Camp Clique by Eileen Moskowitz Palma
Release: April 14th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Source: Amazon
Synopsis:
In the blink of a summer, Bea goes from having a best friend and a place she belongs to being dropped and invisible, eating lunch alone and only talking to teachers. The end of sixth grade and the start of Camp Amelia can’t come soon enough.
But then the worst part of school, ex-best friend Maisy, shows up in Bea’s safe place and ruins it all. Maisy lands in the same bunk as Bea and summer suddenly seems dire. Never having camped a day in her life, Maisy agrees: it’s hopeless. She should be at home, spending time with her little sister and hanging out with her super popular crew of friends–not at this stupid adventure camp failing everything and being hated by everyone. In a desperate bid to belong, Maisy offers Bea a deal: if Bea helps her fit in at the camp, she will get Bea into the M & M’s, their town’s popular clique, when they enter seventh grade in the fall. The Popularity Pact is born.
Camp Clique Review:
This was such a fun book to read! I loved both Maisy and Bea. Maisy can be neurotic, anxious and frustrating, but once you read more about her, you get to like her. Bea is amazing because she is more empathetic and gives Maisy a chance even though she doesn’t have to. I really liked how they tried to overlook the events that separated them to go back and rekindle their friendship. The supporting characters Hannah, Poppy and Isa also add well to the group.
I also loved how the author deals with topics like drug addiction and divorce without sugar coating it too much. The reactions to the how the girls deal with the situation is realistic and admirable. The author also did a great job in blending the camp activities nicely with the problems Maisy and Bea face, so you never really feel like it’s too emotional. The villains, being the rivalry Dandelions team, are a bit clichéd, but was fun to read anyway. Moreover, the illustrations also compliment well to each chapter and give this book a very cozy feel to it.
I think my only criticism in this story is how I could not picture a super smart girl like Bea having trouble making friends. I’m sure she would have been able to join a club with students who have similar interests. But apart from that, I really enjoyed reading this book! The story also ends up in a sort-of cliffhanger, which makes me eager for the next book to be released soon.
I honestly can’t wait to read about book two and hope we get to see the team be in camp again.
