What do you think?
Rate this book
Sommerkamp
What starts out as an innocent summer camp for kids quickly metamorphoses into a serious struggle for survival. Camp leader Mr. Sommerkamp sends four teens into a cave to retrieve a mystery device. Each has a unique, unusual Leo hears and interprets the lowest of sounds from afar, Malcolm sees actions in real time, and Natalie acts as a human compass . . . and then there’s Georgia. She thinks balloon sculpting is her only special ability—but is it?
The four find themselves in a very dark cave battling giant lizards and charged mushrooms and meeting unexpected strangers along the way. Georgia thinks Sommerkamp is creepy and shouldn’t be fully relied on, but the other kids—especially Leo, who forms a special bond with Sommerkamp—think otherwise.
Will the quartet be able to put their differences aside and work together to survive the great dangers that have been carefully placed before them? And is Sommerkamp just an innocent camp official . . . or a dangerous criminal?
There’s only one way to find out.
Sommerkamp is a masterpiece, filled with breathtaking action and suspense, and spiced with comic relief. You won’t read a better mystery novel this year. A completely gripping, twist-packed thriller, perfect for fans of Ray Bradbury, Harper Lee, or Steven King.
The four find themselves in a very dark cave battling giant lizards and charged mushrooms and meeting unexpected strangers along the way. Georgia thinks Sommerkamp is creepy and shouldn’t be fully relied on, but the other kids—especially Leo, who forms a special bond with Sommerkamp—think otherwise.
Will the quartet be able to put their differences aside and work together to survive the great dangers that have been carefully placed before them? And is Sommerkamp just an innocent camp official . . . or a dangerous criminal?
There’s only one way to find out.
Sommerkamp is a masterpiece, filled with breathtaking action and suspense, and spiced with comic relief. You won’t read a better mystery novel this year. A completely gripping, twist-packed thriller, perfect for fans of Ray Bradbury, Harper Lee, or Steven King.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2023
3 people want to read
About the author
Greg Koren
3 books46 followersGreg Koren is a semi-pro magician. Maybe that isn’t the best fact to lead with; he also holds a Bachelor of Science in English with concentration in writing. Over the course of 15 years, he worked as a newspaper reporter, a columnist, an Associate Editor of the East Baltimore Guide and Senior Features Writer for the Carroll County Times. Needless to say, he’s a pro and can back his experience with accolades and awards including the Maryland State Teachers Association’s School Bell Award for excellence in education reporting, and the Associated Press’ Mark Twain Award for outstanding features writing.
In 1998, Greg and his wife traded places, and he became the at-home parent. A year later, he decided to homeschool, making him one of three Baltimore homeschooling fathers. Reading aloud to his children, Max and Mara, as well as those homeschooling years, opened his eyes to the exciting world of children’s fiction. Immediately taken with the powerful storytelling in middle-grade books, he banged out his first manuscript and… the rest is history.
In 1998, Greg and his wife traded places, and he became the at-home parent. A year later, he decided to homeschool, making him one of three Baltimore homeschooling fathers. Reading aloud to his children, Max and Mara, as well as those homeschooling years, opened his eyes to the exciting world of children’s fiction. Immediately taken with the powerful storytelling in middle-grade books, he banged out his first manuscript and… the rest is history.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 29, 2024
Disclaimer that I considered myself a friend of the author, but committed to an honest review here ...
Greg was quite proud of this story, published not long before he passed away. Not yout typical YA as it tackles the issue of being "different" (as far from the A Crowd as possible), something many kids face. Basically, the foursome are at camp to get away from stressful situations back home. However, they aren't there long before Sommerkamp (as he calls himself) appears, taking them off for quite an adventure.
At his base-of-operations, it's explained that they each have a unique talent necessary to assist him with a scientific project. At that point, the plot becomes a fantasy quest, perfect for a YA audience. No spoilers beyond that point, except to say that they come away with a solid appreciation of their gifts - including the one team member whose "talent" seems of no practical use. However, the author skillfully manages things so that she ends up saving the day, in a way no one could see coming.
The kids are realistically drawn, the setting is well presented, the pacing works well (perhaps a somewhat slow start before ratcheting up the action), so why four stars? As an adult reader I felt I needed to suspend disbelief to buy into the opening premise, while the target YA audience probably wouldn't be so critical.
Definitely recommended
Greg was quite proud of this story, published not long before he passed away. Not yout typical YA as it tackles the issue of being "different" (as far from the A Crowd as possible), something many kids face. Basically, the foursome are at camp to get away from stressful situations back home. However, they aren't there long before Sommerkamp (as he calls himself) appears, taking them off for quite an adventure.
At his base-of-operations, it's explained that they each have a unique talent necessary to assist him with a scientific project. At that point, the plot becomes a fantasy quest, perfect for a YA audience. No spoilers beyond that point, except to say that they come away with a solid appreciation of their gifts - including the one team member whose "talent" seems of no practical use. However, the author skillfully manages things so that she ends up saving the day, in a way no one could see coming.
The kids are realistically drawn, the setting is well presented, the pacing works well (perhaps a somewhat slow start before ratcheting up the action), so why four stars? As an adult reader I felt I needed to suspend disbelief to buy into the opening premise, while the target YA audience probably wouldn't be so critical.
Definitely recommended
Displaying 1 of 1 review