The Pet Nanny
Twelve-year-old Libby Lancaster is uprooted from her suburban roots and moves to downtown Chicago when her parents decide to divorce. It’s summer, and without the comforts of her school chums and the only neighborhood she’s ever known, she’s bored and lonely until she becomes a pet nanny.
The Pet Nanny is set in Chicago and mentions many restaurants and landmarks in the area. Leisa’s easy-to-read book is a great read as the main character transforms from a sulky 12-year-old to an entrepreneur throughout the summer.
EXCERPTS
Chapter 4. Libby upon seeing her new apartment in Chicago for the first time: “And there it was, one huge room with a huge window, overlooking the dirty busy street below. There was only two doors, aside from the front door – one to the bathroom, which needed a paint job even more than Aunt Lori’s red hairdo, and the other to a walk-in closet, minus the clothes rods. The apartment looked like something preserved for a movie set when my mother was born (and believe me, that was a long time ago). I was appalled, and then I looked over at my mother. She was beaming from ear to ear. “Aunt Lori, why is mom so happy?” I whispered. “What does she see that I don’t?” “Freedom,” my Aunt Lori whispered.
Chapter 6. Libby and her mother’s early encounter with George, building engineer for the new apartment: “Good morning! Looking for these?” In George’s hands was a cardboard cup holder with two cups, one of coffee (one cream, one sugar – just the way mom liked it) and a cup of orange juice along with a bag containing two chocolate donuts. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Mrs. Lancaster and Libby.” I was beginning to think George was part wizard or part warlock but a good one in either event. “Thank you, George, but we’re not about to eat your breakfast. Thank you all the same.” My mother was taken aback by this unexpected act of generosity. “Oh, this is your breakfast, not mine. See, the coffee cup says Lancaster. Now, if I was that generous, I would have gone down the block to Starbucks or McDonalds. This Dunkin’ Donut breakfast… well, this is no big thing at all.” For the first time, my mom looked at the coffee cup and clearly saw LANCASTER printed in magic marker on the cup, along with the instructions: one cream, one sugar. “Well, George, how did you know how I liked my coffee?” “Lucky guess. Glad I was right. Now y’all better get back upstairs and have your breakfast. That law firm of yours isn’t going to take kindly to you being late the first day you live right down the block.” George ushered us into the elevator, pressed the button for the fourth floor. And as the elevator doors closed, my mother looked at me and said, “Did you tell George I work at a law firm?” “Nope, not me. You must have mentioned it yesterday,” I answered. My mother mused. “I guess. Hmm… He sure does seem to know a lot.” He sure does, I thought. He sure does.”
Chapter 22. Libby’s dad is allowed visitation rights and picks her up for a weekend trip to Wisconsin Dells: “Dad,” I looked out the window at the escaping skyscrapers as traffic finally picked up. “Can we go on the Ducks? We never got to go on the Ducks with Aunt Lori, and I really wanted to do that.” “Sure,” my dad said with a big smile. They sail down the Wisconsin River, and you get to see all kinds of rock formations. And if you sit in the back, you get wet. Can we sit in the back?” I could actually visualize myself having fun this weekend. “We sure can,” my dad assured me. “And then maybe we can go back on the river at night and go on the Haunted Boat Cruise. Would you like that?” “Wow! I didn’t know about that. Is it scary?” I love scary movies. This could be just as much fun but like in real life. “I’m sure it will be, but don’t worry about that. I’ll be right next to you to protect you. I’ll never leave.” And just like that, my good mood left because in truth, he had already left.