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Camp Outlier #2

Vanishing Act

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The sequel to Float, in which inconveniently invisible Hank must find a way to save Camp Outlier from a saboteur--and win the camp-wide challenge.

Hank, Emerson, and their friends have returned to Camp Outlier for another summer of fun and shenanigans. Hank won't let his RISK (Recurring Incident of the Strange Kind) factor of inconvenient invisibility stop him from having the best summer ever, even when it starts mysteriously turning people and objects around him invisible too. But between his invisibility and an internet celebrity joining their cabin, camp clown Hank is struggling to maintain his spotlight.

Hank knows that if he can win the camp-wide challenge for his team, all eyes will be back on him (or, at least, on where everyone thinks the invisible kid is standing). But as the finish line approaches, it becomes clear that someone is trying to sabotage Camp Outlier--and Hank's pursuit of camp-wide glory puts him in serious danger.

368 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2022

16 people are currently reading
1694 people want to read

About the author

Laura Martin

11 books352 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

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5 stars
152 (60%)
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70 (27%)
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28 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Tina Loves To Read.
3,443 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2022
This is a Middle Grade Fantasy/Magical Realism, and this is the second book in the Camp Outlier series. This book had me pulled in the story from page one, and it had me not wanting to put it down. I enjoyed learning about all the RISK kids, and I loved that this book shows there are some bad things about having super powers/RISK/being different. The characters in this book were so much fun and loved them. Great and Fun read. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (HarperCollins) or author (Laura Martin) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
Profile Image for Tommy.
140 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2022
Great book it was a well done sequel to Float. I enjoyed the first one more but this was still a great book.
Profile Image for Anita.
1,066 reviews9 followers
December 11, 2022
Oh my gosh, I loved this book! But I loved the first one, Float, and I loved that I had to wait a few years for it to be written and well edited, because it's just stunning. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Once again, it's summer camp for super-powered (but no control) RISK kids, Camp Outlier. The first book was all about Emerson overcoming his fear of floating away and the boys saving Murphy (he's the time traveler in the group and you really should read the first book to get the storyline) and bonding with the other boys in the Red Maple cabin to become a team.

This year they're White Oak men. Ok, well, they're still boys, technically, but this book focuses on invisible Hank. In the bathroom on the way to camp, a startled but still grumpy & sticky Gary and Murphy deliver a warning to Hank. And then Murphy shows up a second time, still in the bathroom, in tears, apparently grieving the loss of his friend.

Hank gets the message: he's not going to make it through summer camp this year. He dies.

But he's not 100-percent certain that's the message (it's a little bit ambiguous). Besides, who's he gonna tell? Murphy risked his rearend to visit him twice; he can't turn his friend in to the Time Travel Police, who are hanging out at camp this year all over the place, along with the new, super-strict camp counselor.

Hank's been totally invisible for a while now, and invisibility is not all it's cracked up to be. It ruins his grandiose gestures to the girls. He's starting to hate not being seen, or being looked through – literally. To make matters worse, as the summer progresses, he learns his touch makes other things – and people – invisible, too. And he can't control that, either. There's a new boy in the cabin, who can levitate things (and explode them on occasion -- yowlch!) but who's social media famous and it seems like everyone can "see" him, no matter what he does.

But there is a girl, Ana, in their partner girls' group who uses echolocation to "see." And she's seeing invisible folks lurking around camp, other than Hank.

By the time Hank and the kids figure out what's going on…well, I'm not going to spoil it for you! Enjoy this fantastic read, and I sooo hope there's a third in the works.

Note to Middle grade authors looking for mentor texts: This is a fantastic mentor text for MG writers. The emo punch is not overdone/sappy or unbelievable, the plot is deliciously complex, and I absolutely loved / could relate to the quote on p. 164:

"What I mean," I (Hank) said, "is that in every book I've read lately, the guys need to be saved by the gals. Every guy character seems written with a healthy dose of stupid, and the only way he could find his way out of a bucket is if a girl character shows him how. You haven't noticed that?"

Well, yes, I have. Five years of reading it. So wonderful to finally see it called out! TY, Laura Martin.

 Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?

Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,330 reviews183 followers
August 25, 2022
Hank has been looking forward to getting back to Camp Outlier and his Red Maple White Oak cabinmates all year. He's a little miffed that he's been pretty invisible for quite a while now, and then in the airport on the way there he gets a time travel message from Murray that he is going to die this summer after his future self and others try to warn him to watch out for something going on at camp. Hank decides he's not going to let the dire warnings cramp his style or his plans for epic camp hijinks. But just what is going on at Camp Outlier this summer? There's a new camp counselor for their cabin who is a wannabe drill sergeant, there's a guy from the government snooping all over camp (and he doesn't even have a RISK factor!), there's a new guy in their cabin who is some kind of internet celebrity and is stealing Hank's spotlight, and so far their camp challenges are going horribly and their sister cabin girls just may be the ones who do Hank in for ruining their competitive chances. Will camp be what Hank and the others have been dreaming about all year, or is this going to be an epic catastrophe?

It was a lot of fun to go back to Camp Outlier, this time from Hank's perspective. In addition to just surviving all the craziness going on at camp, Hank has some personal growth to accomplish, and some realizations to make about what he really values and girl friendships. But his glass half full perspective and insatiable will to make things extra fun and memorable make what could be a very suspenseful and serious book peppered with lots of humor and laugh or at least smile-inducing moments. The combination of mystery, camp adventures and misadventures, and self-realizations is done really well to make a book that is a lot of fun to read. I sincerely hope there are further Camp Outlier books to come.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content (Hank goes without clothes while invisible to be fully invisible but nothing lurid described or done). There are some perilous situations, but thanks to a very capable camp nurse (Nurse Betsy is a rock star!) no one is seriously hurt or stays seriously hurt anyway.
Profile Image for Barbara Schultz.
4,166 reviews302 followers
June 8, 2022
Name of Book: Vanishing Act
Series: Camp Outlier Book #2
Author: Laura Martin
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Genre: Middle School Fantasy/Adventure
Pub Date: July 5, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars!

This is the sequel to Float which was Book # 1 in the Camp Outlier and written back in 2013, before our author became a mom. The main character in that story was Emerson who couldn’t control ‘floating’.
In this story the main character is Hank.
Our campers Hank, Emerson are back for another summer of fun! This story centers on Hank’s invisibility. (Don’t you just love the cover?) All our campers have RISK (Recurring Incident of the Strange Kind) and they don’t want it to stop them from have a summer of fun. However, soon people and objects are mysteriously becoming invisible. Is someone trying to sabotage Camp Outlier?

But between his invisibility and an internet celebrity joining their cabin, camp clown Hank is struggling to maintain his spotlight.
Hank knows that if he can win the camp-wide challenge for his team, all eyes will be back on him (or, at least, on where everyone thinks the invisible kid is standing). But as the finish line approaches, it becomes clear that someone is trying to sabotage Camp Outlier—and Hank’s pursuit of camp-wide glory puts him in serious danger.
This is a delightful story not just for middle schoolers but “Old folks’ such as me!
I always enjoy reading the author’s Note and Acknowledgement. In Ms. Martin’s ‘Author’s Notes’ she provides us with entertaining details about her ideas for writing this as well as her other books!

Want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 5, 2022
Profile Image for Librarylady.
81 reviews8 followers
April 13, 2022
This is book 2 in the Camp Outlier Series by Laura Martin. The campers all have RISK factors or Recurring Incidents of the strange Kind. This one focuses on Hank who spends much of his time being invisible. On his way to camp he's visited by his friends from camp who have time travelled to the past to warn him that he might die there this summer. This adds a great element of suspense to the story, and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen. I also enjoyed Hank's humor and gusto as he faced not only his own personal challenges with his RISK factor but also the challenges his cabin encountered due to someone trying to sabotage Camp Outlier. This book stands up well on it's own, but I would suggest starting at book 2 to get the full background on the camp and the characters.
Profile Image for Emily Bryant.
303 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2022
Thank you to #NetGalley, Laura Martin and the publisher for the advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I LOVED this book so much. I am disappointed that I did not know about this series sooner. I loved it so much that when I finished, I immediately went to the public library so I could check out the first one as soon as I finished this one.
Each book focuses on a different kid with a RISK (Recurring Incident of the Strange Kind) factor. This book focuses on Hank whos factor is inconvenient invisibility. This means he never knows when he will turn invisible. Hank loves it at times but it proves to be inconvenient. Hank's goal this summer is for his cabin to win the camp-wide challenge. The more they lose though, the more it seems like someone is trying to mess up and expose Camp Outlier. How will Hank save camp without putting the camp in danger.

Again, I LOVED this book and cannot wait for more. I think it teaches kids a good lesson as well. That lesson is to love yourself for who you are and surround yourself with friends who like you for who you are and accept you no matter what. As an elementary teacher, I think that is very important. I give this book 5 stars and look forward to more in the series!
Profile Image for Amy Sutton.
1,101 reviews60 followers
January 25, 2022
This sequel to Float is an exciting return to Camp Outlier and so many fantastic characters! This year's return to camp is told from Hank's point of view and begins with a shocking revelation from the future that he might be the one to die this year...

He is also pretty sure someone is trying to sabotage camp, too, because there are just too many coincidental catastrophes and "accidents" happening this year. Not to mention that his RISK factor of invisibility is also starting to amplify. Now he not only turns himself accidentally invisible, but now everything he touches vanishes also. And he really didn't pack enough socks for that...

This book takes on more of a mystery adventure tone than the first book, and new characters are added to compliment the ones from the first book. I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and hilarious while also having heart and emphasizing themes of belonging, teamwork, and living your life to the fullest. I'm fast becoming a Laura Martin fanatic!

Publication date - July 2022 - Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
121 reviews4 followers
October 18, 2022
A summer camp full of teens who have "special" conditions -- they turn invisible, travel through time when stressed, and float if not weighted down to the ground... among many other things. Camp Outlier is just for them and when its future existence is threatened, Hank and the other boys in his cabin go about trying to stop whoever is behind the schemes,

The premise was inventive and fun. Never having gone to a summer camp, my nostalgia wasn't stirred, but my curiosity was held till the end of the story when Hank and his cabin-mates are able to solve the mystery and... well, if you want to know what else happens, I better let you read the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for a copy of this book for review. I received the audiobook. All opinions were my own.
Profile Image for ikallam.
519 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2023
Ahh finally back at camp with these goofballs shenanigans :)))

Oo this book is like so amazing I applaud you ma am and am looking forward to the next book. All these characters are just sooooo amazing. Hank is beyond words and one of my favorite charecters. He shouldve added almost drown in lake to his life list. I also hate Mr. Whats his name. I hope Zeke sets him on fire. Good riddance 🙄🙄🙄

Enter Gary, the litterl best person, ofc him and Hank are equally amazing. This man should have his own TED talks. They would do wonders. Also suggstion, I think they really should open a comedy show. Really please .


Also , whats his name, Hudson. I hate him. Idk why but the moment he entered the cabin i hated him. I set my eyes on him and they turned into lazers and shot him down.
Profile Image for Tara.
58 reviews2 followers
August 9, 2022
I LOVED this book. It was so fun to go on a summer camp adventure again with the boys - this time thru the eyes of Hank. I loved getting to know his character better. I love the messages Laura gives throughout the book. Especially tackling the screen age we are living in and not glossing over it. It is important that this next generation learns to deal with living with technology but not allowing it to run their lives and she does a great job without it being preachy. This might just be my favorite book of hers so far!
2,275 reviews5 followers
September 18, 2022
I listened to a voicegalley so I cannot comment on the final audiobook or the narrator's abilities. This was a fun book and I want to read book #1 (Float) in this series now. I love the idea of a summer camp for RISK kids, I also love how Hank gets there. I hope there will be a third, fourth, maybe fifth (no pressure) book in this series as it would be great to visit this camp with the White Oak boys each year and see how they are coping with their RISKs and the shenanigans they get up to each summer.
Profile Image for Allison.
773 reviews
November 17, 2022
Definitely enjoyed the first book in this series more, as this book felt like not a whole lot was happening, but when we finished it, we decided we actually did like it quite a bit. It was fun to return to this camp, it was fun to see the characters again as they navigated new things, and we really liked seeing it all from another character's viewpoint. It really was so fun! The pacing was spot on and we laughed so much. I have decided I really like this author a lot and will keep looking out for her books.
51 reviews
May 26, 2023
Love this book! Inside Hank’s head is just as fun if not more so than outside of it. I can’t wait to see what our White Oak men get up to next summer in the Blue Spruce cabin!
4 stars because I noticed a few continuity errors like when
16 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2022
If you enjoyed the first book of this series (Float) you’re in for a treat. The campers are back for another summer of fun and shenanigans. A new camper has been added into the mix as well as a new counselor. Will everyone make it to the end of the summer? I truly hope there is going to be a third book!
Profile Image for Nora.
12 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2025
It wasn't as good as Float, but it was still a really good book. I especially liked that it was from Hank's point of view. It mixed things up a little bit. Adding a new character was a good move as well because it was fun to see how the campers dwelt with a new kid. Overall, it was a great book with lots of funny, scary, and heartwarming parts. Another awesome book by Laura Martin.
1,042 reviews9 followers
August 4, 2022
I love Hank! He is my favorite. This book was pretty good even though some parts slow down a bit. While I know this is a children's book, there are two pairs of a characters that I totally ship: Anthony with Kristi and Hank with Amy. These pairs are partly due to their RISK factor compatibility, but I also like how in Hank and Amy's case their interactions.

This book did raise question about what happens to RISK kids as they get older and become adults. We know there are RISK adults and it seems they have a degree of control. The question is how does that control develops? Also it has yet to be revealed what happens if two RISK people get marry and have kids. Do the kids also get a RISK factor or is it limited to just the parents?

Verdict: I really like this series and I hope that Laura Martin expands the series. Maybe we will get to see the boys go into the Redwood cabin?
Profile Image for Danielle.
233 reviews10 followers
October 18, 2022
Enjoyed this book more than the first. No cudd language of references.
Profile Image for Jocelyn L.
2 reviews
February 17, 2025
This book is amazing I love to read it over and over along with the first book in the series Laura Martin is so funny!
18 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2025
Please write a sequel! My boys and I looked forward to read aloud time everyday during this novel! The plot and characters drew us into the book making us Camp Outlier fans forever!
Profile Image for †⁠♡✧Aliza⁠✧♡† .
38 reviews43 followers
June 16, 2025
kinda disappointed. Not as funny as the first book (float) 😥 there were few funny parts but other than that no. and that was the whole reason I liked the first book😭
Profile Image for Donna.
1,652 reviews
April 3, 2022
DRC from Netgalley and Harper audio
Second story featuring a group of kids that all have a different RISK factor (recurring incident of the strange kind) This one features Hank, who's RISK factor is invisibility. While at camp, Hank realizes that his invisibility has now extended to others when he touches them. He and his friends also realize that something strange is happening at camp. They decide to figure out what is going on and try to save the camp.
I did not read the first book, but there was enough information in this one that it didn't make that much difference. I also listened to this story and it was a computer voice. Looking forward ot hearing the final with a human voice as I think I will enjoy it much more.
Profile Image for Sarah.
132 reviews
May 29, 2022
DISCLAIMER: I received a digital review copy of Vanishing Act via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I read Float about a year ago and I loved it. So, when I found out it was getting a sequel, I was beside myself. I'm pretty sure the hope for a sequel had been in the back of my mind since I finished Float and when I saw that, yes, it was in fact getting a sequel I was beyond excited.

And it was so, so, so much fun. I think I still like Float better—but that's not to say that I didn't love this one, because I did. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about some of the new characters, but they ended up growing on me (especially Hudson and Amy) and I adored getting to be back with this group of kids again.

Overall, a great second installment and I hope to hear more stories from Camp Outlier in the future.

Perfect for fans of Marvel's X-Men and Disney's Encanto.
Profile Image for Grace Theising.
30 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2025
This was a very funny sequel to float it was a very fun story hank the main character in this book is heading back to camp outlier for the second year only to find that something is happening to camp outlier and to his powers…
Profile Image for gabby ୨୧.
348 reviews40 followers
July 14, 2023
4 stars

100% WORTH THE WAIT OMG. i loved the concept of the first book and when i heard there was a second one being released, i was like GIMMEGIMMEGIMME lol
also i'm in this book ;)
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