From Booklist
Gr. 8-11. What do Scotsmen wear under their kilts? Hint: "It starts with N and ends with G and has OTHIN in the middle." Welcome back to the sidesplitting universe of Emily Williams, the 16-year-old American transplant to the UK who last amused readers in Maxwell's The Year My Life Went down the Loo [BKL O 15 03]. This installment begins with yet another change of scene, as Em and her mousy classmate Holly move to a sheep farm in Scotland to fulfill a month-long work-study requirement. The land of haggis and men in skirts provide rich fodder for Emily's e-mails to distant friends, in which she recounts hilarious misadventures on and off the farm, including her contest with Holly to be the first to snog a farmhand whom they dub a "Schottie" (Scottish hottie). Em is clearly meant to be a caricature, and she's a very funny one. Readers will enjoy watching her blunder about in her cloud of hairspray, perfume, and blithe self-absorption. A larky addition that won't disappoint teens hooked by the first book. Jennifer Mattson
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FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
The 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

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Subject: Emily's Glossary for People Who Haven't Been to Scotland
From: Mrs.Legolas@kiltnet.com
To: Dru@seattlegrrl.com

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.

FROM THE CRITICS

KLIATT - Lynne Marie Pisano