THE PAIN AND the Great One hardly agree on anything. But deep down, they know they can count on each other, especially at school, where it often takes two to figure things out. Like when that first baby tooth falls out on the school bus. Or when an unwanted visitor on Bring Your Pet to School Day needs to be caught. Or worst of all, when a scary bully says you’re burnt toast. On days like these it can feel good not to go it alone. (And don’t forget Fluzzy the cat, who knows a thing or two himself.)
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"Brother-sister combo of the Pain/Great One are believeable and funny through these short stories. Kids can relate to the situations--lost tooth, bully trouble--and the loyalty of the siblings shines through. I think this is a winner, and it will attract reluctant readers. "
— Pat (4 out of 5 stars)
Review, The New York Times Book Review, May 11, 2008:
Blume certainly knows her way around this age group . . . [and] James Stevenson's pen and wash drawings also provide balance, along with warmth and personality."
" Sequel to Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One. Each chapter alternates between the Pain and the Great One. Good sibling story. One chapter deals with bullying. "
— Amy, 12/30/2013" How can you not win with Judy Blume? The antics of these two siblings are very endearing. Even though they frustrate each other to no end, they understand family loyalty. Darling. "
— Heather, 12/24/2013" I thought that this was a great book. It was kind of short but fun. I would say this is more of a book for young readers. I reccomend it to anyone who likes fun books. "
— Melanie!!, 12/18/2013" IF YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER ENOYS YOU READ IT "
— Lauren, 12/15/2013" The Pain's magnifying glass gets stolen and the Great One gets it back. I. L. "
— Horace, 12/15/2013" There are some stories about the pain and his sister the great one. It remind me of my childhood. "
— Miki, 12/13/2013" Reading this one with the kiddos. Q loved Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and he requested more Judy Blume. The kids really liked it -- little brother tells one chapter, big sister tells the next. Enough illustrations to keep younger children interested. "
— Rachel, 6/13/2013" Would be good for readers who like the Ramona stories or the Ivy and Bean books. Brother and sister school story. "
— Christi, 5/23/2013" It's hard to remember these books because I've read them so long ago, but i still love Judy Blume!!! :) "
— Elaina, 5/20/2013" Did not like it. I didn't hate it though. "
— Zoe, 1/31/2013" Another fun, mapcap story of the Pain (Jake) and the Great One (Abigail). Even though they always seem to be at odds with one another, when it comes down to love and loyalty, Jake and Abigail are steadfast. "
— Jackie, 1/19/2013" My neighbor gave me this to read at her house when I had nothing to do...for kids my age I would not recommend it but for younger elementary schoolers I would. "
— Claire, 1/12/2013" I like this book because it is interesting ,relaxing and cool . "
— Ngarisu, 12/3/2012" this book was 1 of the book that taught me how to read it was o.k at the time but i'm older now and looking back it sucked. "
— Isabel, 7/18/2012" Yawn. I found this one preachy and cutesy. Sometimes the easier MCBA books are still pitched to the interest level of 4th-6th graders. Not this one. "
— Heather, 11/3/2011" Henry likes the last chapter best. "funny fluzzy chapter. " "
— Kelly, 7/15/2011" Another good one for my little boys. My kids LOVED the chapter about a bully at school. It's important for them to read stories about everyday things they might deal with at school, to see how the characters react, etc. "
— Katie, 7/1/2011" Brother-sister combo of the Pain/Great One are believeable and funny through these short stories. Kids can relate to the situations--lost tooth, bully trouble--and the loyalty of the siblings shines through. I think this is a winner, and it will attract reluctant readers. "
— Pat, 2/13/2011" It's hard to remember these books because I've read them so long ago, but i still love Judy Blume!!! :) "
— Elaina, 1/28/2011" Would be good for readers who like the Ramona stories or the Ivy and Bean books. Brother and sister school story. "
— Christi, 10/2/2010" Yawn. I found this one preachy and cutesy. Sometimes the easier MCBA books are still pitched to the interest level of 4th-6th graders. Not this one. "
— Heather, 6/29/2010" How can you not win with Judy Blume? The antics of these two siblings are very endearing. Even though they frustrate each other to no end, they understand family loyalty. Darling. "
— Heather, 4/29/2010" Did not like it. I didn't hate it though. "
— Zoe, 3/2/2010" There are some stories about the pain and his sister the great one. It remind me of my childhood. "
— Miki, 12/18/2009" A story about a brother and sister <br/>who love to instagate each other. "
— Taylor, 7/28/2009" IF YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER ENOYS YOU READ IT "
— Lauren, 6/18/2009" this book was 1 of the book that taught me how to read it was o.k at the time but i'm older now and looking back it sucked. "
— Isabel, 4/26/2009" My neighbor gave me this to read at her house when I had nothing to do...for kids my age I would not recommend it but for younger elementary schoolers I would. "
— Claire, 4/26/2009" Reading this one with the kiddos. Q loved Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and he requested more Judy Blume. The kids really liked it -- little brother tells one chapter, big sister tells the next. Enough illustrations to keep younger children interested. "
— Rachel, 8/19/2008" Sequel to Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One. Each chapter alternates between the Pain and the Great One. Good sibling story. One chapter deals with bullying. "
— Amy, 7/3/2008Judy Blume is the enduringly popular author of many books for young readers. Over eighty million copies of her books have been sold, and the Fudge books (which feature a character based on her son Larry) are timeless classics. Among Blume’s many awards is the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. She lives in Key West with her husband.
Kathleen McInerney won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration in 2011 and was a finalist for the Audie in 2010 and 2015. Her narrations have also earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has performed in New York and around the United States in both classical and contemporary theater. Her credits also include television commercials, daytime drama, radio plays, and a broad range of animation voice-overs.