Mother-Daughter Book Camp

Gr 5–8—Before the teen protagonists scatter around the country to college, they spend one last summer together as counselors at Camp Lovejoy. For most of the group, this is their first time in this type of situation, and they struggle to help their younger charges. Many of the campers are dealing with homesickness, and the counselors jump into action to help make their summer one they won't forget (with the help of Understood Betsy, the classic novel by Dorothy Canfield Fisher). All but one of the main characters are white (Megan is Chinese American). There's enough context here to guarantee that those who haven't read the six previous installments will appreciate this final volume. While many of the teen counselors are going off to college and are dealing with boyfriend drama, much of the action is very innocent and perfectly middle grade-friendly. Young readers who have made the journey with these characters will be sad to say goodbye to them but will be satisfied with how it all ends.