Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cheery graphic novel shows camp routines, friend jealousy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In CAMP, Kayla Miller's graphic novel follow-up to Click, Olive and her friend Willow head out to Camp Acorn Lake for the summer session. There, they bunk with other girls their age and do camp stuff like sports, crafts, and campfire sing-alongs. Olive and Willow choose their activities together and happily share a bunk. But Olive seems to be making friends a little too easily and quickly for Willow's taste, and the two friends find themselves at an impasse that threatens to harm their friendship permanently.
Is It Any Good?
Colorful, detailed, and straightforward, this graphic novel deals with the fun and knottiness of having a friend from home at sleepaway camp. However, Camp could have benefited from a little more complexity. Readers are introduced to a dozen different characters, but only two have any real bearing on the story, and their plotline is pretty predictable.
Kids will like the cartoony yet realistic portrayal of the food served in the mess hall, the friendly but rule-abiding teen counselors, and all of the fun activities. Camp does capture the giddiness and nuances of sleep-way camp. But it could have reached a little higher and delved a little deeper into a more intricate plot line in order to make the Camp Acorn Lake experience truly memorable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how friendship is tested in Camp. What happens when one friend makes other friends? How are friendship issues managed by characters in other books or shows?
Jealousy is an emotion that rears its head in Camp. How do the counselors help Olive manage Willow's behavior? What advice would you give to Olive or Willow?
Camp is typically time for offline fun outdoors or in the craft cabin. How can shutting off screens be valuable to kids? When do you shut down your screen time?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Adventures , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Publication date : April 23, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 13
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Paperback
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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