Nanny X

Ali, ten, and Jake, eight, aren’t too happy about Mom going back to work, but they are even unhappier about having a nanny. When the new nanny comes in dressed in a black leather motorcycle jacket and mirrored sunglasses and announces they can call her Nanny X, they know things are going to be a little strange, but they have no idea how strange things will get. Nanny X seems to know a lot of things she has no business knowing, and she does odd things like talking into their little sister Eliza’s spare diaper. But when a really bad guy shows up on the scene, suddenly the kids realize having a nanny, especially this nanny, might not be so bad.

Madelyn Rosenberg has written a very witty, engaging story kids of all ages will like. Grandparents who decide to share this book with their young grandchildren (ages eight to twelve) will be reminded of the old TV show “Get Smart,” with all kinds of silly spy equipment. The writing is smart, the action is non-stop, and the characters are appealing. The middle-grade set will love this real romp of a read.