How does the author structure the novel, Yolanda's Genius?

This novel is comprised of eighteen chapters ranging in length from six to seventeen pages. The chapters tend to be short and full of action, which propels the reader through the novel. The plot of the novel is fairly simple - Yolanda must protect her brother, Andrew, at all costs. First, she must protect his physically from the drug pushers and bullies in the school yard. Then she must protect his musical genius and replace the Marine Band harmonica that was broken by the bullies. Finally, she must protect his future by ensuring that the world sees him as a musical prodigy instead of a developmentally stunted, special-needs student. The only real subplot that veers from this path of protection is Yolanda's struggle to make friends and cover-up her lies about knowing how to double-dutch. Even though the majority of the conflict takes place in the characters' thoughts and emotions, the pace of the novel is quick as Fenner finds other ways of incorporating action into the story, even without the use of excessive dialogue. The novel is quite easy to read and the plot is engrossing once the reader is immersed in the story being painted in its pages. The story line is linear with no flashbacks or long sections of back-story to contend with, with the one italicized exception on page 39, when Yolanda remembers her brother receiving the harmonica from their father. The novel is quite easy to read and entertaining in its entirety.