Help! I'm Trapped in the First Day of Summer Camp

Help! I'm Trapped...

by Todd Strasser

Jake Sherman's terrible first day at summer camp gets even worse when he discovers that he is doomed to live through it again and again

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Humor, Science Fiction, Mystery, Time Travel

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

About the author

Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.

His most recent novel is Summer of '69

Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."

Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."

His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus 
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA 
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal 

Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.

All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.

After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.

Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.

Reviews

[Texas State Poder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Barrios-Jake Sherman's first day of summer camp at Camp Walton!Well it's not going so good for him.Jake is a boy who doesn't want to go to camp because he thinks it is going to be boring.But later on in the story Jake actually really likes camp.Jake meets new people during camp.

There is these 3 popular kids and he wants to hang out with them so that he can be popular as well.Later on in he book this boy named Peter-they say he is very geeky-and Jake decides to help him because the 3 popular boys are pulling pranks on poor Peter.After Jake tried to help Peter when it was time to go to sleep.In the morning everything went back to the first day of camp!He was very confused.

Will everything go back to normal?Was he actually stuck on the first day of summer camp!?Well..
I would tell you what happens next but...you have to read this book to find out what happens next .I recommend this book to Sofia and Misty because this book is funny,interesting,and very awesome!
And I think they well like this book as much as I loved reading it!

[Ahmad Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book ,a boy named Jake Sherman, who is going to a camped called Walton.On the first day of camp,Jake hurts Peter feeeling because He jones on him. Peter wouldnt be his freind.There is a person that Jake doesnt know that wants him to be nice to Peter. That guy make Jake do the first day of camp all over again. Stick around and find out what happen to Jake and How he solved it.

[Sar San · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though it’s been 5 years since I read this book, I still remember the intimidation of a boy who trapped in the same day. I imagined what would I do and how deadly I would feel if I were him.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've read a couple of books in the Help! I'm Trapped series and so far we like them. They are a bit more complex and longer than some of the other chapter books we've read recently and the drama is entertaining. Of course this book is a knock-off of the movie "Groundhog Day", starring Bill Murray. That's one of my favorites and so I loved the concept here. It was an engaging story and as long as it was, we had plenty of time to read since a thunderstorm knocked out our power and we had little else to do. Overall, it was a very interesting and engaging story and we will certainly look for more of the books in this series at our local library.

[Christian Clemmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Help! I'm Trapped in Summer Camp by Todd Strasser contains two stories in one. I enjoyed this book because it is a funny, adventurous book. I like books like this because it is fun to read and it makes you feel pretty excited to keep going through the book. The settings take place during summer at a summer camp. One of the camps is called Camp Walton the other is Camp Grimley. The main characters include kids named Jake, Josh, and Andy. Jake is usually the character the story revolves around. The first conflict is that Jake is trapped in the first day of summer camp and he has no idea how to get out. The second conflict is Jake chose the wrong camp so him and his friends must survive a survival camp. I would recommend this book to people who like adventures and humor. This book gives people a good sense of humor and adventure.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was very entertaining to read because it's sort of like a mystery/comedy. It's a mystery because Jake has to find a way to stop living the first day of summer camp over and over again. It's a comedy because they pull pranks on each other and tons of other stuff. I can't tell you how he gets out of summer thought because that part is very interesting and I would spoil the whole story. I would defiantly recommend this book to my friends.

[Marrissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been to a summer camp? If you have you should read the book "Help! i'm trapped in the first day of summer camp" by Todd Strasser, because its funny, and mean. The boy Jake didn't want to go to camp and, when the book starts to get to other chapters,he goes to camp and wants to be like the cool kid. He has to not be a nerd. My favorite part in the story was that when he was saying all these stuff about his sister. You should read it because its a funny book.

[Cornell Poder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xavier M.
Have you ever been to summer camp?If you have been to camp then then this would be a book for you because it's about a kid that goes to a camp for the first time.He thinks he is going to a regular camp but he has no idea what he is in for.The first day wasn't all that great because he is always repeating the first day of camp.Will he ever go through summer camp or will he always repeat the first day?

[Nrak AKA Karn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own this book. It very awesome and hilarious. Todd Srasser is a great writer it ends in the most funniest way you won't even believe it. One of the best books i read in 4th grade. Even if you are not in 4th grade it is still worth it, a great book. You will definetly love.

I will sell or swap this book with anyone in Grover Middle School

[James]

This book was very good I would recommend it to anyone who likes adventure and comedy. The main character is very funny and its two stories in one and ones with a summer camp were he can not get passed the first day and the second one is he switches bodies with a camp leader and it turns out interesting results. So I recommend this book to anyone who wants comedy and adventure

[Kirsten Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed the book because it was interesting to know if he was going to get out of summer camp or not.I thought when he was being nice to peter.At first when he wanst being nice to peter i was thinking that if he wasn't nice to him because he was mean then he couldn't get out of the first day of summer.thats why i liked the book because i was exciting

[Melissa Namba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for kids. Basically Groundhogs Day for a boy at drummer camp. He tries out extremes on multiple sides, before finding a happy medium that allows him to move on. I'm sure my niece will enjoy this, if she can get over a male protagonist.

[Chloe Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book is really funny. and good. I like this book. It is not the best though because alls it really talks about is that he gets trapped in the same day over and over and over and over again. so it gets boring reading the same words.

[I Contain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always enjoy these books as a child and I am enjoying reading them with my higher level second graders. I do think it's a good book for teaching theme and character change but I did feel it was a bit long-winded. Only for your highest stamina readers.

[Amelia Kuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was a good book because it had a good amount of action. I think this would be an even better book for someone who loves summercamp. This was a good book and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book made no sense to me but i liked it!

[Vitaliy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm thinking what the book is o.k book but I'm thinking the author needed to add a better ending for the book.

[*Cody* Hubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a really boring book at first but once u start to read it you start to like it.I give this book four stars because of what i said before,it's boring but then gets interesting

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with issues of self and group identity in some thoughtful ways. The setting in camp, though, limits its application in all classrooms.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the humor. Hope to read more books by this author.

[Abishkar Chhetri · Rating 3 out of 5]

My First Book!!!
It was pretty good!
Didn't read the second story!

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! IT was almost as good as Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I loved it because it taught a valuble lesson to not pick on other people.

[Crowleaf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haha.. this was one of my favorite books ever as a kid. Also, my favorite of all the Help! I'm trapped! series.

[Jadyn Cooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

i thought it was to predictable. but otherwise i liked it

[Laila Tarek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book, the characters.. everything!! it was really amazing, but the end wasa little disappointing. But, I still enjoyed it very much. it's a funny light read! :)

[Fari · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good, funny and creative. I liked it, read it a year and a half ago... Yeah, not much else to say.

[Virshay Carey]

INI LOVE THIS BOOK INI WAS SO FUNNY GOT TO READ

[Ayanda]

I love this book because it is adventurous and funny also the type of books I love and enjoy.

[Reader Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems like a good series for kids to read. Includes humor, entertainment, and suggestions on being a good person.

[Chevelle Steadman]

it was awesome i would read it agen