--- title: Book Review - Genius Under Construction description: Haynes has definitely created an excellent, enjoyable sequel. One wants to keep turning pages, eager to see how it is all going to work out for Gabe and his friends. In addition, she masterfully handl --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/05/12/book-review-genius-under-construction-2#) # Book Review - Genius Under Construction May 12, 2014 12:00:08 PM  |  by [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) [![CatholicMom-booknotes-logo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CatholicMom-booknotes-logo-550x169-291.jpg?width=550&height=169&name=CatholicMom-booknotes-logo-550x169-291.jpg)](http://catholicmom.com/?attachment_id=40160) [![cover-genius under construction](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-genius-under-construction-2.jpeg?width=185&height=273&name=cover-genius-under-construction-2.jpeg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-genius-under-construction-2.jpeg) *Genius Under Construction* by Marilee Haynes Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2014 I recently had the great privilege of reading and reviewing *a.k.a. Genius*, the first in a new series by Catholic writer Marilee Haynes, published by Pauline Teen. I loved the book and, even though it is aimed at middle-schoolers, found myself laughing out loud at many parts. It was a humorous, faith-based story with an important lesson that pre-teens and younger teens would actually want to read. How often can you say that? I handed the book to my thirteen-year-old and told him he would enjoy it, and he did. He read it in one afternoon and was laughing so hard he literally fell off his chair! After finishing the last page, he informed me, “Mom, we’ve got to get the sequel.” So, I did what any self-respecting book reviewer would do, I wrote Pauline Media and asked (begged) for a copy. I was so excited when it came in the mail a few days ago, and even though I wanted to sit down and start reading it right away, I handed it to my son first, totally making his day. This time around, Gabe Carpenter is in eighth grade. While he has moved on from some of his seventh grade problems, he has plenty more to keep him busy. His second-best friend Maya is starting to do weird “girl” things and give him what his best friend calls “meaningful glances.” He has to do a service project and gets paired up with an ADHD 4th grader who can’t pass a spelling test to save his life. Perhaps most importantly, he’s trying to get into an elite math and science high school, even though he wonders if he wants to get in at all because it would mean leaving his friends. While this book isn’t as laugh-at-loud funny as the first one, Haynes has definitely created an excellent, enjoyable sequel. One wants to keep turning pages, eager to see how it is all going to work out for Gabe and his friends. In addition, she masterfully handles the story line about Harry and his ADHD, emphasizing how each person has gifts. I can only hope that Haynes will go on to write many more “Genius” books because I can’t wait to read them! I heartily recommend this series for any middle-schooler. [*Order Genius Under Construction and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase.*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0819831263/catholicmom) Be sure to check out [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/). *Copyright 2014 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F12%2Fbook-review-genius-under-construction-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F12%2Fbook-review-genius-under-construction-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F12%2Fbook-review-genius-under-construction-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Book%20Review%20-%20Genius%20Under%20Construction) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F12%2Fbook-review-genius-under-construction-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F12%2Fbook-review-genius-under-construction-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Patrice%20Fagnant-MacArthur%202024.jpg) ### [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a master’s degree in applied theology and is the author of The Power of Forgiveness, Our Lady of La Salette: A Mother Weeps for Her Children, and The Life and Lessons of St. Zelie Martin. A mother of three, she is the editor of [TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com](http://TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com) as well as a [freelance writer and editor](http://Pfmacarthur.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Book Review: Dear God, You Can't Be Serious Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/07/03/dear-god-you-cant-be-serious) [ Book Review: Therese, Faustina, and Bernadette Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/03/20/book-review-therese-faustina-and-bernadette) [ Book Review: Redeeming Administration Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/09/17/book-review-redeeming-administration) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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