Friday, July 17, 2015

Guy Friday- Zee's Story (Boys Camp)

23130130Jazynka, Kitson and Tripp, Valerie. Zee's Story (Boys Camp)
May 19th 2015 by Sky Pony Press
Copy received from Young Adult Books Central and reviewed there.

Zee is thrilled to be going back to Camp Wolf Trail. He and his good friend and fellow prankster, Will, have been e mailing their plans back and forth all year. Zee is surprised when Will isn't at camp when he arrives, especially after another camper hands him a postcard-- Will isn't coming. Zee is crushed, but Will shows up under a bed and the pranks begin. They hide a plush octopus on another camper's kayak, a camp tradition which also means they get to pie the other camper in the face. They do crafts, search for the elusive diving rock, and learn kayaking skills. An overnight kayaking trip almost leads to disaster when the cook's dog, Cookie, tries to follow the boys across the lake in search of bacon. Will and Zee overcome some rough patches but enjoy their time at camp, and their campmates.

There are not many books dealing with overnight camps, especially for boys, and there are lots of interesting tips for readers who may not be familiar with the outdoor camp experience, but there is enough additional information for experienced campers, including notes at the back about a dedicated former camper who grew up to re-introduce wolves to Yellowstone National Park.

This is the third book in the series, but I was not at all confused going in without remembering the other two. A new camping season means some new characters, and old ones are reintroduced. Will and Zee have some tension in their friendship, especially since they are not assigned to the same cabin, and it is dealt with in a constructive fashion.

The large print and full color illustrations in this will appeal to slightly younger or more reluctant readers who want a solid, realistic story with a large dose of humor and enough action to keep things moving along.

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