Whether she's taking a face plant in a second-grade war, lying her way into pet ownership, setting the fondue kit on fire or taking the Fifth after an epic food fight, Confessions of a Helmet-Free Childhood is a fun, easy read of trial and error -- heavy on the error.

Like any kid, she made bad calls, big mistakes, and sometimes simply found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, but lived to tell the tale. Hey, a lot happens between "Go out and play" and "Be home before dark."

Born the second of four girls in New York City, Cinnia's childhood played out in five different grade schools and three different high schools in New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Illinois. Being small for her age, far from athletic, and a perpetual new kid with an unusual name made for quite a ride.