Yolonda is smart, tough, and big for her age. Back in Chicago where they used to live, everyone knew better than to mess with her or her little brother, Andrew. Andrew doesn’t talk very much and he can’t read, but he can create unbelievable music on the old harmonica their father left him.When Yolonda reads the definition of “genius” in the dictionary, she knows it describes Andrew, and she’s determined to convince the world, and especially their mother, of Andrew’s gift. Then one day when Yolonda’s back is turned, the unthinkable happens, and the music stops. Now Yolonda’s mission is more important than ever. How can she open people’s eyes to Andrew’s talent and help him find the music again?
Download and start listening now!
"Awseome book but there is a huge cliffhanger at the end. Takes place in the 1970's to the 1990's in Chicago then Michigan. Social Issue is LIFE I basically mean overcoming challenges,family.friendship,survivl and sometimed even racism. A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" — Miriam (4 out of 5 stars)
"Awseome book but there is a huge cliffhanger at the end. Takes place in the 1970's to the 1990's in Chicago then Michigan. Social Issue is LIFE I basically mean overcoming challenges,family.friendship,survivl and sometimed even racism. A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
" Well the only real reason I liked this book was the fact that it was based in Chicago! REPRESENT! :) "
" Very good. This book is the example for good urban fiction. "
" I am going to be reading it with my 5th grade students, haven't quite started yet... "
" Compelling story about the love of an older sister for her younger, small&quiet brother. "
" I didn't really care for all the references to weight. There's a paragraph where Yolanda is looking through the dictionary and comes across the word genitalia and its definition. That just seemed odd in a children's book. For the young adult library. "
" this book is ok i guess.there are some funny parts though "
" Very interesting, really enjoyed it. It's about a girl, her brother, and his harmonica, and what genius really is. "
" It was fun to read about Grand Rapids (Grand River in the book) and the Grand Rapids Public Library. I liked the fact that Yolanda and her aunt were overweight. "
" I'm amazed this won a Newbery Award because I was not impressed with it. It is well written but it wasn't very gripping or all that interesting. "
" Yolanda knows her younger brother is a musical genius not a slow learner and by the end of the book, we know it too. A moving story of sibling support and love. "
" i just read it because i had to for a school reading group thing. it was really boring. "
" This book was pretty good. I liked how she thinks her brother was a genuis. It was cute and it kept my my intrest. "
" A lovely book about a sister looking out for her brother who expresses himself through music! "
" I think this book is meant for 9-12 yr olds but it has several spots where the characters are using strong curse words so I will not be letting my 10 yr old read it anytime soon. "
" Fenner provides a unique interpretation of a child with special needs and the way that he processes the world around him. This book will inspire young readers to slow down and listen to their own thoughts, and think about the way they treat others. "
" This is the story of Yolonda and her younger brother who she thinks is a musical genius. Basically just tells how she sets out to prove to the world that he is a genius. It wasn't too exciting or involving, but a sweet sibling-relationship story. "
" This book was good but had a lot of sad stuff in it, and mean stuff. "
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.