Customer Reviews

Hail, Hail, Camp Timberwood

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read this book time and time again. Ellen Conford's characters are incredibly realistic and easy to relate to. Since I attended several camps each summer of my childhood and youth, 'Hail, Hail, Camp Timberwood' became the experience to strive for. Like most girls, I too wanted a romantic camp relationship! The only way to express how much I love this novel is to confess that this was one of the books I brought with me to college! When life becomes too hectic or complicated, I enjoy returning to Conford's world where average worries include adolescent crushes and camp food.

I hate summer camp, but love reading about it, and I found this to be the best book about summer camp so far. I highly recommend this and almost all of Ellen Conford's other books. They're funny, romantic, and really realistic.

This book is something that adults and kids alike will read. It is wholesome, entertaining, and so similar to real life. It deals with a young girl experincing her first crush, learning new activities, and how she learn deal with life in general. It also reminds us of the "Chicken Suprise" we ate every night at camp.

Around 1978 I found this book. I purchased it brand new from the book store shelf. Over the next 9 years, I read it again and again and again. By the time I headed off to college the book was almost in tatters. It went with me to college but I only managed to read it once or twice by sandwiching it in between text books and classes. After I was married, I packed it away.

Fast forward to May 2006. Ok, call me overly dramatic. I was scheduled for surgery and I had time to read one book before going under the knife. I had to chose what might be the last book I'd ever read. I chose Hail, Hail Camp Timberwood. I couldn't find my own copy so I turned to the local library system. They had one copy about 45 miles away. I put in my request.

It was almost 30 years after the first time I read the book. Here I was, almost 37 and worried that this "young adult" book would dissapoint me. Had I made the wrong selection? Would I be bored? Would it still be my favorite book?

I made the right selection. I wasn't bored. It was still my favorite book - even decades later. As I turned each page, I remembered every thing in the book. As I read each word, it came spilling out of my memory as though I had just read the book the day before.

As you can surmise, I survived the surgery (or at least I am in the process of recovering). So, technically, this wasn't my "one last read". However, I think I'll find my copy and make sure I have it around just incase the situtation ever arises again.

Ellen: If you read these reviews, thank you for an incredible book!

I read this book for the first time when I was in elementary school, I actually filled up the library card for the book, that was how many times I checked it out, and read it. I never got to go to summer camp, but I always wanted to, and Timberwood was as close as I ever got. I am 31 now, and I still remember this book, I can't wait to get mine so I can visit Camp Timberwood all over again. I am going to try to get my boys to read it, I don't know how interested they will be though. An excellent read, I highly recommend it!!!

I read this book when I was 12 and still, 16 years later, I love it. This is a preteen book about a very sheltered 13 yr.old girl named Melanie who is forced to go away to camp for about 6 weeks.( Her Aunt Katherine,a pyschologist, strongly suggest that to her folks and they finally agree that Mel needs to grow up a bit and learn new things and meet new people.) At first Mel is quite homesick and scared of all the new activities, but she starts to really enjoy herself and grow up.She makes new friends and learns assertiveness,especially when it comes to dealing with a bully.
I could definitely relate to shy, sheltered, insecure Melanie when I was a preteen, which is partly why I adored it so much. I did attend summer camp when I was 10, 12 and 13. When I was 12 and 13 I had a mad crush on 1 hot blonde guy at the camp. His good looks and cool demeanor reminded me of "Steve", Melanie's boyfriend in the book.
Even though this book was written in the 70's, it is still relevant for today's preteens. I hope this book comes back in print some day and I hope no changes are made. I think this would also make a great made for tv movie.
Parents, do your preteens(especially girls) a favor and buy them this book. I can't see how any kid couldn't relate to the story.

My friend gave my this book to read before we went to Camp Classen on a school trip. Her grandmother works at a library and gave it to her. She was dying to read it and told me I should when she finished. I simply loved it. The author put emotions in it that were exactly like those of a real teenager.
In this book, Melanie is leaving her parents, with whom she thinks of as best friends, and goes to Camp Timberwood. She meets a good friend there and an enemy. But when a little boy she meets in swimming class sends her on an errand she comes face to face with romance. You can not put this book down. It is completely mesmerizing. You will absolutely love it!

I am 31 years old. I remember this book from when I was in my early teens. I wanted to purchase a book for my niece and immediately remembered this classic!

Once I gave this book to my niece, it became a favorite of hers, as well! The characters are so vivid! I never had the pleasure of going to camp when I was young, but reading this book made me feel as though I were there!

Friendship, young love, standing up for yourself, growing up...all these topics are wrapped nicely in an unforgettable novel!

Trust me, if I remember this book 17 years later, it must be something special!

I give this book my highest recommendation! 5 stars out of 5!

I read this book when I was younger and loved it. It is about a girl who's not thrilled about her parents sending her to camp for the entire summer. She makes friends and gets a boyfriends,but also has to deal with the bunk bully. This is a quick and enjoyable read.

My sister and I read this book when we were young, and I would recommend it to any young girl with a romantic heart. A very good book. And if you liked this, you have got to read Seven Days to a Brand New Me, by the same author. It is still one of my favorite books.