Review: The Encyclopedia of Me by Karen Rivers - Juhina

Title: The Encyclopedia of Me 

Author: Karen Rivers

Publication date: September 1st, 2012
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)

Challenges: Contemporary, Debut

Source: Publisher
Format: ARC

Pages: 256

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A is for "Tink Aaron-Martin," "Aardvark," and "Amazing" in this wonderful alphabetical novel!

Tink Aaron-Martin has been grounded AGAIN after an adventure with her best friend Freddie Blue Anderson. To make the time pass, she decides to write an encyclopedia of her life from "Aa" (a kind of lava--okay, she cribbed that from the real encyclopedia) to "Zoo" (she's never been to one, but her brothers belong there).

As the alphabet unfolds, so does the story of Tink's summer: more adventures with Freddie Blue (and more experiences in being grounded); how her family was featured in a magazine about "Living with Autism," thanks to her older brother Seb--and what happened after Seb fell apart; her growing friendship, and maybe more, with Kai, a skateboarder who made her swoon (sort of). And her own sense that maybe she belongs not under "H" for "Hideous," or "I" for "Invisible," but "O" for "Okay."

Written entirely in Tink's hilarious encyclopedia entries, THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ME is both a witty trick and a reading treat for anyone who loves terrific middle-grade novels.

The Encyclopedia of Me takes you on a journey through Tinker’s everyday life in an encyclopedia format. To be honest, I was wary of this type of format, since I am not the biggest fan of verse novels and I was afraid the plot wouldn’t flow and the story would be distorted. However The Encyclopedia of Me was full of laughter, useful information (its an encyclopedia!) and a cute 13-year old female protagonist that has the funniest thoughts, ideas, and interesting tales. My only problem with her was her naivety towards her supposed best friend.  

The story revolves around Tinker, a 13 year old girl who decided to start writing an encyclopedia because she got grounded over something oh so hilair (yup, this word is part of the encyclopedia) but her parents thought otherwise. Her everyday life is integrated in the encyclopedia through the alphabetical letters. We’ve got the Blue haired boy, Hairless cat (which won’t stop scratching her!), Skateboarding (her new hobby), and more. The footnotes are also amaz (Yup, another word from her pops lingo). I honestly was cracking up because Karen Rivers knew how to portray a witty, smart, 13 year old. One with spunk, creativity, and everyday life problems a 13 year old would face. Adding in some angst with the so ever annoying best friend, a blue haired crush, and a bit of trouble and you've got yourself Tinker's Encyclopedia!  

Karen Rivers has written a cute, hilarious (how many times have I said that?) contemporary novel that appeals to all teenagers. Since this is a middle grade novel, and I am no middle grader, my rating is perspective. I honestly think middle graders would switch to this encyclopedia and ditch the other boring ones as soon as they get their hands on this book!