Okay, the drawings were cute, the voice was appropriate, and most of the story was fine, but the book started with a check-list of PC "must haves" (list*) and never really got over it. The characters were just that, and India was a self-centered, shallow child even for age 8.

* An adopted foreign child who is ABSOLUTELY NOT interested in girl things, an artist mom with prurient wall-hangings, and a dad who leaves them for his German boyfriend. What did we miss? ( )

India, an unusual nine-and-a-half-year-old living in small-town Maine, has a series of adventures which bring her closer to her artist-mother, strengthen her friendship with a neighbor boy, and help her to accept her father's new boyfriend.

Fourth grade is a year of changes, challenges, and ordinary joys for India McAllister (who has a gay dad). She lives in Maine with her artist mom and their dog, Tofu. Her father lives in the next town over with his new partner, Richard and their bird, Beatrice Strawberry. India, named for the ink, not the subcontinent, was adopted from China as a baby. Being the only Chinese girl in her small town fuels India's search for identity. India reports in her own words and drawings about life, adventures (many with her good friend Colby) and all things annoying as well as what makes her happy. First three on the happy list: Tofu, Bird, and Colby!