The story is funny, and yet endearing. As is a typical (and good) lesson conveyed in children't books, this book also addresses the movement of a young adult toward accepting themself, and toward maturity. It shows that raw IQ isn't the only measure of a person, and while a genius, she is downright clueless in some areas! And, of course, Millie learns that honesty is important when trying to handle interpersonal issues. It is also a multi-cultural book, which Asian-Americans may particularly identify with.

I started listening to this book with my 10 year old daughter on a road trip home from Minnesota.

Although not particularly original, the story was good with a great message for the teen audience - be yourself and don't try to be what you think others want you to be. In short, Millicent Min is an 11 year old genius preparing for her senior year of high school and college enrollment when she has the chance to make a "normal" (i.e., not a genius) friend her own age. Concerned that her intelligence will cause her new friend to turn away, Millicent proceeds to hide her intelligence and all proof of her advanced education, with the expected results.

I would recommend this book as a "safe" reading choice, without any gratuitous language or mature situations. ( )

Millicent Min is finishing high school and taking her first college course. She can recite the names of all the American presidents alphabetically and by time in office. She’s a Math Club champion, and can beat everyone in her school in chess. She is also eleven years old and friendless.

Despite the somewhat dour synopsis I just gave, Millicent Min is one of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time. Millicent is so smart and analytical, yet so clueless socially, that you can’t help but laugh as you watch her try to navigate the world of friendship. And you can’t help but feel sorry for her when you realize just how much her high IQ has alienated her from her peers.

The characters in this book are sparkling and interesting. Millicent, as the narrator, is a hoot, whether or not she realizes it. What I also liked were the characterizations of her parents and grandmother. Lisa Yee’s adults aren’t absent and blank; they are as dynamic as the children characters, and you see them go through similar problems. I really liked that inclusion of an adult world, especially for Millicent who acts so adult already. I also liked that Millicent was Chinese (like me), but that it wasn’t a dominating theme. This isn’t a book about a Chinese girl; this is a book about smart girl who can’t seem to fit in.

Even though it’s meant for children, it’s clever, sensitive, and humorous enough that adults will enjoy it too. ( )

Super cute book about a young genius and how she learns to cope with the rest of the world.

I found this book so enjoyable I think I read it all in one day (well, the short page count helped, too). Millicent's transformation from an awkward, stuck-up nerd to a slightly less-awkward nerd-with-friends is really well developed (and written). Millicent's narration is a little stiff, but it fits the story and her character; the other characters do not suffer from such stiffness, luckily.

Would read again! ( )

Millicent Min is a genius. She's only 11, but about to enter her senior year of high school. For fun this summer she's taking a college level poetry class. And things are fine, really. Her parents are forcing her to take a volleyball class, which is a little annoying. Oh, and she's tutoring Stanford Wong, this jerky kid she can't stand. And pretty much her only friend is her grandma Maddie... but really, things are fine.

Enter Emily Ebers. Millie meets Emily at volleyball and they click instantly. Finally Millicent has a friend her own age! The only problem is that Millicent hasn't told Emily that she's a genius. She's afraid that if she tells Emily that everything will change between them, so she keeps putting it off. But Millie can't put it off forever.... can she?

I really enjoyed this book a lot! I found Millicent's narrative voice to be hilarious because of how seriously she takes herself. I also really liked that it has an Asian American main character, but race is not really much of an issue. The book was fun and funny and touching at the same time, seeing Millicent really begin to grow and realize that there is more to people than brains. ( )