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janefair's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
gggina13's review
4.0
Maggie THINKS she's spending the summer at camp with her bestie... until her mom drops the bomb that she's sending her to a fat camp across the lake from that one instead. Maggie's devastated for multiple reasons - not only does she miss camp with her BFF, but her mom sees a need for Maggie's body to change. Not cool, Mom, not cool.
Immediately, weird stuff is going down at camp. They're only allowed to eat red food, counselors can't come into cabins unless invited, and folks start "going home" overnight.
The spookiness, while the plot of the story, isn't really a huge factor. It's really more about Maggie becoming friends with her bunkmates, feeling included being surrounded by other fat kids at fat camp, and trying to fight back against the weird rules the camp has. Like, the most that Maggie ever feels towards her maybe-vampire camp counselors is annoyance lmao which is pretty iconic
Idk, I just trust Julie Murphy to write fat protagonists despite what else is going on in the story and this is no exception. I've learned they're working on a sequel that includes Crystal Maldonaldo as a second narrator and I am really excited to check that out. I think this provides great rep in the middle grade paranormal sector so I'm happy with it.
Immediately, weird stuff is going down at camp. They're only allowed to eat red food, counselors can't come into cabins unless invited, and folks start "going home" overnight.
The spookiness, while the plot of the story, isn't really a huge factor. It's really more about Maggie becoming friends with her bunkmates, feeling included being surrounded by other fat kids at fat camp, and trying to fight back against the weird rules the camp has. Like, the most that Maggie ever feels towards her maybe-vampire camp counselors is annoyance lmao which is pretty iconic
Idk, I just trust Julie Murphy to write fat protagonists despite what else is going on in the story and this is no exception. I've learned they're working on a sequel that includes Crystal Maldonaldo as a second narrator and I am really excited to check that out. I think this provides great rep in the middle grade paranormal sector so I'm happy with it.
thereadedit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I really enjoyed this audiobook! I loved the characters and what they brought to the table.
I love Julie Murphy in general. She is an amazing human and I adore her. Her writing always hits the right way. I love how she is in the fore front of making sure that she makes fat rep one of the main objectives.
I really enjoyed the narrator but I wish there could have been a bit of a variation in the voices so that it would have been a bit more entertaining between all the characters.
Overall loved this book and what it brought to the table!
I love Julie Murphy in general. She is an amazing human and I adore her. Her writing always hits the right way. I love how she is in the fore front of making sure that she makes fat rep one of the main objectives.
I really enjoyed the narrator but I wish there could have been a bit of a variation in the voices so that it would have been a bit more entertaining between all the characters.
Overall loved this book and what it brought to the table!
maryehavens's review
5.0
It's near impossible for me not to love a Julie Murphy book. They are almost always set in Texas and feature a plus size protagonist - what's not to love? This one adds in a healthy dose of vampires :D
I laughed out loud several times, mostly as the kids discover that there are vampires among them (who has potting soil by their bed? :)) Murphy definitely knows her vampire lore and I was so here for that.
My only quibble is Howie at the end - seemed a little tacked on but then again, Maggie couldn't not say goodbye, right? I also thought their Parent's Day plot was a little out there in terms of execution but these quibbles are so minor, I wonder if I should even mention them.
I bought this book for my daughter but she gets very distracted by anything other than a graphic novel. However, since she saw me reading it, she picked it up again. With her "What Would Jesus Read?" bookmark which I find hilarious! Would Jesus read Camp Sylvania?? Why not?? :D
I laughed out loud several times, mostly as the kids discover that there are vampires among them (who has potting soil by their bed? :)) Murphy definitely knows her vampire lore and I was so here for that.
My only quibble is Howie at the end - seemed a little tacked on but then again, Maggie couldn't not say goodbye, right? I also thought their Parent's Day plot was a little out there in terms of execution but these quibbles are so minor, I wonder if I should even mention them.
I bought this book for my daughter but she gets very distracted by anything other than a graphic novel. However, since she saw me reading it, she picked it up again. With her "What Would Jesus Read?" bookmark which I find hilarious! Would Jesus read Camp Sylvania?? Why not?? :D
act4life25's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for an advanced digital copy.
I can’t wait to add this book to my classroom library for my students to read!
I think was really works with this novel is that it’s not written in a “juvenile” way. Yes, this is a middle grade book, but it isn’t written in a way that feels “dumbed down” for kids. I often find myself rolling my eyes and some ways that middle grade stories are worded and that’s not the case with this novel.
I have read basically every Julie Murphy book and enjoyed all of them. This one was no exception. I characters feel so lifelike and I love the body positivity that she includes. It’s a great way to open up conversations about body positivity…while also talking about vampires and ghosts.
I’m a sucker (pun intended) for summer camp books, and I think this would be a great one to read while camping on the lake. I also love that this story takes place on Lake of the Ozarks, since I don’t live too far off. Might need to plan a trip there once the book is released. Hoping and praying for a sequel!
I can’t wait to add this book to my classroom library for my students to read!
I think was really works with this novel is that it’s not written in a “juvenile” way. Yes, this is a middle grade book, but it isn’t written in a way that feels “dumbed down” for kids. I often find myself rolling my eyes and some ways that middle grade stories are worded and that’s not the case with this novel.
I have read basically every Julie Murphy book and enjoyed all of them. This one was no exception. I characters feel so lifelike and I love the body positivity that she includes. It’s a great way to open up conversations about body positivity…while also talking about vampires and ghosts.
I’m a sucker (pun intended) for summer camp books, and I think this would be a great one to read while camping on the lake. I also love that this story takes place on Lake of the Ozarks, since I don’t live too far off. Might need to plan a trip there once the book is released. Hoping and praying for a sequel!
jstark545's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sicilianobrianna's review
5.0
Camp Sylvania is such a fun read! I couldn't put the book down - I read it in a few hours from start to finish.
This is the perfect read for a wide range of ages - from tweens, to teens, to even adults. I relate so much to Maggie and her friends, though I'm long past my days as a sixth grader. I wish this was a story I could've read as a young reader, offering a different perspective to being a fat girl. And, who doesn't love a good vampire storyline!?
I'm so glad this story exists!
Thank you to Julie Murphy for randomly selecting me as a winner to receive an advanced reader copy for Camp Sylvania! I'm so grateful, and truly enjoyed every second of this.
This is the perfect read for a wide range of ages - from tweens, to teens, to even adults. I relate so much to Maggie and her friends, though I'm long past my days as a sixth grader. I wish this was a story I could've read as a young reader, offering a different perspective to being a fat girl. And, who doesn't love a good vampire storyline!?
I'm so glad this story exists!
Thank you to Julie Murphy for randomly selecting me as a winner to receive an advanced reader copy for Camp Sylvania! I'm so grateful, and truly enjoyed every second of this.
mrserinjewell's review
5.0
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. Middle grade readers are going to love this take on Fat Camp! It’s an easy buy for any library with students that love campy horror. (All puns intended!)