Books with title The Great Brain Does It Again

This book is part of a series of children's books by American author John Dennis Fitzgerald (1906–1988). Set in the fictitious small town of Adenville, Utah, between 1896 and 1898, the stories are loosely based on Fitzgerald's childhood experiences. Although John D. Fitzgerald was born in Price, Utah, several references in the stories suggest Adenville is located in Utah's "Dixie," in the southwestern corner of the state, near St. George. The town was indeed a village located west of Cedar City about which little is known. The town is mentioned by Dr. Stephen L. Carr in his book, The Historical Guide to Utah Ghost Towns, published 2009 by Western Epics. Chronicled by the first-person voice of John Dennis Fitzgerald, the stories mainly center on the escapades of John's mischievous older brother, Tom Dennis Fitzgerald, a.k.a. "The Great Brain." The Great Brain was made into a movie released in 1978, with the main character played by Jimmy Osmond.[1] Mercer Mayer originally illustrated the books except for 1995's The Great Brain Is Back (which was illustrated by Diane deGroat). Mr. Mayer did the original cover illustrations for the first seven books as well, but Carl Cassler re-did the cover illustrations for some of the re-prints of the first seven books.

The Great Brain is Tom D. Fitzgerald, aged ten. The story is told by J.D., a sometimes confounded but always admiring younger brother. Such people as Mr. Standish, the mean schoolmaster, regret the day they came up against The Great Brain. But others, like the Jensen kids lost in Skeleton Cave, Basil, the Greek kid, or Andy, who has lost his leg and his friends, know that Tom's great brain never fails to find a way home.

The story is set around the turn of the century in a small rural town, where indoor plumbing is a new and exotic prospect. The story is fun because, in part, it is told from the perspective of the younger brother who idolizes his older brother, the "great brain" -- a charming conniver. Great read-aloud for 6 and up. You will have to explain things like outhouses and the fact that 10 cents a week allowance was worth working for, or that children had a lot of freedom to explore and play a hundred years ago. It's a great story with some social history mixed in. I really love this series.