A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. Both of us are older than the age range that this book is written for.

Kitty Lee is working at the Dairy Queen when she's offered a lot of money to babysit 3 children. She doesn't agree to take the job until her boss excuses her from her promise to work for him that summer--so that's commendable.

Kitty Lee seems a bit oblivious. She doesn't realize Cody's feelings for her have changed. She doesn't realize Mr. Curtis's feelings for her. She only seems to miss her friendship with Dottie at strategic points of the book. So we get to see Kitty Lee grow up and cope with changes.

**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD--READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION***

Dottie quits school before her senior year in favor of eloping with a 21 year old she met only that summer.

Mr. Curtis and Kitty Lee kiss and embrace (luckily that's all the author has them do). Mrs. Curtis intimates that Kitty Lee is not the first babysitter the family has had--which may also mean he has tried this with other women. (No information is provided as to the age of the others, but it could be a disturbing pattern.)

Mrs. Curtis appears to be an alcoholic. It's unclear whether she injured Mr. Curtis's hand or if he did so accidentally. She resists attempts to get her help by threatening to kill herself. She's pretty much an absent mother for most of the book. ( )

Sixteen-year-old Kitty Lee is embarking on her summer vacation, and it's going to be one to remember. Kitty starts the summer working for the local Dairy Queen, but soon after a handsome new stranger comes to town, she leaves the job to become a full-time babysitter to his three children. Working at the Curtis's house opens up things in Kitty's world she's never thought about before, like the need of a wife and mother in the Curtis residence. This was an enjoyable young adult book and I would read more by the talented Ms. McKenna in the future.