A graphic novel that, if it teaches kids anything, will teach that being yourself is not good enough. When two kids, considered unmotivated and/or trouble-makers, don't prove to be natural geniuses, their parents are quick to send them off to a camp they know nothing about but believe will be the thing to turn them around. This is not the worst the parents end up doing with regards to their children.Strange things involving dead birds, coughed up feathers, and forehead bumps on campers followed by zombification start happening and the two "losers" are left to figure out what it all means.I'm not sure which ends up being worse: the betrayal of their parents or the fact that in the end, the two main characters end up supposedly better off for that betrayal. Disappointing. In "Brain Camp," two unconnected, parent proclaimed losers, meet at summer camp. Camp Fielding is each respective family’s last ditch effort to reform these children, and help them become more successful. This invite only camp makes some lofty claims, and promises to turn all the children who attend the camp into winners. Something strange is clearly going on, when everyone but Jenna and Lucas start acting out of character. Since when did Jenna’s cabin mates start reading advanced literature just for the fun of it? Or the popular kids want Jenna to sit with them? Overnight, everyone seemed to turn into a winner, but at what cost has that happened?Of course, this is right around the same time Parents’ Day is scheduled, and Jenna and Lucas are still “losers!” Of course, no one believes the teenagers that have a feeling something sneaky is going down. Regardless, they keep trying to alert someone on the outside, while they try to solve the mystery.Why I picked it up: I picked this up, because the students that I’ve shared the last few graphic novels with wanted to read this.Why I finished it: I finished because I relationship between Jenna and Lucas gets interesting, and ultimately is what saves everyone in the end. I also enjoyed the “science” aspect of this one.Who I’d give it too: I’d give this to lovers of graphic novels, adolescent stories, and aliens.Happy Reading2011 ALA Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens
What do You think about Brain Camp (2010)?
I was so creeped out by this GN....I think I might have nightmares
—Amby
