From Goodreads:
According to sixteen-year-old Zander Osborne, nowhere is an actual place—and she’s just fine there. But her parents insist that she get out of her head—and her home state—and attend Camp Padua, a summer camp for at-risk teens.
Zander does not fit in—or so she thinks. She has only one word for her fellow campers: crazy. In fact, the whole camp population exists somewhere between disaster and diagnosis. There’s her cabinmate Cassie, a self-described manic-depressive-bipolar-anorexic. Grover Cleveland (yes, like the president), a cute but confrontational boy who expects to be schizophrenic someday, odds being what they are. And Bek, a charmingly confounding pathological liar.
But amid group “share-apy” sessions and forbidden late-night outings, unlikely friendships form, and as the Michigan summer heats up, the four teens begin to reveal their tragic secrets. Zander finds herself inextricably drawn to Grover’s earnest charms, and she begins to wonder if she could be happy. But first she must come completely unraveled to have any hope of putting herself back together again.
My thoughts:
This book is about a group of teens each having their own mental health issues.
One of the main characters is Zander, a teen struggling with her mental health. Her parents decide to send her to a special camp for at-risk teens so she can try something new. She acquires some new friends, including Grover Cleveland who she gradually gets closer to as time goes on. The teens have some group sessions together and also have some time alone as well. Surprisingly, Grover opens her up and helps her deal with her feelings. She begins to feel like happiness might be possible for her after all.
I saw a few reviews on this one and thought I’d give it a try. I read it in 2016. I really enjoyed the story as it reminded me of The Breakfast Club, one of my favorite movies. There’s even a reference to the movie in the book. Even though this is YA, I think people older in age can enjoy it as well.
The characters were quite complex. I liked the way they came together and helped heal each other. It would be wonderful if the author would write a second book about what happens with all the teens after camp. Hopeful!
4****
Find this book on Goodreads and Amazon:
- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Skyscape (December 1, 2016)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1503939820
- ISBN-13: 978-1503939820
Check out these blogs for other Throwback Thursdays!
Jill at Jill’s Book Cafe
Deanna at DeesRadReads and Reviews
Amanda at Literary Weaponry
Susan at Susan Loves Books
Nickimags at The Secret Library Book Blog
Cathy at What Cathy Read Next
Lynne at Fictionophile
Annie at The Misstery
Cathy at Between the Lines
Amy at Novel Gossip
Diana at A Haven for Booklovers
Laurie at Cozy Nook Books
Ann Marie at LItWitWineDine
Laura at Snazzy Books
Nina at The Cozy Pages
Virginia at Rose Point Publishing
Stephanie at Stephanies Novel Fiction
Lorilyn at Bug Bug Books
Sounds like a good read, Mischenko! I loved The Breakfast Club, too! Great review!
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Thanks, Julia! ❤💚❤
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I don’t think I have seen the Breakfast Club. It would be interesting to compare. Nice review!
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I think you have! I know I made you watch it when I was a kid. 🤣 Thanks! 💚💚💚
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I remember hearing about this one when it came out. I’m also a fan of The Breakfast Club!
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You might like this one then, Teri! Thanks. 😉🎄❤
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Oh, I LOVE The Breakfast Club. We even have a local band entitled that, and I love them, too. Wonderful review, favorite M! This sounds like one I need to make sure to read! ♥️
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How cool! I do think you’d enjoy this one. Thanks, Jen! ❤💚❤
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Sounds good, I like books that are hopeful!
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It’s pretty good! Hope you enjoy it if you try it. 😉🎄❤
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What a fun book to feature for Throwback Thursday!!! Sounds wonderful!
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Thanks, Mackenzie! 😉💚🎅
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Ooh this really sounds like a book I’d enjoy. It reminds me of one I read this past summer called The Unlikelies by Carrie Firestone!
Great review as always, Mischenko. 🙂
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Hunida, you are full of recommendations! Thank you! ❤💚❤
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This reminds me of a summer camp book I read a few weeks ago! I’m going to add this to my tbr pile!
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I think you’d like it, Lana! 💚❤💚
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I see it’s included with kindle unlimited! So maybe over the holiday break I will check it out!
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