Genius Under Construction

By Marilee Haynes

"Today marks the ninth time I've worked with Harry. That means after today, I only have one more hour to go. Ten service hours is all I need for this semester. And since, let's face it. I haven't exactly helped Harry much, I'm going to do something else next semester-- like picking up garbage in the park. It's hard to let anybody down when you're picking up garbage. That way Mrs. Winnegan can find someone better to help Harry without actually having to fire me. I wonder if anyone has actually been fired form service hours before."

Gabe Carpenter, a.k.a. genius, is back for eighth grade at St. Jude's. This year there are decisions to be made-- and they aren't all his. He's done the math. Only 28.75% of the kids who apply to Carolina Science and Math High School get in, and Gabe isn't sure he'll be one of them. Although the whole can't-open-his-own-locker issue is a thing of the past, Gabe's still trying to figure out girls, repel gas attacks, and help a bug-loving fourth-grader named Harry learn to spell "panda."

This fiction book has themes of gifts and limitations, service, and humor.