Sleepaway Girls

I really enjoyed this book!

I got it free from a Book Divas tweet, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. It took me way back to when I spent 3 days at camp for a 6th grade camping trip, and it made me wish I'd gone to at least one sleep-away camp for a summer. I liked the ending a lot and I'm HOPING, really hoping that a sequel is in the works.

I've always wanted to go to summer camp. It had less to do with the singing and activities and more to do with the fact that I've seen Friday the 13th (1980) one too many times. The closest thing I ever go to summer camp was the time I went to Girl Scout Camp and made my mum come get me because they made me sing. So I almost felt like I could live through his book.

This was a great read! It actually made me sad because I would've loved to do the whole CIT and camp counsellor deals. It was an enjoyable read and I could almost imagine myself right in the middle of Whispering Pines. Although, I'm sure tit being well over 90 here also helped get me into the mood. There were cliches like with (almost) every young adult novel there has to be show more the mean girls and love triangles. Of course the nerdy bookworm had to have an inhaler, camp food fights and teens thinking they're in love by just making eye contact with a guy.

The only real issues I had with the story, is everyone was gaga over Sam's commercial. I get it, I really do, but I would have a hard time thinking that "Hollywood came knocking" after Sam did one commercial that she never truly wanted in the first place. And comparing herself to Jessica Alba was laughable. I know, its only a book, but it still annoys. I also didn't think there was big character development. Most the characters seemed one-dimensional and none truly seemed to grow from their experiences from camp. Or at least, I didn't buy into the growth. It seemed like a cop-out to wrap the book up.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read. Its not perfect, but its still something I would read again. I'm almost ashamed it took me thing long to read the thing. I'm interested in the second book, and I'm hoping my local library has it. show less

Product Details

* Pub. Date: May 2010
* Publisher:Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
* Format: Paperback, 297pp
* Sales Rank: 79,899
* Age Range: Young Adult

* ISBN-13: 9780316017183
* ISBN: 0316017183

Sam decides that she is going to be a CIT (counselor in training) at a sleepaway camp called Whispering Pines because her best friend, the one that she does everything for, has a boyfriend that makes Sam feel like a third wheel. She is at a disadvantage though because she knows no one and everyone else seems to know each other. They have all been to camp before and she is the only new girl. Lucky for her, she finds a few great friends that help her through all of her trials through camp. These speed bumps happen to be from two boys, show more Hunter and Cole, and the camp queen bee, Ashley. This is a fun camp story that includes all of the great things from summer camp: a summer romance, sneaking out, pranks, a bit of rivalry, and many learned lessons.
This was a great quick read that lifted my spirits as I read through it. It reminded me of my few sleepaway camp stories. I’m sure that my friends that were always in summer camp would love it even more than I did. Calonita is always an excellent quick read. She is funny and overly dramatic all at the same time. This is perfect for younger readers that have short attention spans because there are a lot of little conflicts that keep the story always moving.
5/5 stars show less

To me this is a perfect summer fun book! Whipsering Pines is the ultimate camp for friends, flirtations, and finding out more about yourself. Makes my stints at Girl Scout camp look very yawn worthy! While nothing too out of the ordinary or different happens it was a thoroughly enjoyable book for me! It definitely makes me eager to read the author's Secrets of My Hollywood Life series.

I loved all the different parts of the plot, from the cute little campers that were home sick, to the camp director's youngest daughter who made sure camp wasn't easy for Sam, to the cute boys and the Sleepaway Girls videos! All the different parts of the plot blended together to make a summer that most girls dream of. It was just really fun to read!

I show more really liked Sam, though if I was in her shoes I'm sure I would have ratted out Ashley, the camp director's daughter for her antics a lot more often! I also really liked Sam's fellow CIT (counselor in training) Cole, he seemed like a really sweet and playful guy. It was totally cute to see him take care of his little campers, who couldn't fall for this guy! And the Sleepaway Girls, while they all sort of had their "thing" they were known for (Court loves to flirt, Em is shy and likes to read romance novels, and Grace is an athlete) they were a great part of the story. I can't help hope this might turn into a series!

Overall a perfect summer read for teens (or teens at heart) of any age! Slip on your flip flops, grab a lemonade and enjoy! show less

For the first time ever, Sam Montgomery is going to summer camp. Faced with a boring summer at home (her BFF has a boyfriend now) or hanging out in Boca with grandma, it's decided that Sam will attend Whispering Pines camp as a Counselor in Training (CIT). Turns out she the only CIT never to have been at camp before and the testing begins right away. Queen Bee CIT Ashley (and the camp director's daughter) doesn't take to Sam right away, so like in school cliques everywhere, the cabin is divided among Ashley/Sam lines. And of course, the camp is co-ed and hot counselor Hunter is constantly panted after. This was fun read, the Sam and her new friends learn a lot about themselves and each other--they really have created a lasting show more friendship over the summer and I can only hope this will be the first of many summer novels about the Sleepaway Girls. show less

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 director’s daughter, tried to alienate and humiliate Sam at every turn. Shadowed by her hit national commercial, Sam is instantly dubbed a threat to Ashley’s stardom at camp. Camp is turning out harder than she first thought it was going to be. Not to show more mention the hot and lardaceous counselor, Hunter, creating awkward moments. And then there’s Cole. Always joking and sarcastic, yet kind and gentle with his cabin’s kids. Will Sam’s eyes linger on the wrong boy? With three new unique friends by her side, the usually passive Sam knows it’s 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, it’s not a delicacy. Though there are similar books out there, Sleepaway Girls was still all around enjoyable.

Date Reviewed: April 29th, 2009

For more book reviews and book information check out my blog at www.inthecurrent.blogspot.com show less

great chick lit for the tween/teen crowd fast-paced, funny but also dealing with real time issues and it is well-written!