Camp Average: Double Foul - by Craig Battle (Paperback)

About the Book

"It's summertime again, and we join the 12-year-olds of Camp Average--er, Avalon--as the season is winding to a close. Last year, our favourite junior campers (including Andre, Max, Nelson, and Miles) won the big baseball tournament, so this year, the camp has established a special competitive stream for elite athletes. Camp director Winston even opened up space for girls--so Makayla, Nicole and friends are on board too. And best of all, Max can happily get back to his usual: spending time at the waterfront with not a care in the world. Leave it to dastardly Winston to ruin his fun. When the camp director takes a special interest in the basketball team, and enters them in the Swish City 5-on-5--Camp Average's one last chance to win a trophy--Max smells a rat. He certainly won't be joining ... but it starts to feel like he doesn't have a choice, as one by one, activities all over camp are supposedly closed for repairs and maintenance. Winston seems up to his own tricks, pitting camper against camper (in this case, boys against girls) in a twisted attempt to wring a winning performance from his charges. In an attempt to undermine Winston's scheme, Mack creates a scheme of his own, in which he must secretly sabotage both the boys' and girls' teams. Will Mack match wits with Wintston and save the camp from the diabolical director's clutches once and for all? Or will Mack's own skullduggery be exposed--and lose him his summer and his friends?"--

Book Synopsis

A new battle of wills heats up another summer at Camp Average in the second book in this hit summer reading series for children ages 8 to 12. This three-book series is great for sports fans and reluctant readers, with Camp Average shortlisted for provincial children's choice awards in Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

It's a new summer at Camp Avalon--which Mack and his friends still affectionately call Camp Average. After last season's big baseball victory, camp director Winston wants to continue the winning streak. So he's launched a competitive program for elite athletes--including a new group of girl campers.

When Winston enters his charges in a high-stakes basketball tournament, Mack opts out in favor of other, less competitive activities. But Mack starts to suspect he's being played, as one by one, his favorite camp activities all get closed for repairs.

Meanwhile, Winston pits boys against girls in a twisted attempt to win. To undermine Winston's hypercompetitive scheme once again, Mack creates a plan of his own--but it means he needs to secretly sabotage both the boys' and girls' teams. Will Mack match wits with Winston and save the camp from the diabolical director's clutches once and for all? Or will Mack's own mischief be exposed--and lose him his summer and his friends? The second Camp Average book is a fast-paced and funny addition to this critically acclaimed, all-star series.

Review Quotes

"A few surprising plot twists in this humorous, character-driven summer read show cooperation is always best."-- "Booklist"

"A funny, satisfying exploration of the thematically rich territory between winning and losing."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Anyone who has done time at summer camp will appreciate the authentic camp scenes, from mess-hall chats and favored counselors to Capture the Flag action... The campers in Camp Average are delightfully high-spirited, diverse and competitive, not just in basketball, but in all the camp's activities."-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

About the Author

CRAIG BATTLE has worked as a journalist, coach, and camp counselor. He is the former editor of OWL magazine, the former owner of a pretty solid jump shot, and the author of six books for middle-grade readers. Now an editor of stories big and small at Sportsnet.ca, Craig lives in Toronto with his wife and son.