Camp by Lev A.C. Rosen

Bibliographic Information:

• Title: Camp
• Author: Lev A.C. Rosen (aka L. C. Rosen)
• ISBN: 0316537756
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co
• Copyright Date: May 26, 2020

Genre: LGBTQ+/Contemporary Fiction/Realistic Fiction/Romantic Comedy/Coming of Age

Format: Book

Awards/Honors: ALA 2021 Rainbow Book List Top 10 Titles for Teen Readers, Lambda Literary Award 2021 Finalist LGBTQ Young Adult

Reading Level/Interest Level: Teens Grades 10-12, Ages 15-18 (Baker & Taylor Titlesource360)

Plot Summary: Randy loves camp! Every summer he goes to Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. Camp is where Randy has friends and can be himself. But this summer is different. Randy spent the winter changing his appearance and persona so he could try to attract his crush, Hudson. Over the winter Randy lost weight, worked out, and changed his hair style. He started going by the name Del and dressing more masculinely. At camp, he does not sign up for the theater program with his friends, but chooses sports activities, instead. This is all to impress Hudson, who does not know that Randy is alive. Randy’s plan works and he and Hudson become close. Randy realizes he enjoys sports but misses the theater and his friends. He also knows that Hudson fell in love with Del, not with the real Randy, and starts to question his relationship.

Author Background: Lev A.C Rosen, also known as L. C. Rosen, is a writer of books for all ages. He has published many adult and middle-grade books, and two YA books, Camp (2020) and Jack of Hearts (and other parts) (2018). His books have been translated into many languages. Rosen has an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College and teaches creative writing. Rosen is from and still lives in lower Manhattan with his husband and cat (Lev AC Rosen N.D.).

Critical Evaluation: Camp is a well written, charming story with lots of diverse characters. It has themes of friendship, self- discovery, self-acceptance, and fitting in. Like many coming-of-age YA novels, there is a strong message about being yourself and not changing to try to impress anyone. Randy is likable and his character is well developed, as are most of the secondary characters. The setting of a summer camp is perfect for the story. Having gone to sleep away camp for many years, I enjoyed reading about the camp itself, different activities, and various “groups” of campers. I could practically smell pine needles as I read the book. Although the book is long, it is fast-paced and engaging. There is some queer history in the book that I found very interesting. The way it was presented, did not detract from the storyline. I also liked that the author added descriptions of different members of the LGBTQ+ community. The book has positive messages, role models, and words of wisdom. Teens who like LGBTQ+ literature, romantic comedies, and coming-of-age stories will enjoy this book.

Creative Use for a Library Program: Talent Show time! Since one of Del’s favorite activities at camp every summer was the staff talent show, the teens and library staff could have a small talent show. The teens could sign up and invite their friends and family. There would be some practice sessions and dress rehearsals. The performance would be open to the community. A cast party will follow the show.

Speed-Round Book Talk: What would you do to attract your big crush? A total makeover? A new name? New interestests and friends? Would it be worth it in the end? Read Camp by Lev A.C. Rosen and find out if Randy’s plan works.

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense: There could be challenges to Camp due to its LGBTQ+ content. There is sex and descriptions of sexual acts in the book. Defense to this is that literature for all teens, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be present in the library. Having books about LGBTQ+ teens make them feel welcome in the library. Teens like to see characters in novels that are like them. Camp is recommended for older teens so the sexual content should not be a problem.

Reason for Inclusion: I included Camp in my collection because it is well written, engaging and has positive messages and role models. I like that there is some queer history intertwined with the story. The book is long but did not drag. I fell in love with the theater kids and their drag queen counselor. It is part romantic comedy and part self-discovery/coming of age. Teens who like romantic comedies and LGBTQ+ fiction will fall in love with this book.

References:

Big Gay Fiction Podcast. (2020, August 9). L.C. Rosen – BGFP interview. [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U21glQyyJGA&ab_channel=BigGayFictionPodcastBigGayFictionPodcast

Lev AC Rosen. (N.D.) About. Retrieved from https://www.levacrosen.com/about