Elissa Brent Weissman

As a former attendee of Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, I could not help but have affection for these nerd campers. Gabe, Wesley, and Nikhil reminded me of the boys who play Magic in my library every day during recess, so of course I adored them. This is a book about what "cool" means, and finding the cool in who you are even if you don't meet society's Coolness Standards -- a pretty common middle grade theme. What takes it a cut above are the wacky camp hijinks, the book's refusal show more to mock the "cool kids" even as Gabe decides not to be one, and a hilarious hairstyling scene with a fresh take on middle school gender performativity. I found it slow to get started, and Gabe's relationship with his stepbrother Zack a little canned, but once the boys settled into their camp routine I couldn't put it down. I look forward to sharing it with my 6th graders! show less

Hadley's mom is a "momfluencer": with the account PhoebeAndJay, she produces content that features the chaos of life as a mom to four, leaning in to the mess and embarrassment. Willow's mom, on the other hand, runs Moonbeams and Marigolds, where everything looks picture-perfect - but that's not reality either. Hadley and Willow meet when their moms are on a panel together, and start a private instagram account called We Are Not Content, where they tell the truth behind the photos and stories show more - but only to each other.

Hadley is starting seventh grade in a new school where she hopes to fly under the radar and NOT be known as the "poop slide" kid (a video from when she was three that haunts her; her mom refuses to take it down). She tells her new friends that her mom is an influencer, but directs them to someone else's account. Willow, for her, part, chooses boxing as an elective at her school, but her mom refuses to feature it on Moonbeams and Marigolds because it's "violent."

Hadley and Willow bond over being in the unique position of their private lives being public against their will, and moms who won't listen to them or respect their wishes, despite claiming to love them so much. (Willow's dad is older and basically a NPC; Hadley's dad is opening a bookstore called DiscoverReads and is absent a lot, preparing for the grand opening.)

When We Are Not Content becomes public - because of course it does - the exposure forces a mother/daughter reckoning in both households.

Quotes

Every now and then, no matter how sure I am that something will be terrible, it ends up being better than expected. I wish I could remember that when I'm worried something will be terrible, but I never do. A positive turn of events surprises me every time. (Hadley, 48)

[Being paid] reminds me that being on PhoebeAndJay is just expected of me, the way kids whose parents don't speak English are expected to translate for them....And I can't question it or complain... (Hadley, 53)

How you don't take pictures for family memories, but for strangers who then comment on your hair and your outfits and your personality. (Hadley, 125)

"Our whole lives are this weird performance for the approval of strangers." (Willow, 165)

"...so I couldn't leave."
That's a lie. She could have left. She chose not to. Same as Hadley. They both had a choice. Neither chose me. (Willow, 231) show less

One of the best books about the Holocaust that I have read in years, and that's saying something. 1) I love Imani's character, and her journey about her adoption/birth parents. 2) I think the thing I responded to so strongly was that the kids in this book are all going to Hebrew school and preparing for their Bar Mitzvahs and they are kind of bored and jaded about their history -- and then Anna's journal makes it all very immediate and real for them (and the readers) -- the impact was huge show more to see the characters react to it sort of reinforced my own reactions. 3) I didn't really think I was going to read this book, but from the moment I opened it, I just couldn't put it down. It's heartbreaking, empowering, thoughtful -- just extremely vivid and packs an emotional punch that makes you want to see where it's going. Spectacular. show less

Oh, how do I describe my love for this book? I'll do my absolute best to touch on all the parts that really made me fall in love, but I can promise you now you'll need to go and pick up a copy of Nerd Camp. The dialogue and adventures are laugh out loud funny, and it's just such a fun read! Where else are you going to find a karaoke battle featuring the countries of the world in alphabetical order? Did I peak your interest? Good, read on!

As young characters go, Gabe and his posse of camp show more buddies are hilariously believable. Weissman gives the readers a camp full of unique and fun personalities. Gabe Gabe loves to make lists. They are a way for him to figure out problems that are bugging him. In fact, he ends up making a list during the book to help with his Zack problem. He lists out "Reasons I Am a Nerd" and "Reasons I Am Not a Nerd" at the beginning of every chapter. What's hilarious, and evident to an older reader, is that every single thing he does during his time at camp falls under both categories! Is there a lesson to be learned here? I think so! Wesley can solve all sorts of problems in his sleep, if you're awake long enough to hear him talk about them. Nikhil was my favorite because he was the character of the bunch who was afraid of everything. Germs, consequences, he reminded me so much of me when I was little!

Lest you think that the reader will be bogged down with lesson though, let me tell you that they are blended seamlessly into this overall story. The humor takes the edge off of Gabe's learning, but he really does figure out a lot. As Gabe goes through his summer time fun, he learns a lot about himself and those around him. He learns to fit in, he learns that he can be pretty "cool" in his own way, and most of all he learns that sometimes those kids out there who think they are cool are really just insecure. Yup. Deep right? Look at all the lessons you can get from one fun and extremely well written book! Did I mention every kid should read this?

Where was this book when I was an elementary aged kid? Really, Nerd Camp is a book that every young kid should give a read. If they happen to be in Gabe's situation, on the line between "cool" and being themselves, they will connect with the book. Yet if they are in Zack's situation, which I can't describe too much without giving away the story, they'll understand that there are varying shades of "cool" out there. Perfect book for any kid! The message is clear, be yourself. If you are a lover of MG writing, or even if you're just looking for something that will make you giggle, give this one a try! The antics of Gabe, Wesley, and Nikhil are something you won't regret taking part in. show less