Me and My Little Brain

Set in 1890s Utah, this book follows John D. Fitzgerald (J.D.) after his older, notoriously clever brother Tom (the “Great Brain”) leaves for boarding school. Papa appoints J.D. as the family's new “little brain,” and J.D. feels immense pressure to live up to his brother's reputation. The book is a series of episodic adventures where J.D. attempts to solve local problems: finding a lost boy, helping a friend with a peg leg get a proper prosthetic, and rehabilitating the family of a local outlaw. His schemes are often well-intentioned but lead to comical and unexpected consequences, ultimately helping him discover his own unique, more empathetic way of thinking.