More Adventures of the Great Brain (Great Brain, Book 2)
by John D. Fitzgerald
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Book Summary Information
Author: John D. FitzgeraldBrand: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Illustrator: Mercer Mayer
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-02-09
ISBN: 0142400653
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Puffin
Book Reviews of More Adventures of the Great Brain (Great Brain, Book 2)
Book Review: Weakest link in a terrific series
Summary: 3 Stars
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.
Summary of More Adventures of the Great Brain (Great Brain, Book 2)
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?
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