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Camp Twisted Pine
Whispering Pines meets Small Spaces in this spooky middle grade novel about a girl whose first summer camp experience is disrupted by a menacing creature abducting her fellow campers.Eleven-year-old Naomi loves all things outdoors—birds and beetles, bats and bunnies—in theory. She explores nature in the best possible the cold, hard facts in books. So when her parents’ announcement of their impending divorce comes hand in hand with sending Naomi and her younger twin brothers to summer camp while they figure things out, it’s salt in the wound for Naomi and her avoidance of hands-on experience. Camp Twisted Pine could be worse. The counselors are nice, and Naomi likes her cabinmates, especially Jackie, whose blunt personality and frank dislike of the camp draws Naomi in quickly. Jackie is also hard of hearing and uses a hearing aid, and the girls quickly develop a routine of sign language lessons in their free time, which Naomi sees as a welcome break when all the s’mores-making and nature walks get to be a bit much. But the campers aren’t the only ones who roam the grounds of Camp Twisted Pine. When people start to go missing, including Jackie, Naomi has to find a way to save everyone—and herself. Her practical knowledge of the outdoors may still be rudimentary at best, but she has years of studying and the scientific method to fall back on. Can Naomi identify and stop the dangerous predator before it’s too late?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2024
5 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 31, 2024
Are you looking for a spooky middle grade book with strong themes of family, friendship and finding your voice? Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch is for you. Naomi is going to summer camp in New Jersey for the first time and she’s not all that happy about it. But she does what she always does: puts on a smile to make others happy and stuffs her own feelings down, down, down. But there’s something different about Camp Twisted Pine…something quite different. As Naomi wrestles with the strange events happening at the camp, she’s also wrestling with herself as she meets new friends and starts feeling her feelings and connecting with others. There’s SO MUCH in this book that readers can connect to: the spooky fantasy, the summer camp experience, the challenges of a changing family, making new friends, finding your voice and much, much more.
November 24, 2024
*3.5 Stars
“Wanna hear a real scary story?”
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Blog Post
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If you're looking for a spooky summer camp read, this is it! Camp Twisted Pine was the perfect creepy setting, an isolated camp set deep in the woods with mysterious plants and disappearing campers. The plot was perfectly paced, with an eerie feeling slowly creeping in as the characters uncovered more and more. I especially liked our main character Naomi. I related to her bookish (sometimes know-it-all) attitude and how she struggled to make friends because of it. She's intelligent and determined and, above all, wants to help others, especially her friends and family. The side characters were also intriguing. Jackie was my favourite of the other campers, her spunk and overall rebelliousness was a great contrast to Naomi, and the two had a heartwarming friendship. That being said, I would have enjoyed getting more time to see their relationship develop even more. I also thought that the myth of the Jersey Devil was interwoven seamlessly, and I just had to know what would happen next. I was invested in the mystery and each of the plot twists, but would have liked the ending to be a bit more drawn out. If you love cryptids you'll definitely want to check out this story!
“Wanna hear a real scary story?”
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Blog Post
Instagram Post
If you're looking for a spooky summer camp read, this is it! Camp Twisted Pine was the perfect creepy setting, an isolated camp set deep in the woods with mysterious plants and disappearing campers. The plot was perfectly paced, with an eerie feeling slowly creeping in as the characters uncovered more and more. I especially liked our main character Naomi. I related to her bookish (sometimes know-it-all) attitude and how she struggled to make friends because of it. She's intelligent and determined and, above all, wants to help others, especially her friends and family. The side characters were also intriguing. Jackie was my favourite of the other campers, her spunk and overall rebelliousness was a great contrast to Naomi, and the two had a heartwarming friendship. That being said, I would have enjoyed getting more time to see their relationship develop even more. I also thought that the myth of the Jersey Devil was interwoven seamlessly, and I just had to know what would happen next. I was invested in the mystery and each of the plot twists, but would have liked the ending to be a bit more drawn out. If you love cryptids you'll definitely want to check out this story!
September 13, 2024
I never got to ask my mom why she never sent me to summer camp but Camp Twisted Pine definitely seems to ease my mind that perhaps she was on to something. When things at home are chaotic, Naomi and her brothers sent off for their first summer camp experience in New Jersey, home of the Jersey Devil. Something is amiss from the start, and it’s not just the complete lack of rules and structure from the camp counselors. Local lore shared around the fire has campers questioning what is lurking in the woods. Camp Twisted Pine unfolds in the perfect classic horror format, introducing children to the genre in a spooky yet age appropriate manner. Ciera Burch combines her crafty writing skills with the allure of cryptids to create a wonderful novel that will captivate readers of all ages.
October 29, 2024
3.5* A super fun and spooky middle grade horror; with a focus on finding your voice, environmentalism, friendships and family dynamics. Whist the conclusion felt somewhat convoluted at times, overall this was a heartfelt, twisty and exciting read and one that would be a great introduction for younger readers to the horror/thrillers genre.
September 16, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up.
Oh wow, getting into this hit hard. Like Ciera Burch, I never went to sleepaway camp, and wound up writing a book/game on the subject. I designed that roleplaying game on my former best friend, the same way choreographers create dances on certain performers. Unfortunately for me, that person I relied on and trusted more than anyone else in the world destroyed our relationship almost exactly a year ago. So getting into this book that otherwise seems very tailor-made for me reopened a lot of still-healing wounds, forcing me to contend with emotions that I thought I'd already dealt with successfully.
Because this isn't just a fun story about kids going to summer camp, with a diverse cast, sapphic first crush, loads of nature info, supernatural adventure and a setting in New Jersey's Pine Barrens (with, yes, campfire stories about the Jersey Devil!) It's also very much the tale of a girl who's been thrust into the role of the quiet, obedient eldest daughter, who loves nature but loves it most from the cool tranquility of library research, whose parents' marriage has undramatically but irreversibly fallen apart. When Naomi's parents first float the idea of sending her and her younger twin brothers to Camp Twisted Pine for a few weeks, Naomi is resistant not only because she's not the outdoorsy type, but because she knows perfectly well that her parents are going to use the trip as an opportunity to reset their home life and move her Dad out of the family home without actually telling any of the kids.
Naomi, being an eminently reasonable kind of person, just wants her parents to talk to her. She doesn't want to come home and find that life has changed all around her. Her parents might think it's okay to make decisions about her life without consulting her, but there really are some things that need to be discussed as a family, not just handed down by fiat. And even tho Naomi knows that she can't change her parents' feeling about each other, it still hurts to be treated like an object, as if her feelings about all the change their family is going through don't matter. Worst of all, when creepy and downright dangerous things start happening at camp, she tries to call her dad -- the parent she knows will actually give her the time of day -- and he refuses to listen to her, assuming that she's just making excuses to come home. In fact, none of the camp counselors will listen when she tries to tell them that one of her cabin mates has gone missing in the woods.
At least her new friend Jackie believes her. Jackie is a rebel who wants to get out of this place as quickly as possible, tho that desire is tempered by her growing relationship with Naomi. As the girls try to figure out the secret of the Pine Barrens and how to bring back the kids who've gone missing, they'll find themselves embroiled in a magical feud that's lasted for centuries.
I loved Naomi, who reminded me so much of myself as a young teen, and I loved her relationship with the bold, even sometimes abrasive Jackie. I really loved how Jackie taught Naomi sign language, and how she called out Naomi when our heroine had so much bottled up inside. I spent a lot of time being mad at Naomi's parents on her behalf: marriages end, sure, but there are far more graceful ways to separate, especially when there are kids involved and both spouses are active parents. I also really appreciated the parallels drawn between Naomi's personal journey and the supernatural conflict in the Pine Barrens, even tho I did get the feeling that if I looked too hard at the details of the magic it would stop making sense -- an act I chose not to do because I very much enjoyed the rest of the novel.
This book is a great standalone, tho I'm really hoping Naomi and Jackie have more adventures and a happily ever after together. I'm pretty sure Camp Twisted Pine won't rip your heart out and leave you as devastated as I am because of my very specific set of circumstances, but I'm also sure that it's the perfect novel for anyone looking for Middle Grade camping-in-the-forest horror that isn't too spooky but has a ton of realistic emotional conflict and development.
Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch will be published tomorrow September 17 2024 and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review first appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
Oh wow, getting into this hit hard. Like Ciera Burch, I never went to sleepaway camp, and wound up writing a book/game on the subject. I designed that roleplaying game on my former best friend, the same way choreographers create dances on certain performers. Unfortunately for me, that person I relied on and trusted more than anyone else in the world destroyed our relationship almost exactly a year ago. So getting into this book that otherwise seems very tailor-made for me reopened a lot of still-healing wounds, forcing me to contend with emotions that I thought I'd already dealt with successfully.
Because this isn't just a fun story about kids going to summer camp, with a diverse cast, sapphic first crush, loads of nature info, supernatural adventure and a setting in New Jersey's Pine Barrens (with, yes, campfire stories about the Jersey Devil!) It's also very much the tale of a girl who's been thrust into the role of the quiet, obedient eldest daughter, who loves nature but loves it most from the cool tranquility of library research, whose parents' marriage has undramatically but irreversibly fallen apart. When Naomi's parents first float the idea of sending her and her younger twin brothers to Camp Twisted Pine for a few weeks, Naomi is resistant not only because she's not the outdoorsy type, but because she knows perfectly well that her parents are going to use the trip as an opportunity to reset their home life and move her Dad out of the family home without actually telling any of the kids.
Naomi, being an eminently reasonable kind of person, just wants her parents to talk to her. She doesn't want to come home and find that life has changed all around her. Her parents might think it's okay to make decisions about her life without consulting her, but there really are some things that need to be discussed as a family, not just handed down by fiat. And even tho Naomi knows that she can't change her parents' feeling about each other, it still hurts to be treated like an object, as if her feelings about all the change their family is going through don't matter. Worst of all, when creepy and downright dangerous things start happening at camp, she tries to call her dad -- the parent she knows will actually give her the time of day -- and he refuses to listen to her, assuming that she's just making excuses to come home. In fact, none of the camp counselors will listen when she tries to tell them that one of her cabin mates has gone missing in the woods.
At least her new friend Jackie believes her. Jackie is a rebel who wants to get out of this place as quickly as possible, tho that desire is tempered by her growing relationship with Naomi. As the girls try to figure out the secret of the Pine Barrens and how to bring back the kids who've gone missing, they'll find themselves embroiled in a magical feud that's lasted for centuries.
I loved Naomi, who reminded me so much of myself as a young teen, and I loved her relationship with the bold, even sometimes abrasive Jackie. I really loved how Jackie taught Naomi sign language, and how she called out Naomi when our heroine had so much bottled up inside. I spent a lot of time being mad at Naomi's parents on her behalf: marriages end, sure, but there are far more graceful ways to separate, especially when there are kids involved and both spouses are active parents. I also really appreciated the parallels drawn between Naomi's personal journey and the supernatural conflict in the Pine Barrens, even tho I did get the feeling that if I looked too hard at the details of the magic it would stop making sense -- an act I chose not to do because I very much enjoyed the rest of the novel.
This book is a great standalone, tho I'm really hoping Naomi and Jackie have more adventures and a happily ever after together. I'm pretty sure Camp Twisted Pine won't rip your heart out and leave you as devastated as I am because of my very specific set of circumstances, but I'm also sure that it's the perfect novel for anyone looking for Middle Grade camping-in-the-forest horror that isn't too spooky but has a ton of realistic emotional conflict and development.
Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch will be published tomorrow September 17 2024 and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review first appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
September 16, 2024
I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. I’m a sucker for a summer camp story, and middle grade horror is about as scary as I can handle! I’ve also been gravitating more to middle grade than YA lately (I think I’ve said it before - there’s more focus on friendship and less on romance, although this book does have some very cute tweenage butterfly moments). Lately I’ve found myself reading YA and thinking “Yeah, but what are the adults doing?” Reading this book, I kept thinking “Yeah, but what are the teenagers doing?” Which is *highly* unusual! It’s not that I didn’t like Naomi, but I feel like there was more to the story with the camp counselors, and I didn’t love the extra-broad brush the villain is painted with.
So let’s back up. Naomi and her twin brothers are being sent to Camp Twisted Pine, in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, for “just two weeks” of summer camp. Her parents are considering getting a divorce, and they need time alone to try to work things out (sidebar - I get that Naomi is our POV character, so we’re only seeing things through her 12-year-old lens, but I feel like this whole thing never gets resolved. Her parents never use the D-word, and it kinda seems like after 2 weeks they’re in the same holding pattern they were when the book started). Naomi is less than thrilled. She's a scientist, but she prefers to do her research in books, not in the field. The whole setup of the camp is weird from the beginning - Naomi and her brothers are part of a group of many new campers who have just arrived, but it seems like there are already people there? And it’s kind of understood that people usually end up staying longer than anticipated. I get that this is all explained in the end (sorta), but it is just rife with red flags. Like - you can just book a last minute reservation at this camp? And it’s just however many weeks you want? Don’t most summer camps have sessions? And you’ve paid to book your spot? So if you just decide to stay another two weeks…you can’t, because someone else needs that bunk bed. Maybe we’re supposed to think Naomi’s parents are too distracted to notice all of this, or maybe it’s supposed to add to that sense of dread, but it ultimately just feels lazy in a storytelling sense.
If we’d just stuck with the idea of “spooky summer camp,” I think it would have been fine. There’s plenty of plot to mine without getting into all that in the spoiler cut. Naomi getting used to being outdoors, bonding with her cabinmates, maybe having the tiniest little crush on one of them. I’d much rather read *that* story!
I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. I’m a sucker for a summer camp story, and middle grade horror is about as scary as I can handle! I’ve also been gravitating more to middle grade than YA lately (I think I’ve said it before - there’s more focus on friendship and less on romance, although this book does have some very cute tweenage butterfly moments). Lately I’ve found myself reading YA and thinking “Yeah, but what are the adults doing?” Reading this book, I kept thinking “Yeah, but what are the teenagers doing?” Which is *highly* unusual! It’s not that I didn’t like Naomi, but I feel like there was more to the story with the camp counselors, and I didn’t love the extra-broad brush the villain is painted with.
So let’s back up. Naomi and her twin brothers are being sent to Camp Twisted Pine, in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, for “just two weeks” of summer camp. Her parents are considering getting a divorce, and they need time alone to try to work things out (sidebar - I get that Naomi is our POV character, so we’re only seeing things through her 12-year-old lens, but I feel like this whole thing never gets resolved. Her parents never use the D-word, and it kinda seems like after 2 weeks they’re in the same holding pattern they were when the book started). Naomi is less than thrilled. She's a scientist, but she prefers to do her research in books, not in the field. The whole setup of the camp is weird from the beginning - Naomi and her brothers are part of a group of many new campers who have just arrived, but it seems like there are already people there? And it’s kind of understood that people usually end up staying longer than anticipated. I get that this is all explained in the end (sorta), but it is just rife with red flags. Like - you can just book a last minute reservation at this camp? And it’s just however many weeks you want? Don’t most summer camps have sessions? And you’ve paid to book your spot? So if you just decide to stay another two weeks…you can’t, because someone else needs that bunk bed. Maybe we’re supposed to think Naomi’s parents are too distracted to notice all of this, or maybe it’s supposed to add to that sense of dread, but it ultimately just feels lazy in a storytelling sense.
If we’d just stuck with the idea of “spooky summer camp,” I think it would have been fine. There’s plenty of plot to mine without getting into all that in the spoiler cut. Naomi getting used to being outdoors, bonding with her cabinmates, maybe having the tiniest little crush on one of them. I’d much rather read *that* story!
May 5, 2024
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central
Naomi would rather spend the summer as she usually does, with her father and twin younger brothers, thinking of activities to do around town. Instead, she is going away to camp in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey because her father is moving out of the house. She has an interest in nature and plants, but just doesn't want to be away from home for two weeks. The other campers are nice, including Medina and Alice Saito. Deonne claims to be the "head girl" of their cabin, and Jackie, who has some hearing impairment, claims that she is going to break all of the rules so that she can go home. One tradition of the camp is that all of the kids get airbrushed tattoos, and there are lots of scary stories told around the campfire. Since the local monster is the Jersey Devil, there are lots of twists on that tale, including one about the "devil's cabin" where campers are sent for infractions. Naomi can't swim, and is rather anxious, but grateful that Jackie is willing to teacher her some sign language. Naomi is also concerned about the kudzu that seems to be all over the camp; it's an invasive plant widespread in the South, and needs to be controlled. The counselors, especially Mara, seem to be half a bubble off as well, and everything is creepy. When off in the woods one day, the girls see odd yellow lights, and find a child's shoe. They also meet the Jersey Devil, who claims that magic is being siphoned out of the Barrens and that the children are somehow the key to saving the area. After breaking into Mara's cabin to use her computer, Naomi puts together the details available and makes a shocking discovery about what is really going on at the camp. Will she and her new friends be able to work with the Jersey Devil to defeat the forces of evil threatening the Camp Twisted Pine?
Strengths: Summer camp is a very good thing for tweens, and it can be hard to find a camp. In the absence of actually attending one, reading about it is the next best thing! Given the out of the ordinary setting of camps, and the unfamiliarity of a wooded setting, it makes sense that we see a lot of camps where creepy things are taking place. Ghost stories are a big nighttime draw! Naomi doesn't want to go to camp, but manages to make the most of her experience, and it was nice to see that there wasn't too much drama with the friendships; when you are only with people for two weeks, there's no history and a lot more forgiveness. The villain was a little surprising, and I enjoyed the fact that the Jersey Devil was not really the force of evil one would suspect!
Weaknesses: This wasn't all that scary. My students want something more along the lines of Strand's Nightmare in the Back Yard.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's Finch House or other books about creepy camps, like Berk and Mitchell's Camp Murderface or the Tales from Cabin 23 series.
Naomi would rather spend the summer as she usually does, with her father and twin younger brothers, thinking of activities to do around town. Instead, she is going away to camp in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey because her father is moving out of the house. She has an interest in nature and plants, but just doesn't want to be away from home for two weeks. The other campers are nice, including Medina and Alice Saito. Deonne claims to be the "head girl" of their cabin, and Jackie, who has some hearing impairment, claims that she is going to break all of the rules so that she can go home. One tradition of the camp is that all of the kids get airbrushed tattoos, and there are lots of scary stories told around the campfire. Since the local monster is the Jersey Devil, there are lots of twists on that tale, including one about the "devil's cabin" where campers are sent for infractions. Naomi can't swim, and is rather anxious, but grateful that Jackie is willing to teacher her some sign language. Naomi is also concerned about the kudzu that seems to be all over the camp; it's an invasive plant widespread in the South, and needs to be controlled. The counselors, especially Mara, seem to be half a bubble off as well, and everything is creepy. When off in the woods one day, the girls see odd yellow lights, and find a child's shoe. They also meet the Jersey Devil, who claims that magic is being siphoned out of the Barrens and that the children are somehow the key to saving the area. After breaking into Mara's cabin to use her computer, Naomi puts together the details available and makes a shocking discovery about what is really going on at the camp. Will she and her new friends be able to work with the Jersey Devil to defeat the forces of evil threatening the Camp Twisted Pine?
Strengths: Summer camp is a very good thing for tweens, and it can be hard to find a camp. In the absence of actually attending one, reading about it is the next best thing! Given the out of the ordinary setting of camps, and the unfamiliarity of a wooded setting, it makes sense that we see a lot of camps where creepy things are taking place. Ghost stories are a big nighttime draw! Naomi doesn't want to go to camp, but manages to make the most of her experience, and it was nice to see that there wasn't too much drama with the friendships; when you are only with people for two weeks, there's no history and a lot more forgiveness. The villain was a little surprising, and I enjoyed the fact that the Jersey Devil was not really the force of evil one would suspect!
Weaknesses: This wasn't all that scary. My students want something more along the lines of Strand's Nightmare in the Back Yard.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's Finch House or other books about creepy camps, like Berk and Mitchell's Camp Murderface or the Tales from Cabin 23 series.
September 10, 2024
Dark forests, unknown surroundings, and a the monster of a local legend already promise tons of spooky goodness, but this camp adds an extra, unexpected twist.
Naomi doesn't really want to go to camp...staying with her father and brothers would be so much better...but since she doesn't have a choice, she'll deal as best she can. While everyone at the camp has their own quirky personality or traits, she soon finds herself getting along pretty well with several of the kids. While not everything is perfect, and the campfire tales surrounding the Jersey Devil and creepy thoughts, nothing really goes wrong until the see strange lights during a walk through the woods. The real Jersey Devil appears, and the creature isn't exactly what they expected, especially since it claims that they are the key to overcoming a dark evil.
This is a quick-paced read for spook fans, especially those who enjoy a good camp story. The camp has many usual traits (kids facing various problems, odd counselors, mysterious places), which make it easy to sink into before taking off in a fairly unique direction. There isn't as much drama as some camp stories hold, and for that, I'm grateful. This group has enough to go up against, anyway. While there still are some personal issues to add character depth and a few messages, these don't threaten to take over the more general plot. Instead, the hidden shadows, secrets, and approaching danger keep these pages turning.
The addition of the Jersey Devil adds a nice local legend aspect, which was a nice touch. Just when it seemed that this might be heading in that sort of spooky direction, it takes an unexpected turn. Not only does this give the a unique touch, but it keeps readers guessing. There are spooky moments and scenes with higher tension, but it doesn't head into the extreme, either. This feeds more into delicious creepiness as new friends do their best to figure out what is going on.
It's an enjoyable read with a touch of fantasy, a little imagination, and a creepy tone to delight fans of paranormal, monsters, and mystery. I received an ARC and enjoyed the fun voices.
Naomi doesn't really want to go to camp...staying with her father and brothers would be so much better...but since she doesn't have a choice, she'll deal as best she can. While everyone at the camp has their own quirky personality or traits, she soon finds herself getting along pretty well with several of the kids. While not everything is perfect, and the campfire tales surrounding the Jersey Devil and creepy thoughts, nothing really goes wrong until the see strange lights during a walk through the woods. The real Jersey Devil appears, and the creature isn't exactly what they expected, especially since it claims that they are the key to overcoming a dark evil.
This is a quick-paced read for spook fans, especially those who enjoy a good camp story. The camp has many usual traits (kids facing various problems, odd counselors, mysterious places), which make it easy to sink into before taking off in a fairly unique direction. There isn't as much drama as some camp stories hold, and for that, I'm grateful. This group has enough to go up against, anyway. While there still are some personal issues to add character depth and a few messages, these don't threaten to take over the more general plot. Instead, the hidden shadows, secrets, and approaching danger keep these pages turning.
The addition of the Jersey Devil adds a nice local legend aspect, which was a nice touch. Just when it seemed that this might be heading in that sort of spooky direction, it takes an unexpected turn. Not only does this give the a unique touch, but it keeps readers guessing. There are spooky moments and scenes with higher tension, but it doesn't head into the extreme, either. This feeds more into delicious creepiness as new friends do their best to figure out what is going on.
It's an enjoyable read with a touch of fantasy, a little imagination, and a creepy tone to delight fans of paranormal, monsters, and mystery. I received an ARC and enjoyed the fun voices.
January 7, 2025
Camp Twisted Pine
by Ciera Burch
Margaret K. McElderry Books
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division
2024
256 pages
ISBN: 9781665930574
Camp Twisted Pine is a spooky middle grade read with just the right amount of the elements kids love about summer camp. The author dedicates the book to, "...all the kids who wanted to go to summer camp but weren't allowed to...," and those readers will visit Camp Twisted pine through the eyes of eleven-year old Naomi.
Although she doesn't want to go to camp, she finds out that she and her twin younger brothers are being shipped off for the summer while her parents sort out their separation and impending divorce. While Naomi was ready to hate camp, once she's there, it's not so bad. The counselors are okay, the cabin is decent and she gets along with the other campers and becomes friends with Jackie. Jackie is hard of hearing and teaches Naomi ASL (American Sign Language) as the girls become closer.
There's something amiss in the woods, and the scary stories told at the campfire has Naomi on edge. When a kid goes missing, Naomi convinces Jackie that they better solve the mystery of just what is out there in the woods. Could the Jersey Devil be real?
Readers will cheer for Naomi as she unravels the mystery: she's fearless, smart and driven. For all those readers who have never been to camp, Camp Twisted Pine is the answer.
Recommended grades 5 and up. A little spooky, but no gore.
by Ciera Burch
Margaret K. McElderry Books
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division
2024
256 pages
ISBN: 9781665930574
Camp Twisted Pine is a spooky middle grade read with just the right amount of the elements kids love about summer camp. The author dedicates the book to, "...all the kids who wanted to go to summer camp but weren't allowed to...," and those readers will visit Camp Twisted pine through the eyes of eleven-year old Naomi.
Although she doesn't want to go to camp, she finds out that she and her twin younger brothers are being shipped off for the summer while her parents sort out their separation and impending divorce. While Naomi was ready to hate camp, once she's there, it's not so bad. The counselors are okay, the cabin is decent and she gets along with the other campers and becomes friends with Jackie. Jackie is hard of hearing and teaches Naomi ASL (American Sign Language) as the girls become closer.
There's something amiss in the woods, and the scary stories told at the campfire has Naomi on edge. When a kid goes missing, Naomi convinces Jackie that they better solve the mystery of just what is out there in the woods. Could the Jersey Devil be real?
Readers will cheer for Naomi as she unravels the mystery: she's fearless, smart and driven. For all those readers who have never been to camp, Camp Twisted Pine is the answer.
Recommended grades 5 and up. A little spooky, but no gore.
September 14, 2024
I thought this was a really great seasonal, middle grade read! It was a little spooky, but not scary and it has such good summer camp vibes. I liked Naomi’s personality and the representation of her introversion? Neurodivergence? Just awkward middle school-ness? The fact that it isn’t so blatantly defined makes it so relatable and I think a lot of kids will see themselves in her as they try to navigate making new friends and sharing the things their passionate about.
I also thought this book was a great introduction to nature conservation and the importance of balanced ecosystems. Again, it’s not something that’s super blatant, but there’s enough of it to start conversations if a kid is interested.
The plot didn’t go where I thought it would. I went into this book pretty blind—it had been a while since I’d read the summary—so when things started to happen I really was in a place of “well, we’ll see where this goes”. I enjoyed the tension of not knowing who was bad and who the girls could actually trust.
Overall, I thought this book was really fun and is a good middle grade thriller. There’s even more representation than I spotlighted in my review so I really think there’s something for everyone to relate to here.
Note: I received an early finished copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I also thought this book was a great introduction to nature conservation and the importance of balanced ecosystems. Again, it’s not something that’s super blatant, but there’s enough of it to start conversations if a kid is interested.
The plot didn’t go where I thought it would. I went into this book pretty blind—it had been a while since I’d read the summary—so when things started to happen I really was in a place of “well, we’ll see where this goes”. I enjoyed the tension of not knowing who was bad and who the girls could actually trust.
Overall, I thought this book was really fun and is a good middle grade thriller. There’s even more representation than I spotlighted in my review so I really think there’s something for everyone to relate to here.
Note: I received an early finished copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2024
In Ciera Burch’s CAMP TWISTED PINE, amid changes at home Naomi and her younger brothers are sent to sleep away camp. Naomi’s a fan of science but not an outdoorsy person, so the idea of two weeks in nature doesn’t thrill her—and the odd behaviors she notices at the camp combined with campfire stories about the legendary Jersey Devil believed to inhabit the forest around the camp don’t make her feel any more at ease. After Naomi has what she believes is an encounter with the Jersey Devil and the disappearance of several campers, she uses her scientific skills and rallies her bunkmates to embark on a mission to rescue those who are missing and find out who or what is behind their disappearance.
Naomi leads a diverse group of characters in this twist on the haunted summer camp story. With its engaging mix of folklore, friendship and family drama, and spooky summer scares, readers will enjoy following Naomi as she finds her voice and peels back the layers to discover what’s really going on at Camp Twisted Pine and saving the day in the process.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an eARC of the book with me.
Naomi leads a diverse group of characters in this twist on the haunted summer camp story. With its engaging mix of folklore, friendship and family drama, and spooky summer scares, readers will enjoy following Naomi as she finds her voice and peels back the layers to discover what’s really going on at Camp Twisted Pine and saving the day in the process.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an eARC of the book with me.
June 21, 2024
Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This book follows a young girl who does not want to go to summer camp. She would rather be spending time with her dad and reading in the library. She is not an outdoorsy person. However, her parents send her and her little brothers to a camp in order to deal with their marriage. Naomi is scared that her family is falling apart but she always keeps her feelings in check and bottled up. Things quickly go downhill when strange things start happening at the camp.
I enjoyed this book! One of my favorite tropes is a haunted summer camp and this was a fun one. It took a lot of fun turns and even went a bit sci-fi (which was interesting). I liked the characters and felt like this book examined friendships and family relationships really well. I would recommend this book to kids who want something a little spooky and different.
It was not quite a 5 star for me because I felt like the beginning was a bit slow. I would still recommend it to people though!
This book follows a young girl who does not want to go to summer camp. She would rather be spending time with her dad and reading in the library. She is not an outdoorsy person. However, her parents send her and her little brothers to a camp in order to deal with their marriage. Naomi is scared that her family is falling apart but she always keeps her feelings in check and bottled up. Things quickly go downhill when strange things start happening at the camp.
I enjoyed this book! One of my favorite tropes is a haunted summer camp and this was a fun one. It took a lot of fun turns and even went a bit sci-fi (which was interesting). I liked the characters and felt like this book examined friendships and family relationships really well. I would recommend this book to kids who want something a little spooky and different.
It was not quite a 5 star for me because I felt like the beginning was a bit slow. I would still recommend it to people though!
September 23, 2024
When Naomi and her brothers are shipped off to a two week stint at Camp Twisted Pine in the Pine Barrens by their potentially divorcing parents, nothing is as it seems in Noami’s home life or at camp. With mysterious flora, missing campers, and an unearthly local legend, Naomi and her new cabin-mates must solve the case before it’s too late.
Review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Camp Twisted Pine is a spooky and quick read. It has a nice mixture of camp, haunted woods, magic, and mystery that I think will hook younger readers but also not scare them. The horror is mild and more magical and fear based.
Our main character, Naomi, is a relatable character. She is in the upper elementary/middle school age of awkwardness and finding herself. She doesn’t always make the right decisions and she’s developing an awareness. There’s potential neurodivergence and a grounding self-value in understanding and research. Deaf representation is also featured in Naomi’s new friend Jackie, a cut-to-the-chase and rebellious-hopeful camper. The theme of lack of voice is prevalent in this novel with Jackie, counselors not listening about the missing children, parent dismissal, and Naomi’s parents attempt to skate over a separation, in how it affects relationships and understanding of other people. This plays in the plot but also character development.
The magical, mystery, horror aspect of the book was simple and easy to understand. I was confused on how easily dismissive all the other counselors/people in charge were about the missing kids and what happened to the kids post-kidnapping with this being regularly attended summer camp: however, as an older reader I could be overthinking for the age.
Thank you to Ciera (and Margret K. McElderry Books) for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own. :)
Review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Camp Twisted Pine is a spooky and quick read. It has a nice mixture of camp, haunted woods, magic, and mystery that I think will hook younger readers but also not scare them. The horror is mild and more magical and fear based.
Our main character, Naomi, is a relatable character. She is in the upper elementary/middle school age of awkwardness and finding herself. She doesn’t always make the right decisions and she’s developing an awareness. There’s potential neurodivergence and a grounding self-value in understanding and research. Deaf representation is also featured in Naomi’s new friend Jackie, a cut-to-the-chase and rebellious-hopeful camper. The theme of lack of voice is prevalent in this novel with Jackie, counselors not listening about the missing children, parent dismissal, and Naomi’s parents attempt to skate over a separation, in how it affects relationships and understanding of other people. This plays in the plot but also character development.
The magical, mystery, horror aspect of the book was simple and easy to understand. I was confused on how easily dismissive all the other counselors/people in charge were about the missing kids and what happened to the kids post-kidnapping with this being regularly attended summer camp: however, as an older reader I could be overthinking for the age.
Thank you to Ciera (and Margret K. McElderry Books) for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own. :)
September 30, 2024
👧🏻reviews: Ah-ha! Now I know where the hockey team NJ Devils come from!!! I used to see them all over the place and had even asked my parents the significance of it, well folks here it is! So Naomi and her twin siblings have been sent to summer camp because of the family issues happening in their home. So while at the camp, things have gotten gory-ish, so while fighting the fear friendship, first love and realization of family relationships have become priorities while at the camp. I’ve been to away camp once in PA and thankfully I never had to worry and deal with what Naomi went through. This is a fast-paced, easy-read and perfect for this scary season this October. I liked this one 🤙
April 28, 2025
This is a spooky (but not too scary) middle grade horror about the Jersey Devil. Naomi's parents are getting divorced, and they decide to send her and her twin younger brothers to a summer camp as they work things out, something Naomi very much does NOT want. But Naomi has trouble communicating, especially when what she wants to say will go against what the people listening want, so she tends to stay quiet, or complacent. She immediately notices something is wrong at the camp. There's too much kudzu, and it shouldn't be here at all. Then campers start disappearing. She also develops a crush on another girl camper, who is Deaf. To figure out what is happening and how to get the other kids back, Naomi will need to push against her own anxiety about speaking, and share with others.
March 22, 2025
I had originally borrowed this thinking I was going to read it on my sons' birthday since I wanted to read a book that featured twins, however Naomi is the main character and her siblings are the twins who aren't in the story since it's about her reluctant summer camp experience as her parents go through a divorce and need time to figure things out while she's away.
But what it devolves into is a mystery as campers are disappearing and there's a legendary creature that haunts the camp. Luckily, Naomi is a smart gal who tries to employ her fellow campers in their uniqueness to help her fix the problem. It's got a nice heir of mystery and action with a touch of humor.
But what it devolves into is a mystery as campers are disappearing and there's a legendary creature that haunts the camp. Luckily, Naomi is a smart gal who tries to employ her fellow campers in their uniqueness to help her fix the problem. It's got a nice heir of mystery and action with a touch of humor.
June 6, 2025
Cue yet another forgettable attempt at a middle grade horror set at summer camp. The main character reluctantly heads off to camp, along with her younger brothers, because her parents need some kid free time to work on their marriage. Once at the camp, things seem just slightly off until one of her cabin-mates goes missing and none of the counselors seem to either notice or care. From there the story unfolds with unfortunate precision according to well known and quite obvious tropes. Because everything was so glaringly obvious, I struggle to see how any reader would end up surprised or creeped out. I do not recommend this one.
November 18, 2025
This was a perfectly fine spooky camp story. I've been reading a lot of them lately, so they are starting to blend together -- highlights: nice to have a Black main protagonist with thoughtful opinions and a love of science; nice that the Jersey Devil turns out to be a good guy; good messages about friendship; nice to have a Deaf new friend; good messages about getting your parents to hear you. Mild crush on new friend is implied, but it could just be a bestie thing. Not hugely spooky unless you are familiar with kudzu -- that stuff is terrifying. I suspect it will be popular with the intended audience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
This is four 1/2 stars! "Camp Twisted Pine" by Ciera Burch is a spooky, fun adventure! Naomi, a book-loving girl, is sent to summer camp where campers start going missing—including her friend Jackie. With her nature knowledge and quick thinking, Naomi must uncover the truth behind the disappearances. A perfect mix of suspense, friendship, and mystery for young readers! 🔦📚
Read my full review, visit my blog: https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...
Read my full review, visit my blog: https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...
September 25, 2024
If you enjoy:
-spooky stories around the campfire
-tales of cryptids
-new friendships
-coming-of-age narratives
Then you are going to want to pick up this exciting read! Camp Twisted Pine is delightful spooky and a solid summer camp story! It has just the right amount of horror elements for its intended middle-grade audience without it being too scary.
Read the full book review on the blog at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
-spooky stories around the campfire
-tales of cryptids
-new friendships
-coming-of-age narratives
Then you are going to want to pick up this exciting read! Camp Twisted Pine is delightful spooky and a solid summer camp story! It has just the right amount of horror elements for its intended middle-grade audience without it being too scary.
Read the full book review on the blog at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
November 22, 2024
This novel was very fun and engaging. I loved the plot and I loved the main characters thinking process. Side characters were one note and the end lacked any tension with a too quick resolution. Overall a great spooky read for younger students.
January 2, 2025
Read this with my 8 year old and we loved it. A bit spooky!
April 1, 2025
3.5
The copyright page says some of the subjects are "twins" and "brothers" instead of the way more prevalent "magic" or "Jersey Devil" or "nature". The twin brothers are barely even in it.
The copyright page says some of the subjects are "twins" and "brothers" instead of the way more prevalent "magic" or "Jersey Devil" or "nature". The twin brothers are barely even in it.
June 13, 2025
cute but bland...
July 23, 2025
Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch is a middle-grade horror novel about a young girl, Naomi, whose first summer camp experience is ruined by the discovery of spooky creatures abducting her fellow campers. Naomi loves everything related to being outdoors. She enjoys nature and the animals it hosts. However, rather than experiencing nature firsthand, she prefers to explore it through reading. When her parents mention that they are planning to get a divorce, they decide to send Naomi and her twin brother to summer camp while they try to work on their marriage. Naomi wants her parents to repair their relationship, but she would rather be anywhere else than at camp.
As much as Naomi tries to dislike Camp Twisted Pine, she finds herself enjoying it. Her counselors are kind, and she gets along well with her cabinmates, especially Jackie, who has a blunt personality and isn’t fond of the camp either. Jackie is hard of hearing and uses a hearing aid. The girls develop a bond as Jackie teaches Naomi sign language. Naomi values the time she and Jackie spend together, which makes Camp Twisted Pine a lot more enjoyable. However, when campers start going missing, including Jackie, Naomi must find a way to save everyone, including herself, before it’s too late.
The novel is a cute and quick read. I enjoyed reading about how Naomi and Jackie bonded and how each character emerged from their shell. I appreciated that they included the myth of the Jersey Devils, and the story had several twists that young readers might enjoy. The book features some spooky and creepy elements, making it a good introduction for young fans interested in the horror genre.
As much as Naomi tries to dislike Camp Twisted Pine, she finds herself enjoying it. Her counselors are kind, and she gets along well with her cabinmates, especially Jackie, who has a blunt personality and isn’t fond of the camp either. Jackie is hard of hearing and uses a hearing aid. The girls develop a bond as Jackie teaches Naomi sign language. Naomi values the time she and Jackie spend together, which makes Camp Twisted Pine a lot more enjoyable. However, when campers start going missing, including Jackie, Naomi must find a way to save everyone, including herself, before it’s too late.
The novel is a cute and quick read. I enjoyed reading about how Naomi and Jackie bonded and how each character emerged from their shell. I appreciated that they included the myth of the Jersey Devils, and the story had several twists that young readers might enjoy. The book features some spooky and creepy elements, making it a good introduction for young fans interested in the horror genre.
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