This is an enjoyable story about a little girl's pet guinea pig, Jenius. Judy takes on the task of training Jenius for show and tell. The story is told from the guinea pig's point of view with the various animals commenting on their human owners. Not all children can own a dog or a cat. It is nice to have books that feature other kinds of pets. ( )

Eight-year-old Judy tries to convince her parents and classmates that her brilliant guinea pig can do all the tricks that she says it can.

Some parts of this book are ver much fantasy, as she hears the guinea pigs talking to each other. At the same time it's realistic fiction because it's the girl who hears them saying these things. The author's good at making the story seem like they are talking, but at the same time it could be her imagination. Therefore, I've put both. There is action in that the guinea pig almost dies twice, and conflict where no one will believe Judy. Thankfully, there is also resolution in that her dad sees that she is not lying. ( )