“The Genius Hour Project”
By Leanne Shirtliffe
Published by Thistledown Press
Review by Shelley A. Leedahl
$16.95 ISBN 9781771872577
As a sexagenarian, I never imagined I’d so enjoy a novel featuring an eleven-year-old protagonist, but here’s the thing: good literature is good literature, and Leanne Shirtliffe’s juvenile novel, The Genius Hour Project, certainly fits the bill. This engaging and realistic book was a distinct pleasure to read, with compelling characters and interesting relationship dynamics, and a few serious subplots (divorce, depression) that elevate it leagues above many middle-grade novels. It’s refreshing to read a story for this age group that doesn’t rely on slapstick humour or silly hijinks—the cast may be young, but they’re mature and intelligent.
Shirtliffe’s a longtime educator, a school counsellor and parent who writes credibly about the school and home life of Francine (aka Frazzy), a self-deprecating only child and audiophile with a passion for vintage vinyl albums like The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers. Frazzy’s mother is the busy mayor of “Riverdale,” and her dad stays at home, upcycles lampshades and sells items at flea markets—he also suffers from depression. The Calgary author’s deft treatment of how this manifests for Dad and how his family and friends deal with it demonstrate literary skill and empathy. Although Frazzy occasionally thinks her family’s “the Weirdersons,” her best friend reminds her that “̒At least [her] parents are happy together.’”
The novel delivers insight into contemporary education practices, ie: Frazzy’s teacher, Ms. Zalia, set up her classroom with “flexible seating options”—one can “bounce on an exercise ball instead of wiggle on a chair,” or choose the “Stand-Up,” “Independent,” “Pillow” or “Yoga Station” to work at. The book begins in September, with the Grade Six students—witty Frazzy; her best friend, Mel, a hockey captain; Frazzy’s Farzi-speaking crush, Ebrahim; and bothersome Jake—embarking on something called a Genius Hour Project: a student-driven research project in which students select, research, create and publicly share a project they work on all year.
Grade Six is “supposed to be [Frazzy’s] year for flying under the radar, for being normal, for not embarrassing [herself],” and to that end, she selects a project she thinks won’t cause much of a stir—genius female politicians, including her mother. But Frazzy’s heart’s not in it: music is her passion. Even Ebrahim, for whom she’s making a Spotify playlist, understands that “music is [her] genius.” Should she be true to herself and surreptitiously change projects midway through the year?
Secondary characters have some of the best lines in this book, ie: schoolmate Lyza, who rocked an appearance on the show “The Next Big Voice,” says “̒Music is a gateway to feelings we don’t know we have.’” Jake (of the incessant teasing) tells Frazzy that “̒This world has no place for people like us.’” Also noteworthy are all the nods to the here-and-now, ie: at the flea market, “People …. stream in like they’re squeezing through the doors of Best Buy on Black Friday,” and Youtube’s mentioned a few times.
Splendid on all levels—and a satisfying ending—The Genius Hour Project deserves a gold star.
THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM THE SASKATCHEWAN PUBLISHERS GROUP WWW.SKBOOKS.COM
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“The Time for Peace is Now”
Written by Marion Mutala, Illustrations
by Kate Hodgson, Calligraphy by A. E. Matheson
Published by Millenium Marketing
Review by Shelley A. Leedahl
$19.99
ISBN 978-1-7390670-5-2
Prolific and award-winning Saskatoon writer Marion Mutala now has twenty titles to her credit—including the acclaimed children’s series Baba’s Babushka, poetry and a cookbook—and, during these globally turbulent times, she’s aptly re-released her 2015 chapbook The Time for Peace is Now. The book’s minimally illustrated (a blue dove with a leafed olive branch appears on the cover and throughout the book) by Kate Hodgson, with lovely calligraphy by A. E. Matheson.
Mutala has a history of promoting peace, love and equality in her books, and in the dedication for this small book she considers “World Peace,” and writes: “In the 21st century, society needs to teach children to find ways to solve problems peacefully. I ask myself ‘What am I doing today to promote peace?’” I would say the former longtime educator is doing much more than most with the publication of this title, inspired, she says “by the motto of Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Khalifatul Masih III: ‘Love of all, hatred for none.’”
Each page is a prayer in itself, beginning and ending with the phrase: “The time for peace is now; now is the time for peace.” Between these phrases we read about the various people who desire peace, ie: “Nurses heal for it. Doctors cure for it. Hospitals nurture it”. Mutala’s passionate about the arts, and this comes across in the text: “Singers vocalize it. Musicians perform it. Dancers dance it. Writers craft it. Painters illustrate it. Actors entertain it. Conductors direct it.” She writes that even flowers, birds, animals, the sun, mountains, the moon and stars crave peace—as so do people from various cultures around the world.
I particularly enjoyed the naming of Creators that appears on “Paix 12” of the 17- page chapbook. From those we’re familiar with, ie: “Buddha, Allah, and Jehovah” to “Gitche Manitou,” “Tenri-O-no-Mikoto” and “Divine Mother and Master of All Things in the Universe”. In her brief Author’s Note, Mutala explains “There are 104 different names of Gods listed on [a] world religions website,” and the final four pages of the book includes each of these in a colourful calligraphic font.
The Time for Peace is Now was initially released by Happy Leopard Chapbooks as a limited edition, handmade chapbook, with all proceeds going to the charity NASHI, “a Saskatoon-based organization dedicated to addressing human trafficking, particularly in Ukraine.” In a 2015 Saskatoon StarPhoenix interview, Mutala said: “When I first wrote the Peace book, I didn’t know if it was going to be a story or a poem … Now I reckon it’s my prayer for peace.”
Whether one’s Creator is “Great Interconnectedness,” “Infinite Mystery,” “The Evolutionary Absolute,” “God,” or any other deity, Mutala believes that love is at the basis of all faith. This tiny, inclusive book tenderly raises awareness about the imminent universal need and desire for peace, and good on Mutala for flying the peace flag in this unique way.
Her twentieth book, A Rainbow Makes A Promise, was released in the summer of 2024.
THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM
