Yolonda's Genius

Yolonda is smart, tough, and big for her age. Her younger brother, Andrew, doesn't talk very much and has trouble learning to read, but is able to create beautiful music with the old harmonica left to him by their father. When bullies destroy Andrew's cherished harmonica, it falls to Yolonda to replace the instrument and reveal her brother's musical genius to the world. 1996 Newbery Honor Book. 1996 ALA Notable Children's Book. Full color. Young Adult.

Carol Elizabeth Fenner (1929–2002) was an American children’s book writer. Fenner’s book Gorilla Gorilla won a Christopher Award and The Skates of Uncle Richard a Coretta Scott King Honor. In addition, she won a Newbery Honor in 1996 for Yolonda’s Genius.