Chef Clark, author of the best-selling Dinner: Changing the Game and food writer for the New York Times, discovered her love of creating in the kitchen when she was eight-years-old, with a sweet attempt at a rainbow cake. In this latest book, she recalls the joy of that experience and offers encouragement to teenagers, especially, who want to get started in the kitchen. Like her previous books, Clark is engaging and heartening.Here, she starts with the basics, including simple rules (e.g., "wash your hands" and "taste as you cook"), along with techniques for chopping and mincing garlic, suggestions for tools to keep handy, and even tips on how to showcase your efforts on social media. Included are recipes for simple dinners and others for parties; each dish includes a section of tips and tweaks. Recipes themselves go beyond the basics and can be more adventurous with inclusions of popovers, pizzas, and grain bowls. VERDICT Clark has created a welcoming beginner's resource that will allow budding home cooks to find joy in the kitchen.--Ginny Wolter, Toledo Lucas Cty. P.L.