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eyeleash's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
‘Unhappy Camper’ by Lily LaMotte with art by Ann Xu and Sunmi is a graphic novel about a young girl trying to fit in to her new culture and the embarrassment her old culture causes her.
Michelle and Claire are Taiwanese sisters living in Seattle. Claire is proud of who she is, but Michelle wants to fit in with the popular crowd. When Michelle’s parents send her to a Taiwanese American summer camp with her sister, it feels like social death, especially since her sister is going and they haven’t gotten along for years. Days of learning language and cultural studies leave Michelle missing her friends at home, but are they really her friends and can she ever be close to Claire again?
I really liked this story of identity and siblings. The story has broad appeal, but may appeal most to immigrant children. The lessons are strong as is the art.
Michelle and Claire are Taiwanese sisters living in Seattle. Claire is proud of who she is, but Michelle wants to fit in with the popular crowd. When Michelle’s parents send her to a Taiwanese American summer camp with her sister, it feels like social death, especially since her sister is going and they haven’t gotten along for years. Days of learning language and cultural studies leave Michelle missing her friends at home, but are they really her friends and can she ever be close to Claire again?
I really liked this story of identity and siblings. The story has broad appeal, but may appeal most to immigrant children. The lessons are strong as is the art.
triforce's review
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
totsfions's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was very cute!
mknygard_tn's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I loved the sibling relationship between Claire and Michelle. It felt realistic and the development over the course of the book was engaging. Claire's gradual transition from embarrassment to curiosity to acceptance and pride for her Taiwanese heritage was well-paced and believable. This is an excellent book for anyone student who feels like their heritage makes them stick out or who feels empathy and curiosity about a different cultural tradition.
thenextgenlibrarian's review
fast-paced
4.25
Perfect for fans of Sisters and Be Prepared.
🏕️
Claire and Michelle grew up close, loving to play to with dolls, but as they’ve gotten older one sister has embraced her Taiwanese roots, while the other is trying to distance herself from it. Claire becomes a junior counselor at a Taiwanese American summer camp and Michelle is trying to get into popular restaurants with her friends. When their parents sense a shift between the girls, they end up sending them both to camp where they see things from each other’s perspective.
🏕️
This was a sweet and poignant MG book that will grab readers’ attention with the artwork and relatable storyline. So many kids can relate to sibling rifts. This graphic novel releases April 23!
CW: race issues, microaggressions
🏕️
Claire and Michelle grew up close, loving to play to with dolls, but as they’ve gotten older one sister has embraced her Taiwanese roots, while the other is trying to distance herself from it. Claire becomes a junior counselor at a Taiwanese American summer camp and Michelle is trying to get into popular restaurants with her friends. When their parents sense a shift between the girls, they end up sending them both to camp where they see things from each other’s perspective.
🏕️
This was a sweet and poignant MG book that will grab readers’ attention with the artwork and relatable storyline. So many kids can relate to sibling rifts. This graphic novel releases April 23!
CW: race issues, microaggressions
therearenobadbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved it. So relatable. A tale of two sisters. When they join kindergarten for the first time they have different reactions to prejudice and racism. One denies her culture and tries to fit in following the other children and trying to please them. The other embraces her culture and aims to make real friends. The first has a harder time because she is always stressed not wanting to make a mistake and be an outcast, but soon she will learn the meaning of true friends and family. She joins summer camp with her sister and although she resists it all for a while she finally understands what it feels like to feel at peace and embrace her culture. She even makes an effort to mend things with her sister.
Very sweet story. It's very hard to not fall into that trap of denying our origins to avoid criticism. Even adults struggle with that. The best feeling is when you let go of that fear and embrace who you are and if you have siblings who experience the same then hold on to them with all your might. Family is stronger than bullies.
Thank you netgalley and publisher for this e-ARC.
Very sweet story. It's very hard to not fall into that trap of denying our origins to avoid criticism. Even adults struggle with that. The best feeling is when you let go of that fear and embrace who you are and if you have siblings who experience the same then hold on to them with all your might. Family is stronger than bullies.
Thank you netgalley and publisher for this e-ARC.
julieartz's review
5.0
I was lucky enough to read an early version of this graphic novel and think it's the perfect follow-up to Measuring Up. Set at a summer camp, it deals with a lot of the same themes of cultural identity and fitting in that made Measuring Up so special.
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