MEET THE PAIN:
My sister's name is Abigail. I call her The Great One because she thinks she's so great. Who cares if she's in third grade and I'... read full description
My sister's name is Abigail. I call her The Great One because she thinks she's so great. Who cares if she's in third grade and I'... read full description
reviews
Dec 29, 2009
Amy
rated it: 
This book was a fun exploration of the relationship between a sister and brother. Blume also plays with point of view, writing some chapters from the point of view of the sister (The Great One) and some from the little brother (The Pain). The moments between them are realistic, including the frustration and tenderness siblings feel toward one another. This book contains lots of teasing, chasing, spying, and disappointment, but it ultimately contains love. On the down side, it is episodic. I
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Sep 05, 2011
Amy
rated it: 
I think this is the best book in the series. I have fallen in love with the characters in the book. They can really show how siblings argue and don't get along, but when it really comes to needing a friend, siblings will always be there. "The Great One" is the older sister who in the eyes of her brother, "The Pain" can do no wrong. "The Pain" believes that the "Great One" gets to do whatever she wants because she is so wonderful in the eyes of their parent
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Sep 09, 2011
Dolly
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This is a funny and sweet story about sibling relationships at the ages of 6 and 8. That's perfect for our girls, and although the dynamic is different in our house (with two girls instead of a girl and a boy), the love, the fights, the encouragements and the competitiveness are still very much the same in many respects. We really enjoyed reading this book together and will look for more books in this series. I loved reading Judy Blume's stories when I was a child and I am thrilled to be able
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Mar 30, 2009
Michael
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Listening to this audio book, I kept thinking that was a younger version of "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." The story has the sibling rivalry aspect of that book, but it doesn't necessarily deal with some of the more mature subject matter of the book.
The story is told in alternating chapters by the older sister and younger brother in the family. The title comes from the fact that each incident centers around a weekend event for the two characters. It's light, amusi
The story is told in alternating chapters by the older sister and younger brother in the family. The title comes from the fact that each incident centers around a weekend event for the two characters. It's light, amusi
Dec 07, 2011
Shelbi
rated it:
This book is about a brother (The Pain) and the sister (The Great One). This book shows a brother-sister relationship that includes teasing, chasing, spying, and disappointment. But, overall, it contains love.
You could use this book to talk to students about relationships with their siblings. You could explain to students that it is important to love your brother or sister, whether you like them or not.
You could use this book to talk to students about relationships with their siblings. You could explain to students that it is important to love your brother or sister, whether you like them or not.
Sep 15, 2011
Ashley
rated it: 
This book could be used to talk about the relationships that a child has with their sibling, or if they do not have a sibling, a close friend. It could be used to compare and contrast nice things versus the mean things that The Pain and The Great One have toward each other.Then as a teacher the class could talk about the benefits of working together with your brother/sister/friend and how it helps build relationships with each other.
Oct 27, 2008
Bob
rated it:
Picked this up at a book convention and thought I'd read it before giving it to my niece. At 100 pages, illustrated, it's thin in size and also in impact: there are a few sketches of family life between a 9 year old girl "The Great One" and her younger brother "The Pain." The stories are cute, but the characters demand more. It's as if your friend told you an anecdote or two about their sister's kid who was learning to ride a bike. Or the time their nephew wore earmuffs
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Sep 03, 2009
Shelly
rated it:
I just read this book to my 2nd and 6th grader as a bed time story. They both loved it. Realistic sibling rivalry. Sibling, close to home situations. Our favorite chapter was The Great One not being able to ride a bike in third grade. "What third grader can't ride a bike?" --the Pain. Anybody with brothers or sisters or kids should read Judy Blume's funny book.
Mar 25, 2011
Emily
rated it:
I liked all of the stories that were rolled up into this book! There is a lot of sibling rivalry, which students can definitely relate to! It is an easy read and would be appropriate for 2nd and 3rd grade. It has a lot of adventures and conflicts that siblings often face. I think it would be good to have in a classroom!
Jun 25, 2008
george
rated it:
"The Pain," is actually Jake, a first grader. His sister, Abigail, a third grader, calls Jake "The Pain." Jake has his own name for Abigail: "The Great One." Jake and Abigail do not get along and both think that the other is their parents' favorite--and they have reasons to back that up. The two children argue and fight, bicker and get in each others' way. A follow-up to the picture book "The Pain and the Great One," this book is divided into chapters, wit
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Dec 15, 2009
Kim
rated it:
Here is a new series from Judy Blume aimed at early chapter book readers. It's called Pain and the Great One. The Pain is the younger brother and the Great One is the older sister. They trade off as the main character in each chapter. Entertaining read for both boys and girls.
Jan 12, 2009
Ellen
rated it:
I really like almost all of this book. The one thing I don't like is when Abigail lies to her friends and calls it pretending, and her mother goes along with it!<i/>
Jake calls her on it though, and I was appreciative of that. The first grader knows the truth!
Abigail is learning to ride a bike but is incredibly scared. Does she make it? Of course!
Jake calls her on it though, and I was appreciative of that. The first grader knows the truth!
Abigail is learning to ride a bike but is incredibly scared. Does she make it? Of course!
Feb 12, 2009
Jen
rated it:
I have read all the Judy Blume books to my daughter and this one is much like Super Fudge etc. More timely than those are now but Judy Blume still keeps the kids coming back for more. My daughter loves these books!
Jun 25, 2011
Katie
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These are perfect little stories for 4-8 year olds. Blume describes normal things kids go through in an entertaining way: birthday parties, haircuts, soccer teams, sibling rivalry, etc. My 5 and 6 year old boys both loved listening to this.
Mar 23, 2011
Yapha
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Great audio book, with different readers for Jake and Abigail. It's a fun look at the complicated love/hate relationship between siblings. Perfect for early elementary school students.
May 14, 2009
Luci
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I thought it was a funy book! The charecters were kind of like me and my brother!The brother agravated the sister sometimes,and the sister agravated the brother sometimes.
Apr 24, 2010
Sherry
rated it:
Good new (2007) book from Judy Blume. Kids with siblings will relate to the tale of this brother and sister. Recommended for 7-9 year olds.
Apr 21, 2011
Dawn
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The kids listened to this on audio book and loved it. They listened to it many times and could recite some of the dialog.
Mar 21, 2011
Michael
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Blume is back and just as good as always and Stevenson adds a wonderful layer to these whacky tales of a brother and sister.
Nov 21, 2011
Kyle
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A beautiful story of a young sister and brother who struggle to get along but eventually find value in each other. This is a great book that students with siblings can relate to.
Jan 28, 2011
Elaina
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I love judy blume really, she is just so fun and creative. I love her!!! we all should read all of her books!!! haha
Nov 12, 2007
Meagan
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This book will be most appealing to fans of Judy Blume's picture book featuring the same characters. The book is composed of chapters written from either "The Pain's" point of view, or "The Great One's." These siblings represent most brother/sister relationships when we're young: they fight, they argue, they throw things, they're jealous of each other, and occasionally they help each other out. Each story can stand alone, and they're short enough for beginning readers or t
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Aug 07, 2011
Gr. K-3
Jake's sister Abigail, calls him the Pain "because that's what he is. He's a first grade pain..."
Jake's sister Abigail, calls him the Pain "because that's what he is. He's a first grade pain..."
Feb 10, 2010
Meg
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I can really relate to this book! I am the oldest child and have a little brother i think sometimes can be a pain! I can go on some pretty cool adventures with the pain and the great one!
Mar 13, 2011
Andrea
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Another great children's book from Blume. Being the youngest of three I was often the pain!
