Review: Summer camp life
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 8, 2013
Oh my goodness...I missed out on a good thing, summer camp. J. K.. Rock's novella, Camp Kiss, really made me wish I had that opportunity. I've always wanted to go, and reading about Lauren and Seth's story, took me there. The setting was quite vivid, and I could envision the trails, the trip down the rapids, and the camp circle in the evening. I loved watching Lauren and Seth wrangle with their feelings, and how they approached their first kiss. It made my heart pitter patter, because it caused me to think of myself, at that age in a similar situation. This story took me back to those days, and I could see myself in some of the characters. This is a great short story for YA readers. I felt Seth's deeper emotions dealing with trust, and Lauren's awkwardness and insecurity. Working with middle schoolers, I can see the angst most girls feel at Lauren's age, right there on the page. I could picture any one of them in the situations she found herself. The rivalry between teenage girls was quite palpable. I recognized their snarkiness and their meanness, and their desire to help and support their friends as well as felt their fear and anxiety. J. K. Rock's characters could be any of the teens and pre-teens I have worked with. The conflicts they all faced were realistic, and I can't wait to see what happens next. There were many moments when my heart stopped, then sped up; times when I was scared to go on because I found myself lost in the story, as if I was a camper at Camp Juniper Point. I had to take a breath a couple of times, which helped to steady my nerves, and bring me back to reality. I did not want this story to end. J. K. Rock did a great job with this prequel. I am very intrigued by the possibilities of what's to come. Camp Kiss set things up nicely. I enjoyed reading this story, and I look forward to reading Camp Boyfriend when it comes out.