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The Manny
Justin Blakewell has the perfect summer job: He’s a manny—a male nanny—in the Hamptons. you say only girls are nannies? exactly. what better way to meet and impress them? Justin’s mission is to date rich, bikini-clad beauties all summer long. taking care of four-year-old Aspen causes some hilarious mishaps, but all goes as planned—until Justin falls for the wrong girl. liz isn’t rich or beautiful. but she might teach Justin a few things about wooing women . . . and growing up.
- GenresYoung Adult
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Sarah L. Thomson
71 books83 followersSarah L. Thomson has written over thirty books for young readers, including poetry, prose, fiction and nonfiction. Her recent books include Cub's BIG World, which School Library Journal called “a big must-have" and Deadly Flowers: A Ninja's Tale, which Booklist called “genuinely thrilling." She lives in Portland, Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 6, 2013
This book is cute. It isn't amazing or a literary masterpiece, but it is a nice and easy read. It definitely passed the time while I was babysitting. I actually liked that I could sympathize with the character because while he is chasing around a little kid, I was trying to read the book and chase around two little kids.
The book is about Justin, a New York teen who gets a job as a nanny (aka- manny) so he can spend the summer in the Hamptons and maybe score a few rich girlfriends. That's really all the plot is. It isn't too complex. The story is funny, but the author does try to teach some lessons and state a point once and a while.
I wasn't a fan of Justin, but that may be because I rarely read books narrated by a teenage boy. Justin just seemed like a jerk. While he is really good with the little kids in the story, when it came to girls, he just came across as whiny and over-confident. I didn't even feel bad for him in the end when he is finally brought down to earth by his crush. It was about time he learned he wasn't the hottest thing on earth.
To me, the end isn't satisfying. Because Justin had more time left at the Hamptons at the end of the book, it felt as if the author should have answered more questions. I just feel as if the relationships, both romantically and with the family Justin worked for were unfinished. The book is so short, I feel as if the author could have added more.
Once again, this isn't a book that totally captured my heart. It is a cute read, but it is one of those books that you read once and never really pick up again. I can say one thing though, this book definitely was a good compantion while babysitting. While reading about Justin's babysitting struggles, I didn't feel quite alone in mine.
The book is about Justin, a New York teen who gets a job as a nanny (aka- manny) so he can spend the summer in the Hamptons and maybe score a few rich girlfriends. That's really all the plot is. It isn't too complex. The story is funny, but the author does try to teach some lessons and state a point once and a while.
I wasn't a fan of Justin, but that may be because I rarely read books narrated by a teenage boy. Justin just seemed like a jerk. While he is really good with the little kids in the story, when it came to girls, he just came across as whiny and over-confident. I didn't even feel bad for him in the end when he is finally brought down to earth by his crush. It was about time he learned he wasn't the hottest thing on earth.
To me, the end isn't satisfying. Because Justin had more time left at the Hamptons at the end of the book, it felt as if the author should have answered more questions. I just feel as if the relationships, both romantically and with the family Justin worked for were unfinished. The book is so short, I feel as if the author could have added more.
Once again, this isn't a book that totally captured my heart. It is a cute read, but it is one of those books that you read once and never really pick up again. I can say one thing though, this book definitely was a good compantion while babysitting. While reading about Justin's babysitting struggles, I didn't feel quite alone in mine.
February 10, 2010
Justin has the perfect job this summer: he’ll nanny one child in the Hamptons and pick up girls while doing it! Though, as Justin explains it, he’s ‘manny-ing’, as explained on an episode of Friends, and he really enjoys it (and is really good with kids). The object of his affections appears when he and his charge (Aspen) finally make it to the beach, and he sets out to woo her. Another nanny, Liz, helps him along the way, as she’s friends with Serafina. Unfortunately, Fina is out of Justin’s league, though he tries, and Justin learns there’s more to liking a girl than her outer beauty (though he likes that perk). Overall, he learns several lessons about girls, families and rich society, but only in the course of a month or so...
I enjoyed this quick read—it has humor, a fun main character and a chance to see a guy doing a great job taking care of kids. Justin’s character growth is a bit unbelievable, and he suddenly has to deal with a lot more than just figuring out girls, which feels a little forced (like his mom starting to date), but the reader is willing to forgive as the whole pace of the story is fast. The biggest problem I have with the book is intended audience—I can’t really see guys picking this up and I don’t think girls need all the tips about how to woo a girl. Overall, though, this is fun and interesting to see the Hamptons from a boy’s point of view (for a similar book, see The Au Pairs, Melissa de la Cruz).
I enjoyed this quick read—it has humor, a fun main character and a chance to see a guy doing a great job taking care of kids. Justin’s character growth is a bit unbelievable, and he suddenly has to deal with a lot more than just figuring out girls, which feels a little forced (like his mom starting to date), but the reader is willing to forgive as the whole pace of the story is fast. The biggest problem I have with the book is intended audience—I can’t really see guys picking this up and I don’t think girls need all the tips about how to woo a girl. Overall, though, this is fun and interesting to see the Hamptons from a boy’s point of view (for a similar book, see The Au Pairs, Melissa de la Cruz).
September 9, 2012
okay first of all, being a teenage boy, i have to say Justin Blakewell has the perfect summer job. He is a manny (male nanny) of little Aspen Belton. but that's not the good part, aspens parents are really wealthy. he is going on vacation with them in the Hamptons, a relly nice place where rich people go on vacation. they're right next to the beach where he and Aspen will go. That is also where Justin will meet the girl of his dreams, Serafina. she is nice, rich, cute, and rich!. He also meets a girl named Liz. she helps him with Serafina but in the end Serafina is not the girl he wants... Also he and Aspen have some wacky times together playing and what not. i highly recommend this book to everyone who wants a laugh and likes a little romance here and them. oh, one more thing, there is something that will surprise you towards the end. let me give you a hint, it is a little on the romance side.
September 25, 2012
The Manny, written by Sarah L. Thomson, is a realistic fiction book about Justin and his summer at the beach as a Manny. I thought this book was a quick and easy read with a light plot. I felt the author could have gone more into depth on the characters that were a big part in the plot of the book. Also, because the book was so kid-friendly, I found it a little boring because there was no action or suspense within it. But, the author showed me that summer is supposed to be fun and enjoyable instead of stressful. It was fun to read because The Manny is very relatable to teenagers in middle school or high school. Overall, this book is easy enough to read at a young age and a low maturity level because there is no language or inappropriate material. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a short, fun, easy, and relatable read.
July 30, 2007
Read this while I was studying Pathology at the library, since I can't exactly turn down a book with a guy and a little kid on the cover.
Queens teenager (single mother! One bedroom apartment with a little nook for his bedroom!) takes a job babysitting for a rich family during their summer in the Hamptons. The kid is upwardly mobile (or at least upwardly-aspiring) and attempting to use this summer to score with the girls, so of course there's plain-but-true-friend townie girl, whom he ignores, and the rich-and-beautiful-but-not-interested girl, whom he falls all over trying to impress. Class awkwardness ensues.
Anyway, his babysitting skills are sound, so I'm happy.
Queens teenager (single mother! One bedroom apartment with a little nook for his bedroom!) takes a job babysitting for a rich family during their summer in the Hamptons. The kid is upwardly mobile (or at least upwardly-aspiring) and attempting to use this summer to score with the girls, so of course there's plain-but-true-friend townie girl, whom he ignores, and the rich-and-beautiful-but-not-interested girl, whom he falls all over trying to impress. Class awkwardness ensues.
Anyway, his babysitting skills are sound, so I'm happy.
May 18, 2011
A fun fast read. Justin is a fatherless manny (think "male nanny") who is hired to watch toddler Aspen in the Hamptons. He believes this will be a perfect way to meet rich beautiful girls. During the course of his job, Justin learns some things about himself. First, he is really good at taking care of a child. Second, being so calculated about finding a girlfriend can backfire. The book leaves us hanging (somewhat) but we can predict a happy ending for Justin who is more sensitive than he realizes.
June 13, 2013
If I was Liz...and Justin told me he liked me after all that happened...I'd be super mad but then will probably end up forgiving Justin for being a very high-standard jerk-face. And probably date him if he asked then dump him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 31, 2008This is pretty good so far, but not exactly lifechanging.
September 26, 2008
This book is about a boy. his name is Justin blamer, and he is not from a rich family .And
he just got a job
he just got a job
February 5, 2009
Bland story about a male nanny in the Hamptons. So-so to read, and no issues are resolved in the end.
April 24, 2011
Totally predicatable, craptacular, teen summer book.
July 8, 2012
Totally adorable book that I flew through one afternoon. Wanted it to keep going! A light YA read perfect for a breezy summer day.
December 9, 2012
One of the most romantic teenage love affairs with a zest of humor and compassion.
August 6, 2013
Quick, cute, light reading. I do hope for a sequel, as I'd like to see what happens next.
August 20, 2013
This is a nice easy read but predictable.
February 27, 2014
This book was cute..but it wasn't for me. I would file this as a easy summer read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews