Reviews

Unhappy Camper by Lily LaMotte

deirdreanais's review

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

embot77's review against another edition

4.0

Reading from the Advance Reader's edition, I enjoyed a partially colored, partially back-and-white portrayal of this coming-of-age Taiwanese-American culture and sisterhood-focused graphic novel. When colored, the pages depicted rosy-colored flashbacks and complemented color palates contrasting with more colorful schemes. The coloration's correspondence with the relational dynamics between Michelle and everyone else adds a visual and intellectual pleasure for audience members. Despite the lack of color in most areas, the story progressed with ease and simplicity. I especially liked the addition of the sheet music at the end of the story. I only wish the author added the lyrics (English and Taiwanese) underneath the notes so I could try to sing it at home!

daycia's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

eyeleash's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.75

lkstrohecker's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

geekwayne's review against another edition

4.0

‘Unhappy Camper’ by Lily LaMotte with art by Ann Xu and Sunmi is a graphic novel about a young girl trying to fit in to her new culture and the embarrassment her old culture causes her.

Michelle and Claire are Taiwanese sisters living in Seattle. Claire is proud of who she is, but Michelle wants to fit in with the popular crowd. When Michelle’s parents send her to a Taiwanese American summer camp with her sister, it feels like social death, especially since her sister is going and they haven’t gotten along for years. Days of learning language and cultural studies leave Michelle missing her friends at home, but are they really her friends and can she ever be close to Claire again?

I really liked this story of identity and siblings. The story has broad appeal, but may appeal most to immigrant children. The lessons are strong as is the art.

emilymyhren's review

emotional lighthearted

3.75

triforce's review

lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

totsfions's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was very cute!

mknygard_tn's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

5.0

I loved the sibling relationship between Claire and Michelle. It felt realistic and the development over the course of the book was engaging. Claire's gradual transition from embarrassment to curiosity to acceptance and pride for her Taiwanese heritage was well-paced and believable. This is an excellent book for anyone student who feels like their heritage makes them stick out or who feels empathy and curiosity about a different cultural tradition.