Millicent Min, Girl Genius

by Lisa Yee

[layawaydragon]

FYI Contains: Fatshaming, Racism, Bullying,

Millicent Min, Girl Genius starts with a resume and goals that Millie has for herself that is scarily impressive and intimidating, especially given she's ELEVEN. She's in a difficult spot, light years ahead of most people intellectually but having a hard time as socially and physically awkward. She is like the definition of innocently adorkable with her well meaning but defeating "pep talks" and not getting A LOT of references.

Emily is Jewish, bigger than average (though it doesn't really specify), calls her mom Alice, and her parents are in the middle of a divorce.

Stanford is the one in summer school for flunking English, rivals with Millie, and all around cool basketball star jock.

There's brief first period conversation that really hit home since my daughter recently had hers.

It felt a bit like Harriet the Spy and Genius: The Disney Original Movie, which is great because I loved both growing up.

I was a tad frustrated with Millie towards the end with not getting it and wanted to scream "EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IS A THING". She's good on psychology, but this never comes up?!? The one minor thing that I was really hoping would come up in the next book.

The drama is a bit predictable, but great nonetheless. There's TONS of character progression all around. I don't even think a single person remains the same as they started.

After finishing I immediately went looking for the next book for the series. Turns out it isn't strictly a series, but there are companion books for Stanford and Emily. I will absolutely be checking out these as well.

Notes from Listening:


Wow that character list! and yr book signature. Adorkable.
Poor Millie! HS ppl are assholes.
Wow Debbie don't be a dick.
Fuck Debbie and Craig.
Aww Emily. Fatshaming.
Lol Stanford.
Racism against Chinese
Little feeling like Harriet the Spy
Emily is Jewish, calls her mom Alice, dad left them
lol incense incident
aww making jewelry
oh no Standford you ass
Reminds me of the old Disney Original Movie Genius
Classic Pillow Fight
Totally saw that drama coming.
Oh the puberty. Hitting far too close to home.
oh, her "pep talk"
Stanford & Emily sitting in a tree...
Stanford's "teaching"
She thinks Mom is dying
Poor emily with the divorce
why is she living in the washroom when her dad has an office?
pregnancy = brain tumor
WTF is wrong with her dad?
on a diet "but you're not fat"
Emotional IQ
Fuck Digger.
YESSS Stanford
Need more Millie Min, see Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time and So Totally Emily Ember