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Letters from Camp
Mom and Dad,
You've got to get us out of here! When you get this letter, COME IMMEDIATELY!
-- Charlie The brother-sister pairs who arrive for the summer at Camp Happy Harmony are almost too busy fighting with each other to notice how strange the camp really is. Not only are the campers forced to wear bizarre uniforms, eat gross food, and do chores all day, but the members of the family that runs the camp fight constantly--with each other. Are the campers in danger? Or--in spite of sibling wars--do they need to stick together to solve the mystery humming under the surface of Camp Happy Harmony?
You've got to get us out of here! When you get this letter, COME IMMEDIATELY!
-- Charlie The brother-sister pairs who arrive for the summer at Camp Happy Harmony are almost too busy fighting with each other to notice how strange the camp really is. Not only are the campers forced to wear bizarre uniforms, eat gross food, and do chores all day, but the members of the family that runs the camp fight constantly--with each other. Are the campers in danger? Or--in spite of sibling wars--do they need to stick together to solve the mystery humming under the surface of Camp Happy Harmony?
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
16 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
Kate Klise
68 books344 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Catherine "Kate" Klise is an American author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Kate Klise's first adult novel, In the Bag, was released in 2012.
Catherine "Kate" Klise is an American author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Kate Klise's first adult novel, In the Bag, was released in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 24, 2021
2021 re-read. Books by this duo are always a great breather after I finish finals and they're still a lot of fun even as a 22-year-old.
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April 9, 2020When I spent time with my grandma as a kid, we would always go to Barnes & Noble, she would buy me a book and a bookmark, and then I'd get to pick where we went for lunch. One time, she bought me Letters From Camp, and I absolutely loved it. We sat in her living room all afternoon after lunch, each reading our own books, talking about them, and it was one of my absolute favorite days I had with her. That day and this book have been on my mind a lot recently, so I decided to read it again, 20 years later, hoping I would enjoy it as much at 29 as I did when I was 9.
I did. I so did. It's such a fun story about three pairs of antagonistic siblings who get sent to a camp ran by a family of washed-up former child stars. The family has some dark secrets and even darker plans, and the kids have to fend for themselves and solve some mysteries before it's too late. The book is also told in a series of letters, memos, and notes, which really makes the whole thing fun.
I don't have much else to say, honestly. It's a kid's book seeped in a great memory for me. It's super funny and witty and cute. It's about family and friendship and taking down authority figures that are mean to you. Is it ridiculous? Yep. Is it fun? Absolutely. A forever favorite.
I did. I so did. It's such a fun story about three pairs of antagonistic siblings who get sent to a camp ran by a family of washed-up former child stars. The family has some dark secrets and even darker plans, and the kids have to fend for themselves and solve some mysteries before it's too late. The book is also told in a series of letters, memos, and notes, which really makes the whole thing fun.
I don't have much else to say, honestly. It's a kid's book seeped in a great memory for me. It's super funny and witty and cute. It's about family and friendship and taking down authority figures that are mean to you. Is it ridiculous? Yep. Is it fun? Absolutely. A forever favorite.
April 13, 2013
Pairs of squabbling siblings are sent to summer camp to work on their relationships only to find the Harmony family (a famous set of siblings who had a successful stage act years before the story starts) isn't as harmonious as they advertise.
Camp is pretty gruesome at first and days are filled with bad food and hard labor, but as the campers settle in they develop lasting bonds and discover useful skills among their group that helps them survive camp.
It's not long before the campers discover that the staff has been running an elaborate scam and with some secret detective skills they reveal all the Harmony family dirty deeds to their parents on Sibling Appreciation day.
Full of humor, and written in letters, lists, transcripts etc this book reads similarly to the Regarding the Fountain etc series by the same author/illustrator team. A great read recommended for grades 3-5 and one that shares some read alike appeal elements that Holes by Louis Sachar does, but for a slightly younger audience. Put this book on a list of suggested summer titles!
Camp is pretty gruesome at first and days are filled with bad food and hard labor, but as the campers settle in they develop lasting bonds and discover useful skills among their group that helps them survive camp.
It's not long before the campers discover that the staff has been running an elaborate scam and with some secret detective skills they reveal all the Harmony family dirty deeds to their parents on Sibling Appreciation day.
Full of humor, and written in letters, lists, transcripts etc this book reads similarly to the Regarding the Fountain etc series by the same author/illustrator team. A great read recommended for grades 3-5 and one that shares some read alike appeal elements that Holes by Louis Sachar does, but for a slightly younger audience. Put this book on a list of suggested summer titles!
April 4, 2021
After reading the synopsis of the author's latest book, MYSTERY ON MAGNOLIA CIRCLE, and knowing I wanted to read it, I went back to the first book for middle readers that she had published (my local library had it).
What fun LETTERS FROM CAMP is! And a lot of what makes the whole reading experience what it is, is the art by M. Sarah Klise. I could single out several parts of the story that had me laughing out loud, but why spoil the fun? Read it!!!
What fun LETTERS FROM CAMP is! And a lot of what makes the whole reading experience what it is, is the art by M. Sarah Klise. I could single out several parts of the story that had me laughing out loud, but why spoil the fun? Read it!!!
November 2, 2009
Great book. Written in letters from the kids at a summer camp. Great book for kids.
December 6, 2016
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Kate Klise writes the book all in letters, notes, newspaper articles and more! I really enjoyed this book, along with some other books kate klise has written in this style. Example: Regarding the Fountain
March 7, 2009
This was an amazing mystery book. Its funny sad and want you to read more if you are a person who likes mystery books and you dont want tem to be scary than read this book and you will LOVE it.
March 13, 2014
It's actually Thursday, amazingly, so I can finally do this:
#throwbackthursday
Except that this is Goodreads. Oh well.
#throwbackthursday
Except that this is Goodreads. Oh well.
January 12, 2020
I've been doing some re-reading as a fun way to start off my year, and nabbed this book for a fun walk down memory lane. I remember loving this book as a kid. I really liked the letter format and I liked the siblings becoming friends. Rereading it as an adult, it's definitely a lot sillier than I remember. The exaggerated language and names are pretty goofy, but it's still cute. I can see why I liked it so much at age 8, although I don't know how I was able to swallow some of this stuff. Rereading books you liked as a kid is always a risk, but it was a fun little exercise in nostalgia.
January 6, 2017
A little camp mystery told in letters, notes, memos, and lists! Reads like a fun murder mystery dinner and has themes of friendship, family, and honesty. Lots of plays on words that add to the gimmick. Young adults who like a mystery and can piece together a story by reading between the lines would like this book!
September 15, 2025
Rather outlandish. Apparently one has to have read this book as a child to be fond of it. And I was forty and in a somewhat grouchy mood—so too late for me.
Although...not a waste of time to read. I love stories-told-by-letter, and some of these were sinister and some downright hilarious, a good mix.
Although...not a waste of time to read. I love stories-told-by-letter, and some of these were sinister and some downright hilarious, a good mix.
May 6, 2017
Battle of the Books 2017-2018
June 30, 2017
Kid's book which Steph liked. Cute story told in letters and notes.
March 7, 2018
this book was pretty much a murder mystery and it was amazing. It is a very great book for kids
January 1, 2019
A reread of a childhood favorite!
May 27, 2019
Letters From Camp is real fun--fun characters, fun plot, fun format. The way the secrets are slowly revealed is really well done.
June 3, 2020
I’m continuing my trend of rereading books I loved as a kid. This one is so creative and fun. I love the Klise sisters’ writing and illustrations.
July 15, 2021
This is a quick read, is pretty funny, and would make a great book to look at the epistolary format and how Klise utilizes and subverts that format!
August 8, 2022
⭐️ the NOSTALGIA<3 one of my favorite childhood books. So fun as a re-read!!
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May 21, 2025wait going back through my old reads as a child and this author ate. gonna add all her books to my read list tbh
June 16, 2017
I love when books don't just tell stories with words. The mix of letters, notes, notices, etc. tell the story very well.
October 13, 2016
IT ᕼᗩᗪ ᗩ ᖴᑌᑎ TᗯIᔕT ᗩT TᕼE Eᑎᗪ ᗯᕼEᑎ YOᑌ ᖴOᑌᑎᗪ OᑌT ᒪYᒪE ᗯᗩᔕ ᗩ ᕼᗩᖇᗰOᑎY.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2017
I really enjoyed this book when I was younger. It's about a sibling run camp, where the siblings are not how they appear. Told uniquely through letters, pictures, memo and legal documents.
November 6, 2014
Letters from Camp is a book about a camp run by a musical family past its time. They advertize the camp as one that will teach siblings how to get along. 3 sets of siblings are sent to the camp. But they quickly find out the camp is more than what it seems. The musicians that advertize themselves as one big happy family are anything but. And where are the rides and games? Cleaning and working are the order of the day. But through each difficulty, the children learn to get along and band together to take care of themselves and to solve the mystery of what really is going on at Camp Harmony.
This book is unlike a typical novel. It is written as a series of letters, memos, and advertizements with illustrations on most pages. The story is a bit of a spoof on those overly happy and loving musical families from the 50s, 60s, and 70s (the Osmonds for example). The characters are very stereotypical (the hick cattle ranchers, the rich and posh family, and the I can't get enough of the Harmony Family Singers parents), but this fits well with the spoof aspect of the story. The mystery aspect was a mystery to the kids, but not the reader as the memos give the reader all of the inside information.
Because the story is written as a series of letters, etc. it makes for a quick read. In some places, however, the print was so tiny it was hard to read. Dorothy's handwriting was also hard to read. I would have liked to have seen a more spread out layout with fewer mini pictures. This would have made the book even easier and faster to read.
Overall a good and quick read for those who like more light hearted stories with a sense of the ridiculous.
Note: There are attempted murders, neglect of the children, and serious animosity between the adults. However, it is advertized for grades 4-7 which is appropriate.
This book is unlike a typical novel. It is written as a series of letters, memos, and advertizements with illustrations on most pages. The story is a bit of a spoof on those overly happy and loving musical families from the 50s, 60s, and 70s (the Osmonds for example). The characters are very stereotypical (the hick cattle ranchers, the rich and posh family, and the I can't get enough of the Harmony Family Singers parents), but this fits well with the spoof aspect of the story. The mystery aspect was a mystery to the kids, but not the reader as the memos give the reader all of the inside information.
Because the story is written as a series of letters, etc. it makes for a quick read. In some places, however, the print was so tiny it was hard to read. Dorothy's handwriting was also hard to read. I would have liked to have seen a more spread out layout with fewer mini pictures. This would have made the book even easier and faster to read.
Overall a good and quick read for those who like more light hearted stories with a sense of the ridiculous.
Note: There are attempted murders, neglect of the children, and serious animosity between the adults. However, it is advertized for grades 4-7 which is appropriate.
August 11, 2014
This is one of the early works of the Klise sister team. I've really enjoyed many of their other books, and was not disappointed by this book, although you can see how over the years their style has become more fine tuned.
"Letters from Camp" is told entirely in letters, postcards, Post-it Notes, and other documents. And what a tale it is! Well, I guess it is really a mystery.
The Harmony Siblings were once a top of the charts singing sensation. At the height of their careers, they even had a television show. Now they run a camp especially for siblings who do not get along with the goal of bringing them together before the summer is through.
Only three brother-sister pairs get signed up for Camp Harmony by their parents who have had enough of their sibling squabbles. Brisket and Barbie Q Roast are twins from Texas, Ivan and Mimi Gems hail from London, and rounding out the group are Charlie and Charlotte Lee, from Illinois.
The letters about camp back home to the parents are classic. The kids are very disappointed with everything from the food to the required chores. Of course, they really do have much to complain about as Camp Harmony is not at all what it seems. Behind the scenes is inharmonious sibling relationships taken to the extreme -- not by the campers, but the people who are supposed to be running the show.
This is a great book for kids who like to solve puzzles or just like to read other people's mail. It might even make you appreciate the days you spent at camp.
"Letters from Camp" is told entirely in letters, postcards, Post-it Notes, and other documents. And what a tale it is! Well, I guess it is really a mystery.
The Harmony Siblings were once a top of the charts singing sensation. At the height of their careers, they even had a television show. Now they run a camp especially for siblings who do not get along with the goal of bringing them together before the summer is through.
Only three brother-sister pairs get signed up for Camp Harmony by their parents who have had enough of their sibling squabbles. Brisket and Barbie Q Roast are twins from Texas, Ivan and Mimi Gems hail from London, and rounding out the group are Charlie and Charlotte Lee, from Illinois.
The letters about camp back home to the parents are classic. The kids are very disappointed with everything from the food to the required chores. Of course, they really do have much to complain about as Camp Harmony is not at all what it seems. Behind the scenes is inharmonious sibling relationships taken to the extreme -- not by the campers, but the people who are supposed to be running the show.
This is a great book for kids who like to solve puzzles or just like to read other people's mail. It might even make you appreciate the days you spent at camp.
August 15, 2014
Letters from camp, a quirky quick read about three pairs of dysfunctional siblings whose exasperated parents send them to Camp Happy Harmony in order to mend their wicked ways. Camp Happy Harmony is run by everyone's favorite siblings, the Harmonys, whose hit song, "We'd Rather Sing than Fight, 'Cause Being Polite is Such a Delight," is about their harmonious sibling relationships. However, once the young campers get there they find the Harmonys don't live up to their family name.
An epistolary tale where the mystery is discovered and solved through the letters written at camp. It was fun, but a little unrealistic. I enjoyed Klises' epistolary style in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series more, in this book it just seemed a bit forced.
The kids seem to get over the sibling squabbles, there was no real turning point or discovery, but just a gradual decline and sudden appreciation which seemed unlikely to me. Also having read a collection of real kids letters from camp (P.S. I Hate It Here: Kids' Letters from Camp) I found these letters lacked a bit in comparison.
However, as a camp read, I did have fun with some of the names, especially Barbie Q. and Brisket Roast (the horror!), and the camp feel was definitely there. A good one to send with the kid to camp.
An epistolary tale where the mystery is discovered and solved through the letters written at camp. It was fun, but a little unrealistic. I enjoyed Klises' epistolary style in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series more, in this book it just seemed a bit forced.
The kids seem to get over the sibling squabbles, there was no real turning point or discovery, but just a gradual decline and sudden appreciation which seemed unlikely to me. Also having read a collection of real kids letters from camp (P.S. I Hate It Here: Kids' Letters from Camp) I found these letters lacked a bit in comparison.
However, as a camp read, I did have fun with some of the names, especially Barbie Q. and Brisket Roast (the horror!), and the camp feel was definitely there. A good one to send with the kid to camp.
September 6, 2015
Letters from Camp is a hilarious journey into camping, though letters, written both by the campers and the camp owners. Camp Happy Harmony is anything but, as the owners are a murderous, treacherous, bungling, fumbling group of siblings who were once adored by millions for their singing talent. Now, they will do anything to get rid of one another, sell the camp, and hit the open road. They just need to make enough money to accomplish all their hair-brained schemes.
Six kids, three groups of bickering siblings, are sent by their clueless parents to Camp Happy Harmony in hopes of learning by example how to get along. Little to the parents know, however, that their kids are not being fed, are being used to do heavy cleaning and maintenance, and are not allowed to have any fun. These kids, however, are resourceful and learn on their own, to make gourmet meals, spy on their directors, and find all sorts of fun! Just wait til their parents hear all about it.
Letters from Camp is a wacky ride, full of snarky dialogue with tongue-in-cheek scenarios. Kids will love it! A great read for reluctant readers and those who want a quick romp through an unbelievable adventure.
Six kids, three groups of bickering siblings, are sent by their clueless parents to Camp Happy Harmony in hopes of learning by example how to get along. Little to the parents know, however, that their kids are not being fed, are being used to do heavy cleaning and maintenance, and are not allowed to have any fun. These kids, however, are resourceful and learn on their own, to make gourmet meals, spy on their directors, and find all sorts of fun! Just wait til their parents hear all about it.
Letters from Camp is a wacky ride, full of snarky dialogue with tongue-in-cheek scenarios. Kids will love it! A great read for reluctant readers and those who want a quick romp through an unbelievable adventure.
May 2, 2013
Camp books are among my favorite; I love them so much I even wrote one (Camp Bug Juice)!, and I was looking forward to Letters from Camp from Klise. A few selected campers are sent to summer camp run by a strange, singing family who are really just using the camp tuition to save their own debt. The campers are relegated to working all day, and they hate it! The reader gets to see the letters from home and from the campers to their parents with fun cartoons, illustrations, and drawings.
This book is cute, and for me, shows the real divergence between a child reader and an adult reader. As a child, I would have loved this book because it's told through letters and notes from camp. Barbie Q and Brisket are two siblings who are among the spirited campers, and their relationship had me chuckling. As an adult, it not in my top favorite list; perhaps, I had trouble suspending my disbelief, but too many issues with the crazy family running the camp for me to jump into the plot. Summary: Great summer read for children!
This book is cute, and for me, shows the real divergence between a child reader and an adult reader. As a child, I would have loved this book because it's told through letters and notes from camp. Barbie Q and Brisket are two siblings who are among the spirited campers, and their relationship had me chuckling. As an adult, it not in my top favorite list; perhaps, I had trouble suspending my disbelief, but too many issues with the crazy family running the camp for me to jump into the plot. Summary: Great summer read for children!
July 13, 2011
A fun mystery for kids. The book consists of letters, drawings, and weekly budgets for a camp run by a group of siblings who were singing hits in their younger years for songs such as "We'd Rather Sing than Fight, 'Cause Being Polite is Such a Delight." In light of their supposed "sibling harmony," the Harmony family has now opened "Camp Happy Harmony" which aims to help kids decrease sibling rivalry. However, all is not as it seems at Camp Happy Harmony, and the six campers quickly realize they must band together to avoid being poisoned and to stop several dastardly schemes to "off" various camp members.
Despite the murder plots, this is definitely a light "beach read" for kids, who will enjoy the energetic exploits of the six campers as they work to save the camp, themselves, and a few new friends to boot.
Despite the murder plots, this is definitely a light "beach read" for kids, who will enjoy the energetic exploits of the six campers as they work to save the camp, themselves, and a few new friends to boot.
January 28, 2010
The story in this is cute for young girls, but as an adult it didn't have enough to keep me really interested.
Letters from camp is a mystery told through a sequence of letters written to and from campers in a summer sleepaway camp. While that isn't necessarily a bad thing, the story didn't come smoothly enough for me in this manner. Also, the font was often very difficult to read (especially for my 9 year old who is just learning cursive herself). It was supposed to make the letter more "authentic" but it just made the story come more sluggishly since deciphering slowed down the pace considerably.
So whether it was the format, or the story itself, it was just an "eh" for me. My daughters and I read it for a Mother/Daughter book club and they would rate it 4.5 stars. Go figure.
Letters from camp is a mystery told through a sequence of letters written to and from campers in a summer sleepaway camp. While that isn't necessarily a bad thing, the story didn't come smoothly enough for me in this manner. Also, the font was often very difficult to read (especially for my 9 year old who is just learning cursive herself). It was supposed to make the letter more "authentic" but it just made the story come more sluggishly since deciphering slowed down the pace considerably.
So whether it was the format, or the story itself, it was just an "eh" for me. My daughters and I read it for a Mother/Daughter book club and they would rate it 4.5 stars. Go figure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews