The Encyclopedia of Me

The Encyclopedia of Me written by Karen Rivers was an interesting take on the middle school drama that all girls go through.  Rather than a novel, The Encyclopedia of Me is actually written as an encyclopedia with entries for each letter that actually works really well as a story too!

Meet, Tink Aaron-Martin, a middle schooler who can’t understand why her best friend is ignoring her, why her parents are always arguing, and the deal with the new blue-haired boy living next door.  This is a great coming-of-age story written in the true voice of a middle school girl and completely relatable to the girls in school.

I really liked that this story focused on a girl who was biracial, something you don’t often see in contemporary fiction for children and as researchers and professionals have pointed out, it’s important for kids to see themselves in the fiction they read.

This story would also work well when discussing creative writing and autobiographical works, because although it is written as a cross between a story, an encyclopedia, and a diary – it gets the point across just fine – be who you are and stand up for yourself!

Want to learn more about Karen Rivers and find out what else she has written?  Check out her website!

Title: The Encyclopedia of Me
Author: Karen Rivers
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication Date: 2012
Page Number: 256 pgs.