The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay

May 1, 2008
Gr 8-10-Aussie teen Rachel Hill is devastated when her parents inform her that Nick McGowan, who was suspended from boarding school for setting off all the fire alarms in the boy's dormitory, is coming to stay with them. Nick, the hottest guy in Year 11, is going to be living in her bedroom, in her house, where he will bear witness to all of her parents' embarrassing behaviors and her collection of Huey Lewis cassettes. Initially there is no love lost between the two, but before long they are confiding in one another, and their friendship is bound to be one that will survive the years. This book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, particularly when Rachel's friend Zoë is involved, but also has its serious side as Rachel learns what caused Nick to go from stellar student to one who has lost all interest in school. The story is set in 1989, seemingly for no reason as it could take place in the present day. Perhaps the author has a fondness for Huey Lewis and Kirk Cameron jokes. Sparrow is adept at accurately portraying her teenage characters and placing them in realistic scenarios that most readers will find pertinent."Robyn Zaneski, New York Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2008
High achieving, mysterious, and hot, Nick McGowan is the last person that perfectionist Rachel wants living in her home. Theres no way that she can convince Nick that she is cool, as she did with last years exchange student. But after Nicks breakdown, Rachel has lots of questions, particularly after she finds pamphlets on depression and suicide prevention among Nicks possessions. The novels cover art aims for a younger audience than the intended readership, and the frequent pop-culture references (the Tom Cruise movie Cocktail; the Hoodoo Gurus) that set the book in 1989 may be lost on todays teens. A brief epilogue gives readers a tidy, happy ending but is a bit heavy handed with lessons learned. Readers will find meddling Rachel and her friend Ze endearing, though, and they will be drawn to the premise of the sexy guy who moves into a girls familys basement and turns out to be completely different from his public image.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)