Must Love Black, by Kelly McClymer

Bibliographic Information:
McClymer, K. (2008). Must Love Black. Simon Pulse. ISBN-10: 1416949038

Book Awards:
None


Plot Summary:
Too soon after her mother's death, Philippa's dad is getting married. Rather than accompany him and her new and unpalatable stepmother on their honeymoon, Philippa takes a job as a nanny. The advertisement ended with "Must love black", which appears to be right up her alley, as she never wears another color. Although she fears that the 10 year old twin girls will be spoiled brats in their remote mansion in Maine, she is prepared to put up with anything when she meets the oh-so-cute gardener/chauffeur. The girls are a surprise, though, serious and self-contained; it turns out that their father needs the most help on learning how to be a good human being. With the help of a couple of mysterious butterflies, a cantankerous nanny goat, a ghost or two, a dance machine, and, of course, the gardener, Philippa must somehow make everything work out for these special little girls.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is really about grief, although it disguises it well. Philippa is mourning her mother, and is angry that her dad has chosen to stop doing so. The little girls have also lost their mother, and are struggling themselves. All three girls imagine their mothers watching over them in different ways, and the author gracefully leaves the reader to decide whether they are or not. Philippa shows that it is okay to not want to smile and pretend everything is chipper-- that sometimes, sadness is too big to just ignore. The story is hooking, but the ending is pretty rushed. At five pages from the end, the reader can't figure out why there aren't another 20.

Reader's Annotation:
Philippa is stuck for a whole summer with 10 year old twin rich girls, but this is better than going on a honeymoon with her dad and her new stepmother! Fortunately, the girls turn out to be very strange indeed.

About the Author:
Kelly McClymer lives in Maine, and has known she wanted to be a writer since she was six. She writes, teaches writing, and wishes she could sing.

Genre:
Paranormal romance

Curriculum Ties:
None.

Booktalking Ideas:
goats
ghosts of people you care about

Interest Age:
12+

Challenge Issues:
None
However, if a challenge should occur,
Read the book! Cite awards and reviews. Refer to collection development policy.

Reason Included:
I was trying to include a goth novel, but despite the phrase, "Get your goth on" on the front cover, this isn't one. Entertaining read, though.