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Unhappy Camper
From the acclaimed creators of Measuring Up, author Lily LaMotte and illustrators Ann Xu and Sunmi, comes a graphic novel about two sisters—one who embraces her Taiwanese culture and one eager to do away with it—who rebuild their bond at a Taiwanese American summer camp. Perfect for fans of Be Prepared and Sisters, this is a heartwarming story about the importance of being true to yourself.
Would you rather blend in or stand out? Claire and Michelle used to be best friends, but now the two sisters couldn’t be more different. Michelle will do anything to fit in, even if it means denying her Taiwanese culture, whereas Claire is proud of who she is. So much so that she decides to become a junior counselor at a Taiwanese American summer camp.
Sensing a rift between the two, their parents decide to send them both off to camp, much to Michelle’s dismay. As summer continues, both sisters learn more about their culture and each other. But Michelle must eventually decide to either embrace her culture and family or assimilate into the popular group at school. Which will she choose?
Would you rather blend in or stand out? Claire and Michelle used to be best friends, but now the two sisters couldn’t be more different. Michelle will do anything to fit in, even if it means denying her Taiwanese culture, whereas Claire is proud of who she is. So much so that she decides to become a junior counselor at a Taiwanese American summer camp.
Sensing a rift between the two, their parents decide to send them both off to camp, much to Michelle’s dismay. As summer continues, both sisters learn more about their culture and each other. But Michelle must eventually decide to either embrace her culture and family or assimilate into the popular group at school. Which will she choose?
208 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 26, 2024
Great middle grades graphic novel that deals with cultural identity, peer pressure, and bullying. Michelle navigates the complexities of family and friendship while also learning to embrace her identity as a Taiwanese American.
My only critique is that I wanted to know a little bit more about Michelle's parents and how they either facilitated or hindered her struggle with identity. They seemed mysterious to me in that I could not tell if they were first, second, third gen immigrants.
Thanks to HarperAlley/Harper Collins Childrens Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
My only critique is that I wanted to know a little bit more about Michelle's parents and how they either facilitated or hindered her struggle with identity. They seemed mysterious to me in that I could not tell if they were first, second, third gen immigrants.
Thanks to HarperAlley/Harper Collins Childrens Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
April 19, 2022
I was lucky enough to read an early version of this graphic novel and think it's the perfect follow-up to Measuring Up. Set at a summer camp, it deals with a lot of the same themes of cultural identity and fitting in that made Measuring Up so special.
January 24, 2024
Michelle and her big sister Claire used to be close, but now they couldn't be further apart. The sisters, who live in Seattle, are Taiwanese American. To Michelle, that's just one more thing that makes her different from the other girls in her class. But Claire is excited about their cultural heritage and loves to attend a cultural summer camp for other Taiwanese American kids - and then come home and brag about the Taiwanese she learns. This summer, their parents decide that since Claire will be a junior camp counselor, its only fair that Michelle get to go to camp too -- the last place she wants to be. Specifically, Michelle wants to spend time with the popular (but kind of mean girls) in her choir in the hopes to become their friend.
This is a solid graphic novel that will have no trouble finding an audience. Fans of Stargazing, Sisters, Be Prepared, or, of course, Sisters will like this book. The pair from Measuring Up deliver another good mix of text and image that explores the feeling of disconnection from cultural identity. I received an arc from NetGalley and did think there were a few spots where the story felt disjointed -- almost like panels were in the wrong spot -- hopefully that will be corrected before a final version.
This is a solid graphic novel that will have no trouble finding an audience. Fans of Stargazing, Sisters, Be Prepared, or, of course, Sisters will like this book. The pair from Measuring Up deliver another good mix of text and image that explores the feeling of disconnection from cultural identity. I received an arc from NetGalley and did think there were a few spots where the story felt disjointed -- almost like panels were in the wrong spot -- hopefully that will be corrected before a final version.
April 19, 2024
I LOVED Measuring Up so was super excited to read this one by the same creators. It's a very different middle grade graphic novel about sisters and cultural identity and friendship. Claire and Michelle are sisters, Claire only a little older than Michelle. While Claire embraces her Taiwanese American heritage, Claire would rather ignore it so she can fit in better with the 'it' girls—who are all wealthy and white. When Claire becomes a camp counselor for a Taiwanese culture camp, their parents make Michelle attend the camp, too. Michelle does not want to go. She wants to spend the summer torturing herself by hanging out with the most popular girl in choir. But she has little choice. At camp, she learns about how to speak Taiwanese, draw calligraphy, and sing. As the weeks go by, she finds herself enjoying camp despite her reservations, but a mean thing she did to her sister at the beginning comes back to bite her.
I found the friend drama really stressful! Ugh. It's amazing how many decades can pass since I was in middle school and I still find bullying and gaslighting triggering.
I found the friend drama really stressful! Ugh. It's amazing how many decades can pass since I was in middle school and I still find bullying and gaslighting triggering.
May 7, 2024
This was fantastic! I learned so much about Taiwanese culture while also reading a great story about two sisters that lost each other. One wants to fit in with all of the preppy girls at school and the other wants to learn everything about their heritage. Can summer camp bring them back together?
May 11, 2024
This book gets a four star because I really like the part at the end where she stood up for her sister against the "popular kid"
April 11, 2024
I was first drawn in by the comical image of a supremely miserable camper on the cover of this middle grade graphic novel. Michelle and Claire are sisters, and when they were little, they were best friends. But now that they are 8 and 12 years old, Michelle can't stand her big sister. Michelle, who narrates the story, is embarrassed by all things ethnic, and just wants to fit in with the mostly white cadre of slightly mean girls she aspires to be part of. Her sister is all about their Taiwanese cultural heritage. In fact, Claire is totally thrilled to be returning to a cultural camp as a junior counselor this summer. Michelle plans to spend the summer preparing for the end of summer bash one of her friends plans to have. When Michelle is made to go to the same camp as Claire, it feels like the end of the world: hanging with her uncool sister and doing stupid cultural things.
As you might expect, the sisters do find common ground at camp, and Michelle actually enjoys learning to kayak, sing Taiwanese songs, do calligraphy, and get to know other kids in a place where "everyone looks like me!" There's a terrible falling out when, in an effort to seem cool, Michelle posts a derisive picture of Claire on social media to seem cool. Readers are kept guessing whether the sisters will ever work that out. Even though the dramatic arc is somewhat predictable, I really enjoyed watching the dance of the siblings as they were able to bond over their shared background. LaMotte reminds the reader of their youthful closeness by occasional flashbacks, in a pink/red palette, which is easy to differentiate from the full color art of the main narrative. There are fun details like a caret symbol indicating which speech is in Taiwanese, and occasional tiny head images that indicate what a character is thinking apart from the dialogue. It's sometimes painful to see Michelle kowtowing to the white girls in an effort to fit in, and I hope that reading this will help middle schoolers realize that finding your true friends is so much easier when you are able to just be yourself.
As you might expect, the sisters do find common ground at camp, and Michelle actually enjoys learning to kayak, sing Taiwanese songs, do calligraphy, and get to know other kids in a place where "everyone looks like me!" There's a terrible falling out when, in an effort to seem cool, Michelle posts a derisive picture of Claire on social media to seem cool. Readers are kept guessing whether the sisters will ever work that out. Even though the dramatic arc is somewhat predictable, I really enjoyed watching the dance of the siblings as they were able to bond over their shared background. LaMotte reminds the reader of their youthful closeness by occasional flashbacks, in a pink/red palette, which is easy to differentiate from the full color art of the main narrative. There are fun details like a caret symbol indicating which speech is in Taiwanese, and occasional tiny head images that indicate what a character is thinking apart from the dialogue. It's sometimes painful to see Michelle kowtowing to the white girls in an effort to fit in, and I hope that reading this will help middle schoolers realize that finding your true friends is so much easier when you are able to just be yourself.
May 3, 2024
The story advances the trope of lived experience and enlightenment through critical race consciousness. It's hard to tell if this is intentional or a cultural meme absorbed by the author's proximity to those circles.
This book could have developed the entire story within second generation Tawainese immigrants and inner family dynamics without the use of the blonde haired mean-girl you find in most young girl marketed material (movies, tv, books, ect) since the 80s.
As warned by Gregory Stanton and others, the first stages to ethnic conflict is caused by classification of identity and highlighting the divide. I do not see any transcendence of the 'identities' to a higher good. It ends with people that look a-like segregating themselves by physical markers. America has a place for pluralistic world, but I don't see the book highlighting it in a manner that I think is positive.
Instead of learning how to deal with bad friends and finding better friends, my child came away thinking people should be separated by hyphenated identities and they need to find their ‘people’ away from the community they live in.
A person is no longer a friend but an ‘identity’-friend.
French ‘camp’ shows kids doing Les miserables, which is not French tradition but a political movement. The book does the same generalization that it accuses of American children.
Character doesn’t want to try a new food and accused of ‘being one of THOSE PEOPLE that don't like to try new things'. Replace 'things' with 'food' and i wouldn't have had any concern. Yes, it makes a difference in being careful what you put into kids heads.
All kids go through life with bad kids, some of those kids grow out of their selfish and envious ways.
I don't recall this in the original author's book and will have to get it off the shelf and see if I missed it. Otherwise, I'm hopeful that this was not intentional by the author but more of a reflection of the media propaganda having a bad influence.
This book could have developed the entire story within second generation Tawainese immigrants and inner family dynamics without the use of the blonde haired mean-girl you find in most young girl marketed material (movies, tv, books, ect) since the 80s.
As warned by Gregory Stanton and others, the first stages to ethnic conflict is caused by classification of identity and highlighting the divide. I do not see any transcendence of the 'identities' to a higher good. It ends with people that look a-like segregating themselves by physical markers. America has a place for pluralistic world, but I don't see the book highlighting it in a manner that I think is positive.
Instead of learning how to deal with bad friends and finding better friends, my child came away thinking people should be separated by hyphenated identities and they need to find their ‘people’ away from the community they live in.
A person is no longer a friend but an ‘identity’-friend.
French ‘camp’ shows kids doing Les miserables, which is not French tradition but a political movement. The book does the same generalization that it accuses of American children.
Character doesn’t want to try a new food and accused of ‘being one of THOSE PEOPLE that don't like to try new things'. Replace 'things' with 'food' and i wouldn't have had any concern. Yes, it makes a difference in being careful what you put into kids heads.
All kids go through life with bad kids, some of those kids grow out of their selfish and envious ways.
I don't recall this in the original author's book and will have to get it off the shelf and see if I missed it. Otherwise, I'm hopeful that this was not intentional by the author but more of a reflection of the media propaganda having a bad influence.
May 8, 2024
I've been a fan of LaMotte since "Measuring Up," so I was thrilled when this new book was released!
At first, the summer camp in the story dampens the main character's spirits, but it soon transforms into my ideal summer getaway.
In "Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood," Lisa Damour explores the dynamics of cliques and girl gangs. I'd say here in this book, Jess is just the influential queen bee who stifles other voices within the group.
As Claire questions the group's behavior and Michelle struggles to assert herself in front of Jess, tensions rise, leading to a pivotal moment that challenges their relationships and identities.
The story beautifully unfolds at the camp, revealing the growth and support among the girls as they navigate challenges, learn from each other, and discover the true essence of friendship.
With a unique blend of Taiwanese language and culture, this book offers a delightful experience for both children and parents, showcasing the joys of summer camp and the richness of cultural exploration.
I enjoy reading this book as it inspires thoughts on relationship between culture (parent/child, older simbling/ younger sibling, major culture/minor culture, and more). I'd love to see what other topics LaMotte will unfurl.
At first, the summer camp in the story dampens the main character's spirits, but it soon transforms into my ideal summer getaway.
In "Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood," Lisa Damour explores the dynamics of cliques and girl gangs. I'd say here in this book, Jess is just the influential queen bee who stifles other voices within the group.
As Claire questions the group's behavior and Michelle struggles to assert herself in front of Jess, tensions rise, leading to a pivotal moment that challenges their relationships and identities.
The story beautifully unfolds at the camp, revealing the growth and support among the girls as they navigate challenges, learn from each other, and discover the true essence of friendship.
With a unique blend of Taiwanese language and culture, this book offers a delightful experience for both children and parents, showcasing the joys of summer camp and the richness of cultural exploration.
I enjoy reading this book as it inspires thoughts on relationship between culture (parent/child, older simbling/ younger sibling, major culture/minor culture, and more). I'd love to see what other topics LaMotte will unfurl.
May 7, 2024
First sentence: Claire and I had many daring adventures with our dolls.
Premise/plot: Michelle (our narrator) and Claire (her older sister) are at odds in Unhappy Camper. Michelle wants to blend in--fit in, be liked, be popular--with her friend group and peers. Claire wants to be true to herself and express her most true self--which in this case means embracing her Taiwanese culture a thousand percent. Claire has gone many years to a Taiwanese-American summer camp. Michelle has never once wanted to go. This year her parents have decided she HAS to go. They hope these two sisters will learn to get along better and become greater friends. Michelle, meanwhile, spends a good deal of time worrying about her friends back home. Her friends seem to pity her for having to go to this "weird" "awful" camp. [That's the impression I got.] What will Michelle learn about herself? her sister? her friends?
My thoughts: Graphic novels are not my go-to choice at the library. But I always try to read a few per year. This graphic novel is a coming of age novel that deals with relationships--the relationship between two sisters, the relationship(s) with friends. Michelle is building towards an "aha" moment where she realizes that her friends may not be true friends that truly care about her.
Premise/plot: Michelle (our narrator) and Claire (her older sister) are at odds in Unhappy Camper. Michelle wants to blend in--fit in, be liked, be popular--with her friend group and peers. Claire wants to be true to herself and express her most true self--which in this case means embracing her Taiwanese culture a thousand percent. Claire has gone many years to a Taiwanese-American summer camp. Michelle has never once wanted to go. This year her parents have decided she HAS to go. They hope these two sisters will learn to get along better and become greater friends. Michelle, meanwhile, spends a good deal of time worrying about her friends back home. Her friends seem to pity her for having to go to this "weird" "awful" camp. [That's the impression I got.] What will Michelle learn about herself? her sister? her friends?
My thoughts: Graphic novels are not my go-to choice at the library. But I always try to read a few per year. This graphic novel is a coming of age novel that deals with relationships--the relationship between two sisters, the relationship(s) with friends. Michelle is building towards an "aha" moment where she realizes that her friends may not be true friends that truly care about her.
February 19, 2024
Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me a copy of "Unhappy Camper" through Netgalley!
I really enjoyed Lily LaMotte's other graphic novel, "Measuring Up", so I was excited to get a chance to read her newest.
The themes of sisterhood, and its ups and downs, as well as staying true to yourself, are some I think that many readers will be able to relate to. Michelle will do anything to fit in with the "it" girls at her school and grade, even if it means denying her Taiwanese culture and heritage. At Taiwanese summer camp, Michelle learns to love her heritage, and learns to embrace her culture more and more.
"Unhappy Camper" is a spectacular graphic novel that shows the power of owning and loving your true self, and what it means to assimilate into what others think you need to do to fit in and be popular. Middle School especially is a time of ups and downs, where everyone is trying to figure out who they are, and what makes them unique. I am sure readers who are in Middle Grade will find themes and parts of Claire and Michelle's stories within this graphic novel that they can relate to.
I really enjoyed Lily LaMotte's other graphic novel, "Measuring Up", so I was excited to get a chance to read her newest.
The themes of sisterhood, and its ups and downs, as well as staying true to yourself, are some I think that many readers will be able to relate to. Michelle will do anything to fit in with the "it" girls at her school and grade, even if it means denying her Taiwanese culture and heritage. At Taiwanese summer camp, Michelle learns to love her heritage, and learns to embrace her culture more and more.
"Unhappy Camper" is a spectacular graphic novel that shows the power of owning and loving your true self, and what it means to assimilate into what others think you need to do to fit in and be popular. Middle School especially is a time of ups and downs, where everyone is trying to figure out who they are, and what makes them unique. I am sure readers who are in Middle Grade will find themes and parts of Claire and Michelle's stories within this graphic novel that they can relate to.
December 1, 2023
A amazing story about a young girl's journey learning to embrace her Taiwanese culture and rebuild a relationship with her sister. This was such a beautiful read and it really touches on the feelings we have when we try to fit in but also struggle to embrace in with our own culture and the new culture we are trying to assimilate into. Being a person of color who grew up in American society, it was a constant juggle between understanding my own culture and the American culture, and this book perfectly captures the difficulties young people can go through. Claire and Michelle are two sisters who used to be best friends, but when Michelle denies her Taiwanese culture to try and fit in while her sister Claire embraces it, they begin to drift apart. Yet when they both are sent to Taiwanese American summer camp, they'll both have to face the reason why they drifted apart. It's a great read and I would definitely recommend it!
*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperAlley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperAlley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
January 4, 2024
Loved it. So relatable. A tale of two sisters. When they join kindergarten for the first time they have different reactions to prejudice and racism. One denies her culture and tries to fit in following the other children and trying to please them. The other embraces her culture and aims to make real friends. The first has a harder time because she is always stressed not wanting to make a mistake and be an outcast, but soon she will learn the meaning of true friends and family. She joins summer camp with her sister and although she resists it all for a while she finally understands what it feels like to feel at peace and embrace her culture. She even makes an effort to mend things with her sister.
Very sweet story. It's very hard to not fall into that trap of denying our origins to avoid criticism. Even adults struggle with that. The best feeling is when you let go of that fear and embrace who you are and if you have siblings who experience the same then hold on to them with all your might. Family is stronger than bullies.
Thank you netgalleu and publisher for this e-ARC.
Very sweet story. It's very hard to not fall into that trap of denying our origins to avoid criticism. Even adults struggle with that. The best feeling is when you let go of that fear and embrace who you are and if you have siblings who experience the same then hold on to them with all your might. Family is stronger than bullies.
Thank you netgalleu and publisher for this e-ARC.
December 15, 2023
Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
LaMotte introduces readers to two sisters who have chosen to take different approaches to their heritage. One does her best to assimilate in US culture while her older sister chooses to explore her Taiwanese heritage. Readers meet them as young children and see what happened to start their divergent paths. When their parents decide to send Michelle to Taiwanese Culture camp along with her sister, Claire, tensions rise and Michelle opens up to more than just blending in the background. I appreciate the realistic look at this sibling relationship. I also think LaMotte captured a wide variety of outlooks on moving to new locations and figuring out what is right for yourself. The artwork captures the emotions while also showing the background clearly. A definite addition to middle grade libraries.
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
LaMotte introduces readers to two sisters who have chosen to take different approaches to their heritage. One does her best to assimilate in US culture while her older sister chooses to explore her Taiwanese heritage. Readers meet them as young children and see what happened to start their divergent paths. When their parents decide to send Michelle to Taiwanese Culture camp along with her sister, Claire, tensions rise and Michelle opens up to more than just blending in the background. I appreciate the realistic look at this sibling relationship. I also think LaMotte captured a wide variety of outlooks on moving to new locations and figuring out what is right for yourself. The artwork captures the emotions while also showing the background clearly. A definite addition to middle grade libraries.
April 20, 2024
Michelle and Claire are sisters with different views on their Taiwanese heritage. Claire is thrilled to be a junior counselor at the Taiwanese American summer camp she has been loving for years. Their parents decide to send Michelle this year while she is counting down the days until her friend Jess has a summer party. At first Michelle considers camp an obstacle to get through before the party. Meanwhile big sister Claire is excelling as a counselor. Can Michelle learn to appreciate her heritage? How will that affect her friendship with Jess and the crew? Love the sister vibes and the way the focus of a camp can change your outlook in a relatively small amount of time. There is a Taiwanese song called 'Northwest Rain' featured in the book. I found the cutest video of a toddler named Kaysi singing the song on Youtube. Adorable!
Thank you to HarperAlley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to HarperAlley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2024
‘Unhappy Camper’ by Lily LaMotte with art by Ann Xu and Sunmi is a graphic novel about a young girl trying to fit in to her new culture and the embarrassment her old culture causes her.
Michelle and Claire are Taiwanese sisters living in Seattle. Claire is proud of who she is, but Michelle wants to fit in with the popular crowd. When Michelle’s parents send her to a Taiwanese American summer camp with her sister, it feels like social death, especially since her sister is going and they haven’t gotten along for years. Days of learning language and cultural studies leave Michelle missing her friends at home, but are they really her friends and can she ever be close to Claire again?
I really liked this story of identity and siblings. The story has broad appeal, but may appeal most to immigrant children. The lessons are strong as is the art.
Michelle and Claire are Taiwanese sisters living in Seattle. Claire is proud of who she is, but Michelle wants to fit in with the popular crowd. When Michelle’s parents send her to a Taiwanese American summer camp with her sister, it feels like social death, especially since her sister is going and they haven’t gotten along for years. Days of learning language and cultural studies leave Michelle missing her friends at home, but are they really her friends and can she ever be close to Claire again?
I really liked this story of identity and siblings. The story has broad appeal, but may appeal most to immigrant children. The lessons are strong as is the art.
April 23, 2024
Lily LaMotte packs so much emotion and conflict into her wonderfully illustrated graphic novels. Unhappy Camper is no exception. This is the story of two sisters who feel very different about their Taiwanese heritage. The older sister wants to learn as much as she can about the language and attends a Taiwanese summer camp where she will be a counselor. The younger sister wants to assimilate into American culture with the popular kids, even if they are not as accepting as she wants them to be. She is reluctantly sent to Taiwanese summer camp, and through new friendships and experience that stretch her skills, she begins to see what is really important to her, and who her true friends are. I love that this book is so relatable for any child no matter their culture, and the growth that both girls experience is so positive. This was such a fun graphic novel to read!
January 14, 2024
Perfect for fans of Sisters and Be Prepared.
🏕️
Claire and Michelle grew up close, loving to play to with dolls, but as they’ve gotten older one sister has embraced her Taiwanese roots, while the other is trying to distance herself from it. Claire becomes a junior counselor at a Taiwanese American summer camp and Michelle is trying to get into popular restaurants with her friends. When their parents sense a shift between the girls, they end up sending them both to camp where they see things from each other’s perspective.
🏕️
This was a sweet and poignant MG book that will grab readers’ attention with the artwork and relatable storyline. So many kids can relate to sibling rifts. This graphic novel releases April 23!
CW: race issues, microaggressions
🏕️
Claire and Michelle grew up close, loving to play to with dolls, but as they’ve gotten older one sister has embraced her Taiwanese roots, while the other is trying to distance herself from it. Claire becomes a junior counselor at a Taiwanese American summer camp and Michelle is trying to get into popular restaurants with her friends. When their parents sense a shift between the girls, they end up sending them both to camp where they see things from each other’s perspective.
🏕️
This was a sweet and poignant MG book that will grab readers’ attention with the artwork and relatable storyline. So many kids can relate to sibling rifts. This graphic novel releases April 23!
CW: race issues, microaggressions
March 4, 2024
Reading from the Advance Reader's edition, I enjoyed a partially colored, partially back-and-white portrayal of this coming-of-age Taiwanese-American culture and sisterhood-focused graphic novel. When colored, the pages depicted rosy-colored flashbacks and complemented color palates contrasting with more colorful schemes. The coloration's correspondence with the relational dynamics between Michelle and everyone else adds a visual and intellectual pleasure for audience members. Despite the lack of color in most areas, the story progressed with ease and simplicity. I especially liked the addition of the sheet music at the end of the story. I only wish the author added the lyrics (English and Taiwanese) underneath the notes so I could try to sing it at home!
December 31, 2023
A heartwarming and funny book about two sisters, whose paths diverge. Claire embraces her heritage, while Michelle, does not. Michelle is forced to go to the Taiwanese American camp, where Claire is a counselor and has a huge case of FOMO when she leaves the popular white girls behind. What's wonderful is how Michelle begins to realize, that mean girls aren't really friends and trying new things, isn't really a bad thing. But mostly, this is about two sisters who find their way back to each other.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
January 18, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Claire and Michelle are close as sisters, but when they enter middle school, Michelle cares more about popularity and wants the approval of Jess and her friends. When Claire takes a position as a junior counselor at a Taiwanese cultural summer camp, Michelle is bitter about having to go and spends much of the camp time trying to text Jess before seeing a little of the point of the camp. Sort of a mix of Sweet Valley Twins with Brosgol's Be Prepared and Wang's Summer at Squee.
Claire and Michelle are close as sisters, but when they enter middle school, Michelle cares more about popularity and wants the approval of Jess and her friends. When Claire takes a position as a junior counselor at a Taiwanese cultural summer camp, Michelle is bitter about having to go and spends much of the camp time trying to text Jess before seeing a little of the point of the camp. Sort of a mix of Sweet Valley Twins with Brosgol's Be Prepared and Wang's Summer at Squee.
January 22, 2024
I'm always looking to expand my classroom library and will be adding "Unhappy Camper" by Lily LaMotte. The graphic novel explores the complex relationship between two sisters, Claire and Michelle, who are sent to a Taiwanese American summer camp. The story explores theme of cultural identity as Michelle grapples with the choice between embracing her Taiwanese heritage or conforming to societal expectations to fit-in. Lily LaMotte has written a compelling story of self-discovery and familial bonds.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Alley for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Alley for the ARC.
April 23, 2024
I'm always looking to expand my classroom library and will be adding "Unhappy Camper" by Lily LaMotte. The graphic novel explores the complex relationship between two sisters, Claire and Michelle, who are sent to a Taiwanese American summer camp. The story explores theme of cultural identity as Michelle grapples with the choice between embracing her Taiwanese heritage or conforming to societal expectations to fit-in. Lily LaMotte has written a compelling story of self-discovery and familial bonds. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Alley for the ARC.
December 14, 2023
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperAlley, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. This is a book about accepting one’s culture and being proud to be themselves. Great characters, beautiful artwork, and a powerful story combine into a truly wonderful read. Looking forward to sharing it with my ELLs who would definitely relate to it.
December 14, 2023
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperAlley, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. This is a book about accepting one’s culture and being proud to be themselves. Great characters, beautiful artwork, and a powerful story combine into a truly wonderful read. Looking forward to sharing it with my ELLs who would definitely relate to it.
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January 15, 2024It is a sweet story and all but I can't help but get miffed when someone pushes someone to do something "for their own good". AKA, u have a great singing voice, do it for us! then after pressuring them, backtrack and go, "oh, you don't have to do that really". All that pressure is unnecessary and the added stress does not help. let people make their own decisions please
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2024
Twin sisters who interact with their Taiwanese heritage differently. Claire wants to embrace her heritage, Michelle wants to ignore it. They end up at a Taiwanese cultural summer camp, where Michelle learns to appreciate her heritage. There's a ton of great things about this book. All of the characters feel realistic, even the slightly mean popular girl, and Michelle's trajectory feels realistic.
May 8, 2024
A fun story about siblings and learning about who you truly are. Fun illustrations that are not overly crowded, but set the tone and give things a lighter tone (though already out, I read via an online reader copy).
January 8, 2024
Cute and relatable graphic novel and cultural acceptance. Haven't seen a ton of books featuring Taiwanese culture, so this is a nice addition.
January 20, 2024
This was a really cute story about a young girl begrudgingly coming to terms with her Taiwanese heritage and identity. I really liked the art style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews