The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
	The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based booklist available as an online-only Bulletin feature. Since we're awfully fond of bakers here at the Bulletin, we thought we'd adopt their philosophy of generosity and throw in an extra one or two when we have them to offer--so don't expect an even dozen. Please feel free to copy, download, or link to these lists. We ask only that you cite the source. See the archive for lists from previous months.
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Tasty S'mores and Other People's Snores: A Camping Dozen --selected by Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor Even in the digital age, camping remains a summertime rite of passage. Check out these tales filled with burnt marshmallows, cabin infighting, infectious bug bites, and other such fun.

• Barshaw, Ruth McNally. Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel; written and illus. by Ruth McNally Barshaw. Bloomsbury, 2007. Gr. 3-5
  When she is forced to go camping with her annoying cousins (including Eric, “a nose-picking, booger-slurping, bug-infested parasite”), Ellie documents her horrendous but often hilarious experiences in a secret notebook. (BCCB 9/07)

• Frazee, Marla. A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever; written and illus. by Marla Frazee. Harcourt, 2008. 5-9 yrs
  Best friends James and Eamon head to Eamon’s grandparents’ house on the Florida coast, where they will attend a nature day camp. While the camp is less than a success, the pair still manages to have quite a few adventures, both indoors and out. (BCCB 3/08)
  

• Friesen, Gayle. The Isabel Factor. Kids Can, 2005. Gr. 7-10
  When her best friend Zoe is forced to stay home with a broken arm, Anna must brave the politics of summer camp on her own. Their friendship is further complicated when Anna befriends Isabel, an eccentric outcast, and Zoe shows up to camp, only to join the A-list clique in shunning Anna. (BCCB 10/05)

• George, Kristine O’Connell. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems; illus. by Kate Kiesler. Clarion, 2001. Gr. 3-5
  The essence of summer camping fun is captured in these thirty poems ranging in style from traditional haikus to more free verse. Acrylic illustrations accompany this homage to the outdoors with panoramic landscapes as well as up-close pictures of nature. (BCCB 5/01)

• Howell, Simmone. Everything Beautiful. Bloomsbury, 2008. Gr. 9-12
  Riley’s born-again father decides that the Spirit Ranch Holiday Camp is the perfect place to reform his atheist daughter’s wild ways. With an irreverent voice and biting wit, Riley manages to shake up the camp’s conventions as she narrates her journey towards growth and enlightenment. (BCCB 1/09)

• Johnson, Harriet McBryde. Accidents of Nature. Holt, 2006. Gr. 7-12
  Despite the physical limitations imposed by cerebral palsy, seventeen year old Jean has managed to fit into an able-bodied world. When she attends a summer camp designated for people with disabilities, however, she is forced redefine what she thinks is fair and normal. (BCCB 6/06)

• Larson, Hope. Chiggers. Atheneum Books, 2008. Gr. 5-9
  A variety of summer camp escapades are chronicled in this graphic novel featuring returning camper Abby and her friends. Things don’t go so well when two of Abby’s friends, Zoë and Beth, gang up on newcomer Shasta due to her very imaginative and somewhat unrealistic stories of home. (BCCB 7/08)

• Lasky, Kathryn. Lucille Camps In; illus. by Marylin Hafner. Knopf, 2003. 3-6 yrs
  Lucille is left behind when her father takes her siblings camping because she’s a bit too young for wilderness fun. After throwing quite the tantrum, Lucille decides there’s plenty of adventure to be found indoors and sets up camp in the living room. (BCCB 7/03)

• Look, Lenore. Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping. Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters. Schwartz and Wade, 2009. Gr. 2-4
  When dad suggests a family camping trip, Alvin Ho responds with a long list of fears ("I am afraid of everything, especially the woods—they are full of trees."). However, with the help of carefully selected Internet purchases, as well as some sage advice from Uncle Dennis, his anxieties begin to subside. (BCCB 9/09)

• O’Dell, Kathleen. Agnes Parker… Happy Camper? Illus. by Charise Merick Harper. Dial, 2005. Gr. 4-7
  Seventh-graders Agnes and best friend Prejean are thrilled to arrive at science camp, until they discover that they have been assigned to different cabins. As the two girls form separate friendships and have different experiences, they begin to question the reasons for their formerly close relationship. (BCCB 4/05)

• Petersen, P.J. Wild River. Delacorte, 2009. Gr. 3-6
  Avid gamer Ryan prefers his adventures to be based in the virtual world, not the realm of kayaks and sleeping bags. When his older brother talks him into an overnight camping trip, however, his survival skills are put to the test in this excellent choice for reluctant readers. (BCCB 9/09)

• Wallace, Rich. Sports Camp. Knopf, 2010. Gr. 5-7
  Two weeks of softball, basketball, and water polo await eleven-year-old Riley in this delightful blend of traditional camp experiences, including cabin rivalries and ghost stories, with the high action drama of various sports showdowns. (BCCB 5/10)
  
  
  
  
  

This page was last updated on August 1, 2010.