Sleepaway Girls

Author: Jen Calonita

Pages: 297

Published: 2009; Little, Brown & Company

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Cover Score: A

Overall Grade: A

Ever since Sam Montgomery's best friend got her first boyfriend, Sam's felt totally ignored. Not looking forward to being a third wheel for the summer, Sam applies to be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines, a sleepaway camp in the New York Catskills. But when she arrives at the Pines, it's not all campfires and sing-alongs. Ashley, the queen bee of the camp, has it out for her, being a CIT to a bunch of 6-8 year olds is not as easy as it seems, and flirtatious senior counselor Hunter may ruin Sam's relationship with her friend Cole, who's easy to hang out with and be honest to. Luckily, Sam can depend on her bunkmates and newfound best friends to make the summer special--they call each other the sleepaway girls.

My thoughts: Whether you're going to camp or not, Sleepaway Girls is the perfect summer read. I've always been a fan of Jen Calonita--after I started her first book, Secrets of my Hollywood Life, I couldn't get enough. So when I heard that she was veering away from Hollywood, I had my doubts. Could Sleepaway Girls measure up to her other (amazing) books? Luckily, it was just as good--if not better.

To start, the setting was described perfectly. I felt like I was sitting in the mess hall or lounging on the beach with Sam and her friends the whole time. The events and dialogue were all realistic, and the characters were awesome and well-developed. Cole was so lovable, Sam was so honest and relatable, and Ashley was just evil--I couldn't stand her!!

The book was fast-paced and smooth, and like always, Ms. Calonita kept it light and fun, with a good dose of humor. This book was like eating a s'more--I couldn't get enough! I hope that there are more adventures for Sam and her friends in the future...I want to go back to Whispering Pines soon!

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