We've been reading the book "The Great Brain" by John. D. Fitzgerald for our night-time reading. While we were reading the second in the series, "More Adventures of the Great Brain," we learned about a camping trip that J.D.'s family went on in Beaver Canyon, Utah. We recognized some landmarks described in the book, and decided to go on a field trip to try to find the town of Adenville where the Great Brain lived.

Click the pictures below to join our virtual field trip.

Adamsville, Utah Saturday, August 15 Could this have been where J.D. and his brother the Great Brain grew up?

Beaver Canyon, Utah Saturday, August 15 We think we found the exact spot where J.D.'s dad went fishing.

Cove Fort, Utah Sunday, August 16 Maybe this is where J.D.'s brother Swen stopped on his way to and from the Catholic Academy in Salt Lake City?

Freemont Indian State Park Monday, August 17 This area has been popular for travelers for hundreds of years. About 1000 years ago, the Fremont Indians had a great settlement where I-70 is now.

Read about life in central Utah in the 1880s with these wonderful stories by John D. Fitzgerald (No relation to F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of the Great Gatsby). The Great Brain books are based on the true life stories of John D. and his family, in particular his older brother Tom, who is so clever he always seems to get his way. These editions are expertly illustrated by Mercer Mayer, who later went on to author the popular Little Critter children's books.

Book 1

The Great Brain