Camp Average: Away Games

Camp Average #3

by Craig Battle

In the final book of this hit summer reading series for ages 8 to 12, this summer is definitely not average. This three-book series is great for sports fans and reluctant readers, with Camp Average shortlisted for provincial children's choice awards in Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan . It’s another summer at Camp Avalon―also known as Camp Average to its campers―only this year, things are anything but normal. Mack and Andre are spending the summer at rival Camp Killington, where the competitive campers seem intent on making them suffer. Meanwhile, at Camp Average, Miles is trying to keep the peace―which is not easy, due to obnoxious newcomer Garth and his pranks. On top of that, Miles has another impossible task on his getting Mack and Andre back on home turf. Things come to a head when Mack and Andre are forced apart, and Cassie challenges Garth to a do-or-die ball hockey showdown. Will the Camp Average crew find their way back together and come out on top? In this third and final addition to the critically acclaimed Camp Average series, the campers rally to support each other and discover once more how teamwork and cooperation win.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2022

About the author

Craig Battle is the author of five books for young readers, including Camp Average. He is the former editor of OWL magazine and is currently an editor at Sportsnet. Originally from Lantzville, B.C., he now lives in Toronto with his wife, Angela, and son, Reggie.

Reviews

[Erica Sonzogni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two rival sports camps are in competition in the novel, Camp Average: Away Games. Andre loses a bet which forces him to spend the summer at Camp Killington, a bougie baseball camp. This would not be so terrible if Andre’s original camp, Camp Average, was not where all of his friends were spending the summer. Additionally, the campers at Camp Killington are not treating Andre kindly, making his experience even more miserable. With the help of his Camp Average buddies and a wager on a ball-hockey game, Andre is able to return to his summer retreat and make new friends in the process.

Camp Average was a challenging book to read since it immediately begins where the prior story left off and includes very little information for those that did not read the first novel. The cast of characters is also quite large from both camps and, besides their names, there is not much to distinguish one from the other. There are nicknames and some have more history with each other compared to the newer campers. This contributed to the confusion. Even though a few of the characters, Andre and Mack, were supposed to be the main characters, the others overshadowed them at times. It was difficult to feel sympathy for these two and their problems when they were not developed as much as was needed. Even though the topic being sports would be intriguing to many young readers, the plot and characters were confusing which would make it challenging for them to follow along.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
The team is back for another summer at camp but this year is different again. Two of them are at Killington not Camp Average. Even worse, Camp Hortonia is still under construction so some of their campers are also at Camp Average to start the summer. Readers see relationships change and adjust as the campers face new challenges and old foes. They establish new friendships and learn more about other campers. Two storylines unfold as Andre and Mack figure it out at Killington while the rest of the crew is together at Average. In the end, they work together and resolve problems and save the day.
Middle grade readers will appreciate reconnecting with these characters and seeing how they have changed and grown up. Battle introduces readers to another sport (ball hockey) and slips in information on how to play along with the comedy and action. Mack and Miles shine in this volume.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are parts of this book that were thrown in randomly and I haven't figured out the purpose of them. It begins with a rocket launch. There is no explanation for it and no follow up on it. There was a random earthquake. No follow up. This doesn't seem like a realistic camp atmosphere. There is a big deal made about how hard it is to get in and no explanation on how Mack got into camp at the last minute. The bedding situations change from alone with empty bunks to randomly assigned roommates instead of getting requested roommates and then they use switching rooms in bets. Rooms and roommates don't switch like this realistically. You go to camp. You have your room assignments. You show up for activities, eat, and have fun at free time. That isn't what this camp was like at all. The plot was disjointed. I really never got into the story.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read! I remember liking the first book in this series, but I wasn't able to get my hands on book 2. It didn't take away from this story, because there was enough information provided to not feel lost. I like the characters and was happy with the ending, even though it left it open for another book or another series.

[Kellyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

This is an enjoyable, fun series for sports fans and those that have gone to summer camp. Middle grade especially will enjoy the shenanigans the group gets up to. Definitely recommending for my library collection.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have had the opportunity to read all of these books in this series and I have to say that I loved all of them. This was a wonderful story with sports and fun and diverse characters. I took my copy to school with me and donated it to my class. It was super fun!

[Becky McGregor]

This a fun sports book that I could see young boys who are into sports really liking. I think this is a great series and I am going to be looking to add it to the library.