Published: 2024, Random House Graphic
Genre: Humor, Graphic Novel, Vampires
Audience: Middle Grade
Triggers: Isolation/Alienation, Vampirism, Emotional Intensity
Summary: What happens when a very human kid ends up at the wrong summer camp—FOR VAMPIRES?! This quirky and heart warming graphic novel about making friends and getting in trouble is perfect for fans of Witches of Brooklyn.
After a lackluster school year, Maya anticipates an even more disappointing summer. The only thing she’s looking forward to is cooking and mixing ingredients in the kitchen, which these days brings her more joy than mingling with her peers . . . that is until her dad’s girlfriend registers her for culinary summer camp! Maya’s summer is saved! . . . or not.
What was meant to be a summer filled with baking pastries and cooking pasta is suddenly looking a lot . . . paler?! Why do all of the kids have pointy fangs? And hate garlic? Turns out that Maya isn’t at culinary camp—she’s at a camp for VAMPIRES! Maya has a lot to learn if she’s going to survive this summer . . . and if she’s lucky, she might even make some friends along the way.
Review: I found this book completely charming and hilarious. Maya and her fellow campers are such a funny and likable cast of characters. Readers will certainly find one of them to identify with, and probably also notice similarities between certain characters and their own best friends.
The clever concept, while often very silly (in the best way), leads to a sweet story including themes of standing up for yourself and also accepting others as they are. Karim is a sharp writer and does a great job of using both the dialogue and the art to maximize comedic moments–of which there are plenty!
I can see this graphic novel having wide appeal for middle school readers. In particular, it would be great for fans of other friendship-focused graphic novels such as the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels, the Click series by Kayla Miller, and/or the Lumberjanes series.
