I liked that this book focused on a reluctant camper, since that is one point of view not covered by the other volumes in the series. I also really enjoyed the mystery elements, and the fact that we are never certain until the very end who is spreading nasty lies about her fellow campers. As with all the other books, there are references here and there to characters we meet in other books, which adds another layer to each story and I actually wondered if the series ever intended to include more books, as there were some secondary characters mentioned who could easily have spun off to their own stories.

Two sisters, Kayla and Samantha, are on their way to summer camp for four weeks. While they are gone, their parents will be moving to a new house in Florida. Upon arriving, Samantha is excited, instantly meets girls her age, and they all take off to go to their camping lodge for younger children. Kayla is not so sure that she is going to like it there and notices that all the girls her age already know each other. By the end of the day, Kayla decides it would be better to have an earache and be fed lima beans instead of being at camp. As the days go on, Samantha is having the time of her life, whereas Kayla has a horrible time. She does not know whom to trust as most of the girls gossip, make fun of others, and they do not include her in anything. Finally she makes friends with Shelby who confides in her and explains that her mother had died last year and that is why she cries at night. This disclosure seems to bring the two of them closer together. The kids go on overnight hikes, dances, and other camp activities before a surprise ending. The theme throughout seems to be how gossip can hurt others, and we never really know someone until something major happens. This well-written book will hold the reader’s interest, but it might cast a poor shadow on camp life. It is definitely a girl’s book that will enable some readers to identify with Kayla’s feelings. This installment in the "Summer Camp Secrets" series can certainly be read alone. Although the girls have problems throughout, they manage to make the best of them and learn from the experience. 2010, Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, $6.99 Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children’s Literature).