By Kendall Bistretzan 
The Genius Hour Project
by Leanne Shirtliffe
Thistledown Press (2024)
The Genius Hour Project is a middle-grade novel that follows eleven-year-old Frazzy, a quirky and scatterbrained girl with a penchant for collecting vinyl. When her class is assigned the Genius Hour Project – a chance to let their inner genius shine – Frazzy opts for an “impressive” topic, rather than one she’s passionate about in hopes of impressing her parents and teachers.
The Genius Hour Project itself is merely a crucible for everything else in Frazzy’s life. Her mom is overworked, her dad is slipping into depression, her best friend is moving, Jake the bully won’t leave her alone, and could her crush, Ebrahim, possibly like her back?
Author Leanne Shirtliffe has an impressive ability to capture the unique feelings and realities of modern-day pre-teens while trusting the reader to pick up on these intricacies for themselves. Simply put, she has mastered the age-old adage of “show, don’t tell.” An example of this is Mel’s dentist parents, who are both called Dr. Robinson by Frazzy until this interaction on page 95:
“‘When will you start calling me Colleen?’ Mel’s mom says….‘If it’s easier, you can call me Dr. Colleen, but not Dr. Robinson. That makes me think of my – of Mel’s father.’”
The matter isn’t discussed any further, but a reader as perceptive as Frazzy will gather the gendered implications of Mel’s mother offering to go by her first name, while Mel’s father makes no effort to relinquish his title as Dr. Robinson. The Genius Hour Project is full of clever moments like these, showing young readers a greater context of the common thoughts and experiences they’ve had in their lives. Frazzy’s authentic child-like perception is a testament to Shirtliffe’s ability to observe and understand the younger generation.
Another exceptional element of The Genius Hour Project is the side characters. Frazzy’s parents, Jake the bully, and even minor characters like the record-sale patrons are all fleshed out with discernable motives. The characters don’t exist to drive the plot, but rather the plot exists because of their wants, needs, and behaviours. Every person is written with intention. The only time when character motive fell short was with Ebrahim and the third-act breakup, which was so unbelievably miscommunicated – even by a 12-year-old’s standards – and solved so quickly that removing the plot point entirely wouldn’t have changed any outcome in the story.
As for Frazzy herself, I was often frustrated by her distractability and procrastination. However, I’m sure most young readers will identify with these traits, because what sixth grader hasn’t gotten in trouble for talking during class, lied to their parents about school assignments, or forgotten a project until the night before it’s due? Frazzy is proof that these bumps in the road are not indicative of a bad student or unintelligent person and that sometimes kids just need some extra help.
The Genius Hour Project is a profound and entertaining love letter to anyone who has ever felt different and proves that there’s a little bit of genius inside everyone.
Kendall Bistretzan was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, before moving to Calgary in 2017. In 2021, she received her degree from Mount Royal University, majoring in journalism and minoring in creative writing. Her prose and book reviews have been published in FreeFall Magazine, Understorey Magazine, Blue Marble Review, and more.