Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe

July 20, 2020
While her boyfriend, Eli, spends the summer traversing Europe with his cousin, NYU first-year Samantha Rosenspan, 19, decides to take a job at “mostly Jewish, and mostly white” Camp Blue Springs, where she was body shamed by mean girls eight years ago. Though she didn’t have a great time as a camper, Sam figures she’ll fare better as a counselor, and as an education major, she needs experience working with kids. Her belief about becoming a great counselor proves true but her attraction to fellow counselor Gavin, who attended camp with her years ago, complicates matters. Innocent flirtation leads to tricky territory as the duo succumb to their passions, despite each having a partner back home. Told from the perspective of a cheater, the novel gives a frank appraisal of the natural consequences of actions, but Mlynowski (I See London, I See France) refrains from passing judgment on characters, leaving readers to decide whether Sam makes the right choices. Mlynowski provides vivid depictions of camp life, and detailed accounts of Sam’s struggles and inner growth make for an entertaining summertime read. Ages 14–up. Agent: Laura Dail, Laura Dail Literary Agency.