The Great Brain At The Academy (1982) - Plot & Excerpts
A great book for boys! This series was a favorite from childhood for all the kids in our family. I remember my teacher and my mom reading them to us, and then re-reading them several times later. Having read these aloud now myself for homeschool, I was surprised by the mature themes that I didn't remember. I still recommend the books, and think that dealing with these topics through literature is a much safer way to expose kids to the struggles of life than the street/ family/ friends/ news talk that often brings new ideas to their attention. There is also a lot here that kids can relate to and that can be discussed with older children; writing assignment ideas abound. That being said, parents should assess the age, maturity and sensitivity of their children before reading aloud, but especially before assigning the child to read it on their own. Book 4, The Great Brain at the Academy details Tom's adventures at the Catholic boys academy in Salt Lake City. Chapters 1 & 2 Cover Tom and older brother Sweyn's journey to the academy. Along the way, Tom exposes a card shark and gets to ride in the engine of the locomotive. Chapter 3 Tom and the superintendent/ headmaster, Father Rodriguez, Round 1. Father Rodriguez is irritated that Tom got himself so dirty on the way to the academy and Tom is irritated that Father Rodriguez doesn't share his excitement about Tom's ride in the engine of the train. Also covered are Papa's warnings to Father Rodriguez about the Great Brain (via letter) and Tom's concealment of candy that he purchased on the train and intended to sell to the kids even though he knew it was against the rules.Chapter 4 deals with the routines of the academy and a light initiation of the newest children by the older boys. A boy reports that Tom has candy, but Tom has hidden it away and it is not found on inspection. Tom disciplines the snitch into silence. The chapter ends with Tom's confession and penance.Chapter 5 Tom is sentenced to peeling potatoes for the demerits he received when he arrived unkempt at the Academy. Bored with the chore, he summons his friends to help. A game of chess ensues between Tom and the Jesuit priests as Tom seeks the aid of his friends without getting caught and the priests try to figure out how Tom is getting the work done so quickly. The initiation of the younger boys by the older continues. Eventually, the priests find the boys out and assign new discipline. Tom is upset by what he perceives to be rigid, unfair, and exploitative treatment of the boys and decides to have a letter to the Pope smuggled out of the Academy.Chapter 6 Tom opens his illegal candy store. He manipulates his reluctant friends into helping him with the enterprise, and manages to conceal it from the priests.Chapter 7 Tom fails to get more demerits and other boys are assigned to clean the washroom - which is key to his candy store scheme. So, he has to figure out another way to keep the candy store running. His ingenious method for making a key to the storeroom is clever. Chapter 8 Tom and his 3 friends raid the kitchen in the middle of the night because Tom hates the liver served for dinner on Thursdays and cannot sleep from being hungry. Eventually they get caught. After Father Rodriguez pronounces discipline, Tom reveals his revulsion to liver and resulting hunger. The priest has compassion on him, orders a different dinner for Tom on Thursdays, and cancels the punishment. Tom sees a different side of Father Rodriguez and wonders if he was wrong about him. The boys are taken to a show in Salt Lake City performed by a mind reader. Tom knows there has to be trick to it and brags to the other boys that his Great Brain can figure out a way to do the act. Tom arranges a bet and wins, but other boys are irritated by his cleverness.Chapter 9 Tom's enemy arranges for Tom to get demerits, which rack up quickly. Tom has to figure out a way to solve the problem, which he does. Tom returns home and tricks John into doing his chores for the winter break; Papa and Mama try to intervene to save J.D. but Tom outsmarts them.Chapter 10 Tom is intrigued by JD's new basketball set up that he got for Christmas. Tom returns to the Academy trying to find a way to bring basketball to the boys, when he is confronted with a letter from the POPE! The Father's have saved it for him to open, so they don't know its a form letter. Tom implies that the Pope approves of his basketball scheme. This leads to bets on a game between the 8th and 7th graders, as well as a conflict with the Bishop in which the Bishop outs the form letter. Tom is again brought into confrontation with Father Rodriguez, but this time, Tom repents and acknowledges that his feelings have changed. He now likes and respects Father Rodriguez. Father Rodriguez condescends to call Tom by the nickname he prefers instead of "Thomas" and refuses to expel Tom for his deceit. The book ends with Tom's full confession to the Bishop and reconciliation with Father Rodriguez.
This is just a great series of books that hold up from the time I read them as a child to the time I am reading them to my child now. This is my favourite of the books because it not only shows the Great Brain, Tom, at his smartest but it also shows him meeting his match in the Reverend who runs the academy. Tom starts his journey on a train and ends up the Jesuit Academy for boys. He is at the age where his schooling must continue away from his home town and he must cone to grips with the rules and regulations of the academy.Some great adventures and I love the character of the Great Brain. He is a con artist, yes, but never lies and has good in his heart. In this book we see the Brain mature and we also see the Reverend change as he learns about Tom. I like the nice touch that both the Brain and his "nemesis" change and it isn't just one or the other. A fun read, and a classic. Every child should read these.
What do You think about The Great Brain At The Academy (1982)?
