Grounded again! Almost 13 year old Tink (aka Isadora) Aaron- Martin finds herself in the middle of summer with too much spare time on her hands, especially with a mom who (can you believe this?) only lets her surf the Internet for 30 minutes on Sunday, let alone have a cellphone. Making the best of a downer, Tink decides to write her own Encyclopedia of Me. After introducing Aa (a kind of lava- who knew?), she writes about her Dad, called Baxter who is a movie star looking African-Caribbean plumber married to her red-haired Mom who is a doctor (and too quick to ground kids), her handsome older brothers, Lex (Alexander) and his twin, Seb (Sebastian who has Autism), and her most wonderful BFF, Freddie Blue Anderson.

B covers ballet and Barbies (both pointless) as well as the Blue-haired Boy who moves in next door. Tink is thrilled -- noticing he is a marvel on his skateboard and seems to like her. But, just as she thinks she has a chance (See Boyfriend Race, The), Freddie Blue announces that Kai (aka blue-haired boy) is cute and will be her boyfriend. How can Tink now go out with Kai when her BFF said she had her eye on him?

Well known for her wonderful books for teens, kids and adults, Karen Rivers has written an inspiring and uproariously funny story that covers every emotion from angst to zooming joy in THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ME. As Tink tells of her summer adventures (and misadventures), the A-Z format proves to be a very intriguing vehicle for moving the story forward and highlighting the shifting and at times conflicting interests of Tink and her friends, especially when Freddie Blue now wants to hang out with the popular girls and Tink gets into boarding. Narrated by the very vibrant and witty afro-haired Tink, the story rings so true to the turmoil and feelings of that special age of being 12 going on 13, readers are sure to be totally captivated by the book. Skillfully entwined in the story are insightful nuggets ranging from the impact of Autism on siblings, being bi-racial, and how to kiss. I highly recommend this very humourous and heartfelt story, especially for those in grades 5-8 and any older reader lucky enough to get their hands on a copy! Enjoy!