The Great Brain – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise
The Great Brain
book1967
84%
WISE Score
4.7
Amazon
A 19th-century hustle culture manual for kids, starring a 10-year-old genius who charges his friends for the privilege of seeing his 'Great Brain' at work.
The Great Brain
book
1967
84%
WISE Score
4.7
Amazon
A 19th-century hustle culture manual for kids, starring a 10-year-old genius who charges his friends for the privilege of seeing his 'Great Brain' at work.
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Screenwise Verdict
This isn't your typical 'wholesome' historical slog. Tom Fitzgerald is a pre-teen con artist, and his schemes are legitimately funny. While it was written in the 60s about the 1890s, the 'how to trick my friends out of their candy' vibe is timeless.
It’s episodic, punchy, and a great way to sneak a history lesson into a kid's brain without them noticing the 'enrichment.' It holds up surprisingly well for modern kids because Tom's desire to outsmart everyone is a universal childhood impulse.
Age Fit
Perfect for 8-12 year olds. It's a great read-aloud for 3rd graders, but the 'hustle' humor and Tom's complex morality hit best when kids are old enough to recognize a con when they see one.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78
It's a warm, semi-autobiographical look at a Catholic family in a Mormon town in the 1890s. While the main character is a bit of a swindler, the family bonds are tight and the community vibe is strong.
Imaginative
82
Tom's 'Great Brain' is all about creative problem-solving and clever (if slightly unethical) schemes. It encourages kids to think outside the box and look at the world like a puzzle to be solved.
Safe
90
It's a book from 1967 about the 1890s. No tech dangers here. Parents should just be aware of period-typical discipline (the 'willow') and some rough-and-tumble 'boy behavior' of the era.
Enriching
85
Excellent historical fiction that makes the turn of the century feel alive. It deals with ethics, entrepreneurship, and the social dynamics of being a religious minority without being preachy.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Tom's schemes are genuinely clever and funny, making it way more engaging than typical 'old' books.
It’s a painless history lesson about life before the internet (and indoor plumbing).
The sibling dynamic—admiration mixed with 'he's a jerk'—is incredibly relatable.
It tackles real-world consequences; Tom’s greed often leads to a reckoning from his father.
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What to Watch For
Tom is a 'capitalist' in the worst way; he charges friends for everything from seeing a new toilet to learning how to swim.
1890s discipline (the 'willow' or 'strap') is mentioned as a standard parenting tool.
Some 'boyish' mischief might require a quick chat about why we don't exploit our friends for candy.
Conversation Starters
"Is Tom a genius or just a bully who's good at math?"
"What would you charge your friends for if you had a 'Great Brain'?"
"Why does Tom's dad make him give the money back even when he 'technically' didn't break any rules?"
"Which of Tom's inventions or ideas would still work today?"
