ALA Booklist (Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 1995)

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. (Reviewed June 1 & 15, 1995)

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1995)

Although her younger brother Andrew is having trouble learning to read in the first grade, Yolonda is convinced that he is a musical genius and sets out to prove it. Her efforts are rewarded when he performs at the annual blues festival in Chicago. This heartwarming story about a close African-American family features a big, tough, smart, and memorable heroine.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This novel about a girl determined to see her brother's real genius acknowledged won a 1995 Newbery Honor; PW observed that it """"merits acclaim for its fresh premise and forceful characterizations."""" Ages 8-12. (Jan.)