Reunion

Part of the Summer Camp Confidential series, Reunion follows a group of girls returning to Camp Lakeview for another season. The central conflict involves the friction between established friendships and the evolution of individual identities over the off-season. Specifically, it explores how characters like Natalie and Grace manage the arrival of new campers and the shifting priorities of their old friends. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with social exclusion and relational aggression in a very direct, secular manner. The resolution is realistic: it doesn't promise that every friendship will return to exactly how it was, but it offers a hopeful path toward reconciliation and new boundaries. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with high-energy excitement that quickly dips into tension and social anxiety. It builds toward a confrontation and levels out into a mature, grounded sense of belonging by the final chapters. IDEAL READER: A 10-year-old girl who is nervous about a 'friendship breakup' or someone heading back to a seasonal activity worried that they won't fit in anymore. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might notice their child being uncharacteristically quiet after a playdate or expressing fear that a best friend has found a 'new best friend.' PARENT PREP: Read cold. The book is very accessible, though parents should be ready to discuss the difference between 'growing apart' and 'being mean.' AGE EXPERIENCE: 9-year-olds will focus on the camp activities and the 'mean girl' drama, while 12-year-olds will better appreciate the internal struggle of maintaining one's identity while trying to belong to a group. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many camp books that focus on the fun of activities, this focuses intensely on the psychological work of maintaining long-distance and recurring friendships.