Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spooky, funny, body-positive tween camp adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CAMP SYLVANIA is not at all where Maggie wanted to spend the summer after fifth grade. She and best friend Nora had big plans to spend three weeks at theater camp, but Maggie's parents, especially her mom, think she needs to lose some weight, so they signed her up for a "wellness" camp recently taken over by an old friend of her mom's. Strange sightings, stranger staff, ever-more restrictive rules, and a mandatory blood drive all point to things not being quite right. And then campers start disappearing.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of chills and thrills will enjoy this inspiring summer-camp story, which keeps a tone light enough to be a fun summer read at the same time. Camp Sylvania's narrator Maggie is smart, funny, and happy with herself just as she is. Kids will relate to her feelings of insecurity, and admire her as she learns to overcome them. Author Julie Murphy integrates important topics without a heavy hand, so this book's a good starting place for talking about body image, how and why we treat fat people the way we do, and the effects our messages about body size have on young people.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Camp Sylvania shows a positive body image about all bodies. How does Maggie feel about her body? Why is it important for books, movies, videos, and other media to include people of different sizes, shapes, colors, or abilities?
How does strong teamwork help Maggie and her friends get answers and confront the villain?
Why is it important to practice good communication skills? How does Maggie show her skills, and how do they help her?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : June 6, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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