The McNifficents by Amy Makechnie

Happy July 4th! We're expecting quite a bit of rain (storms) today, so I don't think we're going to be celebrating in a big way, but we'll enjoy the holiday, anyway. 

I hope all of you do, too!

THE MCNIFFICENTS

by Amy Makechnie

Simon & Schuster

Middle Grade Animal Fiction

320 pages

ages 8 to 12

A senior Miniature Schnauzer employed as a very distinguished nanny has his paws full trying to prove he’s still the dog for the job in this sweet and “chaotically entertaining” ( Kirkus Reviews ) middle grade novel that’s The Secret Life of Pets meets The Vanderbeekers series.

Every day, Lord Tennyson the Miniature Schnauzer does his very best to care for the six McNiff children and keep them from destroying their pink New England farmhouse—and the rest of the town for that matter. But when summer vacation brings the kids home together all day, his chaos-containing skills are put to the ultimate test.

Baby Sweetums is still refusing to walk, nap, or listen to anyone; Ezra is trying to keep a snake as a secret pet; Annie and Mary’s fighting is worse than ever; and Pearl and Tate are scared of just about everything. And when a particularly tempting troop of baby chicks arrives at the house, even Lord Tennyson finds he can’t stay on his best behavior.

As the chaos begin to spiral out of hand, though, something truly awful Mr. and Mrs. McNiff seem to be considering getting “a real nanny” to care for their big brood! Can Lord Tennyson get the McNiffs’ hijinks under control and teach them to behave before the summer’s out? Or will this most unusual nanny find himself out of a job and back in the doghouse?

GOODREADS    /      AMAZON    /     B&N     /      STORYGLORY KIDS

MY TIDBITS

Big family heart and chaos are left to be conquered by a highly sophisticated dog, who might love his family more than anyone knows.

Lord Tennyson is a miniature schnauzer...not a young one...and realizes it's his duty to care for the six McNiff children and teach them to be caring, well-mannered, and all-around good humans. But his job isn't easy. Mr. and Mrs. McNiff are a little off in their own worlds and don't always take tight rein of the children like they should. Luckily, Lord Tennyson is up for the job. And what a job it is!

There's never a quiet or calm moment as a keen, honorable, and maybe-not-as-lofty-as-he-claims dog attempts to steer six problem children like a nanny. The tale is told from his perspective as he does his best to keep each one out of trouble, guide their behaviors, and show them how to get along. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, it doesn't. But each moment brings humor or familiar issues which hit home and come across naturally.

The tale propels from one situation to the next and is driven by the children's naughty antics...and they can be mean. While they have distinct personalities, it does take awhile to get grasp on each one. I missed a bit more individual connection in the beginning, but it comes as the story goes on. It's Lord Tennyson who stays at the center of the story, anyway, as he tries to manage everything as best he can, and these kids need all the help they can get. They are always up to something in various ways. The parents are often absent (not only physically but mentally distracted), which adds a different tone but works. Since it's Lord Tennyson, who drives the arc, the plot plays nicely, and messages surrounding forgiveness and understanding come across loud and clear.

Especially the lower end of the middle grade audience will enjoy this read. Although it weighs in with around 340 pages, the larger font and spacing allow for easier reading. There are lovely illustrations scattered throughout the read to add to the atmosphere. While there are important messages and character arcs, the plot moves along quickly and offers a somewhat lighter depth. This might leave the older end of the age group wishing for a bit more. 

It's an entertaining read, which highlights sibling antics and packs more than a little humor. Plus, Lord Tennyson is a super sweet dog to root for the entire way through.

And here she is...

Amy Makechnie is an author of books for young people of all ages. Her novels include The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair, Ten Thousand Tries, and The McNifficents. Stay in touch with Amy by subscribing to her newsletter at AmyMakechnie.com

Review: The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie

THE UNFORGETTABLE GUINEVERE ST. CLAIR

by Amy Makechnie

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

June 12th, 2018

Middle Grade Contemporary

ages 9 to 12

336 pages

A ten-year-old girl is determined to find her missing neighbor, but the answers lead her to places and people she never expected—and maybe even one she’s been running away from—in this gorgeous debut novel that’s perfect for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish.

Guinevere St. Clair is going to be a lawyer. She was the fastest girl in New York City. She knows everything there is to know about the brain. And now that she’s living in Crow, Iowa, she wants to ride into her first day of school on a cow named Willowdale Princess Deon Dawn.

But Gwyn isn’t in Crow, Iowa, just for royal cows. Her family has moved there, where her parents grew up, in the hopes of jogging her mother Vienna’s memory. Vienna has been suffering from memory loss since Gwyn was four. She can no longer remember anything past the age of thirteen, not even that she has two young daughters. Gwyn’s father is obsessed with finding out everything he can to help his wife, but Gwyn’s focused on problems that seem a little more within her reach. Like proving that the very strange Gaysie Cutter who lives next door is behind the disappearance of her only friend, Wilbur Truesdale.

Gwyn is sure she can crack the case, but when she does she finds that not all of her investigations lead her to the places she would have expected. In fact they might just lead her to learn about the mother she’s been doing her best to forget.

 MY TIDBITS

This read is packed to the gills with emotion, warmth, mystery, hope and heart.

Gwyn moves with her parents from New York back to her mother's childhood town—a very small town—with the hope that the environment will help her mother's memory return.While there, Gwyn befriends the neighborhood boys and soon finds herself investigating a man's disappearance. In the process, Gwyn uncovers so much more than she ever expected to.

This was not the book I expected, and the surprise was a treat. Gwyn is a loving girl with spunk, who is trying to handle the situation with her mother's memory loss. Considering her mother acts and thinks like a little child, Gwyn's reactions and hesitations are understandable. The culture shock of moving from New York to the little town adds to her difficulties, and is also very well done and believable. Gwyn has a lot on her plate and she has a personality to go with it, which makes her easy to sympathize with and cheer for.

The other characters are colorful and, especially Gaysie, have a personality all of their own. And it's this which makes the read unexpected and quirky and sometimes, simply, odd.

There is a lot going on in these pages. Not only is Gwyn trying to come to terms with her mother's condition, but the mysteries in the town hit many levels. There are many layers not only to the plot but to the feelings, making this a read even adults will enjoy. That said, the complexity also slows the read down and keeps the pacing at bay.

Still, this is an engaging read with characters who are hard to forget after the last page is done.



And here she is...

Amy Makechnie lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. You can visit her at MaisyMak.com.