Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—Jemma can't wait for summer camp, where she will be reunited with Tammy, who moved away at the beginning of fifth grade. Then Tammy arrives with her cousin in tow, and Jemma's hopes for a fun-filled summer are dashed. She dislikes Brooke, whose eyes seem to roll whenever Jemma talks, and who insists on partnering with Tammy during sailing instruction. Jemma is at a loss to understand why her best friend has suddenly deserted her. Any child who has ever lost a friend will relate to her inner turmoil. Ferber has drawn a realistic main character who experiences pain and discomfort when Tammy continually rejects her. The plot moves along swiftly, and Jemma's first-person narrative rings true, as do the issues and the camp experience.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Rising sixth-grader Jemma is looking forward to attending Camp Star Lake with best friend Tammy, until she learns that Tammy’s annoying cousin, Brooke, will be joining them. Suddenly the somewhat insecure Jemma feels like an outsider, for Brooke has a chip on her shoulder (because her parents are getting divorced) and tries to outdo Jemma at every opportunity, leaving Tammy as the unsuccessful peacemaker-in-the-middle. As the summer progresses, Jemma comes to accept that her relationship with Tammy has changed, and she broadens her friendship horizons with Delaney, a girl with an overpowering older sister who pursues yoga just to be different. The author of Julia’s Kitchen (2006) offers here a lighter story for a slightly younger audience. Ferber has a fine ear for preteen dialogue and concerns, and her descriptions of overnight camp activities (especially sailing and waterskiing) will strike a chord with readers. Give this to first-time campers or fans of Kathleen O’Dell’s Agnes Parker . . . Happy Camper? (2005). Grades 3-6. --Kay Weisman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1 edition (April 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374336725
• ISBN-13: 978-0374336721
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #531,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #59 in

  Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Water Sports > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for any age, May 30, 2009

By	Audra Halprin "Audi" (Bloomfield, Mi) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I loved this book! I am 38 years old with a 16 month year old son. But I could totally relate to this book. It is a great book for any girl at any age. Brenda's detail and emotions are captured in a friendship web between 4 girls at camp. What girl hasn't gone through this? This book is a good read to help girls get through friendship issues that Tween and Teenage girls go through alot. I wish I had a book growing up to deal with this. Your girls will love it!!!!! So will U