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The Pain and the Great One #2
Soupy Saturdays with the Pain & the Great One
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'm just in first?
MEET THE GREAT ONE
My brother's name is Jacob Edward, but everyone calls him Jake. Everyone but me. I call him The Pain because that's what he is. He's a first-grade pain. I'll always know exactly what he's thinking. That's just the way it is. These seven warm-hearted stories will give young listeners a peek at how a brother and sister relate to each other.
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'm just in first?
MEET THE GREAT ONE
My brother's name is Jacob Edward, but everyone calls him Jake. Everyone but me. I call him The Pain because that's what he is. He's a first-grade pain. I'll always know exactly what he's thinking. That's just the way it is. These seven warm-hearted stories will give young listeners a peek at how a brother and sister relate to each other.
Audio
First published August 28, 2007
156 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Judy Blume
130 books11.7k followersJudy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Blubber; Just as Long as We're Together; and the five book series about the irrepressible Fudge. She has also written three novels for adults, Summer Sisters; Smart Women; and Wifey, all of them New York Times bestsellers. More than 80 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into thirty-one languages. She receives thousands of letters a year from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her.
Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year the American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Other recognitions include the Library of Congress Living Legends Award and the 2004 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
She is the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; the Key West Literary Seminar; and the National Coalition Against Censorship.
Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers.
Judy has completed a series of four chapter books -- The Pain & the Great One -- illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist James Stevenson. She has co-written and produced a film adaptation of her book Tiger Eyes, and is currently writing a new novel.
Judy and her husband George Cooper live on islands up and down the east coast. They have three grown children and one grandchild.
Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year the American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Other recognitions include the Library of Congress Living Legends Award and the 2004 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
She is the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; the Key West Literary Seminar; and the National Coalition Against Censorship.
Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers.
Judy has completed a series of four chapter books -- The Pain & the Great One -- illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist James Stevenson. She has co-written and produced a film adaptation of her book Tiger Eyes, and is currently writing a new novel.
Judy and her husband George Cooper live on islands up and down the east coast. They have three grown children and one grandchild.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
May 7, 2012
First Judy Blume book I can't say I enjoyed. I read this with Aidan, thinking it would be akin to the Fudge series. While there were similarities, I found the similarities sat more in the less appealing aspects of the book. I never saw the siblings display any true warmth towards each other - just bickering and competition (something we are trying to downplay in our house). I was also a bit peeved at the too-frequent use of insults - I grew more than tired of hearing one call the other "stupid." In the Fudge series, you feel a real affinity for both Peter and Fudge. In this? I just felt annoyed with both The Pain and the Great One. I won't be looking for the others in the series.
February 18, 2022
Soupy Saturdays with the pain and the great one is about a girl and her brother they fight a lot, the big sis does not know how to ride a bike, but she learns how.
I like this book because it is exciting.
I like this book because it is exciting.
December 12, 2017
I forgot how much I LOVE Judy Blume’s writing. I haven’t read any of her books since I was little, and I can’t wait to read more of them. I wasn’t familiar with this series but I want to recommend them to everyone. Judy does a stupendous job at showing the sibling relationship, especially in young children. They bicker and banter, and only in a way that siblings can. I also loved that each chapter was different weekend, and they were pieced together wonderfully. I loved it, I see much Judy Blume in my future. 😍
September 19, 2022
This book is extraordinary. I have been a great fan of Judy Bloom books since I was six years old. Now I am eight years old. My favourite part was when the pain and the great one were taking care of Aunt Diana’s dog, olive and her baby. They bathed the dog and played with the baby. I think that this is a good book for children to read.
December 29, 2017
3.5 Very funny and fluffy
Read
April 8, 2020read for student teaching read-alouds! Was just as silly as I remembered it being from my childhood!
April 17, 2022
I enjoyed the alternating perspectives of the older sibling and the younger sibling.
As someone who wishes they were an only child, I think siblings are overrated.
As someone who wishes they were an only child, I think siblings are overrated.
January 4, 2020
Amazing book because it was funny.
March 18, 2020
I must be going through an emotional crisis because all I want to read are books from my childhood. Enter in: Judy Blume. I loved these books when I was kid, the characters are the exact age separation as my younger brother and I and my mom used to read these to us like the characters WERE us. I have so many found memories attached to these books. Reading it now it was still just as sweet as I remember. The stories are short and too the point, and the lessons are learned but not in an overly obvious way. Blume is as funny as ever, while still remaining grounded.
October 22, 2011
this was one of the most boring books i have ever read
April 16, 2025
The hugely talented Judy Blume makes this kid's book shine.
Finally I'm reading a kid's book by Judy Blume. As one who often reads more than one book at a time, I'm also partway through the audiobook I keep in my car. That counts as my first by Ms. Blume. I'll let you Goodreaders know about my review after I've driven more hours, listening.
ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL
This novel, a set of seven brilliant stories, brings back childhood. Clearly were I now a child, I'd feel as though this author understood me.
Granted, my personal childhood wasn't like this one. This novel takes place before mine occurred, a time after World War II when Americans were into having huge families. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be one of three kids. Or to babysit my aunt's dog Olive.
Life in a family with just two daughters? You can read about that in "Bigger than All the Night Sky," 2nd edition. A memoir, rather than fiction.
MOST IMPORTANT HERE INVOLVED LEARNING TO RIDE A BIKE
Masterful teaching from soft-spoken Uncle Mitch! Leading to a most satisfying end of the novel.
RATING THIS BOOK IS A PLEASURE
FIVE STARS. Plus I shelved this brilliantly written book under WRITING. What a treasure of a story!
Finally I'm reading a kid's book by Judy Blume. As one who often reads more than one book at a time, I'm also partway through the audiobook I keep in my car. That counts as my first by Ms. Blume. I'll let you Goodreaders know about my review after I've driven more hours, listening.
ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL
This novel, a set of seven brilliant stories, brings back childhood. Clearly were I now a child, I'd feel as though this author understood me.
Granted, my personal childhood wasn't like this one. This novel takes place before mine occurred, a time after World War II when Americans were into having huge families. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be one of three kids. Or to babysit my aunt's dog Olive.
Life in a family with just two daughters? You can read about that in "Bigger than All the Night Sky," 2nd edition. A memoir, rather than fiction.
MOST IMPORTANT HERE INVOLVED LEARNING TO RIDE A BIKE
Masterful teaching from soft-spoken Uncle Mitch! Leading to a most satisfying end of the novel.
RATING THIS BOOK IS A PLEASURE
FIVE STARS. Plus I shelved this brilliantly written book under WRITING. What a treasure of a story!
February 19, 2023
The main conceit—telling the story alternating by each of two young siblings—is basically seamless. It’s not Rashomon-style, but rather each section of the narrative is heard from a different point of view, with just a little Rashomon around the edges. The story itself is almost nothing: a girl gets over her fear and rides a bike, and I wouldn’t even review it except for the fun device and the authorship. My children and I adored Superfudge and the rest of that series, and I was sorta hoping this might capture some of that magic, and while it was well executed, it wasn’t nearly as funny or enticing. My son read this to me, so if he’d like to read more of this series, I’d be happy to hear them and see if some of that Fudge-magic returns...
May 15, 2022
This was okay.
* Jake has to get his hair cut but is worried the barber will cut off his ears, so he decides to grow his hair long instead, then gets annoyed when it's in his eyes. Abigail makes him some green cardboard ears to wear, so that Mr Soupy could cut his hair.
* Jake got upset because he joined a football team and kept getting put in goal.
* I liked how the football coach told everyone to call him the soccer doc, even those people (including his son) who could actually pronounce his name correctly 🤣
* The princess party was a joke 🤣 Trust Jake to get ill so only one person still came to the party 🤦
* Jake teased Abigail because she couldn't ride a bike, so her uncle taught her.
* The switching points of view between Abigail and Jake confused me.
* Jake has to get his hair cut but is worried the barber will cut off his ears, so he decides to grow his hair long instead, then gets annoyed when it's in his eyes. Abigail makes him some green cardboard ears to wear, so that Mr Soupy could cut his hair.
* Jake got upset because he joined a football team and kept getting put in goal.
* I liked how the football coach told everyone to call him the soccer doc, even those people (including his son) who could actually pronounce his name correctly 🤣
* The princess party was a joke 🤣 Trust Jake to get ill so only one person still came to the party 🤦
* Jake teased Abigail because she couldn't ride a bike, so her uncle taught her.
* The switching points of view between Abigail and Jake confused me.
July 20, 2024
Book 133 of 300 ~ 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I am so intrigued by these two. Such fun characters but of course they will be since they were created by @judyblume4real
#book133of300 #tbrpile #instareads #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I am so intrigued by these two. Such fun characters but of course they will be since they were created by @judyblume4real
#book133of300 #tbrpile #instareads #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
November 10, 2019
Judy Blume has a great way of speaking from the perspective of a child. It is enjoyable to read her stories spoken through the lens of a brother and sister as they go about their weekend. Apparently siblings argue a lot...
In an elementary classroom, it would be fun to read aloud analyzing perspective of the speaker. It would be appropriate as an independent read to develop fluency and practice prosody and expression since there are a lot of spoken parts.
In an elementary classroom, it would be fun to read aloud analyzing perspective of the speaker. It would be appropriate as an independent read to develop fluency and practice prosody and expression since there are a lot of spoken parts.
April 30, 2023
The way Judy Blume captures childhood and the sibling rivalry/bond is perfection. In the youth soccer story - the goalies watching the birds and a dog that accidentally gets onto the field - I laughed so hard. Abigail (the great one) and Jake (the pain) are at each other’s throats and also inseparable. When Abigail has a sleepover party that goes wrong, there’s no one more exited to celebrate than Jake.
September 5, 2023
Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great one is about a girl named Abigail and a boy named Jake. Abigail is in 3rd grade and Jake is in 1st grade. Jake calls Abigail the great one and Abigail calls Jake the pain. In the story Abigail has a birthday party Jake gets sick and so only one of her friends can come. but then Abigail's friend decides she doesn't want to sleep over. My favorite part was in the beginning because its funny when Jake does not let Mr. Soupy cut his hair.
August 2, 2023
The Pain (Jake) and The Great One (Abigail) are back for more sibling adventures. There are haircuts, soccer games, animals, and birthday fun. I especially loved the last chapter from Fluzzy the cat's perspective. You might be surprised by his favorite game. Short chapters and lots of illustrations keep the reader engaged and the pages turning. Definitely a huge fan of this series.
September 6, 2019
A selection entertaining short stories staring a brother (The Pain) and his older sister (The Great One), beautifully illustrated by the talented Kate Pankhurst. Nothing spectacularly bad or outrageous here, just ordinary everyday life.
October 24, 2017
Soupy and saucy
I liked this book. I read it in one hour. The bother and sister really show their distain for one another.
I liked this book. I read it in one hour. The bother and sister really show their distain for one another.
October 28, 2017
too easy
December 21, 2017
I had forgotten how Blume captures the angst of sibling rivalry.
April 14, 2018
it was fine......kind of wired.......but I liked it.
November 23, 2018
Second book in the sibling series by the maestro Blume who writes young people so well, with humour and pathos, a lovely read, and altogether loads of fun. Worth reading over again.
December 13, 2019
Very funny book, I love the cat always roaming around and having a conscious of its own
March 24, 2020
Still on a quest to read all Judy Blume books. I liked this a bit more than the other Pain book I read, since I know the characters better. They still don’t seem as real as Fudge and his crew.
September 15, 2020
NPR top 100 kids books 2020.
Great story about the relationship between first grader Jake (the pain) and his third grader sister Abigail (the great one). Classic!
Great story about the relationship between first grader Jake (the pain) and his third grader sister Abigail (the great one). Classic!
August 30, 2021
I read this book when I was about six. I've always been a fan of Judy Blume's books, and this is enjoyable.
June 9, 2022
A cute book about the rivalry between siblings.
May 12, 2023
Amusing relationship between a brother and sister, offering both points of view.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews