THE MANNY FILES
by Christian Burch
Aladdin Mix
Hardcover: 141690039X
Paperback: 9781416955344
Ages 9-12
304 pages

Keats Dalinger is miserable. He's the only boy and the family loner. Actually, it wouldn't be so bad if his sister Lulu hadn't made a career out of getting the nannies fired. He's sick and tired of having to go through new ones, realizing their fate before they do. Enter their newest babysitter, "The Manny." For once, it's someone who can relate to Keats --- and the best part is, he's a man!

The Manny isn't your typical babysitter. He comes with unconventional creativity and lots of craziness --- so much craziness that Lulu has even started her own journal of his escapades in the hopes of presenting enough evidence to get him fired. Wrong move. Although the Manny knows what she's up to, he finds his own ways to get even. After all, it's not three against one anymore. In the midst of all the excitement, Keats gains a friend and an ego-booster. Who could ask for more?

Keats really needs the ego-booster. He's the shortest kid in his class and has to face that reality every single day. But when the Manny's around, all is well. When Keats's class goes on a field trip to the pool and his classmate takes his underwear and puts it on his head, what does the Manny do? He gets the entire family to wear some underwear on their head during dinner. What a show of support!

Without them realizing it, the Manny has added spice and entertainment to their lives. From serenading the kids with weird songs from the front yard to meeting them at the school bus in a sombrero, they never have a dull day with him around. As time passes, the Manny even becomes part of the family as Keats's grandmother gets sick and has to move in with them.

Sometimes families need to see the brighter side of life, the moments that are never dull, and the triumph over tragedy. THE MANNY FILES delivers all this and more. With a colorful cast of characters, you never have a dull moment. I found myself laughing over and over again as the Manny's escapades got even bolder. Who ever heard of cleaning the house from top to bottom and then eating on the bathroom floor? This book forces you to take a long, hard glimpse at your own life in preparation of making some enjoyable adjustments. It's an excellent piece of work and a job well done.

   --- Reviewed by Belinda Williams

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