{"id":9272,"date":"2024-07-15T09:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T13:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=9272"},"modified":"2025-03-10T15:28:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T19:28:44","slug":"books-about-sleepaway-camp-for-tweens-and-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/books-about-sleepaway-camp-for-tweens-and-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"Campfires, Crushes, and Letters Home: Books About Sleepaway Camp for Tweens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sleepaway camp is rife with coming-of-age moments. Whether you went to one or not, there\u2019s something about camp \u2014 maybe it\u2019s the late nights or the fact that it\u2019s so many tweens’ first time away from home \u2014 that feels like a rite of passage. Even kids who\u2019ve never been to sleepaway camp can enjoy the spirit of it through these middle grade stories.<\/p>\n

no no 9780593425237 Summer Vamp<\/i> by Violet Chan Karim <\/p>\n

When Maya learns she is heading to culinary camp, she\u2019s not exactly thrilled \u2014 but it could be worse. She likes cooking, after all. However, things take a turn for the weird when she discovers her parents accidentally sent her to vampire camp! This hilarious and scary-cute graphic novel is perfect for kids interested in reading a quirky sleepaway camp story.<\/p>\n

9780440239932 Sports Camp<\/i> by Rich Wallace <\/p>\n

Riley is nervous about being the littlest kid at his sports camp. To add to the pressure, each cabin is aiming to snag the Big Joe Trophy, and Riley\u2019s worried he\u2019ll let his cabin down. But, he begins to learn that being small doesn\u2019t always mean you\u2019re not as strong. Late-night campfires, ghost stories, sports competitions, budding male friendships, and tween antics abound in this tale about a boy\u2019s first time at sleepaway camp.<\/p>\n

9781524701314 Holler of the Fireflies <\/i> by David Barclay Moore <\/p>\n

This thought-provoking novel about a Brooklyn tween attending a STEM camp in Appalachia asks big questions and explores timely issues. Between math and engineering lessons, Javari learns about racism, gentrification, sexual identity, and class. Javari and his new friend Cricket have an unforgettable and life-changing camp experience.<\/p>\n

9780593308950 Ham Helsing #2: Monster Hunter <\/i> by Rich Moyer <\/p>\n

When Ham Helsing and his friends arrive at Camp Fish Head Lake, they expect a fun and monster-free week. Instead, they find an unpleasant surprise \u2014 no camp staff, plenty of monsters, vanishing campers, and upset parents. Graphic novel lovers will enjoy this hilarious sleepaway camp installment in the Ham Helsing series!<\/p>\n

9781368100823 Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief The Graphic Novel <\/i> by Rick Riordan <\/p>\n

Head to Camp Half-Blood with Percy Jackson in this graphic novel adaptation of the popular book. Readers will follow Percy\u2019s adventures while he attends camp, fights monsters, and challenges the gods. The action-packed, full-color illustrations make this adaptation a must-read for new and seasoned fans alike.<\/p>\n

9780375863950 Cheesie Mack Is Cool in a Duel<\/i> by Steve Cotler, illustrated by Adam McCauley <\/p>\n

Cheesie and Georgie are stoked to head to their summer camp in Maine this summer \u2026 that is, until they find out they\u2019ll be bunking with campers who are two whole years older than them and who don\u2019t treat the younger kids nicely. Then Cheesie puts everything on the line by challenging Kevin, the biggest bully of the group, to a \u201cCool Duel.\u201d Written as Cheesie\u2019s diary entries, this installment of the Cheesie Mack<\/a> series is a fun romp for middle grade readers.<\/p>\n

9780593125519 Sink or Swim <\/i> by Veronica Agarwal and Lee Durfey-Lavoie <\/p>\n

You won\u2019t find any monsters in this book, but young readers will love this gentle story about a boy finding his place. When Ty broke his arm, he had to quit swimming. As he heads to summer camp with his friends, anxiety about his softer body and waning swimming abilities rise to the surface. This book is another heartfelt story from the creators of Just Roll With It<\/a><\/i>. <\/p>\n

9780593119334 Witches of Brooklyn: S\u2019More Magic<\/i> by Sophie Escabasse <\/p>\n

Your favorite magic-wielding witch from Brooklyn heads to summer camp in this installment of the popular graphic novel series. Effie leaves the city and ventures into the woods to battle mosquitoes, make new friends, and learn new spells. Series fans and camping enthusiasts will love this book!<\/p>\n

9780593111314 Summer at Squee <\/i> by Andrea Wang <\/p>\n

As a senior camper at her summer Chinese culture camp, Phoenny can\u2019t wait to welcome the newest campers and show them the ropes. However, Phoenny\u2019s plans go awry when she discovers that many campers are adoptees and do not share her background or enthusiasm. This coming-of-age novel tackles timely themes such as community, inclusion, first crushes, and heritage.<\/p>\n

9780593301807 Genius Camp: The Smartest Kid in the Universe, Book 2 <\/i> by Chris Grabenstein <\/p>\n

Jake must defend his title as The Smartest Kid in the Universe while attending genius camp this summer. The high-tech camp has everything a tech-obsessed kid could wish for, including the smartest machine in the universe \u2014 which Jake must compete against. Humor, puzzles, and action make this an excellent choice for kids who love Mr. Lemoncello\u2019s Library series. <\/p>\n

9781426373022 Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: The Law of Cavities (Book 3) <\/i> by Valerie Tripp <\/p>\n

Izzy and her science-loving friends head into nature for an overnight outdoor education camp. Mean girls, pranks, and a swamp monster have girls using their science smarts to survive the outdoors and save the day.<\/p>\n

9780525553243 To Night Owl From Dogfish<\/i> by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer <\/p>\n

This epistolary novel is like a warm hug to tweens everywhere. When their dads fall in love, Avery and Bett find their worlds turned upside down. Now, they\u2019re stuck at a sleepaway camp together and bond over searching for clues in their parents\u2019 relationship. This heartfelt and humorous novel has many surprises in store for young readers.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2024.<\/i><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sleepaway camp is rife with coming-of-age moments. These middle grade novels capture the excitements, nerves, crushes, and memories of summer camp. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":9276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[94,826,927],"coauthors":[14],"class_list":["post-9272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-growing-up","tag-summer","tag-coming-of-age","ages_stages-tween"],"yoast_head":"\nBooks About Sleepaway Summer Camp for Tweens | Brightly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sleepaway camp is rife with coming-of-age moments. 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