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The Nanny Diaries

(2007, Fiction - Family Life, Written by Emma McLaughlin, Nicola Kraus)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Spoonfuls of adult content in modern Poppins tale.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Young boy raised by college-aged nannies, one after another, while self-involved parents ignore his desperate cries for their attention. Parents take advantage of working relationship with Nanny.

  • Violence:

    Boy becomes very ill with fever, cough. Nanny worried and scared about his health.

  • Sex:

    Nanny has sex with boyfriend; Mr. X has affair with another woman.

  • Language:

    "F--k," "S--t," "Ass," "Bitch," "Assholes," "Hell," "Damn," "Motherf--ker," are examples of profanity used occasionally by Nanny and often by other adults and children in story.

  • Consumerism:

    Constant name-dropping of retailers and designer goods.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Smoking cigarettes, drinking hard alcohol socially and in private, references to smoking pot and crack.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Nanny Diaries

Parents need to know that teens may want to read this book because of the 2007 movie starring Scarlett Johansson. The movie is rated PG-13, but the book is better for older teens and young adults. Nanny drinks alcohol, uses profanity, and has a sexual relationship with a college-age boyfriend; she also develops a close bond to a 4-year-old boy and treats him with kindness, responsiveness, and love. A very materialistic culture is on display, and younger readers probably won't catch the satire.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the entitlement issues demonstrated by Mrs. X. Does Nanny advocate for herself? How could she have changed her work situation sooner? How does the high turnover in this nanny position affect this boy's development? Parents can point out the diverse backgrounds of the childcare workers Nanny meets. Why do you think these intelligent, educated women have chosen childcare as a profession?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    doglover0012
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    cute!

    i liked it. it was better than the movie. the movie was for kids this is for teens.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Parent Reviewer
    boyita
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 0.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Aleksandra
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great Book

    This is a wonderful, hysterically funny, and touching book. I couldn't put it down! An iffy if you are 13 or under. There's a lot of profanity, and some sexual situations and alchohol.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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