Teen Books that Give Summer Camp Vibes

Summer camp experiences always have a cinematic feel to them. From summer flings to after-hours shenanigans, that time away from home can make people bolder, creating lifelong memories and magical stories. Whether you're looking for a book to fit your camp experience or you want to live vicariously, these books are sure to give you the best camp vibes. 

Summer camp connections can be fleeting; there just doesn't ever seem to be enough time to get to the serious conversations. In Sunrise Nights by Jeff Zentner and Brittany Cavallaro, Florence and Jude only get one night at the end of their sleepaway art camp together, so they spend it talking about the deep stuff. After hours of discussion, they promise not to see or speak to each other for the year, until the next year's Sunrise Night. Over the course of three Sunrise Nights, Florence and Jude get to know each other better than anyone. Told in verse and mostly dialogue, this book replicates that magical, exploring-life's-biggest-mysteries-in-the-middle-of-the-night feeling. 

Camp can be an escape for many. Being away from home and the people who know you can make you feel confident enough to try something new or explore a new side of yourself. In Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin, Juliette Barrera-Wright dislikes most of her life, but she loves Fogridge Sleepaway Camp because it makes her feel accepted. That is, until her hot high school rival, Priya Pendley, who seems to have everything, joins the camp as her cabinmate. Juliette is determined not to let Priya ruin her final year at camp, but in learning to tolerate her, she discovers feelings she never realized were there. If you're interested in summer romance, you'll love watching these two go from enemies to lovers through classic camp activities and quirky quips.  

While summer camp is a fun adventure for some, for others, it can be a punishment. In the graphic novel Paper Planes by Jennie Wood, former best friends Dylan and Leighton are sent to a summer camp for troubled youth where they must receive a good evaluation at the end of the summer or else be sent to a stricter school away from their friends. While the experience is less than exciting, they continue to encourage each other through notes passed by paper plane. In this moving story about a gender nonconforming teen and an asexual teen learning to understand themselves, each other, and their past, you'll find that sometimes friendships aren't meant to last, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth having.  

Friendship and self-discovery are common themes surrounding summer camp, but it is also commonly associated with horror thanks to Friday the 13th and the many slasher films that followed. For those who prefer a creepier experience, The Honeys by Ryan LaSala is the perfect book. Following his twin sister's death in a shocking first chapter, Mars decides to go to her beloved prestigious summer camp, believing it is connected to the mysterious behavior she displayed at the hour of her death. While Mars, a genderqueer teen, despises this place for its adherence to gender norms and for causing his twin to become distant, he forces himself to get through it to uncover the mystery and learn more about his sister. This book is a fun Midsommar-esque mystery that will mess with your mind between moments of pure camp bliss and serenity. (For an extra terrifying experience, try the audiobook!) 

Have a memorable camp experience? Leave a comment down below.