September 17, 2024 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central
Naomi would rather spend the summer as she usually does, with her father and twin younger brothers, thinking of activities to do around town. Instead, she is going away to camp in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey because her father is moving out of the house. She has an interest in nature and plants, but just doesn't want to be away from home for two weeks. The other campers are nice, including Medina and Alice Saito. Deonne claims to be the "head girl" of their cabin, and Jackie, who has some hearing impairment, claims that she is going to break all of the rules so that she can go home. One tradition of the camp is that all of the kids get airbrushed tattoos, and there are lots of scary stories told around the campfire. Since the local monster is the Jersey Devil, there are lots of twists on that tale, including one about the "devil's cabin" where campers are sent for infractions. Naomi can't swim, and is rather anxious, but grateful that Jackie is willing to teacher her some sign language. Naomi is also concerned about the kudzu that seems to be all over the camp; it's an invasive plant widespread in the South, and needs to be controlled. The counselors, especially Mara, seem to be half a bubble off as well, and everything is creepy. When off in the woods one day, the girls see odd yellow lights, and find a child's shoe. They also meet the Jersey Devil, who claims that magic is being siphoned out of the Barrens and that the children are somehow the key to saving the area. After breaking into Mara's cabin to use her computer, Naomi puts together the details available and makes a shocking discovery about what is really going on at the camp. Will she and her new friends be able to work with the Jersey Devil to defeat the forces of evil threatening the Camp Twisted Pine?
Strengths: Summer camp is a very good thing for tweens, and it can be hard to find a camp. In the absence of actually attending one, reading about it is the next best thing! Given the out of the ordinary setting of camps, and the unfamiliarity of a wooded setting, it makes sense that we see a lot of camps where creepy things are taking place. Ghost stories are a big nighttime draw! Naomi doesn't want to go to camp, but manages to make the most of her experience, and it was nice to see that there wasn't too much drama with the friendships; when you are only with people for two weeks, there's no history and a lot more forgiveness. The villain was a little surprising, and I enjoyed the fact that the Jersey Devil was not really the force of evil one would suspect!
Strengths: Summer camp is a very good thing for tweens, and it can be hard to find a camp. In the absence of actually attending one, reading about it is the next best thing! Given the out of the ordinary setting of camps, and the unfamiliarity of a wooded setting, it makes sense that we see a lot of camps where creepy things are taking place. Ghost stories are a big nighttime draw! Naomi doesn't want to go to camp, but manages to make the most of her experience, and it was nice to see that there wasn't too much drama with the friendships; when you are only with people for two weeks, there's no history and a lot more forgiveness. The villain was a little surprising, and I enjoyed the fact that the Jersey Devil was not really the force of evil one would suspect!
Weaknesses: This wasn't all that scary. My students want something more along the lines of Strand's Nightmare in the Back Yard.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's Finch House or other books about creepy camps, like Berk and Mitchell's Camp Murderface or the Tales from Cabin 23 series.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's Finch House or other books about creepy camps, like Berk and Mitchell's Camp Murderface or the Tales from Cabin 23 series.
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Evie is still dealing with the loss of her parents and is fighting the evil forces she fought in The Clackity and The Nighthouse Keeper, but things have settled down a bit. Her aunt Desdemona wants her to have a better summer, and not be as responsible for saving the world. Evie does have a few calm moments, like helping Lily bury a pet rabbit along with Lark, their ghost friend, and stopping by Mrs. Bradbury's to get her special candy that tastes like the buyer's fondest wish. When she goes to ask Irv about what she should do regarding saving her parents, he turns into the Clackity, and the game starts all over again. She ends up going to the Dark Side Sun and spending time in her childhood home. She's instructed to find "the loneliest place", and her parents are supposed to be there. She meets talking snakes, heads into the Winter land of her mother's book, and even meets Death (or one of them!) before climbing stairs to the Moon to try to find her parents. Will she finally be able to escape the power of the Clackity and bring her parents back to Blight Harbor?
This is the final book in the series, and spends a lot more time in Blight Harbor, following Evie's everyday life. This makes sense, especially at the end of the book when the Clackity is trying to make her feel that she is lonely and miserable, but she's able to look at all of the people besides her parents who love and support her. Definitely take a look at this one if you've read the other two.
This is the final book in the series, and spends a lot more time in Blight Harbor, following Evie's everyday life. This makes sense, especially at the end of the book when the Clackity is trying to make her feel that she is lonely and miserable, but she's able to look at all of the people besides her parents who love and support her. Definitely take a look at this one if you've read the other two.
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