The Genius Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin - ADVISABLE

The Genius Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin, 201 pages. Candlewick Press, 2021 $17. 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Eugene's older brother is a talented figure skater - capitalizing on your talent is the best way to be a successful adult in the Soviet Union during the 1960's and 70's. Eugene likes to draw (on the underside of the table where he sleeps), what he does is very different from what he learns in art class at school so doesn't consider himself an artist. His actual talent hasn't presented itself yet and his parents are worried! Desperate to please his mother, he tells her he wants to dance in the ballet, like Baryshnikov, but it's only a matter of time until he has to actually audition. He's not a talented dancer. 

I loved Yelchin's humorous memoir and the glimpses into his experience growing up behind the iron curtain. His brother finally sharing the piece of Juicy Fruit gum an American tourist gave him, the record made from an x-ray, the family of 5 all living in 1 small room. While generally funny, there is a serious tone - the anti-Semitism, and always being worried that there's a spy listening to what they say. Yelchin narrates the audiobook which added so much to the story, and I also read the hardcover so I could enjoy his great, illustrations. Eugene and his family are Jewish, and I'm not certain of his age, but this would be perfect in either Middle School or Upper Elementary.

Lisa Librarian