The Manny - Softcover

Sarah L. Thomson lives in Portland, Maine.

Grade 7-10–Justin is a mostly typical NYC teen, perhaps a little more mature than some; his widowed mother has tried to teach him respect, and he understands the importance of ironing before an interview. Justin has also realized something that most guys don't know–baby-sitting is tough but lucrative–and that's why he is summering in the Hamptons. He plans to spend five hours a day baby-sitting and the rest of the time impressing girls with his caring, sensitive side. But things don't work out; the romance with wealthy Serafina is expensive and fizzles out, and when Justin realizes he likes down-to-earth local girl Liz, it may be too late (although room is left for a sequel). This is a breezy read, but like Melissa de la Cruz's The Au Pairs (S & S, 2004), there are moments of social commentary regarding the way the wealthy neglect their children (which plays out dramatically with Liz's unpleasant employer) and the gap between the haves (summer people) and have-nots (hired help and locals). Justin is an engaging narrator–his too-good-to-be-true sensitive guy nature is nicely played off by his cluelessness in dealing with girls and his mom's blossoming romance–and even Serafina and Liz, cast in stock roles, feel real. This is not quite a soap opera–partying is minor and romance is kissing–but it is satisfying summer fun that will appeal to girls who wish there were more guys like Justin and want their beach reads reasonably clean.–Karyn N. Silverman, Elizabeth Irwin High School, New York City
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