Summer Camps Books

Anyone interested in American military history should have this book. It covers the gap between World Wars I and II and important aspects of the early careers of Marshall and MacArthur. Reagan and Truman both attended the summer military training explained here. Robert Penn Warren wrote his first poem while in CMTC training at Fort Knox. Great blending of military and social history of the 1920s and 1930s.

First of all, this book made me nostalgic for a time before (way before) I was born. It contains fascinating insights into the psyche of the American public, viewed through the lens of the CMTC. This book sheds light on what Americans of all types were actually feeling during the years leading up to World War II. A great history book allows its readers to experience vicariously what life was really like-alongside, and in relation to the subject matter. The author has done a marvelous job in doing so here. Highly recommended.

Between the two World Wars (1921 to 1940), thousands of American males trained at some 50 camps located all over the U.S.and in Puerto Rico. The CMTC program (not to be confused with CCC and other programs of the Depression) was the brainchild of Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing and benefited from the management skills of Douglas MacArthur and George C. Marshall. Two future presidents, Truman and Reagan, participated, and Robert Penn Warren published one of his first poems in the CMTC yearbook at Fort Knox. Two things make this book especially interesting reading. First, it is based in part on questionnaires from CMTC alumni, many of whom used their summertime soldier skills in World War II. Second, the author, a retired Army colonel with a felicitous style, is keenly interested in the social history of the time and leavens his account of life in the camps with anecdotes from the sports, political, and cultural worlds of the era, which provides a view of the simpler America that the trainees lived in. In short, this is military history combined gracefully with Americana. It is, I believe, the only account of a program that should not be forgotten.

The novel is suitable for the ages from 11-15/16. "how to survive Summer camp" is a teenage book, especially for girls. It's good for these ages, because the author wrote about problems which are solved at the end of the story. It's a good example of how to handle problems for teenage-girls.
The story is about Stella, who can't stand the summer camp she has to attend while her mother and her new husband go on honeymoon a lot of exciting things happen, which make the book very good. One of my favourite events from that book is how Stella wants to make friends and be nice, while other girls are treating her badly and giving her names like "BALDY". I like the way she handels it all by herself and without her relatives or any other friends. I also like her ignorance when the other girls annoye her. The book is very exciting and shows a lot of feelings.

Guess what? Stella's mum had just got married, Stella gets dumped at Evergreen. Shes not happy about it!!!
Things get worse! She accidently loses all off her hair, she has to share a Dorm with snobby Karen and Louise who are not nice they are stuck up. Then she has to go Swimming-lessons which she totally hates with Uncle pong! - How can she possibly survive?

I loved the book, "How to Survive Summer Camp". It was original, humorous, and right on the dot with feelings. I love all Jacqueline's books; right now my favourite is "Girls Out Late", which is the 3rd in the "Girls In Love" series for older readers. So, if you love a good book, read this, and all the others. Really! You wont be disappointed.

They was five main characters grandfather Alden, Henry, Jessie, Benny Violet.the grandfather would like to take them places.Henry loves to be the oldest out of the kids and he is a junior counselors.Jessie is another one of the counselor.Benny is a camper just liks Violet.The plot is that they are trying to find out the mystery at the camp and when they had try to figure it out; they did after all.the major events are that the Camp Seagull is on the beautiful Claw Island.Ireally had like this book after all.I'm not such a good reader but I do read when I do because that's is what you have to do.I think it is good but the favorite part I like is when they like the camp.It was complete to me and I believe you like it.the book was easy and is appropiatefor this assignment.

the boxcar children are going to a camp that their grandfather used to go to.but when they get there people there don't like them.and things are missing.can the boxcar children solve the mystery?

The boxcar children are going to a camp,a camp that grandfather used to go to when he was young, but when they get there, things don't look so great, everybody is being mean to them and things start missing. Can the boxcar children solve the mystery.

It just turned into summer vacation and Jessica,Lila,Elizabeth,Dana, and Enid were all at the beach.Elizabeth and Lila were talking about a day camp at Secca Lake.Elizabeth began to think about her boyfriend Todd. Todd was Elizabeths first love.When his father had been transferred to the Varitronics office in Burlington, Vermont, Elizabeth thought she would never care for a boy again.While in Vermont, Todd is on his way home from practice one night when he hears sounds in the back alley. He looks into the darkness and notices an old man getting mugged. Todd rushes to a pay phone and calls the police. He later finds out that the mugger, who was Kevin Holmes, was a basketball star at Todd's school the year before, but had been kicked off for bad behavior. In court, after Todd testifies, Kevin vowes to get even with Todd. Somehow, someway. A few months later, Todd hears the good news that his father has been named President of Varitronics, a computer chip company. Todd and his family move back to California and Todd resumes his relationship with Elizabeth.So after they all end up signing up to be counslers at Secca Lake,all the counslers had to go a few days earlier than the campers. Todd noticed that Kevin was one of the counslers! He didn't believe it.Todd was not worried. He knows that everyone will see how Kevin is and dislike him. But Kevin has changed... or so it seems.Everyone thinks that Kevin is a gift from god. Including Liz and her twin sister, Jessica. All of Todd's friends become buddies with Kevin. But while no one else is around, Kevin continues to threaten Todd. He tells him that if he tells ANYONE about his past, that he'll kill Elizabeth.He has even broken his car windows.But Todd has no where to turn. His parents had fallen for Kevin's acting too. Todd has even offered Kevin a job at Varitronics. And that is when Kevin starts to take over Todd's life. Just like the job as basketball counselor was supposed to be Todd's,it was taken away by Kevin. Then, Kevin invades even more, stealing Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been angry because Todd didn't share anything with her anymore. He kept secrets about kevin that she didn't know about.but he tried to tell her but every time he would try to tell her kevin would butt in. While their relationship was on the rocks, Kevin swooped in ad stole Elizabeth. Muggings began to happen. People were being mugged in Sweet Valley which had never happened before in such a peaceful town. Todd suspects Kevin, but what is he going to do? One night, after an argument with his dad, Todd walks to Secca Lake and notices a fellow counselor being robbed at knife point. Todd leaves after he looks at the muggers face. The next day, Todd convinces himself to go to the police. Once at Secca Lake, he finds that the police are already there. But the police aren't there for Kevin. They are there for Todd. The victim says that she recognized the voice of the attacker. It sounded like someone she worked with. She had never liked Todd and always liked Kevin so she had immediately suspected Todd. While Todd is in jail, Kevin is carrying out the last of his revenge. He will put Todd away like Todd put him away. He will take away the respect of Todd's parents just like Todd took the respect of Kevin's parents away when he put kevin in jail. Lastly, he would take away the person that Todd loved most just like Kevin's brother was taken from him years before. By killing Elizabeth, Kevin will get his final revenge. I couldn't put this book down.There are so many things going on at once.There all kind of emotional dilemmas,relationship problems, love changes,a threatening criminal, a family crisis,and a love conflict. If i had to sum this book into one word it would be........terrific!

When Todd Wilkins moves to Vermont, his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth Wakefield is crushed. While in Vermont, Todd, the school's basketball star is on his way home from practice when night when he hears some sounds in the back alley. He peers into the darkness and notices an old man getting mugged. Todd rushes to a pay phone and calls the cops. Todd later finds out that the mugger, Kevin Holmes, was a basketball star at Todd's school the year before but had been kicked off for bad behavior. In court, after Todd testifies, Kevin vowes to get even with Todd. Somehow, someway. A few months later, Todd hears the good news that his father has been named President of Varitronics a computer chip company. Todd and his family move back to California and Todd resumes his relationship with Elizabeth. Soon, Todd begins recieving phone calls where no one says anything and then hangs up. One day, while he is at the mall with Elizabeth, he spots Kevin Holmes. Thinking that he is imagining things, he leaves immediately. He and Liz had signed up for a summer camp at Secca Lake. They were to be counselors. On the first day on the job, Todd finds out that Kevin works as a counselor there too. Todd is not worried. He knows that everyone will see how Kevin is and dilike him. But Kevin has changed... or so it seems. Suddenly, everyone thinks that Kevin is God's gift to mankind. Including Liz and her twin sister, Jessica. All of Todd's friends become buddies with Kevin. But while no one else is around, Kevin continues to threaten Todd. He tells him that if he tells ANYONE about his past, that he'll kill Elizabeth. But Todd has no where to turn. His parents have fallen for Kevin's acting too. Todd has even offered Kevin a job at Varitronics. And that is when Kevin starts to take over Todd's life. That job was supposed to be Todd's. Just like the job as basketball counselor was supposed to be Todd's but was taken away by Kevin. Then, Kevin invades even more, stealing Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been angry because Todd didn't share anything with her anymore. He kept secrets that she didn't know about. While their relationship was on the rocks, Kevin swoops in to snatch her. Then the muggings begin. People are mugged in Sweet Valley which has never happened before in such a peaceful town. Todd suspects Kevin, but what is he going to do? One night, after an argument with his dad, Todd walks to Secca Lake and notices a fellow counselor being robbed at knife point. Todd leaves after he looks at the muggers face. The next day, Todd convinces himself to go to the police. Once at Secca Lake, he finds that the police are already there. But the police aren't there for Kevin. They are there for Todd. The victim says that she recognized the voice of the attacker. It sounded like someone she worked with. She had never liked Todd and always liked Kevin so she had immediatly suspected him. While Todd is in jail, Kevin is carrying out the last of his revenge. He will put Todd away like Todd put him away. He will take away the respect of Todd's parents just like the respect of Kevin's parents was taken away when he was in jail. And lastly, he would take away the person that Todd loved most just like Kevin's brother was taken from him years before. By killing Elizabeth, Kevin will get his final revenge... This book was in one word.... FANTASTIC! I mean, I couldn't put it down. It is not like any other Sweet Valley High book. Or any other book that I have read. There are so many plots going on at one time but it is so clear and lucid that I am not confused in the least when I read it. There are relationship problems, a threatening criminal, a family crisis, and all kind of emotional dilemmas. I would recommend this book to anyone who has about a four hour time slot to sit and read a book through, because anyone in their right mind, shouldn't be able to put this book down once, in the middle of it. -Nicole

This is a great resource for any summer camp. As a member of a camps central staff I found this book to be an increidable resource for me as well as the many staff members that are workin gat the camp. This book really covers all aspects of summer camps, and sould be used by all to ensure the campers of a great summer.... a must for every camp director.

My first summer at camp was in 1998 and I was really nervous as I did not know what to expect from this new experience. I took this book with me when I went and found it to be an excellent reference in which I used all summer. Three years later, I still work at a summer camp and still find things in this book that are helpful.

This book spoke to me years ago.... when I read it a few months after the loss of my mother. I've bought another copy to give a good friend who lost her mother several weeks ago. I think it will be a comfort to her, as it was to me. It was great, reminding me to celebrate the life of the person without actually saying that.

As a reader who adores the likes of Wendell Berry, I have never minded books where "nothing really happens." L'Engle's second Crosswick's installment here, while circling around the death of her mother, is such a book: a meandering chronicle of a summer where, aside from her mother's death, not much really "happens." The fact that nothing happens is not what made me dislike this book, though, but the delivery which is so absolutely stultifyingly dull, trite, candy-coated and aggravatingly sermonizing and patronizing, certainly was. What a missed opportunity for a writer of obvious talent and skill to have failed to either charm or endear her readers. This book lacks all magic and enchantment; there is not one memorable character aside from the overbearing narrator (and author).

L'Engle fails to realize that some readers actually enjoy pure anecdote and resent being led to conclusions and emotional responses by an over-present author. This title was brought to our book club by someone whose opinion I respect and enjoy, however, I absolutely detested this book.

Having read and loved "A Circle of Quiet" (the first of four in the Crosswicks Journals) I had high hopes for this second volume. Curiously, though, this book made me reconsider continuing with the series. L'engle's accounts of her extended family read like historical revisionism -- does any extended family function as well as she claims? I would think a creative and brilliant group of people probably clash more than this book would suggest.

As with "A Circle of Quiet" there are little gems along the way -- L'engle is a gifted writer, and reading her thoughts is a privledge. Overall, though, I found her style dispassionate and erudite, not what I would have expected from a personal memoir.

I'm a big fan of Madeleine L'Engle's non-fiction (regrettably, I have not yet read any of her fiction); I began with Walking on Water, and then moved on to A Circle of Quiet, from which I arrived here, at The Summer of the Great-Grandmother. There are themes that carry over from Walking and Circle, but for the most part, Summer is a different animal altogether.

Like A Circle of Quiet, the book is autobiographical and takes place at "Crosswicks," the L'Engle/Franklin home in Connecticut. As the title indicates, L'Engle's mother, freshly a great-grandmother, is living with them, and her health and cognitive ability is swiftly declining. Throughout the book--really, like A Circle of Quiet, a collection of journal entries--the author deals with losing the mother that she used to know to senility and incontinence, as well as the effects and ramifications of death.

I've never had anyone close to me die, so I can't relate to this book as much as I could to A Circle of Quiet or Walking on Water, but it's superbly written (L'Engle's words always seem to be alive and breathing), and I imagine that it would be a great comfort to those who are dealing with death.

This is a lovely book that underscores the potential beauty of death as well as our responsiblity to the dying. Madeline writes this book as a tribute to her mother and to her mother's life during the summer that her mother lays dying in Madeline's Crosswicks home. The book has very strong echoes (read repetitive)of A Circle of Quiet and therefore should not be read immediately after reading that one. While I found her story interesting and sometimes fascinating, I did get bogged down in some of her listings of her family tree. But this was overall another lovely book that was thouroughly Madeline

I wasn't to sure when I saw this book on my school's library shelf. I didn't want to read another book with the same type message, the same type of characters, and the same whole plot line. I decided to give it a shot, and I am so glad I did. This book is perfect for teenage girls. All the characters are very captivating, especially the wild Isabel. This story blends just the right amount of humour into it's plot line. I absolutley LOVED this book! One of the better 'finding yourself' books!

I loved this book. It is so captivating and exciting. Once you get started you can't stop reading it until you've finished it, and even then you still want more! The plot is GENIUS! I love the way Galye Friesen keeps adding exciting news all through the book!

I'm not quite sure what drew me to this book, but it was truly, shockingly boring. There were a few good laugh lines, but mostly just female bonding of the bland kind mixed with a smidgen of self-realization.

Really, that can still make for a good book, if the characters are interesting and draw you in their narrative.

This is NOT that book.

"I didn't think it would turn out this way (pg. 217)" This quote from The Isabel Factor the story of two best friends, Anna, the nice girl, and Zoe, the adventurous one, who have never been apart in their lives. They were planning to become CIT's at their favorite camp on a beautiful Canadian Island. This was going to be the best summer ever! "I can barely stand it, not being outside, not being near the water, (pg. 18)" said Zoe just before she breaks her arm and ruins the plan by not coming to camp. Anna is very sad and does not want to go, but is forced by her wild mother. When Anna first walks inside camp, Big Jack, the camp director, is there with a warm hug. Everyone asks where Zoe is and to protect Zoe, Anna has to tell a lie to all her friends and counselors. In her cabin, she meets Isabel, a rainbow- haired girl who has her own opinion about everything. "Keep her in line. Get her to see how important this is (pg. 78)" said the bossy Jennifer, a cabin mate who gave Anna the job to watch Isabel all summer. Surprisingly, they start to become friends. About half way through the summer, Zoe arrives at camp and everyone is excited. Anna hoped Isabel and Zoe would become friends, but that could never happen because of their differences. Anna needs to find out what happened to the Zoe she used to know and how to deal with all her problems at camp.

If one is looking for a book about best friends and camp, would be the book. However, this book is not a fantasy, every detail is realistic. The Isabel Factor is an interesting, fiction book with lots of adventure. It is very exciting with a very surprising and shocking ending. It almost blew me out of my seat! I could barely put the book down because it makes me curious about what would happen next. This is a unique book to read because of its details about the setting. I could picture the modern day Canadian Island because of the description. The Isabel Factor is very different from other books, even books of the same genre. I have never read a book that has as many problems as this one has, but it makes the book exciting and interesting!

This book is highly recommended for teenage girls since they can relate this book to their own lives. It tells teenage girls to be themselves and how to treat friends. Other books similar to this one are The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. While they are both about friendship and have many similarities, the Isabel Factor uses more detail and is more realistic. This is a book I believe a teenage girl would enjoy and is an astounding book to read.

This book is divided into three main sections: one on day camps, one on sleepaway camps, and one on teen tours. The best material is the section on day camps. The rest is mediocre.

As a mom who worked at camp for a few summers, I was surprised to read questions like, "Is there a counselor in the power boat when a camper is water skiing?" Stuff like this is so obvious that it's clear the author never worked at a camp.

The author also claims, "Toilet-papering the girls' (or boys') bunks are harmless tricks that can build unity and comraderie within a group." As the camp I worked at, this could have gotten a kid kicked out.

I'm so glad that I found this book in time! - it helped me make the best decisions for my kids right before I signed them up for camp this summer. Next year, we'll get started even sooner. This book is top-notch, practical, easy to read, and well structured. You can learn everything - from how to evaluate and choose the best short-term day camp in your own neighborhood, to summer-long, transcontinental teen tours. The author has great suggestions, such as hiring someone to sew on all those nametapes! She also handles emotional issues, such as homesickness, and separation anxiety (for parents as well as kids). The checklists are very useful. But it's not all serious business; I laughed and cried when I read campers' fond remembrances and anecdotes, which kicked off every chapter.

A great fast pace zombie fest that will leave the reader wanting to read the third book!