If Emma Kennedy hadn't made it so clear that this is all true, I wouldn't believe most of it. Especially that so many disasters can befall one family on so many consecutive years. But I do believe it, and it's utterly insane.

Kennedy has a wonderful way of writing, she manages to keep things clear and simple while channelling her mindset at the time (and as she ages from 3 to 13 this changes a great deal throughout the book). Her parents are delightful, a little goofy and very silly, and I love the whole family.

Some of the stories were quite clearly self-inflicted, but Kennedy never tries to claim otherwise and I found myself feeling incredibly sorry for her while laughing almost constantly (and bugging the hell out of my husband by repeating all the stories to him immediately).

I may not have been around in the '70s, but this immerses you in the era so much I almost feel like I was. It's absolutely wonderful.