Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Second camp adventure less spooky; tweens deal with change.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MOON MADNESS finds best friends Maggie and Nora looking forward to finally getting the summer together they've always wanted. Camp Sylvania is under new ownership, and all the vampire weirdness of last summer is starting to seem like almost a dream. But their ideal summer together starts to take a turn for the worse when they're assigned to different cabins. And the new owner's obsession with the so-called healing properties of "moon water" isn't helping. It seems like Maggie and Nora each want very different things from the camp experience this year, but can their friendship survive it?
Is It Any Good?
This second installment is less creepy and spooky than the first book, although there are still some mild chills and eeriness to be had. And though there are still some elements of body positivity, this story focuses more on changing bodies and feelings as tweens navigate the early stages of puberty. There's a bit more humor, too, with some aspects of turning into a werewolf depicted in silly ways, and with wolves that are less scary than the vampires in the first book. Still, changing bodies, feelings, and friendships are big issues for tweens, and those who like their scares on the gentle side will likely enjoy rooting for Maggie, Nora, and their friendship.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Moon Madness shows how scary and confusing it can be when your body and feelings start to change. How are Maggie and Nora changing, and is their friendship changing, too? Where can you look for answers and reassurance about what's happening to you?
How do the campers model courage, and how does teamwork help them save the camp from disaster?
Did you read the first book before this one? If you did, which one do you like best? If you didn't, would you like to now?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : May 14, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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