Gr 5 Up--Kartes, best known for appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Today Show, divides this book into breakfast, lunch, dinner, dips, snacks, side dishes, and treats. Icons designate gluten-free, use of the stove, sharp tools, recipes with substitutions, or places where readers can skip spicy items. Packing this with subtle puns, the author adds some whimsy to savory dishes that are surprisingly easy to construct. Cooking tips are noted for chefs to have support, be adventurous, and plan ahead before attempting a recipe. Tips, especially about not overmixing pancake batter and how to pinch, splash, and dash, are essential for any chef, especially beginners. This book takes time to explain a lot of cooking nuances that other cookbooks neglect, like kitchen terms and how to multiply recipes. There are no ratings for easy, intermediate, or advanced. Bold chefs will be curious to try 'spicy watermelon fries with chili powder,' but they may hesitate over the generational staple, a fried bologna sandwich.

VERDICT: This book challenges teens to step out of their comfort zone with diverse spices, working with seafood, and tricky recipes, simplified but not condescending.--Laura Dooley-Taylor.