CAMP TWISTED PINE

Preteen Naomi likes learning about nature from books and the internet, not from firsthand experience.

But Naomi’s parents need some time to figure out their divorce, so she’s going off with her younger twin brothers, Aman and Omar, to Camp Twisted Pine in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Camp is just as miserable as she predicted, but Naomi manages to make friends with (and maybe develop a hint of a crush on) Jackie, a hard-of-hearing girl who uses both English and ASL. Naomi’s logical, rational mind makes it hard for her to bond with her other cabinmates, especially when they start telling stories about the Jersey Devil. But maybe the Jersey Devil is real—and maybe he’s kidnapping campers. Or maybe the oddly young head counselor has something to do with the mysterious disappearances? Then there’s the highly invasive and subtly unnatural kudzu that’s growing throughout the forest. Naomi is a lovable, nerdy protagonist who resides in a world where the adults, though often well meaning, aren’t listening and it’s up to the kids to save the day. The story is fun and gently spooky with no real scares, and it’s likely to spark readers’ interest in ecosystems and conservation. A genuine love and knowledge of the Pine Barrens is evident in the details of the setting. Naomi presents Black, and the supporting cast is racially diverse.

Part campfire tale, part eco-fable, all charm.