10 Fantastic Books About Summer Camp

Camp is one of the best parts of summer. This list features books about camp for kids of all ages with a bonus parent recommendation thrown in too. For more information on each book, click on it's title.

For Younger Readers

I Love Camp by Todd Parr

Recommended for ages 3-5

A great way to introduce the concept of camp to little ones!


Sadie, Ori, and Nuggles Go to Camp

Sadie, Ori, and Nuggles Go To Camp by Jamie Korngold

Recommended for ages 4-6

Ori is nervous about going to sleepaway camp for the first time. Big sister Sadie steps in to help him get ready with the help of a special lovey.


No Baths At Camp by Tamar Fox

Recommended for ages 5-7

Camp is full of rock climbing, face painting, marshmallow roasting, and water-balloon fighting, but the best part? No bathing!


Noah’s Swim-a-Thon by Ann D. Koffsky

Recommended for ages 5-7

In this adorable story about summer camp, Noah conquers his fear of swimming so that other children can attend camp too.


Camp Wonderful Wild by Laurel Snyder

Recommended for ages 5-7 years

This rhyming book tackles the highs (fun with friends) and lows (mosquitoes! mud!) of summer camp.


Picnic at Camp Shalom by Jacqueline Jules

Recommended for ages 5-7 years

Carly and Sara are bunkmates who get off to a rocky start but their love of music (and a surprise in common) leads to a great summer camp friendship.


sam and charlie and sam too at camp

Sam and Charlie (and Sam too) at Camp by Leslie Kimmelman

Recommended for ages 5-7 years

Best friends Sam and Charlie are heading off to sleepaway camp together. Follow them through their first week at camp.

For Older Children

The Path of Names by Ari Goelman

Recommended for ages 10 and up

At summer camp Dahlia sees ghosts walk through walls and other strange sights. Her bunkmates think she’s a little weird, Dahlia thinks she should have just gone to math camp.


OyMG by Amy Fellner

Recommended for ages 10 and up

Ellie Taylor is a young woman passionate about speech and debate and keen on earning a scholarship to a prestigious performing arts focused high school. Ellie goes against the advice of her grandfather to attend a Christian summer camp that promises a scholarship to the school of her dreams – in the process Ellie must learn more about what her Jewish identity means to her.

For Grown-ups

Camp Camp by Roger Bennett and Jules Shell

Recommended by The Jewish Book Council, Camp Camp walks the reader through memories of adolescence and the camp experience. The book is told via a combination of personal narratives, photos, and artwork.


Other Suggestions

The Summer Camp Survival Guide by Chris Pallato and Ron Defazio

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Though not a PJ Library selection, this book is great for first time campers and their parents. It includes checklists, tearout post cards, address pages for keeping in touch with friends, as well as fun activities and games.

More

Looking for more summer reading suggestions? We recommend checking out WhatDoWeDoAllDay.com, PragmaticMom.com, and DiverseBooks.org for a variety of themed summer reading lists and activities.

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