This is a memoir, but a memoir written for children, written to encourage children to write their own memoirs. I love everything Codell has written. I was happy to finally find a copy of this book. I suspected Codel had had an unconventional childhood; this book confirmed it, with artist parents, a stint at an alternative school, and adventures with a matzoh ball. ( )

What a great memoir! I loved the funny stories Esme Raji Codell tells of her own life. More importantly, what a great way for children to be introduced to the memoir genre! ( )

This is the story of Esme Codell growing up. The book is a memoir of her life. Esme has lots of stories from her childhood to share. They all start with Let me tell you something… and the something is usually funny and exciting. Although this is a womans’ childhood memoir, boys will find this engaging as well. ( )

Esme Raji Codell is back, and this time separates real stories from her childhood into chapters of the same book. Each story tells more about her fifth-grade life growing up broke in Chicago. She talks about putting together goodie bags for birthday parties, playing piano, learning math, attending different schools, death, and egging a car with her mother. ( )