It Doesn’t Take a Genius

Kirkus Best Book of the Year selection

Reviews
"An exceptional novel with broad appeal."
―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Defining Black identity is central to Rhuday-Perkovich’s endearing coming-of-age story, and a rosy ending wraps up this account of Black boy joy nicely. Readers seeking books with BIPOC protagonists like Pablo Cartaya’s The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora will enjoy this selection as well." ―Booklist

PURCHASE

Emmett and his older brother Luke have always been "Batman and Robin," though they're quick to bicker about who's who. Spending the summer at a historic Black summer camp seems like a wonderful adventure for the two to share, but since Luke is there as a junior counselor, he seems to spend all of his time being everyone else's big brother, and ignoring Emmett.

As Luke seems to be moving on to new adventures, Emmett struggles in unexpected ways, especially in swim class and the "It Takes A Village" entrepreneurship class. Without his brother to turn to for support, Emmett works to build a new crew of "superfriends," who'll help him plan something spectacular for the end-of-camp awards night and celebration. Along the way, Emmett learns that no matter what, there can be many ways to define family.