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rachelcerys_xo's review
4.0
What I Enjoyed...
// I loved the setting of the book, it was very much Camp Rock mixed with The Parent Trap sort of vibes.
// I really enjoyed the author's writing style and thought the messages that were addressed through-out the book were really well told. (This book is all about self-exploration, friendship and discovering who you really are and what you want to be happy)
// Adeline was an awesome character and I really enjoyed reading about her (would love a spin off book about her character) and how she interacted with our main character Melly. She had some really wise messages to spread in this book and really allowed Melly to come out of her shell.
What I Didn't Enjoy as much...
// Olivia, the main characters best friend, irritated me a lot during this book through the actions she took.
Notes...
// It read older than a middle grade, but not quite YA. It said on the back it catered for 8-12 year olds, however I definitely think it leant much more to the 12 year old age group. The characters were all 13/14 in this book and some actions I don't think were personally appropriate for an 8 year old. Ie/ I wouldn't get my 8 year old cousin read it.
If you liked...
// Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake, I think you'd also enjoy this one. I highly recommend picking up this book if you are looking for a quick, fun middle grade that explores a variety of ponient topics, such as divorce, MS and discovering yourself and fitting in with the LGBT+ community.
// I loved the setting of the book, it was very much Camp Rock mixed with The Parent Trap sort of vibes.
// I really enjoyed the author's writing style and thought the messages that were addressed through-out the book were really well told. (This book is all about self-exploration, friendship and discovering who you really are and what you want to be happy)
// Adeline was an awesome character and I really enjoyed reading about her (would love a spin off book about her character) and how she interacted with our main character Melly. She had some really wise messages to spread in this book and really allowed Melly to come out of her shell.
What I Didn't Enjoy as much...
// Olivia, the main characters best friend, irritated me a lot during this book through the actions she took.
Notes...
// It read older than a middle grade, but not quite YA. It said on the back it catered for 8-12 year olds, however I definitely think it leant much more to the 12 year old age group. The characters were all 13/14 in this book and some actions I don't think were personally appropriate for an 8 year old. Ie/ I wouldn't get my 8 year old cousin read it.
If you liked...
// Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake, I think you'd also enjoy this one. I highly recommend picking up this book if you are looking for a quick, fun middle grade that explores a variety of ponient topics, such as divorce, MS and discovering yourself and fitting in with the LGBT+ community.
graceoc's review
4.0
A lovely story following Melly as she spends her time at a musical summer camp after her parents tell her they’re splitting up. Melly’s life is changed forever by this and on top of it she’s falling for Adeline at the camp.
Melly was such a delight. She was a very realistic thirteen year old that I really related to. We get to follow her as she learns to find her voice and go after what she really wants.
The setting of a summer camp had me wishing I was in the middle of a forest instead of isolation. But alas, I shall live vicariously through book characters until this is over. I highly enjoyed reading about a musical summer camp and seeing Melly learn to be a part of a band.
This book heavily focuses on the relationships Melly has with people. It was lovely seeing her feelings for Adeline blossom, they were so sweet together. But I personally found Melly’s friendship with Olivia, her best friend, the most interesting. I think the book really tackled how important it is to discover yourself outside of your friendships with other people otherwise we can never speak up for what we want.
A part of the book I didn’t find as interesting was Melly’s parents. I didn’t really know their personalities so I never felt like I cared that much about them splitting up. It was interesting to see how it affected Melly. I guess because I can’t personally relate to it that I wasn’t interested, but I still appreciate that it was included.
All in all, a sweet summery middle grade that deals with self discovery and relationships.
Melly was such a delight. She was a very realistic thirteen year old that I really related to. We get to follow her as she learns to find her voice and go after what she really wants.
The setting of a summer camp had me wishing I was in the middle of a forest instead of isolation. But alas, I shall live vicariously through book characters until this is over. I highly enjoyed reading about a musical summer camp and seeing Melly learn to be a part of a band.
This book heavily focuses on the relationships Melly has with people. It was lovely seeing her feelings for Adeline blossom, they were so sweet together. But I personally found Melly’s friendship with Olivia, her best friend, the most interesting. I think the book really tackled how important it is to discover yourself outside of your friendships with other people otherwise we can never speak up for what we want.
A part of the book I didn’t find as interesting was Melly’s parents. I didn’t really know their personalities so I never felt like I cared that much about them splitting up. It was interesting to see how it affected Melly. I guess because I can’t personally relate to it that I wasn’t interested, but I still appreciate that it was included.
All in all, a sweet summery middle grade that deals with self discovery and relationships.
leandrea's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jude7's review
5.0
This book was so cute! I love how Melly found her voice throughout the book. Anyone from middle grade on could enjoy this book.
rousmo01's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up - this was a really cute middle grade, about finding your voice, learning to deal with emotions, and discovering your sexuality for the first time. It’s a book I wish existed when I was younger, but am glad it exists for younger readers now.
jackelz's review
5.0
Melly is a very relatable character, and I loved the journey of her figuring out how to express herself during her two weeks at Camp Rockaway. There are a lot of powerful messages jam packed into this story.
madisonrenae's review
4.0
The synopsis really pulled me in. I was a little apprehensive going in since the book was middle grade but it read like any other book I would read. The characters are young but they are written in such a way that you still feel for and in some ways relate to, so if the middle grade rating is holding you back from reading this I’d say don’t worry!
I stayed up all night reading this and definitely don’t regret it! I have no issues with this book, it was incredibly enjoyable. I want to give this five stars because of the fact that it was an enjoyable read and I had nothing I didn’t like in the book, but it wasn’t a new favorite book, thus explaining my ranking of four stars. Maybe my four stars is your five star?
I stayed up all night reading this and definitely don’t regret it! I have no issues with this book, it was incredibly enjoyable. I want to give this five stars because of the fact that it was an enjoyable read and I had nothing I didn’t like in the book, but it wasn’t a new favorite book, thus explaining my ranking of four stars. Maybe my four stars is your five star?
agus02's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stargirlcaraway's review
3.0
this was like...lesbian middle school camp rock. very cute with great conflicts and a great ending. But somehow it just didn't totally connect with me. Maybe because such a big part of the story was Melly (main character) being upset about her parents' divorce which I couldn't relate to at all seeing as I was over the moon when my parents separated. Still, it was a really well crafted juvenile fiction book and Camp Rockaway sounds like a total dream. Kudos to the author for writing this considering I only know of one or two other juvie books with a same-sex romance
alenka's review
4.0
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this because it's so sweet and good! The complications in Melly and Olivia's friendship and Melly and Adeline's relationship all felt very real and right for their age. The music aspects were all very fun - Donna is great; best weird, tough punk summer camp counselor ever - and I enjoyed that they were focused on self expression, joy - all the emotional, non-technical stuff about making music. I never got to approach music from that angle, and this book gave me some regrets (in a good way.) It also reminded me of The First Rule of Punk for that reason.
This is one of several queer novels aimed at young readers that presents a protagonist who doesn't have her identity all figured out, and I love that. Melly could be gay or bi, but she doesn't know, and the words she uses will likely change as she grows. That's awesome, and I'm glad we have books like this now! I really could've used them when I was younger.
This is one of several queer novels aimed at young readers that presents a protagonist who doesn't have her identity all figured out, and I love that. Melly could be gay or bi, but she doesn't know, and the words she uses will likely change as she grows. That's awesome, and I'm glad we have books like this now! I really could've used them when I was younger.