S’mores, Bug Bites, and First Love – Summer Camp Stories

A way to vicariously experience this type of rite of passage is to read about it. What is it like to attend an established summer camp (sometimes called a sleepaway camp)? The Library has a variety of materials on this topic - factual or fictional in both books and DVDs.

The following are some interesting fiction stories.

To Night Owl From Dogfish

Bett finds out that her father has fallen in love with a man who she has never met. The two men are scheming to send Bett and the other man's daughter, Avery, away to the same summer camp. Furious, Bett finds Avery's email address in order to break the horrible news to her.

Be Prepared

Vera is a Russian immigrant kid who is desperate to fit in with her suburban classmates.  All the kids go to camp every summer.  When Vera finds out about a Russian Orthodox camp that her family's church will help pay for, she is sure that she's finally found her camp.  This graphic novel is good for any fan of Raina Telgemeier's Sisters.

Sports Camp

Being short in stature makes it hard for a shrimp like Riley to fit in. He just doesn't want to be the weak link as his bunkmates compete for the Camp Olympia Trophy.

Like Bug Juice on A Burger

What is bug juice? It is a variety of Kool-Aid flavors mixed together. Written in verse, this book talks about the ups and downs of attending sleepaway camp.

Cheesie Mack Is Cool in A Duel

Ronald "Cheesie" Mack wants to impress his bunkmates in cabin H. He needs to show the older boys in his cabin that he is the coolest one at camp.

Just Like Me

As infants, Julia, Avery, and Becca were all adopted from the same Chinese orphanage. Years later, they are sent to a summer camp for a week. The purpose is for them to reconnect and journal their feelings for the adoption agency.

The Lightning Thief

Camp Half-Blood is no ordinary overnight camp. This summer camp which is for Greek demigods is where Percy goes.