Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

He's Back...
I ordered this book to put on the shelf for my 2 year old. Why? Because I remember loving The Great Brain so much as a young boy that I can't imagine my own son not having it available the moment he can read it! I loved the Great Brain books so much that I still have them on my shelf som e 30 years after I first read them myself.

The chapters of this book, published after the author's death, fulfill the promise and memory of the original tales. I read the book in an eveningjust to see what J.D. and Tom had been up to since I last checked in. As a 38 year old academic I was delightfully captivated. I think you will be too, as will your children! The only thing I can't figure out is how J.D. can still be such a sucker after all the cons he was a victim too.

A note on the artwork: I did miss the work of Mercer Meyer who illustrated the editions I read as a child. However, Ms. de Groat's pencil illustrations were of top quality and will be sure to please new readers.

Fun, but not as good as the previous ones
I've read all the great brain, and this is my least favorite. It is written by someone else after the author died, and it's obvious. It is entertaining, but does not qualify as a great brain book to me.

Closure for a great series.
My first introduction to this wonderful "young readers" series was in elementary school.Our class had a weekly period where the teacher read to us.It so happened that the Great Brain was one of those books.I was immediately hooked.
I had the other 7 books since my teenage years, but I had no idea that an 8th posthumous book had been released.
I finally had the chance to purchase it, and I must say that it was a very nostalgic experience to read new tales of these familiar character.
I highly recommend fans of the series to get this book to complete the collection.New readers should start with the 1st book, "The Great Brain".

Good, but not great
Honestly, I liked the original last book better than this posthumously published one, but I'm not going to complain about another book being added to the series.In this book T.D. catches some criminals and pulls a few minor swindle's, but the final conclusion of the series seems to be that swindling doesn't pay.The very last chapter is called "The Swindler gets Swindled," and Tom tries to pull a swindle and it backfires completely and he ends up losing some money.On that note the series ends, the author's point being made.Lots of humor along the way, as well as fascinating adventures in the old west.Definitely a series I'll be re-reading again in the future.

Overall grade:A-

So-so entry into the Great Brain series...
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

One of the best in the series
Once again T.D. is stying to avoid open swindles, and in this book he once again earns some honest money.He also saves the town (of course expecting a reward), and does some actually downright nice things.It's rather obvious that the Great Brain is growing up, and he seems to get much milder as the series goes on.This was the last book published in the series during the author's lifetime, and it was a good end to the series.It looked as if Tom had finally given up the swindling business.

Overall grade:A

master brain
Tom and Frankie, the two worst brother to brother connections ever, a family with two younger brothers but at an age of 11, Tom is really smart. He tricks and fools people to take their money. And which the great brain was born. But most of all, he always manages to swindle his little bother each time in his scams. Frankie couldn't take any more. It's time someone got him back. But with a small brain like Frankie's it's going to be hard.
These two brothers with a relationship like a cat and dog have to go through various mysteries solving them one at a time.
Starring the book The Great Brain Does It Again, is a terrific book with great characters with twists and turns on Frankie and Tom.
Tom is the same all the way through the book, dodging and overcoming everything Frankie tries to throw at him. But once Frankie stopped looking down on himself thinking he has a little brain. He found ways to use his brain for the better unlike Tom. In the end though, Tom learned the true meaning of brotherhood and friendship when everyone turned their backs on him with hatred. But still, he will always have a great brain and a money loving heart.
This book is great for everybody at all ages, especially between the ages of 6-13.

He�s At It Again
While the Great Brain aka TD was supposedly reformed two books back, he's at it again wheeling and dealing full force in this book.The Great Brain comes to the rescue in two to the chapters proving his worth to society.However, a couple other stories show his money-loving heart getting the best of him, but Papa manages to put TD in his place atleast once.This book and all the others ones in the series are super entertaining.I highly recommend this series to all ages.

The Great Brain Does It Again
The book named "The Great Brain Does It" by John D. Fitzgerald is about two boys solving cases like thievery, stealing and so on.The main character is named Tom.Tom is a smart boy.He knew his alphabets, could write the numbers one thru one-hundred, and knew how to spell some words before going to school.He had help from his mama and papa though.The other character is Tom's brother which they don't mention his name,not until the middle of the book.He and Tom go solve a case which involves a stolen puppy,which by the way is theirs.They have alot of suspects and they're going to find out who stole the puppy.This is a very good book, and to make it better, I won't tell you what happens next.

Great for any age
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. ... Read more

Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (87)

Fun book.
This a great read.A fun book!It was here on time and in good condition.Thank you!

The Great Brain Book
Made this book purchase for my son to read while we took a road trip!He LOVED it!He is now anxious to read all the books in the "Great Brain" series!!Excellent read for Older Grade School and Jr. High aged Kids!

Timeless Children's Classics
I too read The Great Brain series books over and over again as a child.I recently bought all of them for my nine year old daughter who could also not put them down.These books are timeless classics and a great addition to any child's bookshelf.I do wish the publisher would reprint the box set!!

Great Brain Fails Test of Time and has Bad Message
I read the Great Brain books back in the 80's and thought they were funny and amusing. I started to reread this one and found it boring and the Great Brain rude, annoying, and obnoxious.I can't believe the parents are so clueless as to the swindles T.D perpretrates on others, especially their youngest son.If their so fair and omniscient, why do they let him act as little devil and expect everyone else to behave.I feel sorry for the author if he had to suffer with this upbringing.

This book is a bad influence if a family is trying to teach their children to behave decently and be kind to others.There is lots of bullying in it.It's message is it's ok to take advantage of other people as long as your smart, strong, or their the wrong kind of people.

I understand the book was written a long time ago about a time before that.Still the book is full of prejudice and racist stereotypes.These may be based on real experiences, but I can't overlook the disgusting slights to Mormons, Jews, and Native Americans.Fitzgerald's books should not be read by young children to avoid propogating these views.

Interesting, But Not A Carefree Ride
I agree with the other reviewers in that The Great Brain is an entertaining, clever, and highly intelligent read for 4th graders and up with excellent reading comprehension. However, parents may wish to be aware that the book raises a number of challenging, troubling issues to which their children may not have been previously exposed. All are dealt with in lighthearted ways, yet for some children, it may be the first time being exposed to some of the darker concepts - like feuds between Christian sects (since it takes place in Utah at the turn-of-the-century the narrator frequently discusses fights with the Mormon kids), anti-Semitism (when a Jewish merchant sets up shop in town and is presumed to be hoarding gold), the death of the merchant, alcoholism (when a plot hatches to get a disliked teacher fired by planting empty whiskey bottles in his room), amputation (when a child gets gangrene after stepping on a nail and is forced to lose his leg), and even suicide (when that child feels that he is "plumb useless" and tries to enlist his friends to help him end it all.)

Not only are these issues raised rather offhandedly, but the overall story is morally complex. It involves Tom, the narrator's brother, looked up to as a brilliant thinker, but the main focus of his Great Brain is how to make money from his brother, his friends, and their parents regardless of the circumstance. He is generally on the right side of each issue, but a cynical child might assume he is only in it for himself. For example, he helps defend an immigrant child from bullies. But he does it by convincing the boy's father that in order to be a "real American kid" he must learn how to fight, and that Tom is willing to teach him for a fee. Tom manages to swindle his friends out of their spare pennies, his parents out of their pocket change, and his brother out of his prized Indian beaded belt.

So I recommend this book as a good read for intelligent kids, but if they have previously been exposed to only typical lighthearted children's fare, be prepared to read it along with your child, as some thorny moral discussions may develop. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Additional Writing by the Author of the Great Brain Books
I read all of the Great Brain books as a child, and reread them as an adult.I really enjoyed the stories and was looking for more work from the author.I was pleasantly surprised to find this book available as a new book.I really enjoyed getting more information on how J.D. and his family lived in Utah.This book gave insight into how his family arrived in Utah, and how his parents met.For more exciting stories, like the ones in the Great Brain series, I highly recommend this book.

A wonderful book for those who grew up with The Great Brain
After my husband finished reading the Great Brain books to my stepson, I decided to find out more about John D. Fitzgerald, and to my surprise, I found that he had published this memoir that was aimed at adults (actually the Great Brain books weren't really intended for kids specifically). This books includes a lot of details of his growing up that are left out of the Great Brain books - like the fact that he has a sister, and the fact that Mamma is a Mormon, and that they let their kids decide which faith to follow.Sweyn, John, and their sister become Catholics, but Tom, became a Mormon.It includes the courtship between Papa and Mamma, and it takes you through until their old age. I highly recommend reading this book - it's got lots of laughs, joy, and even tears.

Backstory for the Great Brain

This romance is a great stand alone story! The characters are well-rounded and the turns of phrase are amazing!

It also introduces you to all of the people who arein the Grea Brain series as well.

Excellent book I will read to my children.

Little House on the Prarie ... in Mormon Country
This wonderful book is a perfect mix of the Little House on the Prarie and Great Brain books. What I found the most interesting was the equal treatment of Mormons, Catholics, Methodists, and even Agnostics in frontier Utah. In fact, there are both good and bad examples of each. The overall religious message of the book is that "all religions are but windows in the same church letting in the light of God," which stresses the ideas of tolerance, love, and respect for all people irregardless of their religious beliefs. I highly recommend this book for all people who are fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder and John D. Fitzgerald or even pioneer life and Utah history. Although it's out of print, you can probably find a copy in your local library. For 300 pages, it's a quick read. I have to warn you, though, it'll make you cry in the end. Even I teared up a bit, and I very rarely get emotionally involved in books. I also laughed out loud a few times, too. This book is really special.

Well Written, Little Disappointed
I read the Great Brain series as a kid, and continue to re-read them as an adult. Recently I discovered "Papa Married a Momon" and was not disappointed by Fitzgerald's story telling. But after doing a little online research I was disappointed to find that it is only very loosley based on his life in Utah (i.e. Fitzgerald was born in 1906 and the stories take place in the 1880s-1890s and papa lived until 1937). But I would highly recommend the book, especially if you enjoyed the adventures as told in the great brain series. ... Read more

Product Description
This powerful story, presented in the simple language of 10-year-old

Susan Parker, really centers around the characterization of Jerry,

Sue's 12-year-old brother. The Parker family, unused to any kind of

pioneering life, leaves St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1860, part of a

westward-bound wagon train. Each family member is challenged by the

hardships of a difficult journey in which a jumble of classes and types

of people must learn how to pull together. Jerry thrives on the life,

and is prepared, when the call comes, to sacrifice much for the sake of

the common good. Here is an unusually realistic and moving tale of

pioneer spirit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good Book, but very different from Great Brain Series
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.

Third Grade Memories Rushing Back....
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.

Searching
I too have been searching for this book almost 20 years later.It's a book that you read and never forget.I could tell you the story and haven't read the book since 1985.How can such a great book be out of print?

Excellent
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A blast from the past...
I am not sure how old I was when I first read this series, but it was mentioned the other day and I looked it up on Amazon (which is why I love Amazon so much, have an idea about something you have read or seen? Get it sent to your house quickly)low and behold there were the books.
It is a fun read and something that I think kids would still get a kick out of. Tom the Great Brain has an endless talent for getting himself and his brothers into tight fixes, and then getting them out again. Usually none the worse for wear and with a little jingle in his pocket as well.

I do wish Tom would have a little more compassion for folks as well, but he does end up with a better grasp of taking pity on folks and doing things just because it's a nice thing to do. His adventure to that reality though is interesting and fun to watch.

Great for kids, buy one and see if they don't beg you to get the rest.

Can't Go Wrong with The Great Brain!
I bought this book because my copy from the 70s was very beat up.I've always enjoy The Great Brain series growing up and it is still a fun read as an adult.I am sadden that they are currently publishing only a few books from the series."The Great Brain at the Academy" is probably the best book out of the series and should be published once again, along with the rest of the books in the series.

Timeless gems!
The Great Brain series was my favorite as a child and are now my son's favorite.The only difficulty is tracking down all the books at a reasonable price.These books need to be republished and introduced to generations to come.Fantastic books!!

So glad to find this book!
Book was in condition specified.I was very satisfied with my purchase.It arrived quickly.

A fun picture of late 18th century mormon Utah
I greatly enjoyed this Great Brain series, both when I was a kid and still today.This book, however, was probably my least favorite in the series.It really is probably not going to have a good impact on a child's moral character.That said, it is fun to read now, as it gives one great insights into what Utah was like 120 or so years ago.I also enjoy reading about the Great Brain's escapades, most of which are rather humerous.The Great Brain is almost the villian of this series as well as its hero.It is very often mentioned that he has a "money loving heart," and Fitzgerald makes it rather clear that he does not usually approve of his brother's actions, while admiring his brains at the same time.

Overall grade:B+ ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great book for kids!
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.

Nice change of pace
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

Great pick for a "reluctant reader"
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.

If I Only Had a Brain
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.

Great & not so great brain
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. ... Read more

Product Description
In turn-of-the-century Mormon Utah, The Great Brain struggles to stay reformed now that his friends have threatened to ostracize him if he pulls even one more swindle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Classic Fun for kids and adults
The Great Brain books are well written, interesting and just plain fun!!!
I loved them as a kid and love them as an adult!

The not-so-reformed Great Brain
In the previous book in the series, The Great Brain Reforms, T.D. is forced to reform by his peers, or they will cease speaking to him.In light of this, T.D. elects to go on with his swindling lifestyle, and is forced to be more cautious than ever that what he does will not be called swindling.It leads to some rather unusual adventures, and the Great Brain actually earns some honest money.Not the best in the series, but still a fun book.

Overall grade:A-

So is He Reformed? Or Isn�t He?
This book solves the problem of the Great Brain aka TD's return to the Academy by building an Academy right in town.Now, the story can take place in our favorite town, Adenville, and utilize all of our favorite characters.TD works under the guise of being reformed throughout this book, but still ends up with all ofthe other kids' the money.He's also able to word his tricks in such a way that he can't be caught or punished.It's funny because while JD, TD's little brother, has been swindled the most he miss the excitement and even encourages TD in his money-loving ways.

One of my favorites
This is a light-hearted, funny book.I am way beyond the suggested age level, but i still read all the books in this series every other year.This series is one of two other booksthat has EVER made me laugh out loud, even when i was younger.So give the gift of laughter to a special kid in your life with this whole series!!

Enjoyable Book
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 foreveryone! ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Awesome
That's practically all I have to say for this book.It shows you exactly how to make a go-cart with step-by-step instructions.It's amazing! ... Read more

Product Description
This book covers the recent academic and technological developmentsbehind silicones and silicone-modified materials. Silicones are agrowing industry, widely used in the polymer industry as elastomers,pressure sensitive adhesives, in water-borne systems, biomedicalproducts, personal care products and electronics encapsulents. Thebook covers these topics, and more, making it ideal for anyone workingin the industry or needing a thorough academic update on silicones. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of John D(ennis) Fitzgerald, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 842 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Customer Reviews (20)

Confusing People! Just plain confusing.
In fourth grade I read the book The Great Brain at the academy, I thought it would be a challenge because it was fifth grade level. All of my group members ( 7 people) and I read it. Majority of us said it was boring( 6 people) and one person liked it. It was confusing because at the begening Tom rides the train and controls it then in the middle he plans of making a candy store and tries to make it work and at the end he has a basket ball game which has nothing to do w/ the candy store . You would explain this book like a book that was going on the right track (like maybe a pretty dress) then after too many things get added ( like designersputting too many pathes on it) . The ending of this book should've had Tom making the candy store w/ Father Rodrigues's aprooval. But instead he was in the b-ball game.

One of my childhood favorites!
I received the set of Great Brain Books when I was 8-years-old (back in 1978).While all of them are great, this was by far my favorite because Tom pulls off things every kid wishes s/he could.I don't even know how many times I read it as a kid, but it was more than once a year.

This is the story of Tom being shipped off to Catholic School and taking on the Jesuit teachers.He keeps up his swindling ways and finds ways to make school life much more exciting for everyone!My daughter is now enjoying the series, and I can't wait until she gets to this one!

Great Brain is just great
"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.

!!THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ!!
this book is full of action about this guy at a school that fools all the monks, smugels candy, and tricks his friends.this book is sugested 4 people with boring lives

I read it until it fell apart
When I was in third grade or so, my mother bought a boxed set of the first five Great Brain books for us for Christmas.This one (the fourth in the series) was my favorite; I read it until the pages were so dog-eared that it was almost impossible to slide them back into the box, and then I read it some more until I had it nearly memorized, and then I read it some more until it fell apart.

I still have the books; I ran across them when we moved recently and realized that I need to look for hardcover editions.They are all in bad shape, despite attempts at mending them over the years.

The books are still funny, and they still develop the important critical and analytical thinking skills needed to imagine a different time, place, and way of life.

I think that the books are well suited to the 9-to-12 age range that is usually recommended.Each chapter is typically a separate story, which makes the series ideal for the reader who struggles with longer works.They're officially "boys' books," but the publisher's notion of the primary market segment didn't stop me or my sisters from enjoying them.

(A slightly technical aside:what makes a publisher think of a book as a "boy's book" or a "girl's book" is not just the gender of the main characters (which are all boys here).It's also the style:boys usually buy action-oriented books, and girls usually buy books which invest more time in thought, dialogue, and emotion.

(To give one example of this phenomenon, Bridge to Terabithia, whose main character is a boy, is definitely a girl's book.

(While the Great Brain stories are almost always action-driven, there is a fair bit of thought analysis in these books, so I think they're a little closer to the midpoint of the gender spectrum than the typical "boy's book."

(For example, something will happen, JD (the narrator and the Great Brain's younger brother) will then analyze the situation:if I do this, my friends will think this, Papa will think this, and Mama will think this.If I do this other thing, then everyone except Mama will react this way.So I will do this other thing, and be prepared to give Mama this excuse for what I'm doing.)

I want to add for the sake of those who might have to listen to complaints (e.g., those on school library committees) that various bias and sensitivity organizations which review children's literature have occasionally rated books in this series as racist, sexist, materialist, individualist, and conformist.

That is, the various stories (many of which are at least semi-autobiographical) in the series depict things like:

*the horrible treatment of a new Greek immigrant boy at the hands of the town bully (as well as the silent compliance of most of the boys -- isn't that just like real life?), and the town people's shocking indifference to the welfare of an elderly Jewish man (thus the racist label:people behaved badly at times in the books -- just like they do in real life -- except that here, they're all sorry for it in the end);

*fairly run-of-the-mill girls-have-cooties themes and some historically accurate gender roles (and some historically accurate breaking of gender roles:for example, Mama is a crack shot with a rifle) (thus the sexist label);

*The Great Brain himself is tormented by his Money-Loving Heart and constantly scheming to get more money (thus the materialist label);

*The Great Brain has a me-first attitude (which is partly balanced by actions like whipping the bully for mistreating the immigrant boy) (thus this individualist label); and

*the boys in the story have an informal code of honor (you don't pick on kids younger than yourself, for example) that they all conform to, and social censure is applied by the whole group (none of the other boys will play with you any more if you break the code of honor) (thus the conformist label).

I was thinking of their code of honor the other day when I took a couple of neighborhood girls to the park and witnessed a (completely unsupervised) boy of about eight or ten annoying a couple of preschoolers.It sure made me wish for a time when boys thought that annoying little kids was dishonorable.)

Over all, I think these are excellent books which every child should have the opportunity to read -- and I'm searching now for a complete set of the books in hardback editions. ... Read more