Nerd Camp 2.0

Nerd Camp #2

by Elissa Brent Weissman

Gabe is happily headed back to Nerd Camp, but can he handle a cool-kid invasion?

For Gabe, the equation for ideal summer bliss equals six glorious weeks of vigorous learning immersion at the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment; aka, Nerd Camp. Last year was amazing, and this summer will be even better.

At least, that's what Gabe thinks until a new variable is introduced: Zack, Gabe's cool stepbrother, was supposed to attend a camp nearby, but in the aftermath of a recent wildfire, Zack's camp and nerd camp will be sharing territory. As these two very different worlds collide, will both camps - and both stepbrothers - survive the summer?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Ebooks, Novels, Humor

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2014

About the author

Elissa Brent Weissman is an award-winning author of novels for young readers. Best known for the popular Nerd Camp series, she and her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, NPR’s “Here and Now,” and more. Named one of CBS Baltimore’s Best Authors in Maryland, Elissa spent many years in Baltimore City, where she taught creative writing to children, college students, and adults. She currently lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her husband and their two super cool nerds-in-training.

Reviews

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this as much as I love Nerd Camp. As always Elissa adds a lesson in each novel she writes (which comes together at the end). Bravo to you Elissa for another fun filled, adventerous, page turner, story twisting, funny story!

[Caleb Rowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nerd camp 2.0 by Elissa Weissman is a sequel to the book nerd camp. You should read the first book if you want to get more attached to the characters. The main characters are two boys named Gabe and Zack. Both are which are sent to summer camp center that was entitled,"summer for gifted enrichment." Which was a center for nerds and "righteous learning!" Like where the nerds go. Gabe was planning on going to this camp.....again, but instead, Zack came along with him. Yay! They arrived and had a great time. Until the night where a wildfire destroyed the camp. Now Gabe and Zack have to live and survive the rest of the summer in a new camp called,"camp Seneca." I loved this book. It took a good scenario and made it funny. Besides, the cover said," alright we got nerds. You might like this book. Buy it! Where's my check!?" I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good laugh from here to there. Like I said, you should probably read the first one. It will grow you into the characters more. I still haven't read the first, but I plan to. Read it if you like a good laugh. You won't regret it..............hopefully.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabe and his step-brother Zack couldn’t be more different, but they have managed to find some common ground and actually get along. Until Nerd Camp that is. When Zack’s camp suffers in the aftermath of a wildfire, he and his fellow “cool” campers are forced to share space with the Nerd campers. Will the step-brothers survive the summer? Will they still be friends at the end of summer?

A fun, fast-paced story with adventure, friendship, and even a lesson at the end. A nice second installment that also stands well on its own.

Thanks to Edelweiss for the advanced digital copy.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find Nerd Camp 2.0 to be quite as enjoyable as the first book in this series. The "nerds vs. jocks/cool kids" trope is really worn out, and I didn't feel like the author was really doing anything new with it here. The inclusion of Zack's perspective could have been interesting, but I don't think he really had much character development, and it messed up the pacing. There was some profanity that seemed out of place in a lower-middle-grade book, a Native-American-inspired "headdress" that gets made and worn by presumably-white kids, and some insensitive treatment of a Korean kid's name. And the ending was really abrupt, as well.

[Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG, can we please stop with the nerds vs jocks trope? This just beats a dead horse of this conflict again and again. Yes another book that forces kids to pick a side on science and knowledge versus sports. Just like the first book, there is a resolution, but it’s only in the last chapter. 98% of the book is conflict and as a result of the resolution seems somewhat disingenuous and definitely sends the wrong message to kids. Yes, they do resolve, but that gets lost in the chapters in chapters of false conflict.

[Fiona Holbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think it about camp have fun and talking about people about the camp

[Anie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I was addicted to reading from Gabe's point of view. This book was amazing!

[Paul Liadis · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book and the first book in the series

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the grownups really dropped the ball in this book. I think it was an interesting look at early toxic masculinity and standing up for what’s right vs what will make you/keep you “cool.”

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so funny. Near the end there is a giant brain.

[Reiva]

good

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much fun as the first one, with the unique premise of two camps smushed into one campus. (So Zach and Gabe are at camp together but also competing.)

[jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in love with Zack

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the first book.

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zack and Gabe are stepbrothers who couldn’t be more different. Zack likes skateboarding, playing video games and listening to music on his iPod, while Gabe is more into being on the math team and conducting scientific research. They’ve learned to respect each other’s differences, and Gabe even helped Zack getting into a summer camp that’s near the one for gifted children that he attends.

But when a forest fire damages Zack’s camp it’s relocated to Gabe’s, and not everyone is happy to be forced together. Those at Camp Seneca see the others as nerds getting in the way of their fun, and campers at the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment feel their safe haven from the normal harassment they get at school is gone. The two sides wage an escalating war for control of the campground. Can they come together before things get out of hand?

Nerd Camp 2.0 by Elissa Brent Weissman, the sequel to Nerd Camp, goes back and forth between Gabe’s and Zack’s perspectives, showing the concerns of each side. What seems like harmless fun to others, can be hurtful from a different perspective. Each side has radical elements that want to take over by force as well as moderate voices seeking compromise. But how can the two sides even come together to talk when they don’t trust each other? Even Gabe and Zack, stepbrothers, don’t trust each other to do the right thing.

This is a great book for mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 9 to 12 to read and discuss. For one thing, it shows how both sides of an issue can have right and wrong viewpoints. Also, it shows kids stepping out of their stereotypes. For instance, nerdy Gabe likes to have fun swimming and hanging out at a campfire, while jock Zack finds he likes to cook. When they both learn to be comfortable with who they are they begin to see possibilities for bringing the sides together. I recommend it.

The author gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Nerd Camp first came out, my 12 year old daughter and I enjoyed it immensely. When my son read it last summer, at 9, we were both thrilled, since it’s one of our favorite books. When we heard a sequel was coming out, we couldn’t wait!

My son and I read this aloud together, which I enjoy doing with Elissa Brent Weissman’s books (like The Short Seller as well), because we can see what makes the other one laugh. Her books are funny and touching as well.

In the first book, Gabe is getting used the idea of having a cool new step-brother, Zack. His summer away at gifted camp is like a welcome reprieve from the struggle of trying to fit in — trying not to be “too nerdy,” and yet still focus on the things he enjoys.

Nerd Camp 2.0 brings us to the next summer. Gabe is enrolled back at the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment and can’t wait to see all his old friends. He’s even been working with Zack to convince his mom and Gabe’s dad to send him away for summer camp as well. Their plan works, but when Zack’s camp is damaged by a forest fire, and nearby SCGE opens half of its grounds up to the cool jock camp, Gabe is secretly terrified. Will Zack still like him when he sees him in all his nerdy glory? Will Gabe’s friend accept his stepbrother? Will camp ever be the same?

The story is told in alternating chapters from Zack’s and Gabe’s POV — a change from the first one which is from Gabe’s POV — and though we liked this addition, we also really love Gabe and his friends and missed the full immersion experience of Gabe, Nikhil and Wesley.

I asked 10-year-old Kyle his thoughts: “Great! Enjoyable! Not quite as good as the first. Well, I can’t decide if it’s as good or not as good. But I liked it!”

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fast-paced and easy to read sequel to Nerd Camp, a wildfire has destroyed Camp Seneca, which neighbors Gabe's beloved Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment (the "nerd camp" for which the book is named.) This means that this summer, campers from Camp Seneca will share space and facilities with Summer Center - including Gabe's own stepbrother, Zack. In alternating chapters, the two boys narrate the events of a turf war wherein the nerds compete with the popular kids to achieve dominance.

Whereas Nerd Camp is a mere celebration of smart kids with nerdy interests, Nerd Camp 2.0 is a deeper story about problem solving and conflict resolution. Through a series of surprisingly uncliched camp activities, Gabe and his friends and Zack and his friends learn how to get along together. There are many bumps in the road on the way to a resolution, but refreshingly, peace is never negotiated for the kids by well-meaning adults. While adults do make their feelings known about the feud, it is the kids who ultimately figure out the terms for a truce to which everyone can agree.

Strong storytelling, an unpredictable storyline, and sympathetic and believable characters make Nerd Camp 2.0 one of the best-written middle grade novels of 2014 thusfar. (As the first book was a Cybils winner in 2011, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the sequel win this year!) It will certainly appeal to readers who enjoyed Nerd Camp, but it is also an excellent read-alike for The Clueless Girl's Guide to Being a Genius, Ruby Goldberg's Bright Idea, and Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen. The role of science in the plot also makes this a perfect choice for this year's Fizz Boom Read! summer reading program.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not having read the first book, Nerd Camp 2.0 was a complete and wonderful story, with enough background given at the beginning of the book to make reading it enjoyable. Gabe and Zack have only been stepbrothers for about a year, Gabe is the nerdy smart boy and Zack is the cool kid and both are hoping to go to summer camp. When a rash of wild fires strike, they are worried their summer camp may be canceled.

Neither are cancelled, but they are going to be sharing the same campground, which makes both boys nervous. Gabe attends a gifted camp where they research and learn all summer and Zack is into sports and other recreational activities. For different reasons, each of them is nervous about both camps sharing one grounds and for good reason. Putting cool kids and nerdy kids together is a disaster and starts a war between the two camps that the two stepbrothers will have to figure out a way to diffuse.

I really loved that Nerd Camp 2.0 was told from alternating points of view, seeing the issues and dilemmas through the eyes of two very different boys. I love the way they interacted and the resolution they came up with to bring the war to a halt. With summer coming up, this is a great book for both boys and girls alike with a strong message about how to negotiate and get along with others that are different from you.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack doesn't always understand Gabe and his nerdiness, but he has accepted him. When Gabe helps Zack convince his parents that they should let him go to sleep away camp Gabe is excited for Zack. A wildfire changes things for both boys. Zack's campgrounds and most of the buildings are destroyed. Gabe's camp extends the hand of welcome to the other camp. They are going to share their campground. Both Gabe and Zack learn that it will be more difficult than they think. To start with the "cool" kids try to rule the camp, bullying the nerds. Then the "nerds" decide to take back the camp. The battles go back and forth. The one common denominator in all of this is Zack and Gabe. Zack has discovered he loves to cook. He is even becoming quite nerdy about it. He overhears his brother make a comment about him and it hurts him. He seeks revenge against his brother. When things once again get out of hand Zack decides he must set things right and find a way to stop the camps from destroying each other.

This was full of fun, and practical jokes. There is something here that everyone can relate to. Most importantly for me was the message that ran through about accepting each other's differences. I loved this book and can't keep it on my shelves at school. This should be a must read in all middle schools.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Last year, Gabe had the best summer ever. He can’t wait to go back to camp this year at the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment. Sleep away camp was so fun, he’s helped his step-brother convince his parents to send him to sleep away camp, too. Zach is going to Camp Seneca, which is a more traditional summer camp. No science and literature classes for Zach. Learning things is for nerds. But when a forest fire threatens to close the camp for the summer, and Zach’s camp ends up sharing space with Gabe’s camp, the summer situation turns into a battle between the jerks and the nerds.

This is a fun camp story, and not a rehash of book 1. (Although, they should be read in order) However, everyone is so stereotypical! The bullies have little redeeming value, and I wonder if they learned anything about getting along, and the “nerds” revel in their nerdiness as a way to fight the bullies. I had hoped to see the two camps realize they aren’t so different after all, but, well, I guess they are. Although the book was a fun read, I didn’t like that “cool” kids are bullies and “nerds” are kids who enjoy reading, math and science.

Cross-posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gabe had a fantastic time at his gifted camp last year, so much so that his cool new stepbrother wanted to go to camp as well. The boys find Camp Seneca, a regular camp close to Gabe's gifted Camp, and are excited about the summer until they hear about the wildfires in the area. It turns out that Camp Seneca is mostly burned out, and Gabe's gifted camp offers to share their campground with Camp Seneca for the summer. It's pretty much an utter disaster. The Seneca campers essentially take over the camp and make the gifted campers feel just as bad as they usually do at school, but when the gifted campers decide to fight back, it doesn't help. Meanwhile Gabe is on one side and Zack is on the other. Will things ever get better?

I was so disappointed with this book. I adored 'Nerd Camp,' which was a complete delight from start to finish--a great story about a wonderful summer at camp. This book, on the other hand, is just a total bummer. It's mostly about all the ways kids can be mean to each other and hurt each other, and while that's probably realistic, it's absolutely no fun to read about. Who wants to read about a craptastic summer at camp?

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nerd Camp 2.0 is a fun read! Gabe is returning to Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment (SCGE) camp, and Zach is going to Camp Seneca summer camp. While the camps are close to the other, neither one expected that they would be sharing the same camp. It's Nerds vs Jocks at SCGE since a forest fire severely damaged Camp Seneca's campground. Gabe is concerned that he can't be his geeky self at camp because Camp Seneca jocks/cool kids will be there. Zach is concerned people will know he has a step-brother who is a nerd. While on paper is seems easy to share the space between the two camps, readers quickly realize that there is little love lost between the camps. Camp turns into war and the Nerds are ready to fight back in their uniquely nerdy way. This story is great for summer reading; anyone who has been to summer camp before will relate to the pranks that quickly escalate into much more than a prank.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nerd Camp 2.0 by Elissa Brent Weissman is the second book in a series about Gabe who attends the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment. In this installment, forest fires destroyed a nearby camp, so nerd camp has to welcome another camp full of "cool" kids including Gabe's step brother, Zack. A "war" breaks out between the nerds and the cool kids. Of course the story resolves with them finding a way to come together, but honestly I'm kind of weary of the whole nerds vs. cool kids dynamic. I don't like that we have to act like being super smart is weird and I don't like that not being "gifted" some how equals not being smart, which is absolutely not the case. I did like the step brother dynamics though and Zack's newfound cooking interest. In the end, this was just okay for me.

[Yapha · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this sequel to Nerd Camp, Gabe has helped convince his step-brother Zack's parents that Zack should be allowed to go to sleepaway camp too. Zack chooses Camp Seneca, right near Gabe's beloved Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment. But when a forest fire closes Camp Seneca, Gabe learns that the cool kids from Camp Seneca will be sharing his camp's facilities. This makes for a tricky summer for all. Can the gifted campers enjoy their summer of freedom away from the taunting they receive during the school year? Pranks escalate, and both Gabe and Zack wonder if they will be able to save their new friendship. A fun summer read. Grades 4-8.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow up to Nerd Camp, this book could easily be read as a stand-alone. Summer camp was supposed to be like last year, a place where Gabe and all his geeky friends could be themselves. But that all changed when nearby camp Seneca burned down and camp has to be shared with the cool kids, which includes his stepbrother, Zack. Showing both sides of the story this book is funny, easy to read and will appeal to boys and girls ages nine to 12. There isn't the "loser" type attitude some books seem to portray. It makes me want to go and read the first book, Nerd Camp.

[Jacob Sumner · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Nerd Camp Zack and Gabe are both stepbrothers who want to go to a summer camp. Zack goes to a normal camp while Gabe goes to a smarter camp. The campers from Zack's camp have to share space with the nerds because of an accident. Gabe and his friends are bullied by the other campers. In the book they also have funny jokes that the nerds say or that the other campers say. I recommend this to young readers or people who are trying to find a funny book. In conclusion, I thought that this book was great.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It had some of the same issues as the old Revenge of the Nerds movie and the newer Monsters University movie. This time the setting is summer camp where the gifted, "nerdy" kids are forced to share their campground with the "cool" kids whose campground was flooded. The main characters are two stepbrothers who are each attending one of the camps. Of course, there are clashes, which were expected. But I thought that the ending and the resolution was very creatively written and surprisingly clever.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one didn't work for me. I'm glad I read it because I have in mind the type of reader this book would be good for, but it just wasn't my kind of book. Plus, I wasn't a fan of how abruptly everything ended and was tied up in a neat little bow. There was resolution but there wasn't really any denouement, everything was resolved and it just ended. I was kind of expecting another chapter or two and all of a sudden I was at the last page.

[Jonna VanWienen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up a year later when Gabe and Zach have a plan to go to camps near each other. The parents agree and then unfortunately a wild fire hits Camp Senaca. Zach thinks his perfect summer is ruined until he gets the news they will share Summer Center. This book is a classic geeks vs. jocks. It wasn't the color war that linked them. A hero is needed to join these two unlikely communities together. I love how every other chapter changed from Zach's to Gabe's perspective. So fun.