Yolonda's Genius (Newbery Honor Book) [Hardcover]

Carol Fenner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Newbery Honor Book

Moving from Chicago to a small town, cool and streetwise fifth-grader Yolonda struggles to adapt to her new school and to persuade her mother and other adults that her little brother, Andrew, is a harmonica genius. By the author of Randall's Wall.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When their widowed mother decides that Chicago is no place to raise 11-year-old Yolonda and six-year-old Andrew, the African American family moves to a Michigan suburb. If Yolonda's adjustment is difficult, her schoolwork is still outstanding; her teachers' reactions prompt her to see if she matches the dictionary definition of a genius. This little exercise yields a startling realization-musically gifted Andrew may be having trouble in school, but he could be a real genius. Yolonda is determined to have her brother's ability acknowledged, and it ultimately is-by legendary blues artist B.B. King. Fenner's (Randall's Wall) pace is sometimes too leisurely, but her heartwarming story merits acclaim for its fresh premise and forceful characterizations. Ages 9-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. A beautifully drawn portrait of an African American family that escapes the mean streets of Chicago by moving to a small Michigan town. Nearing the end of first grade, Yolonda's younger brother, Andrew, is still unable to read, and Yolonda's widowed mother worries about him and scoffs at Yolonda's dogged insistence that he is a musical genius. Now Yolonda must use all her physical and mental powers to devise a plan to prove to her mother and the world that Andrew is a child prodigy. Dynamic characters and fresh dialogue combine with a compelling story line to draw readers into Yolonda's world. Preteen girls especially will identify with Yolonda's yearning to be noticed by handsome Stoney Buxton and with the awkwardness she experiences at being the new kid in town. Fenner's expertise is most evident in the implausible ending that she somehow makes totally believable. Lauren Peterson

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1st edition (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689800010
• ISBN-13: 978-0689800016
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,404,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Real" Life..., January 30, 2000

By 

Mr. Hatch "The BFJ" (South Bay LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yolonda's Genius (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

I am a fourth grade teacher and have had a few of my students read this book. It is a "slice of modern life" which students can sometimes relate to. It is true that the book deals with some difficult situations and that not all preteens will understand it, but Miss Fenner deals with the realities of life in turn-of-the-century America. More than one of my students has perked up their ears when Yolonda steps on a bully's foot in retaliation and he tells her to "get off my effin' foot." They were disappointed to see it spelled out as I have quoted, but it caught their attention.

This book suffers at the end from a highly unlikely ending, which I feel Ms. Fenner could have improved, but it is a book which I thoroughly enjoyed for the richness of the characters and realism of the plot. Aunt Tiny is a rags to riches success story and a role model to young African Americans and to those of us who struggle with our weight. Yolonda's struggles with her self esteem reminded me of my youth, as did her tendency to lie in order to improve her image to others.

This is an outstanding book, which I recommend to preteens who read with comprehension and to teens who struggle with more intense, deeper material.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 8, 2002

By 

Adrienne (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yolanda's Genius (Audio Cassette)

What is genius anyway? After being called a genius herself, Yolanda decides to look up the true definition in the dictionary. Upon reading it, she realizes that it does not describe her, but rather her younger brother Andrew. Yolanda is determined to convince the world of his special gifts, even if he is only a meek and mild first grader with a talent for music. This book paints a vivid visual picture with its descriptive vocabulary. Carol Fenner has a way of appealing to your senses. It pulls you in to the experiences of this young girl and her determination. This book is extremely moving. I truly liked "Yolanda's Genius," by Carol Fenner. I feel that any young reader with an imagination will enjoy it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich Blues, July 6, 2006

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Yolonda's Genius (Newbery Honor Book) (Hardcover)

Yolanda, 10 and her brother Andrew, 6 live with their widowed mother in Chicago. When Yolanda tells their mother that a classmate shot another child to death, that ends her days as a Chicago resident. Her mother, a paralegal, moves the family to a Michigan suburb with a good school system.

Yolanda quickly adjusts, after initially pining for the familiarity of her old neighborhood and the close proximity to her Aunt Tiny. Aunt Tiny is a large, husky woman with a large heart. She gives her piano to Yolanda, who is plainly talented and enjoys listening to and playing the classics. A delightful, intelligent woman, Aunt Tiny owns several hair salons in Chicago and her work has been featured nationwide and in magazines. Oprah Winfrey was a client at one of her shops.

Yolanda identifies with her aunt. Both are husky and buxom; both are outstanding cooks and both share a love for classical music and reading. Aunt Tiny as well as her sister-in-law, Yolanda and Andrew's mother are professionals who set their sights high.

Andrew, also is musically talented. A harmonica afficionado, the boy has been playing songs and setting background sounds to music since infancy. His harmonica was a gift from his late father, a police officer who died in a fishing accident. Yolanda was 4 at the time.

Andrew has a harder time in school; he rarely talks; cannot read and spends his free time thinking about music. A kind speech teacher takes Andrew under his wing and teaches him to read by applying the lessons to musical terms and interests, e.g. "B is for Bongo," etc. He also teaches Andrew how to read music.

Yolanda is fiercely independent and very bright. She can defend herself against any bully with reason, logic and a well applied foot in some cases. She is also very funny. When a group of older boys demolish her brother's harmonica, Yolanda comes up with a resourceful way of getting even with them and providing a new harmonica for her brother.

This is a wonderful story about a strong, intelligent black family with a very appealing cast of characters. The story ends on quite a blues note! I love it!