Slept Away

August 1, 2009
Gr 8-10-Fifteen-year-old Laney has plenty to complain about, but readers will tire of her whining and foul language long before the end of her six weeks at a truly abominable summer camp. She starts out as a Manhattan diva with friends who drink too much, then displays the interests of a tween. Jonas Brothers, Disney TV-movies, and a blankie? Her three nasty bunkmatesAiden, Aidan, and Haydenwear shorts with suggestive words across their butts, and her cabin leader is a perky pest. Her other bunk mate, Sylvie, who is slightly more rounded, becomes her best friend. Despite camp rules that keep girls and boys separate except for special events, Laney decides to get Sylvie a boyfriend. She finds herself falling for Ryan, a guy she's secretly liked but who is an outcast from her cool crowd in New York. Here in the Poconos, he passes for the hottest thing at camp. To the author's credit, camp activities never improve for Laney but having two friends makes all the difference. That touch of realism and some funny lines and situations are not enough to make up for the unbelievable plot and lack of character development."Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
Grades 7-10 Fifteen-year-old Laneys privileged Park Avenue world comes undone when her mother sends her bred-in-the-bone Manhattanite daughter to a rustic camp in the Pennsylvania boonies. The Gossip Girllite meets Green Acres premiseworks as Laney deals with her new status as urban outcast. Eventually, she notices another outsider appreciating her sarcastic asides, and some life lessons, as well as friendship, are just around the cabin corner. A dollop of romance with a boy Laney knew in New York also has its satisfactions. Although the pop-culture references will date the novel fast, for the present it offers quick, humorous escapism.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)