Sleepaway Girls

Reader reviewed by Dave

If you've ever been fortunate enough to experience life in the "camp bubble", you know how drama-packed life at a sleepaway summer camp can be.  In Sleepaway Girls, Samantha Montgomery, accepted/hired as a first time C.I.T., or counselor-in-training, at a summer camp in upstate New York called Whispering Pines, finds out first hand.  

Reader reviewed by Hillary

When Sam's best friend gets her first boyfriend, going off to summer
camp is the only way to escape being the third wheel. So she applies to
be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines camp. But this isn't
going to be all s'mores and sleepovers. Not only is Ashley, the most
popular girl at camp, out to get her but Cole, another CIT, keeps
teasing her about her crush on the hot and unattainable counselor,
Hunter. But at least she has her bunk. They all become quick friends
and form a secret group called the Sleepaway Girls to make the summer
more memorable.

This book was pretty much the summer camp
experience I have never had. The book was filled with familiar brands,
such as American Eagle and Puma, which helped to make the characters
more relatable. Also, references to the Jonas Brothers and Disney
channel movies made me laugh. Although it did seem to be kind of
similar to the Lindsey Lohan Parent Trap movie in many ways, the great
friends and Sam's great personality made it bearable, and even
enjoyable. Also, this seemed like a much more relatable and updated
version of it, but more focused on the camp experience. I think it will
really appeal to teen girls.

Jen Calonita's writing made it feel
as if I were experiencing the brutal heat and the rush of sneaking out
late at night. I feel like it was a real place from the way that it was
described. I am going to miss Sam and her new friends. It was something
I could really get caught up in. When everything started to happen, I
found myself staying up late a night just to finish it. I didn't want
to stop, and I do not believe I could have if I wanted to. Now, Im
dying to read Jen Calonitas other books. It is something I would
recommend to all my friends as a nice summery book to read. Girls
twelve years old and up would love it. Some things about it were a
little predictable, but overall it was a great story that any girl
could enjoy!

Reader reviewed by TheBookworm

All Around Enjoyable

Sleepaway Girls
By Jen Calonita
Pub. Date: May 2009
4.5 out of 5 stars
PG - Fine for all ages, but will appeal more to teens
Recommended

How does spending the summer with your best friend and her boyfriend making kissy noises around you, the third wheel, sound? Um& no thanks! Sam takes a bold step and applies to be a Counselor-in-Training at Whispering Pines, a summer camp, two hours away from home. Though she is accepted, not everyone is welcoming. Ashley, the camp directors daughter, tried to alienate and humiliate Sam at every turn. Shadowed by her hit national commercial, Sam is instantly dubbed a threat to Ashleys stardom at camp. Camp is turning out harder than she first thought it was going to be. Not to mention the hot and lardaceous counselor, Hunter, creating awkward moments. And then theres Cole. Always joking and sarcastic, yet kind and gentle with his cabins kids. Will Sams eyes linger on the wrong boy? With three new unique friends by her side, the usually passive Sam knows its time to stand on her own two feet and take matters into her own hands. But will Sam learn to use her voice?

Sleepaway Girls was a lighthearted read perfect for summer reading. It had amiable characters, a respectable timeline, a benign plot, refreshing dialogue, and a pleasant wrap-up. The only con is its familiarity. It lacked a unique taste that would have separated it from other appetizers. Sadly, its not a delicacy. Though there are similar books out there, Sleepaway Girls was still all around enjoyable.

Date Reviewed: April 29th, 2009

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