Book info

• Title How to Survive Summer Camp
• Author Jacqueline Wilson
• Year 1985
• Genre Childrens

My new T-shirt said I LOVE EVERGREEN ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS. My new T-shirt was a liar. Dumped at Evergreen Summer Camp while her mum's off on a swanky honeymoon, Stella just knows she's going to hate it. Being mistaken for a boy and having to share a room with snobby Louise and nasty Karen is just the start... It seems Stella's in for a nightmare summer. How can she possibly survive? This special edition includes a fantastic section of cool quizzes, yummy recipes, and brilliant activities. It has all you need to create your own summer camp... even survival tips!

Thoughts

As always, I’m far too old to read these Jacqueline Wilson books really, but I do so love them. This one tracks the unhappy Stella who has to go to summer camp whilst her mum heads off on honeymoon with Stella’s new stepdad. She doesn’t want to go, and is prepared not to enjoy herself, but of course, gradually, she sees there are good things about the camp - even if it is a bit of a dump!

I liked the story, particularly as the relationships between the kids ebbed and flowed just as it would in real life - sometimes they’re best friends, sometimes they’re being horrible to each other. I thought the ending came quite abruptly, it would have been nice to see more of Stella enjoying herself, especially as she spent so much of the book full of frustration and angst.

Still, a nice easy read, if not a particularly memorable one.

Rating: 3 / 5