“Every man…represents the unique.” This line from Hermann Hesse’s prologue to Demian might well have been the inspiration for Sylvia Funston’s book. Writing in an upbeat style, the author explains how each person’s physical characteristics, body language, and behaviour makes him or her unique. Topics range from the scientific – DNA, the brain, body growth, reflexes, senses – to the eccentric – phrenology, palm reading, horoscopes, dreams, handwriting analysis.

Each spread contains basic explanations about these and other topics, as well as several interesting activities that support the information. Small sidebars, incorporating such fascinating facts as a person’s body language when walking across an empty space in a room full of strangers and the unusual hairdos of women in the 18th century, add to the book’s appeal. In spite of the great amount of written material, the pages never appear too busy. Variety in typeface and design, adequate white space, and backgrounds done in pastel colours to distinguish different subtopics make the spreads inviting and attractive. A comprehensive index and a page of answers to numerous challenges and surveys round out the book. Zany illustrations and photographs of teens, as well as the hands-on approach to learning about personalities and the human body, will attract readers aged 12 to 14 in addition to the intended audience.