Detailed portrayal of rural Utah life in the 1890s - Complex moral situations that make children think - The sibling dynamics between Tom and J.D. - Tom's clever schemes and problem-solving - Historical accuracy and educational value Common criticisms: - Some schemes feel repetitive - Tom can come across as mean-spirited - A few dated cultural references and attitudes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (500+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Perfect balance of humor and moral lessons" - Goodreads reviewer "My 9-year-old couldn't put it down" - Amazon reviewer "The cons games get tiresome" - Goodreads reviewer "Made me appreciate growing up with brothers" - Common Sense Media review

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Homer Price by Robert McCloskey A small-town boy solves problems and encounters eccentric characters in mid-century America with wit and ingenuity.

The Moffats by Eleanor Estes Four siblings navigate life in a New England town during the early 1900s with schemes and creative solutions to their predicaments.

Henry Reed, Inc. by Keith Robertson A entrepreneurial boy starts a business venture during his summer vacation, leading to complications and resourceful problem-solving.

🧠 The series was partly inspired by Fitzgerald's own childhood in Price, Utah, though he changed the setting to the fictional town of Adenville 🎨 Illustrator Mercer Mayer is also famous for creating the Little Critter series, which has sold over 200 million copies worldwide 📚 The Great Brain series consists of eight books total, with the final book published posthumously in 1995, nearly 20 years after Fitzgerald's death 🏠 The Victorian house featured in the books still stands today in Price, Utah, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places 🎬 In 1978, The Great Brain was adapted into a family film starring Jimmy Osmond as Tom and produced by Disney