Ever wanted to go to overnight camp? Imagine how free it would be to not have to listen to your parents all the time. Amy in the book Camp by Elaine Wolf doesn’t want to go away for 8 weeks in the 1960s to a camp her uncle owns and runs. Why? She worries about leaving her little brother behind. He is different, and their mother doesn’t seem to know how best to deal with him. Amy fears what will happen to him if she leaves.
Much to her surprise, Amy’s mother relents and allows Amy to attend the camp in Maine, much to Amy’s dismay. Right away Amy feels like an outsider and the older girls at camp, one in particular named Rory, let her know she isn’t welcome. Even though some girls do reach out to Amy, they can’t stop the horrible initiation Rory has in store for Amy. Thus begins a miserable time for Amy at camp as she struggles to deal with the overt bullying of her bunkmate and her first taste of freedom from her mother’s overbearing and constant criticism.
As the summer unfolds so does the mystery surrounding Amy’s family, specifically, her taciturn mother. Can she confront her mother with all she has learned, or will she remain quiet and let the secrets go on?
Recommended for mature 8th graders and up.
Books in the Middle: Reading for Middle School 