Sleepaway Girls

May 25, 2009
This novel set at a summer camp offers much of what one might expect: crushes on older counselors, cabin-mate rivalries, late-night sneak-outs and lots of bonding between campers. Counselor-in-training Sam is at a disadvantage when she first arrives at Whispering Pines in the Catskills. Unlike the other CITs, she is unfamiliar with her surroundings, having never attended a camp. Despite her rookie status, she proves to be a natural leader, but her pride in doing her job well is undermined by catty remarks from fellow CIT Ashley. Fortunately, Sam is able to form friendships with other girls, who soothe her sagging spirit and help her sort out her feelings for two boys, Hunter (“Mr. Ab-solutely perfect”) and easy-to-be-with Cole. While Calonita (the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series) is well versed in camp routines and dynamics, some of the escapades—like a gigantic food fight Sam has with her rival—come off as a little cheesy, and some minor characters—especially Ashley and Hunter—appear manufactured. Nonetheless, Sam emerges as a likable, realistically flawed heroine, who proves that good girls can come out on top. Ages 12–up.

June 1, 2009
Gr 6-8-Samantha Montgomery is sick of her best friend's boyfriend taking her place. Mal used to call Sam first, sit by her at lunch, and do everything with her. Now it's Mark who's first in Mal's life, it looks like Sam will have to sit through an entire summer of their sickening sweet talk. Instead, she decides to volunteer as a counselor-in-training at a camp two hours away from home. There she finds three new friends, two hot guys, and one bitter enemy. "Sleepaway Girls" is a fast, uncomplicated read dealing lightly with issues of friendship, first love, and bullying. Though the resolutions seem a tad easy, they're appropriate for the tone of the novel. Sam and her campmates are believable characters and their bonding will make readers want to head for camp themselves. A perfect summer pick."Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2009
Grades 7-10 After her best friend attaches herself to Samanthas first boyfriend, Sam is determined to spend her summer elsewhere. She ends up as a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines, where she gets to participate in all camp activities while assisting the counselors with the younger campers. By the end of the summer, Sam acquires an arch-enemy, as well as three best buds (the Sleepaway Girls) and a gorgeous boyfriend. Calonita offers a quintessential feel-good read, from Sams earliest crush on the camps gorgeous bad boy to her gradual realization that good men are the best boyfriends; from her initial jealous encounter with the camp directors daughter to their forced, uneasy truce; and from her early video postcards back home to her ultimate Sleepaway Girls testament to the camp season. The picture-perfect setting, the sweet little kids, the seductive freedom from parents, and the lure of adult-like responsibility make this the perfect read-alike to suggest to fans of Ann Brashares Traveling Pants series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
Counselor-in-training Sam loves everything about sleepaway camp--except queen bee Ashley, who's trying to ruin Sam's summer. Sam and her new friends eventually take matters into their own hands and learn how to fight back. The tired, formulaic tale of good girl versus bad girl includes a heavy dose of teen pop-culture references and some romance.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)