jilljemmett's review against another edition
5.0
Maggie Hagen is excited to be in the spotlight at her drama summer camp with her best friend Nora. However, on the last day of school, her parents break the news to her that she won’t be going to Camp Rising Star. Instead, she’ll be going to Camp Sylvania, which is a new fat camp run by her mother’s childhood camp friend, Sylvia. Things are strange at the camp right from the beginning. They have weigh-ins and workouts, but the kids also have to donate blood. The cafeteria only serves red foods, and the rules at the camp change daily. Maggie begins to suspect something dark is going on when kids disappear and strange things happen at night. She must work with her new friends to figure out what’s happening at the camp before she disappears forever too.
This story dealt with some tough body image issues that some kids have to face every day. Maggie knew she was bigger than most kids in her class, but it became a harsh reality when her parents decided to send her to fat camp. It made her feel like her weight was a part of her that needed to be changed. I found myself cringing at the scene when Maggie’s parents told her about fat camp, but it was also realistic. I can remember hearing people talk about my weight as a kid, and it isn’t a good memory. I liked that this body image subplot wasn’t as serious at the camp because there were other things going on. I thought it was obvious that there were vampires at the camp right from the beginning, but I’m not the target audience, so kids may not catch on as quickly as I did.
Camp Sylvania is a spooky middle grade camp story!
Content warnings: fatphobia, dieting, blood mentions
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Blood
stephsbooktalk's review against another edition
4.5
Mini Book Review: Once I heard Julie Murphy was doing a middle grade school with the idea of Heavyweights in mind, I knew I had to read it. Heavyweights was such a formative movie for me growing up as a chubby kid and it was during the time where tween films were top notch (Mighty Ducks, Big Green, Little Giants, etc).
I thought this was such a cute read! Even reading as an adult, I was enthralled into the premise and needed to know what was going to happen. And knowing it is going to be a series I can't wait to see what other adventures the kids of Camp Slyvania are going to get into. I love Murphy's style of writing and she definitely had me chuckling while reading this one.
If you are looking for a quick read during the Halloween season that takes place at a summer camp with a fun cast filled with middle schoolers - check this out! It is fun for all ages!
I thought this was such a cute read! Even reading as an adult, I was enthralled into the premise and needed to know what was going to happen. And knowing it is going to be a series I can't wait to see what other adventures the kids of Camp Slyvania are going to get into. I love Murphy's style of writing and she definitely had me chuckling while reading this one.
If you are looking for a quick read during the Halloween season that takes place at a summer camp with a fun cast filled with middle schoolers - check this out! It is fun for all ages!
thekatreturns's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The weight loss industry really does want to suck you dry, huh?
Fat kids deserve the world, and they definitely deserve stories of resilience and adventure like this. I’ll be recommending this to kids in my life (precocious 3rd grade-8th grade, I’d say)
Fat kids deserve the world, and they definitely deserve stories of resilience and adventure like this. I’ll be recommending this to kids in my life (precocious 3rd grade-8th grade, I’d say)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
simp_librarian's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I will definitely be recommending this to kids at my library.
reading_and_wrighting's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bookobsessedmommy's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I almost didn't give this a 5, but it's a great middle grade read. Maggie is psyched for performing arts camp, but her hopes are dashed when her parents drop that they've signed her up for fat camp instead. The workout, weird food, and blood donation (what?!) would be bad enough, but then campers start disappearing. Maggie and her new found friends have to figure out what's going on or this summer camp nightmare might never end. The characters are fun and well written, and topics like body shaming and body neilutrality are addressed in a direct but caring way. Spooky without being scary, and it doesn't feel like the writer is talking down to the audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Medical content, and Child abuse
Moderate: Confinement and Kidnapping
lispylibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
As soon as Julie Murphy appeared in my middle grade thrillers and horror panel at #NTTBF, I knew I absolutely had to read whatever she was promoting and omg I’m so glad I did! Heavyweights meets the Bailey School Kids in this adorable and fun middle grade horror story!
Maggie is planning on an epic summer with her best friend at Camp Rising Star but Instead is sent to a weight loss camp. When she arrives at camp she starts to notice that things are very strange and not what they seem. While making friends, working on a camp musical, and learning to love who she is Maggie and her new friends uncover what’s REALLY going on at Camp Sylvania!
Maggie is planning on an epic summer with her best friend at Camp Rising Star but Instead is sent to a weight loss camp. When she arrives at camp she starts to notice that things are very strange and not what they seem. While making friends, working on a camp musical, and learning to love who she is Maggie and her new friends uncover what’s REALLY going on at Camp Sylvania!
jayfue619's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ina_s's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elyssathelibrarian's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0