A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp

Secrets of Farbookonia #1

by Marie C. Collins

Alternate Cover Edition for B00QW6JIKY

Age Level: 11 and up
Grade Level: 5 and up

Once you find out your mother is an alien, what ISN’T possible?

That’s what 12-year-old Anne and 10-year-old Atticus Reade want to know. Minutes after learning their mother is a Farbookonian human, not an Earth human — making them half-alien — they’re whisked off to sleep-away camp in New Jersey for protection, each with a tiny Globot on one shoulder.

They do their best to fit in at camp, but their sheltered existence in the Midwest didn’t prepare them for this. Everything is new to them, and at every step, their unpredictable Farbookonian talents threaten to give them away.

Just as they settle in, a broadcast on the Rec Hall TV shakes things up, and they begin to see what’s truly strange about camp. As they race to solve a mystery involving ghost stories, quirky campers, a bizarre camp director, and a secret connection they share with their friends, only one thing is clear: They’re not safe. Can the things that make Anne and Atticus different help them survive?

Is this book for me?

A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp is a sci-fi, coming-of-age, mystery adventure! Author Marie C. Collins places relatable characters with alien abilities in a realistic setting that grows increasingly ominous as the story progresses. Reviewers recommend her to readers who enjoy the works of Roald Dahl, Rick Riordan, & J. K. Rowling.

If you like stories that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary ... if you like characters that remind you of your friends ... if you like mysteries that keep you guessing until the final pages ... this book is for you.


Approximately 110,000 words / 383 pp. print length

Genres: Science Fiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2014

About the author

Marie lives in Lambertville, New Jersey (USA), with her two dogs, George Eliot and Henry James, who — in spite of their snoring and a tendency to sniff horrifying things — are very good company (and endure Marie’s insistence that they love being kissed on their snouts).

Marie holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Douglas College at Rutgers University and a master’s degree in English Literature from Temple University. She has held sundry jobs throughout her life, like caregiver, cook, waitress, newspaper reporter, and even a brief, misguided stint as a ballroom dance teacher. However, for most of her adult life she has written for hire, usually on topics related to education, as writing is the thing she likes to do best.

Marie has a daughter she adores, who is a doctor in Seattle.

Throughout Marie’s life, she has at times felt like an alien — mostly because she was extremely shy and didn’t react to things the way other people did. When she decided it was time to try to write a novel, she found herself wondering what it would be like to actually be an alien — then it struck her that that might be a good place to start. But since she’s also intrigued by the way cultures blend to make each of us feel a bit “different,” she decided her aliens should be half Earth human as well.

Marie is currently writing the second book in her Secrets of Farbookonia series: The Quest for Normal.

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Reviews

[TeenBookReviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I can say about this book is that, particularly at the beginning, the novel has the feel of the work of Dr. Seuss or Roald Dahl. The similarities really are impressive, and it really made me think that the book really was going to remain that light-hearted.



At the beginning, the book feels amusing and light-hearted. Then it starts getting progressively more ominous. There are small climaxes everywhere, and more and more mystery builds. It is a race against time for Atticus and Anne, and a race against themselves.



Throughout the novel, the children are trying to discover new things about our society and how to fit into it, at the same time as learning more about themselves and the increasingly dark events at the camp.



Collins did a spectacular job on this novel, and it is really something that I would recommend for teens. Don't let the synopsis make you feel like it is too young for you, because I honestly thought it fit into the YA genre very well.



It was an incredible book, one that makes me very excited to read the rest of the series. I commend Marie Collins on her spectacular work on this novel, one which makes you feel the stormclouds gather as you prepare for the storm.

Teenbookreviewer,
http://teenagebookwormreviewing.blogs...

[Allyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am amazed and thrilled at having stumbled upon Ms. Collins' work! A Brief Stay at earth Human Camp is truly a masterful work. I am one of those grown ups who read all the Harry Potter books and still uses her kids as an excuse to go to a Disney movie. I love young adult as a genre but have found lately that the skill is lacking in so many authors to actually weave a tale. Not so for Marie Collins. This is a lovely tale of Atticus and Anne, learning who they really are, attending camp for the first time and meeting other children, also for the first time. We follow the adventure and mystery while sharing in the joys of budding friendships, the thrill of summer games and all that camp has to offer.
I don't give spoilers, but will say that this expertly woven story captured me and and kept me involved, kept me there in the pages, at camp, listening to ghost stories, hiking through Jersey woods and befriending all the children and counselors as the weeks of summer went by too quickly.
I am certain this book and following series will go far. The structure and writing are far beyond the bulk of what is on the shelves today.
Well done Marie Collins, I eagerly await the next book to find out more of the Farbookonian adventures!

[Kat Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I would like to say that this book is wonderfully written and fits well with the age group the book is aimed at. It isn't what I would usually pick up and read but I've got to know Marie and not only is she a fantastic writer but a lovely lady. The story centres on Anne & Atticus who have lived a very humble and sheltered life. The only people they've ever known are their parents and their dogs. They know nothing else until one day their parent’s secret is revealed and suddenly everything changes. Their mother isn’t from this planet. I mean growing up is hard enough for us humans but when your mother tells you she's actually an Alien and not from earth its mind blowing. They are sent off to a camp where they have to mix with human children in order for their parents to continue with their work. They are helped along the way by some tiny friends that only they can see.

I felt for the two main characters as being a kid trying to make friends is terrifying but when you've never encountered any other life form and you have certain aspects of yourself that you have to hide that just adds to the mix.

I think this will be a great read for kids of all ages and adults.

I really enjoyed taking a chance on reading something new.

Thank you Marie for a great story that was not only lovely to read but written brilliantly.

[June Kramin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a much longer read than I anticipated when I downloaded it for some middle grade adventure – and that was a good thing. You certainly don’t want the adventure to end. This story would be great for kids to re-live some of their summer camp days or those that have never been and long to go. So, pretty much everyone! I caught myself making notes, planning on a fabulous review from just a few chapters in, but I’m not big on spoilers so I had to stop. The shenanigans of camp age kids in all ranges of REAL personalities is wonderful - the sweetheart to the bully. I even loved the foods mentioned from different countries. Of course Anne’s dreams keep you guessing to what’s going on, making the pace pick up more and more with each page. There are little things to make you smile throughout the book – like their planet being Farbookonia and their last name the Reades. That’s all I’m gonna share. Read it.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic tale and I hope all teenagers get a chance to read the tale. Anne and Atticus are sister and brother. The two live with their parents and a couple of dogs. To say the twins have been sheltered is an understatement for sure. They don't know anyone but their parents. All of that is about to change when the siblings are told their parents are not quite who they seem and because of that they are going to have to leave on a special mission and they cant take Anne or Atticus with them. Instead the brother and sister are going to summer camp and that is when the adventure begins. Well told story that will keep readers young and old glued to the pages. I can easily see this as a bedtime story read chapter by chapter to children. Amazing job.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find my review on my blog here (& below):

http://elementaread.blogspot.co.uk/20...

(This review may contain some small spoilers as I got excited and went into a fair bit of detail about the plot. Oops! Nothing that will really ruin it though :))


‘A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp’ by Marie C. Collins is a middle-grade sci-fi adventure about a pair of half-human, half-alien siblings trying to fit in at an American summer camp. Marie kindly sent me an e-copy to read and review.

Anne and Atticus Reade believe they are perfectly normal human children until they are suddenly told by their parents that their mother, Cameo, is actually an extra-terrestrial being from the planet Farbookonia. True, their upbringing has been very unconventional; living way out in the countryside, home-schooled, and never having had contact with anyone other than each other, their parents and Friday, their housekeeper, but they had no reason to believe that wasn’t normal. Plus they have special gifts, Anne can performs tasks with super speed and Atticus can communicate with animals. But these children’s lives are turned upside-down when their parents confess the truth, and proclaim that their scientific research is under threat, meaning that they will have to jet off to a secret lab, leaving Anne and Atticus at a summer camp for three weeks. The children are thrust out of their secluded lives and will have to fit in with other kids their age, which means learning how to behave and not using their special gifts. To help them out, their father has made them a small holographic being each (Globots) that only they can see and hear. Bella (for Anne) and Huck (for Atticus) sit on their shoulders and give advice about how to behave and what to say.

Anne and Atticus’s first impressions of Earth humans are not great. Upon arriving at camp they are split up. Anne, at 12 years old is put in the Bobcats cabin, and Atticus, at 10 is put in the Timber Rattlesnakes cabin. And the kids assigned to take them to their bunks, Arianna and Max, are not very friendly. They soon make friends, however, with their bunk mates Maylin and Nicola, and before long are welcomed into the group.

They find Bella and Huck’s information very handy, but a few days in both the Globots have malfunctioned, leaving Anne and Atticus entirely on their own. But their instincts click in, and with the help of their new friends they both have a fantastic time.

But there’s trouble in paradise. A few days in the Camp Director, Aunt Maddie, mysteriously vanishes leaving a new director in her place. The new Madam Director acts very strangely, not joining in with activities and yelling ‘YOU SHOULD NOT BE HERE’ at anyone who goes near the old ruins near camp. Another camper, Benedek, is also acting weird and clinging on to the bully, Max. Things go from bad to worse when Max is poisoned and the nurse ends up in a weird coma state that she won’t wake from. Anne and Atticus believe their parents may be involved, and this is to do with their research… involving robots! Now the kids have to save Aunt Maddie and everyone else in camp before Parents Day!

This was such a fantastic, FANTASTIC book! I enjoyed every sentence from start to finish, and even though it’s pretty long for a middle-grade book I was so disappointed when it ended. I loved the writing style. It was very conversational and easy to read that I found it almost impossible to look away from my screen and read the whole book in only a few sittings.

Anne and Atticus are both brilliant characters and I loved seeing the world from their point of view. We don’t have camps like this in the UK so I was just as in the dark about what goes on as these children were. I think the maps and camp schedule at the beginning of the book were a really nice touch, and it was great to go back to them throughout to get a really good idea of where everything was.

I love how this book mixed the adventure and sci-fi. The alien aspect was great, but the real sci-fi element came from the robots. I really didn’t see it coming!

This truly was a brilliant read and I’d recommend it to kids aged 10+ and adults who love a great story with fantastic characters. I’m looking forward to reading more of Marie’s work in the future. The way this book ended makes me think there’s opportunity for a sequel, so I really hope that happens as I would love to read more about these characters and the Farbookonians :)

[Pamela]

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.


This is my first experience with a self-published book, which I have been curious about. My initial impression was very positive--between the author's notes, dedication, inscription, etc., receiving this book felt as personal as attending a reading and having the author sign the book face to face. Its obvious that this book was a labor or love by a lovely person.


This book, at its heart, is about the alienation felt by being different. A summer camp is a great setting to exacerbate such feelings. The twist is that the main characters are half alien, so their feelings of alienation & their desire to fit in works on more than one level.


Between the short chapters and heavy dialogue, it was an easy/fast read. I appreciated the camp maps, schedule, and roster for reference. There is a lot of bookish playfulness in the names: FarBOOKonia, the READes, Cameo, etc. More of this playfulness could've continued throughout the book but was abandoned for a more neutral tone as the siblings attempted to make friends and experience camp adventures. Much of the book is light with the primary tension being the day to dayness of fitting in and camp life. This made the book feel slow. There was too much in-the-moment dayness, and I would've preferred there be more at stake for the siblings earlier on. Being half alien, making friends, etc. was not enough for me. I expect more plot twists from YA--twists that ratchet up the tension and character development. I think Anne's lucid dreaming sequences were meant for this. The intended young audience for this book might find these sequences compelling. As an adult, I found them to be a little too telling or heavy handed.


The evening camp stories were entertaining and fun. The various setting were described well, and I could clearly picture the various environments. The realistic portrayal of camp life was one of this books strengths.


I did not like the initial "Dear Reader" narration. Directly addressing the reader can be a fun and playful device (think Lemony Snicket), but when used excessively and to express authorial opinions or frustrations ("I simply will never understand...") then the story is about the narrator instead of the characters. Because of this, I was pulled out of the story before it began and felt the story truly started when the siblings pulled into camp. I didn't need any of the set up before the camp and felt the backstory would've worked well if woven in during some of those early moments when the Reade kids felt frustrated by their alienation.


Some of grammatical decisions showed a lack of trust between the author and reader, as if readers wouldn't understand intended meanings without the overuse of italics (which I found most distracting), Em dashes (which slowed the story), ellipses (which were never necessary), exclamation points, etc. I don't mean to sound like the grammar police (I am guilty of my own abuses). It's just an observation that distanced me from the characters and story.


Overall it was a light read with many realistic camp-life scenes. I am encouraging my 12 year old to read this. If she does, I will report back with her review. She is interested in reading based on her initial impressions, but she is currently reading another book. My 15 year old is not interested in reading this, so the audience is definitely 5th-8th grade.

[Tim Learn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters
As stated before, the two main characters are Anne and Atticus. Both of their names are clearly derived from literary figures as the children were heavily raised on the classics. This is even more apparent when their father gives them sidekicks resembling Tinker bell and Huck Finn. And though I found our protagonists loveable if not overly naïve at times, their little robotical, literary helpers weren’t. Both Huck and Tink annoyed me endlessly and above all could’ve been cut out to greatly help the book.

As for the other characters, there were quite a few I enjoyed, and even though the antagonist was and still at the end nothing more than rumors or lightly named, I still found them okay as well.

Structure
Here’s where the problems start.

First, there is little to no inciting incident beyond a quick mention by the parents, saying, “Something has happened. Something dangerous. We’re going to hide you in camp to keep you safe.” No mention of what happened or why it’s dangerous—two key elements to draw in readers. Because of this, I found little pulling me forward to read.

Second, I don’t understand at all how in the beginning, both Anne and Atticus are raised like normal human children, getting their filled with normal human culture from all the books read to them and by them—to the next minute, their parents telling them they are half-farbookian and somehow they lose all their humanity. It makes no sense! And yet, that’s what happens. Finding themselves dumped in a human camp, they have no idea how to act and seem to be lacking any knowledge at all regarding to being human. They study the others as if they themselves are one hundred percent alien, and not half. For the first part of the book, this frustrated me to no end. But that wasn’t all.

The first part was all loaded down in the extreme minutia of their first day. I’m serious! After the first ten percent were we get large info dumps about the kids’ farbookian powers and history, they finally get to camp and run through each encounter and event of the day for the next forty percent of the book. They met some kids that become enemies, then they play, then the enemies do something horrible for no reason, then they play, then the enemies come again. It happens over and over, and gets tiring fast.

All of this is sad because finally by around the halfway mark, the plot decides to join us in what could’ve been an interesting book. Sadly, the author crams all the juicy stuff into the end half, and she really does cram it in. Sometimes, it is overwhelming how much stuff you have to take it. Had this information been delved out slowly over the course of the book, it would’ve been a far better and smoother read.

Overall

I wish I could give it a higher score. The end had all the parts of a good read shoved into it like an over-crowded kid’s closet packed with toys. On top of that, the protagonists were interesting and loveable enough with enough mystery in the last half to make it compelling. Unfortunately, the whole botched first half ruined it. Supposedly, there will be a second book. I hope in this one the author takes her time, focusing on the plot more than ridiculous situations and characters.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written so well for the market it is aimed at – teens/YA. It has the same feel as Harry Potter, in many aspects.

The depth of character is very similar. Each character is fun and has their own personality and ways they react to things. They also have the possibility of us watching them grow up, as we did with the Potter series, as they start at that age and really are written as if they were heading into their teens years, leaving a lot of option for things they can encounter.

The intricacy and depth of the story and plot are similar, in that the story is fun and light-hearted, but it still has depth, surprises and climaxes that teach the kids something or help them grow as a person. They face challenges and overcome obstacles, giving it a feel of action and the world is set in a way that it is similar to our, but the slight twist, in the aliens on the planet.

I liked the way the book easily ends well, so that you are satisfied with the read, but excited to read more. I know I cannot wait until the next book comes out.

This series was written in a way that it has so many places it could go, and I can only see the stories getting better and better as they go along. It is a book that teens would enjoy, as well as adults who were fans of the Potter era. I highly recommend this book and really think you will enjoy reading it, and be left wanting the next book!

[Dylann Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

After meeting Marie C. Collins at one of my first author events, I finally got the chance to read her work. Just glancing at the first few pages you can tell how well thought out Collins built her world. The incredible effort put into this story is one of the reasons I loved it! My favorite part about reading is knowing that the authors actually care about their work and it is clear in A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp that the author poured herself into her work. There's world building and then there's extreme world building which is what Collins has done and it is something that will appeal the books age group. It's a refreshing read and I really enjoyed the fact that, even though the kids went to camp in New Jersey, most of the kids weren't from the US. Three cheers for diversity! The 'Globots' were an interesting twist and provided a lot of humor, especially Bella. I think my favorite part is when Annie starts dancing to music in her head, it was like reading second hand embarrassment.

This is a great read for middle grade kids, if you enjoy Percy Jackson, you'll love this book!

[CityLife Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp will pull you into a world of children and adventure! What a story about sister and brother, Anne and Atticus, and there stay away camp in New Jersey! This book follows them as they try and acted like normal children. I enjoy them trying to fit in it to me was a part that many can understand how they are feeling. But then they find out they’re not safe after all. The fated that each Anne and Atticus have their own ‘gifts’ really helps them stand out of the story in their own way. This is just what I need to add on this summer read list of mine. Alien children kick butt!

[Sunshy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, getting the hang of normal human life is hard enough, toss in the fact that you parents are working on a top secret project, your mother is from a different planet and then the fact that you’re not ‘human’; yet it’s not going to be a slick of cake, that’s for sure! I enjoy this page turner of a book. The pacing of the book worked, characters played well off each one another and there were a few twists I didn’t see coming as I read. I feel like this is a great all-around story. Good for anyone want an adventure story, perfect for sleep away camp!

[Ann Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fun young adult story that gives an entirely new perspective on coming of age and dealing with new situations and new people.

Some parts were definitely difficult to read as they were awkward and I felt horribly for the two main characters. But overall there was a great outcome and the main characters showed great growth and maturity.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads giveaway. This was a great book. Fun and great for tweens and teens.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Here it is.

I'm sorry to say that this book wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into it and there for I feel I can give it a fair review.

[Jennifer Redmile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next one - Thanks Marie

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the atmosphere was lovely and made me feel like I was at camp, and the plot was intriguing, I can't recommend this book for the age group indicated. I don't like leaving negative reviews, and I hope the author never reads this, but if she does: remember perspectives vary, and know that mine isn't suggesting a talent issue but rather that I believe more beta testing and revisions were necessary. I'm including details because I think it's only fair that future readers of this review be able to look over my thoughts and see whether they think my opinion is justified or if I'm just full of bologna.

So, the things I struggled with: There are no less than twenty characters named, with about eleven that are either important to the plot or that the perspective shifts to temporarily and without warning. Two characters are important early on and then literally disappear, with only fleeting acknowledgment of this shown by the main characters immediately after it happens. It's written using very adult phrasing throughout, and the attention to detail is so excessive that the plot doesn't really start until about 2/3 through the story, up until that point it's just a ton of foreshadowing. The result is that the main story line is rushed and confusing (I'm a full grown Earth human and I couldn't figure out which of the characters was the subject of a pivotal plot element) and instead of actually experiencing the main parts of the plot, the two main characters pass out, with an explanation of everything that happened included in the last few pages via an overheard expository phone call.

[Joyce McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that kids can relax into and savor. From the first page, we learn that 12-year-old Anne and her little brother Atticus are different. They have grown up separated from civilization and only know what they have learned in homeschool. But they soon discover a startling truth that their differences are greater than they could have imagined. Now they must navigate a summer camp and the challenging relationships that come with it, as well as overcome a growing threat within their camp. I especially enjoyed the camp details of crafts, activities, songs, ghost stories and camp food, enhanced with imaginative twists. Unlike some modern books that leave the reader breathless from rapid developments, this book invites young people to sit down, relax and read for a long while. A rare treat of a book! (Highly recommended for kids transitioning to reading longer books.)