A spooky mystery of magical realism, friendships, and a first crush, set at a summer camp.
Eleven-year-old Naomi loves science and nature—when she can read about it in a book. She’s less than thrilled about being shipped off to Camp Twisted Pine in the New Jersey Pine Barrens with her twin brothers while her parents work on their marital problems. Still, she makes friends quickly with Jackie, another girl there who also doesn’t like the camp and is strategizing about how to get sent home. Jackie uses a hearing aid, and she teaches Naomi sign language in their spare time, a break from the camp’s structured routines and the start of a crush for Naomi.
Yet something seems … off … about the camp, with strange marshes around it, kudzu vines growing everywhere, and eerie sounds at night. Then campers start to disappear, including Jackie, and Naomi must put all of her scientific learning to work to find out whether the local legend of the Jersey Devil is the very real cause.
The story blends the social dynamics of new summer camp friendships with just enough spookiness and mystery to create a compelling tale. The crush between Naomi and Jackie is sweet and tuned for their age; it’s clear, though the two never even kiss. And author Ciera Burch also thoughtfully explores the impact of Naomi’s parents’ relationship issues on Naomi and how she responds to problems and stress. An entertaining and recommended tale.
Naomi is Black; Jackie has “bronze” skin and brown hair. Other campers have a variety of racial/ethnic identities.
