Authors tell true horror stories of days as nannies

"Hit it." New York college student Nan hears this in her head every time she begins the newest in a long-line of jobs as nanny to upper-class New York families. From introductions, to the sparsely decorated house, to the refrigerator filled with soy milk, each new employer puts on a show, hiding the real feelings, the real problems and the real people who lurk under the surface of the riches and prosperity. In the "The Nanny Diaries," two former New York nannies pour all the best true stories from their years of experience into a school year in the life of Nan, her employers, the "X" family and their son, Grayer. Their collected experience coupled with snappy prose and simple yet complicated characters make for a reading experience that will make you laugh and make you think. Set up in diary form we first meet Nan, or Nanny, when she takes the job with the "X" family. With her, we marvel at Mrs. X's ridiculous ideas on child care, which run from only allowing her son to eat steamed kelp to telling Nanny acceptable outings include the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. As Nan gets to know and love Grayer, these eccentricities, and Mr. X's role as a very absent father go from being hilariously funny to so awful you wish Nan would take Grayer home to raise herself. While immersing herself in the X's lives, Nan also deals with the rest of her world, including her parents, grandmother, friends and the object of her affection, the "Harvard Hottie," who lives in the X's building. Although the subplots only complement the experience Nan has with the X's, the authors manage to develop their personalities in the few words they share with Nan. "The Nanny Diaries" runs about 300 pages; but it's a quick read, perfect for taking out to the pool or taking a break from studying for finals. The class difference between Nan's middle-class lifestyle and the upper-class nightmare of her employers is dramatic without slapping you in the face about the "message" the authors are trying to send. Kraus and McLaughlin dedicate the book to the kids they both "nannied," saying, "We\'re rooting for you all." By the end of "The Nanny Diaries," you\'ll be rooting for them too. "The Nanny Diaries"
By Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
St. Martin\'s Press, 305 pages, $24.95.