Camp Famous - by Jennifer Blecher (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

READ WITH JENNA JR. SUMMER READING LIST

"Camp Famous expertly blends the joys of summer camp with the struggles of not fitting in. It's a fun and uplifting read!"--Janae Marks, author of From the Desk of Zoe Washington

"Like the best camp friends, this heartfelt story will stay with you for a long time."--Stacy McAnulty, author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

The Princess Diaries meets Harriet the Spy when Abby--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 anyone who loves Disney's Camp Rock.

Eleven-year-old Abby Herman is beyond excited that her parents are letting her go to summer camp for the first time ever. Maybe camp will be the place she'll finally 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.

Review Quotes

"Like the best camp friends, this heartfelt story will stay with you for a long time." - Stacy McAnulty, author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

"Camp Famous expertly blends the joys of summer camp with the struggles of not fitting in. It's a fun and uplifting read!" - Janae Marks, author of From the Desk of Zoe Washington

"Abby Herman attempts to make friends in Blecher's bighearted novel about truth and self-acceptance. . . . When 'ordinary' Abby gets the opportunity to attend sleepaway camp . . . [she] pretends to be a famous writer to fit in . . . She begins to understand fame's complexities, and realizes that her popular peers are not so different from her. Even so, she's scared to admit her lies . . . Blecher cleverly presents the pain of being left out, the joy of being seen, and the challenges along the road to accepting and celebrating oneself." - Publishers Weekly

"A fun summertime romp with a spotlight on coming into your own. . . . [Abby] is headed to Camp Famous, where famous kids escape to be themselves. . . . 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. A sweet summer read." - School Library Journal

"Abby longs . . . for a typical overnight summer camp experience. Instead, her teacher . . . finagles her a place at Camp Famous, where celebrity kids go to escape the pressure of the public eye. . . . Abby's first-person narration, alternating with journal entries in her green fuzzy notebook, builds as the summer of her dreams unfolds, until her secret comes out, upending everything. This enjoyable story of finding self-acceptance through a summer escape is ideal for veteran campers as well as for those who daydream about the experience--and the new friends they might make there." - Horn Book Magazine

"Blecher delivers a satisfying middle-grade story showcasing the makings of real friendship and the possibilities that await over a summer of growth (even if your summer doesn't include a royal BFF)." - Booklist

"Abigail Herman spends a lot of time trying to figure out the mysterious rules of fifth grade friendship. . . . She thinks a fresh start at summer camp might be the answer. . . But [then] her teacher, Ms. McIntyre, arranges for Abby to go to . . . Camp Famous . . . This plot-driven, upbeat novel will have readers relating to Abby's awkwardness while enjoying the fanciful situation . . . A sweet story of friendship, being true to yourself, and finding common ground. . . . A quirky and fun summer read." - Kirkus Reviews