Customer Reviews
OK book 
2004-05-03
When Yolonda's mother, fearful of drugs and crime, drags Yolonda and her brother, Andrew out of Chicago, Yolonda is teased and starts to feels irritated in the her new town, Grand River. To make life easier, she starts going to the library, where she soon discovers something that is completely astonishing and unexpected. While flipping through the dictionary one day, she finds the word `genius'. She finds that Andrew fits the description. Determined, she sets forth to convince everyone of her brother's musical talent on his harmonica. In spite of this, no one understands, not even her mother because they think Andrew is stupid, due to his weak reading skills. Then Yolonda's Aunt Tiny comes and whisks them back to Chicago. There they attend the famous Chicago music festivals, and Yolonda comes up with a risky plan to prove that Andrew indeed is a genius. Succeed she does, so Andrew hits the stage and performs for crowds of people. But in the end, he chooses a quiet life with his mother and Yolonda.
I would give this book a four out of ten overall. Carol Fenner came up with a decent story, but I didn't particularly like her style. The story was hard to follow since she switched scenes quite often without making good transitions. Neither was it a very suspenseful or exciting story.
Yolonda's Genius 
2004-03-05
YolandaÕs Genius is a fantastic and exciting book. In the beginning her family has to move out of their hometown because too many bad things happen. One bad thing that happened was high school kids gave Andrew drugs and the good thing is that Andrew didnÕt take them because he knew better. They moved from Chicago to Michigan. Yolonda doesnÕt really get along with the kids at her new school because they make fun of her because sheÕs different. Her little brother Andrew loves his harmonica that his dad gave him when he was a little baby before the father died. At school Andrew doesnÕt focus in reading and he just kept playing his harmonica. One day Yolonda and Andrew were walking home from school and Yolonda forgets her brother at the park and if you want to know what happen you should read this book.
The reason why I liked this book a lot is because it showed how Yolonda really loved her brother Andrew. And how she cared so much about her family and she watched over Andrew so well. I also liked this book because it had a lot of adventures that Yolonda did and some with her little brother. I think that anybody would love this book and I think you would really enjoy it.
Yolonda Is No Genius 
2003-07-16
As you try to swin through a see of ... looking for a climax and before you find it its wasted on old, soggy friendships and an ending with no certainty.
They use Aunt Tiny as some superstar really when she only cuts Oprahs hair.
Yolonda is a wannabe, and dont read this book at all costs.
"Yolanda's Genius" 2003-02-10
I thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous book. The main character, Yolanda is a character who has some amazing qualities for her young age. She is determined to prove that her younger brother is a genius and will stop at nothing to prove this belief of hers. This book is full of literary merit and is a real page turner. The characters and setting are very believeable.
I am sure that people of all ages can relate to at least one of the characters in this book. The language is very descriptive and paints a clear and vivid picture of the story to the reader. I couldn't put this book down because I was so interested in the outcome !. The author, Carol Fenner provides the reader with so much insight into the characters of her book, that you feel as though you've known them for years. This is why I felt as though I was alongside of Yolanda for every step of her mission, and this is why I wasn't able to put down this book until I found out if she was successful or not.
This book will appeal to children and adults ages 10 and up. It is not a very difficult book to understand, but it does contain many elaborate descriptions. This book deals with topics such as neighborhood violence, the importance of family, and the different intelligences in our world. It sends a very positive message to the reader as a result. This is why I am encouraging all of you to read this great book.
Great Book! 2002-09-09
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.
Yolanda's Genius 
2007-06-12
Yolanda's Genius is the story of an African-American family (mother, older sister Yolanda and younger brother Andrew) who move from a rough neighborhood in Chicago to a quieter town in Michigan. The focus of the story is Yolanda's relationship with her brother. Both children are gifted, but in different ways. Yolanda is a big, tough fearless girl while Andrew is a quite child who expresses his feelings and the world around him with his harmonica. The characters' race is an ever present factor, but not the primary issue that the children deal with in the story. Within the context of an African American family, Carol Fenner looks at giftedness, and the story suggests that Andrew may be a highly functioning autistic child.
The stereotypes that the author takes on have more to do with gender roles than race. Yolanda gets in physical fights, and verbally confronts some older kids who have been harrassing her younger brother. By the end of the story she convinces her mother that Andrew is the one who needs music lessons, while Yolanda dreams of being a policeman like her deceased father.
The primary characters are females, and they definitely achieve success through their own initiative and hard work. Andrew's success is due to the dedication of Yolanda. Yolanda's mother moves her children away from a neighborhood she considers unsafe to a smaller town. Yolanda's aunt is a flamboyant woman, full of life, who has a successful business.
Yolanda makes friends with a white girl who is physically unattractive like Yolanda. She wants to be Yolanda's friend, and when Yolanda doesn't treat Shirley fairly, Shirley holds Yolanda accountable.
Yolanda is a terrific heroine. She takes risks, stands up for herself and her desires, and is devoted to her younger brother. She even manages to get Andrew on stage with B.B. King at a Chicago Blues Festival. Yolanda is also physically large, and she gets teased for it. She also uses it to her advantage.
Carol Fenner brings she brings her understanding of jazz and blues to this story. When she talks about Andrew's harmonica playing, she is able to characterize it stylistically and emotionally. She spent many years in Chicago, and her bringing a Blues Festival into this story is absolutely authentic. I would highly recommend it for high third grade readers through middle school.
Yolanda's So So 2007-02-06
Our book group at our middle school just read this book. Just like the other reviewers, some of us liked it and some of us didn't.
Here are the good comments. Yolanda was a very intelligent girl. She thought of many ways to come up with a plan for Andrew. These plans made it fun to read. The book was realistic since Yolanda usually followed the rules but like real teenagers, she broke the rules when she thought it was justified. This realism was a positive point. Yolanda really cared about her brother. This also was admirable.
Here are some bad points. The ending was too sudden, leaving the reader feeling desserted. The meaning behind the title was never made clear.
Overall, most of the students aren't really glad they read this book.
Rich Blues 2006-07-07
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!
Warning: Excellent Book 2006-06-04
I am a 5th grader and I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Yolanda, is about my age, and she is very smart and sophisticated. She cares about her family and even though she makes mistakes sometimes, she is a nice person. I really liked this book and think that other kids my age will like it because they will be able to relate to Yolanda and her family. Carol Fenner is a really good writer.
didn't like it 
2005-08-23
This book was the most boringest book i ever read.it took me amonth to read it and usually it doesn't take me that long to read a book. if you like this book you are a boring person and have no life whatsoever.
