Overview
Subject: Emily's Glossary for People Who Haven't Been to ScotlandFrom: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Faffing about: running around doing nothing. In other words, spending a month supposedly doing work experience on a Scottish sheep farm, but really spending days on Kilt Watch at the nearest castle.
Schottie: Scottish Hottie, also known as Ruaraidh, the subject of much drooling and first prize in the "Who Can Snog Him First" contest.
Mad schnoogles: the British way of saying big smoochy kisses. Will admit it sounds v. smart to say it that way.
V.: very. Using it abbreviated is coolio to the third power.
Bunch of yobbos: a group of mindless idiots. In Scotland, can also mean sheep. You can take it from me -- there is nothing stupider than a sheep, especially when you're trying to make them take their liver medicine.
Stooshie: uproar, as in "If Holly thinks she can take Ruaraidh from me without causing a stooshie, she's out of her mind!"
Sheep dip: not an appetizer.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewThe teen with can-do attitude (and a little klutzy streak) who starred in The Year My Life Went Down the Loo is seeing Scots in this hilarious page-turner by Katie Maxwell.
While living Britain, Emily's been given the chance to temporarily work on a sheep farm in Scotland's Highlands. Despite having scenery that's basically "mud, mud, a couple of dogs, and, surprise of all surprises, more mud," the teen at least gets to feast her eyes on a dreamy shepherd named Ruaraidh. Of course, Emily -- and her cousin Holly -- are both gaga over the "Scottish love god" (never mind that he has six fingers on one hand), and after they decide to compete over who gets to snog him, the two get into more than a few capers involving a man-trap in an ancient castle, spray-painted sheep, and self-tanning lotion. Sound crazy? No doubt about that, but thank your lucky plaid kilt, Emily never fails to keep herself in high spirits, her fingers typing away to her Seattle BFF, and her Hottie of the Week list updated.
Following in the footsteps of popular authors like Meg Cabot and Louise Rennison (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson), Maxwell delivers a character that speaks her mind while making you laugh out loud. Girls will appreciate her competitive boy-snogging gusto, and they'll be cheering for more tales about Emily when all is finished. Whether you already know what true Scotsmen wear under their kilts, Maxwell's novel is a real trip. Shana Taylor
KLIATT
Sassy 16-year-old Emily Marie Williams continues her wacky British adventures in the follow-up to The Year My Life Went Down the Loo. Deposited with her British best friend Holly at Uncle Alex's sheep farm for a month-long work/study program, Emily learns everything she NEVER wanted to learn about sheep and more, including the definition of "sheep dip." After only one day in Scotland, Emily learns the most important lesson—she's not cut out for sheep farming. On the bright side, Ruaraidh, a Schottie (Scottish Hottie), also works on the farm. But Emily isn't the only one going mad over the red-haired hunk—Holly's gone too. Let the "Who Can Snog (Kiss) Ruaraidh First Competition" begin! Once again, Emily's illuminating e-mails to her best friend ([email protected] to [email protected]) give a point-by-point score in the competition and a blow-by-blow description of the ups and downs of sheep farming, friendship and love in the Scottish Highlands. An unusually intriguing background, a brightly colored cast of characters, a beloved cast of old favorites (Brother, Fang and Devon all play a part), smart insight, snarky dialogue, comedy and romance all add up to another wild and wonderful page-turning adventure with Katie Maxwell at the wheel. KLIATT Codes: JS—Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2004, Dorchester Publishing, Smooch, Ages 12 to 18.—Lynne Marie Pisano