It Doesn’t Take A Genius

Olugbemisola Amusashonubi Rhuday-Perkovich ’91

Continuing the story begun in the 2019 film Boy Genius—about the adventures of a 12-year-old prodigy trying to keep his family together—this coming-of-age tale for middle-grade readers follows two previously inseparable brothers whose relationship evolves during their time at a historically Black summer camp. The younger sibling (Emmett, who goes by “E”) is a camper, while the elder—Luke, who is about to leave for boarding school in the fall—is a junior counselor. “The cast of characters is fully realized, distinct, and absolutely lovable, and E’s journey will resonate,” said Kirkus in a starred review, calling Rhuday-Perkovich’s book “an exceptional novel with broad appeal.”