1967
WISE Score
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.
4.7
4.7View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
