Rated of 5
by Anne M. (Austin, TX) Trini Nanny Diaries
This book brought back fond memories of my own time as a nanny for two different families -- mainly because my own treatment was so much better than that received by Grace, the narrator/protagonist of "Minding Ben." The book gives a harsher view of a caregiver's work in New York than does "The Nanny Diaries," although why any of these women put up with the treatment they did is beyond me ... is the "American Dream" really THAT strong?! Victoria Brown really makes the non-WASP sides of Brooklyn come to life, as well as the worries of a young woman leaving her family for the first time, having to make it on her own with little support even from her own immigrant community. The book made me realize how lucky I was to be employed by the families I cared for!
Rated of 5
by Anita P. (Lutherville, MD); Play Book Tag admin Minding Ben
This story of an immigrant's experience in NYC is told in a well executed first person voice -- and the strength of this voice held my interest. However, the author tries to do too much. There are too many shallowly drawn characters. The three Jewish characters (the Bruckners and the landlord) are portrayed in the most negative light with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Unfortunately, the overall impact is unsatisfying. There's a good book in here somewhere, but I don't think this one fully realized its potential.
Rated of 5
by Joan V. (Miller Place, NY) Don't call her
A very satisfying read. The story revolves around 16 yr old Grace who comes to America by herself and is thrown into a situation she has not planned on. The plan was for Grace to mind her cousin’s children in exchange for room & board, but her cousin never shows up at the airport to meet her. Instead Grace eventually ends up with a family in NYC minding Ben. How she survives and her “adventures” (as she refers to them) is a fascinating story. The book is a fast read, one that you get into immediately and don’t want to put down. You just HAVE to learn what happens next!
Some of the characters are a bit stereotypical, i.e. the Bruckners, Ben’s parents; Sol and Miriam are sometimes a bit too much. However, we do get to see shades of Miriam’s past and that helps to make her more likable.
A good book club choice; it has a lot of points that would be ripe for an interesting discussion. I really want to read more novels by Ms. Brown.
Rated of 5
by Jane H. (Owensboro, KY) Minding Ben
I guess giving this book a 3 rating sounds worse than the book actually was. It was an entertaining story and fairly well written but just an average story about being an immigrant "nanny" in New York City. I found the main character a bit too refined to be believable considering the cast of characters around her and as a result I never quite fell into the spell of what a really good story can do for you. All of the characters were too stereotypical and shallow -- the storyline too predictable. I was disappointed as I felt the premise of this book promised much more depth than it delivered.
Rated of 5
by Loren B. (Appleton, WI) an eyeopener
Some of the characters needed to be fleshed out a bit and the plot needed to be more organized, But this was an eyeopener of a story and I came to admire Grace very much for how well she held up.
Rated of 5
by Bess W. (Marlton, US) A story of survival
I loved the book. The author uses her personal experience to create unforgettable characters. I couldn't put the book down, I just wanted to know how Grace was coping with her emotional journey and how she would survive. Making a life in New York is not easy for anyone especially a 16 year old. Even with all her ups and downs Grace still believes. I can't wait for Victoria Brown's next book. This is a perfect choice for book clubs--there are so many social issues to discuss.
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of 5
by Anne M. (Austin, TX) 
of 5
by Anita P. (Lutherville, MD); Play Book Tag admin 
of 5
by Bess W. (Marlton, US) 
