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The Manny Files #2
Hit The Road, Manny
Cue the pretend drum-roll: Keats's parents have a big surprise. No, they're not having a new baby. It's -- wait for it, wait for it -- a family road trip!
Okay, so this is not exactly the birthday present Keats had in mind (no iPod?!), but when Dad parks a rented RV in the Dalinger's driveway, Keats piles in with the rest of his family -- and the manny, of course -- bound for the open road. From the big skies of farm country to the bright lights of Las Vegas, this, in typical manny fabulousness, is an all-American adventure filled with more Glamour-dos than Glamour-don'ts. But a stopover at the manny's childhood home is making the manny feel not so fabulous. Why can't his parents ever accept him for who he is? And Keats, at first, sees their point. Why does the manny always have to be so interesting?
Hit the road for more manny shenanigans, where it's all about Elton John, Diet Coke, and being brave enough to be yourself.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2008
1 person is currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 10, 2016
(From my blog: Quill Café)
In accordance with the FTC, I would like to disclose that I purchased this book. The opinions expressed are mine and no monetary compensation was offered to me by the author or publisher.
Keats is looking forward to having a fun summer with his family and the manny at home but his parents have a big surprise for him: a road trip!
Packed into an RV, Keats' family – his mom, dad, three sisters and the manny – all set out on a fabulous adventure across America.
On the way, they stop to visit the manny's parents, who just can't seem to embrace the manny for who he is. Keats starts to wonder if they have a point. Does the manny have to be so interesting all the time?
The manny is back and he is as fabulous as ever! I raced out to buy this book the day I finished 'The Manny Files' and read it aloud to my mum. It has the perfect balance of sentiment and humour. I didn't know there was a sequel when I first read the first book but I was glad to be able to read more of the characters. They are all so wonderfully written.
Keats is really growing in this novel. Not just physically or age-wise but away from his home, he starts to see how other people see and treat the manny and begins to re-evaluate his own feelings. This book deals a lot more with acceptance and family values and I loved it all the more for it.
Away from the comfort-zone of his home, Keats feels embarrassed by the manny's huge public displays. This is a sign that Keats is getting older and just like Lulu, is prone to embarrassment but the further away he pulls himself from the manny, the further he gives himself to pull himself back in.
The manny really is a hero and role-model to Keats and to the reader. I liked that in this book we get to see a more personal and vulnerable side of him. It's up to Keats to stand by the manny and help him embrace all the lessons he's taught Keats over the past year. The relationship between Keats and the manny really strengthens in this book and it just shows that sometimes you have to step outside of your world to focus and sharpen the picture.
The other characters in this book are marvellous. Keats' parents are outrageous and funny and the sort of people you would want to know. They are very connected with their children's lives, although they're not without their own faults and quirks.
'Mom says the S word when she gets hurt or really mad. She is trying to say it less because I started calling the S word "Mom's word."'
Keats' three sisters are back and brighter than ever. India is still the clever waif, Lulu the budding teen with an aversion to public displays of affection and Belly has become a belter, with a newfound tendency to TALK ABOUT HERSELF IN THE THIRD PERSON. It's marvellous.
On their journey, Keats also writes to his best friend, Sarah and to his Uncle Max, which adds a wonderful extra layer of humour and reflection to his narration. Keats is a brilliant narrator. I love how he perceives the world through his imagination.
Belly gets unbearable when she's excited. That means that she's so annoying that bears wouldn't even eat her.
I'd recommend 'Hit the Road, Manny' to anyone who wants to read a great book full of laughter, child-like wonder, family fun, love and imagination. Make sure you don't miss out on the first book, 'The Manny Files.'
In accordance with the FTC, I would like to disclose that I purchased this book. The opinions expressed are mine and no monetary compensation was offered to me by the author or publisher.
Keats is looking forward to having a fun summer with his family and the manny at home but his parents have a big surprise for him: a road trip!
Packed into an RV, Keats' family – his mom, dad, three sisters and the manny – all set out on a fabulous adventure across America.
On the way, they stop to visit the manny's parents, who just can't seem to embrace the manny for who he is. Keats starts to wonder if they have a point. Does the manny have to be so interesting all the time?
The manny is back and he is as fabulous as ever! I raced out to buy this book the day I finished 'The Manny Files' and read it aloud to my mum. It has the perfect balance of sentiment and humour. I didn't know there was a sequel when I first read the first book but I was glad to be able to read more of the characters. They are all so wonderfully written.
Keats is really growing in this novel. Not just physically or age-wise but away from his home, he starts to see how other people see and treat the manny and begins to re-evaluate his own feelings. This book deals a lot more with acceptance and family values and I loved it all the more for it.
Away from the comfort-zone of his home, Keats feels embarrassed by the manny's huge public displays. This is a sign that Keats is getting older and just like Lulu, is prone to embarrassment but the further away he pulls himself from the manny, the further he gives himself to pull himself back in.
The manny really is a hero and role-model to Keats and to the reader. I liked that in this book we get to see a more personal and vulnerable side of him. It's up to Keats to stand by the manny and help him embrace all the lessons he's taught Keats over the past year. The relationship between Keats and the manny really strengthens in this book and it just shows that sometimes you have to step outside of your world to focus and sharpen the picture.
The other characters in this book are marvellous. Keats' parents are outrageous and funny and the sort of people you would want to know. They are very connected with their children's lives, although they're not without their own faults and quirks.
'Mom says the S word when she gets hurt or really mad. She is trying to say it less because I started calling the S word "Mom's word."'
Keats' three sisters are back and brighter than ever. India is still the clever waif, Lulu the budding teen with an aversion to public displays of affection and Belly has become a belter, with a newfound tendency to TALK ABOUT HERSELF IN THE THIRD PERSON. It's marvellous.
On their journey, Keats also writes to his best friend, Sarah and to his Uncle Max, which adds a wonderful extra layer of humour and reflection to his narration. Keats is a brilliant narrator. I love how he perceives the world through his imagination.
Belly gets unbearable when she's excited. That means that she's so annoying that bears wouldn't even eat her.
I'd recommend 'Hit the Road, Manny' to anyone who wants to read a great book full of laughter, child-like wonder, family fun, love and imagination. Make sure you don't miss out on the first book, 'The Manny Files.'
October 16, 2008
This book made me laugh out loud.
October 8, 2020
This is really a 4.5 star read. The story is so heart warming, and fairly simple to follow. There is one story line that feels incomplete until the last page, even though those characters are left for some time.
This ending felt a bit more rushed than the previous book. But the adventure of the rest of the book is worth it.
I loved the last sentence as it summed up the main theme of the entire story. Keats learned alot here!
This ending felt a bit more rushed than the previous book. But the adventure of the rest of the book is worth it.
I loved the last sentence as it summed up the main theme of the entire story. Keats learned alot here!
August 31, 2021
It was very cute howj Keats explained everything. Even cuter when he got it wrong.
Like he did when he was complementing the Manny's mother's necklace.
Keat's had some bumps. My eyes popped when he made up the rhyme about the Manny.
But the Manny took it in stride, and let Keat realize he had said something wrong on his own.
I liked when he defended the Manny.
The surprise at the end was nice.
Like he did when he was complementing the Manny's mother's necklace.
Keat's had some bumps. My eyes popped when he made up the rhyme about the Manny.
But the Manny took it in stride, and let Keat realize he had said something wrong on his own.
I liked when he defended the Manny.
The surprise at the end was nice.
June 8, 2022
I loved this book and the first one too! Sad it's only a 2 book series, but I'll be ok. I'm sure those "christian people" would try to get it out of the school library because there are gay people in it... ☹️
February 24, 2023
One of the most special book series I’ve read. I’ve never laughed out loud more reading a book. Really great writing through the eyes of a middle schooler.
July 3, 2013
I have a crazy love of The Manny Files. I felt that it had feeling, it had silliness, but it also had a lot of heart. Though at the end of that book, one thing that I wanted more of was to see more sides of the character of Manny - he still remained a bit elusive at the end.
Hit the Road Manny is moreso Manny's story, though still told from Keats point of view. We continue to see his upbeat zaniness, but we also get to see some more vulnerable moments, as well as go into his past. Keats now knowing about Manny's relationship with his uncle Max, he gets exposed to the intolerance of homosexuality that doesn't exist inside his close-knit and accepting family.
While I love that Manny became more of a fully realized character, I think that I enjoyed The Manny Files better it had a deeper development of Keats' self-confidence and self-acceptance with Manny's help. There are some lessons learned in this book, but I felt that it didn't hit as hard and more just skimmed the surface of issues.
But yet again, the characters I grew to love are back and up to more hijinks - I laughed hilariously, and had some teary moments of both the joyful and morose varieties. And while I would totally continue to read about Keats' adventures if this series continued, if this is the end of that journey, it definitely ended on a high note.
Hit the Road Manny is moreso Manny's story, though still told from Keats point of view. We continue to see his upbeat zaniness, but we also get to see some more vulnerable moments, as well as go into his past. Keats now knowing about Manny's relationship with his uncle Max, he gets exposed to the intolerance of homosexuality that doesn't exist inside his close-knit and accepting family.
While I love that Manny became more of a fully realized character, I think that I enjoyed The Manny Files better it had a deeper development of Keats' self-confidence and self-acceptance with Manny's help. There are some lessons learned in this book, but I felt that it didn't hit as hard and more just skimmed the surface of issues.
But yet again, the characters I grew to love are back and up to more hijinks - I laughed hilariously, and had some teary moments of both the joyful and morose varieties. And while I would totally continue to read about Keats' adventures if this series continued, if this is the end of that journey, it definitely ended on a high note.
March 30, 2009
I enjoyed this charming and touching Lambda Literary Award Finalist! It took a little while for me to get in to it, but once I did, I certainly enjoyed tagging along on this cross-country trip with these characters. Belly in particular is hilarious, and it's hard not to care about the Manny.
I would say the only reason this gets 4 stars and not 5 for me is that for me, the main character at times stretches the boundaries of what is believable. I get that he's precocious and advanced for a fourht grader, and that he has a role model who teaches him some arcane stuff. But some of his pop culture references seemed a bit too out there. At times I felt the narrator grew up in the 80s.
That said, Keats is a charming narrator. I wanted to believe he was 9 or 10, even if sometimes I didn't. Some of his lines are hilarious, especially when he explains what a word means and he's close to having figured it out but not quite there. My favorite line: "Lauren Hutton is an actress who is famous for having a space between her front teeth." I paraphrase.
I loved meeting the Manny's parents, and the scene with the calf birth is particularly strong. What happens after was quite moving to me. And I can't stop singing Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John now!
I'm glad I read this.
I would say the only reason this gets 4 stars and not 5 for me is that for me, the main character at times stretches the boundaries of what is believable. I get that he's precocious and advanced for a fourht grader, and that he has a role model who teaches him some arcane stuff. But some of his pop culture references seemed a bit too out there. At times I felt the narrator grew up in the 80s.
That said, Keats is a charming narrator. I wanted to believe he was 9 or 10, even if sometimes I didn't. Some of his lines are hilarious, especially when he explains what a word means and he's close to having figured it out but not quite there. My favorite line: "Lauren Hutton is an actress who is famous for having a space between her front teeth." I paraphrase.
I loved meeting the Manny's parents, and the scene with the calf birth is particularly strong. What happens after was quite moving to me. And I can't stop singing Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John now!
I'm glad I read this.
January 9, 2015
This is a charming romp of a story about Manny, the gay nanny for a wonderfully winsome family. It’s actually the second book in the series, following The Manny Files. it reads fine as a standalone, but once I had read the Manny Files I wished I had read them in order. This book has it all – heart, humor, and a message. The story is told from the perspective of Keats, one of the four kids (the others being his sisters Lulu, India, and little Belly). Keats is in third or fourth grade and LOVES the manny. It’s pretty clear that he could very well grow up to be gay, so having such a positive role model in the Manny is a great boon for him. The story is largely centered around the family’s summer road trip, which includes a stop to see Manny’s parents on their farm. This provides an opportunity for Manny to reconcile with his parents around being gay, and provides for a very touching scene involving the birth of a calf (you have to read the book to get it). The book culminates in the family’s arrival in Las Vegas, where they meet Uncle Max. Uncle Max and the Manny got together at the end of the first book, and this book ends with a very sweet and Romantic event – which I won’t be so crass as to spoil for you. Suffice to say that this book is a refreshing, funny paean to the positive and transformative power of Gay Love in its many guises and expressions.
May 4, 2016
I decided to read "Hit the Road Manny" because I found the cover interesting. The front cover and title gave me a heads up on what the story was going to be about.
My favourite character in the book is Manny he is the Dalinger's Nanny. He live's with the Dalinger's family and he is married to Uncle Max (the uncle of the Dalinger family). Manny is gay, but is full of surprises, he can make great jokes, make people happy and always see the good side of things.
My favourite quote from this book is: "it doesn't matter if he's queer he is still special in my eyes. This is my favourite quote because it shows someone standing up for someone he cares about and stand up for what he believes is right.
This book has got me thinking about the understanding of human personality and what we are doing to enforce the rights of people. It has got me wondering 'should we enforce same sex marriage or should we not, because it is not what we are use too and comfortable with.
My favourite character in the book is Manny he is the Dalinger's Nanny. He live's with the Dalinger's family and he is married to Uncle Max (the uncle of the Dalinger family). Manny is gay, but is full of surprises, he can make great jokes, make people happy and always see the good side of things.
My favourite quote from this book is: "it doesn't matter if he's queer he is still special in my eyes. This is my favourite quote because it shows someone standing up for someone he cares about and stand up for what he believes is right.
This book has got me thinking about the understanding of human personality and what we are doing to enforce the rights of people. It has got me wondering 'should we enforce same sex marriage or should we not, because it is not what we are use too and comfortable with.
February 6, 2010
Amazing. This author has a way of writing from the perspective of a third grade boy that is uncanny. I hope I have third grade boys just like Keats. I'm pretty sure I was disturbing other passengers on the plane, because this is a book that you laugh out loud to, even when you're all by yourself. Those books are so rare.
This one definitely had a more serious theme than the first one, which just alludes to the manny and Uncle max being gay until the very last page. This one really addresses it, and teaches some life lessons about other people's hatred. Keats has to face some more serious issues in this book, and you get to see a more real and human side of the manny, even though he's still full of hilarious antics!
I love the parents in these books, too. They are so great, and down to earth, even though they presumably have a lot of money.I kinda want a family just like this.
This one definitely had a more serious theme than the first one, which just alludes to the manny and Uncle max being gay until the very last page. This one really addresses it, and teaches some life lessons about other people's hatred. Keats has to face some more serious issues in this book, and you get to see a more real and human side of the manny, even though he's still full of hilarious antics!
I love the parents in these books, too. They are so great, and down to earth, even though they presumably have a lot of money.I kinda want a family just like this.
March 9, 2009
Just like the first book about Keats and his off-the-wall family, this book made me laugh out loud. The free-wheeling manny is not featured as much as Keats' family as they travel in an RV to visit the manny's parents. They stop at various tourist destinations but the most memorable aspects are Keats' observations along the way. The story touches on negative reactions to gays, but overall the message is a positive one. I don't know if kids appreciate these books as much as adults do, but I really recommend this to anyone who wants a laugh.
March 22, 2009
This sequel to the original Manny Files is equally laugh-out-loud funny. Unfortunately I was reading it in public as I grabbed a lunch alone and I found myself stifling repeated giggles! Yes, it's a little heavy handed at times but it's also thoroughly lovable. I confess, I teared up a couple of times. Both of these books are terrific for talking about bullying and labeling, but also for the child like Keats who has gay family members or friends. Keats writes the last line of the story - most people are really nice when you finally see them.
October 9, 2008
I started this book but couldn't figure out the audience this was intended for. We have it in our teen section-- but the main character is in 4th grade. He has 2 older sisters and a younger sisters. It seemed as though some of the pop-culture details,etc, are things only teens would know. Sometimes the characters in the book seem more mature than they should be, and other times too young. It didn't seem real to me.
Want to read
July 29, 2008This is a sequal to the Manny files book I read earlier. I liked it enough to want to read the next one. It doesn't come out until september, but I will check it out when it does. I got the reccomendation by noticing a star next to the authors name. clicked on it, and it took me to the authors goodreads page. Wonder if it is really the author?
December 28, 2008
"Hit the Road, Manny" was fun and sweet but not quite as good as the the first "Manny Files." I heard this author read and talk at Watermark Books in Wichita Dec. 27, which was fun. He and the family he "mannies" are the inspiration for the stories and he seems like such a fun guy! The author said he liked his second book "Hit the Road, Manny" better than the first one "Manny Files."
February 11, 2009
A young boy and his family along with their manny hit the road for a summer trip in an RV. I liked that the family obviously liked each other and that their manny was accepted for himself. Too many times though I found the flip comments were out of place and no character was developed enough to really get attached to.
August 27, 2009
Who doesn't love a road trip?
More thought provoking than the first book. It was also very funny, but of the two, I would be much more likely to reread the first.
I liked the way it deals with some of the issues facing many today.
Loved the parallels of the book they were reading on the trip with what was going on in the story.
More thought provoking than the first book. It was also very funny, but of the two, I would be much more likely to reread the first.
I liked the way it deals with some of the issues facing many today.
Loved the parallels of the book they were reading on the trip with what was going on in the story.
December 1, 2008
Very cute kids book. Absolutely hilarious character and dialogue and manages to teach a heartwarming lesson about acceptance without becoming trite or sappy. I just love how the boy thinks from one random thought to another. It totally reminds me of my childhood.
February 13, 2010
if you like young adult lit. the manny files are good reads. i myself appreciate 4th grade boy humor a lot and laughed out loud throughout the book. it's also nice to read a children's book with a gay main-character.
January 23, 2011
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first book in the series. It was sort of lacking in plot, and felt kind of on the short side. I think it could have been better if it had been expanded, and if the author had spent a little more time on it.
June 7, 2012
The Manny books are just sheer fun. the comedic aspect highlights the more serious aspects of the various themes of the books. However, the homosexual relationship between the manny and the protagonist's uncle is so down to earth and enlightening. I heartily recommend this series.
August 22, 2012
This book was good, but it did nit live up to the standards of the first book in the series. It was very inspiring but put more emphasis on the manny and Uncle Max's relationship and friendship than the first.
July 7, 2008
This comes out in September 2008
December 22, 2008
Fun stuff.
December 30, 2008
Really good. I very much enjoyed this book. Again, though, definitely not for everyone. Read reviews before picking it up. Yes, this means you.
January 5, 2009
My favorite character is Mrs. House.... she is a hot mess!
April 11, 2009
I love Burch's Manny Files. I'm giving this book serious thought as a read aloud to my eighth graders. A little diversity might do wonders for Livingston County.
May 24, 2009
I likey this one as well as the first. Very cute with some growing lessons learned by our storyteller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews