Little Camp of Horrors

pendent (life pod), but not finding it anywhere...and what should happen? Well, just as Max thinks he's gotten out of going to summer camp (at Camp Snake Lake no less) with his obnoxious brother Colin, he suddenly finds himself desperate to get there. Why? Because on his way out of the house, Colin shows Max that he's had the pendent all along. It's not long after that two of Phears henchmen show up and threaten Max and his brother...and despite his brother's despicable behavior, Max valiantly sets out to get himself to the camp and get the pendent before the ghosts hurt his brother.

This particular volume is chock full of what I really don't like about the ones that came before it. Max is different, but he's not allowed to just be different, he's presented as just shy of abused by his brother, mocked and tormented verbally by his father and not supported by his passive mother. It's typical of characters in books for kids at this age range...but I think that it is possible to make a likable, nerdy, somewhat klutzy character without having to have him be "misunderstood" and abused by those around him, this plays into a message about older kids and adults that really isn't' healthy. This issue aside, the series is pretty good (not great, but yea...it's pretty good). I was pleased to see that in Little Camp of Horrors, Max is finally coming into his own, speaking up for himself and taking a stand!

Girl really likes this series, and while she's not quite old enough to read the Goosebumps series (next year I think), the Mostly Ghostly series seems a bit simpler in plot and style while maintaining the same horror flavor as Stein's other writing, which is what kids at this age find appealing! Girl gives Little Camp of Horrors two thumbs up and I'm inclined to agree! We're looking forward to seeing what comes out of all of this! ( )