It Doesn't Take A Genius by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

 

Title:  It Doesn’t Take A Genius

Author:  Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Publisher: 6 Foot Press   

ISBN: 9781644420027

 

Review:

Emmett and his older brother Luke have always been close. They share a friendship with Billy and WeeDee. Luke will be going away to college on an art scholarship but plans to make extra money over the summer. Emmett has an ideal to charge for a movie marathon to help Luke with expenses. Planning has been a task since Luke is busy with his girlfriend. During a heart-to-heart, Luke tells Emmett about his plans to work at Camp DuBois for the summer. Emmett secretly applies to attend so he can spend time with his brother before he goes to college. 

To Emmett’s surprise his application to the camp has been accepted and the brothers will venture to the camp together. There, Emmett is overwhelmed with all of the choices of camp activities. The focus at the camp is black history, music, inventors, swimming and more. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get to spend much time with Luke because he is too busy working. Emmett likes the black presence at the camp and starts to think about his future and identity without his brother. Will he be brave enough to find his own path and overcome the obstacles that have hendured him? 

Author Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perovich has won awards for Two Naomis and 8^th Grade Superzero. This book is perfect for middle grade readers no matter their backgrounds or race. Focusing on family and friendships is the true core of this story and readers can be engaged with the shinanigans and problems of growing up in the shadow of an older sibling and how growing up can be difficult. Parents and teachers can share this as a read-a-loud and open discussions about school, race, death and change. 

Courtesy of Media Masters Publicity