The Princess Diaries meets Harriet the Spy when Abby—who thinks she is the most ordinary girl in the world—finds herself undercover at a summer camp for famous kids. From acclaimed author Jennifer Blecher, Camp Famous is an accessible and fun summertime adventure about fitting in, being brave, and letting others see who you truly are. Camp Famous is pitch-perfect for tweens who love Disney’s Camp Rock.
Eleven-year-old Abby Herman is normal normal normal. She’s never stood out, and she never knows quite how to find her place in a group of friends, even though she notices everything and writes it all down in her notebook. When Abby learns that she’ll be attending summer camp, she is beyond excited at the idea of a fresh start and a place where she might find what she’s always wanted: a best friend. But—surprise!—she’s not going to just any summer camp, she’s going to Camp Famous, the one exclusively for famous kids escaping the spotlight.
Desperate to fit in with the pop stars, princesses, and geniuses, Abby creates a fake identity as a famous author. Everything goes as planned: the other girls welcome her, she participates in camp activities, and she even inspires a pop star! But as camp comes to a close, Abby finds herself torn between who she has pretended to be and who she truly is.
Jennifer Blecher, the acclaimed author of Out of Place and Stick with Me, writes with a spot-on ear for middle school drama in this commercial story with a big heart. An accessible novel about summer, friendship, and staying true to who you are, Camp Famous will be enjoyed by fans of Vera Brosgol’s Be Prepared and Lisa Graff’s Absolutely Almost.
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Gr 4-7-Blecher's latest is a fun summertime romp with a spotlight on coming into your own. Abby is an ordinary 11-year-old white girl, trying to navigate who she is and what she wants. After an embarrassing incident at school alerts Abby's teacher to possible bullying, her parents give in and enroll her in a summer sleepaway camp she has always wanted to attend. Little does she know that she is in for anything but a typical summer camp experience-she is headed to Camp Famous, where famous kids escape to be themselves. Abby isn't famous but wants to fit in, so tells a lie about being a renowned author. Keeping up the lie and making friends with celebrities isn't easy, but Abby will do anything to make this summer the best ever. Readers will be connect with Abby as the story unfolds. Blecher skillfully crafts relatable experiences and feelings within a unique story arc. Abby is a great example of a kid learning to be patient and comfortable with who she is; growing up can be tough, but being true to herself wins in the end. VERDICT A sweet summer read for realistic fiction fans. Recommended for tween readers who enjoy light coming-of-age tales.-Elizabeth Pelayo