“It was the best ever!” That’s what many people say about summer camp. What makes overnight camp such a great place for friendship — haverut in Hebrew — to grow? The key elements are time and shared experiences. Overnight campers are together almost every minute of the day. Eating together, sharing adventures, and helping each other through tough moments build friendship in a deep, lasting way.
Whether your children are preparing for their first experience as day campers, heading off for a longer overnight stay, or saying “See ya later!” to an older sibling, the books in this list offer a wonderful preview of the Jewish camp experience.
Picture Books
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.
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!
by Laurel Snyder
Recommended for ages 5-7 years
This rhyming book shows the highs (fun with friends) and lows (mosquitoes! mud!) of summer camp.
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.
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.
by Jenny Meyerhoff
Recommended for ages 7-8 years
Though her family doesn’t seem to see it, Sami is absolutely certain she’s not a “sleep-away camp kind of kid.” Will a four-day, three-night mini session at Camp Cedar Lake change her mind?
Middle-Grade Books
by Laura Toffler-Corrie
Recommended for ages 10 and up
Noah’s summer is turning into the wildest ever. Instead of film camp, his parents are sending him to … Camp Challah? Plus, his wacky grandfather keeps sending him messages by carrier pigeon, and now the rottweilers are after him. How will he ever finish making his movie?
by Ari Goelman
Recommended for ages 10 and up
Dahlia’s bunkmates at summer camp think she’s super strange. She sees ghosts walk through walls, and she's beginning to think she's possessed! If only Dahlia could have gone to math camp...
by Anna Levine
Recommended for ages 9 and up
Josh isn’t as brave as his twin brother Nate, but when danger strikes on a Scouts trip in Israel, it’s up to Josh to rescue his friends. Can he find the courage to save the day?
by Emma Carlson Berne
Recommended for ages 9 and up
It’s Maya’s first time at summer camp and she has a secret she’d rather her bunkmates didn’t find out about. But she’s not the only one hiding something…
by Joanne Levy
Recommended for ages 9 and up
Eleven-year-old Bea and Frankie have been planning their first summer at Camp Shalom forever. But then Frankie gets into horse camp. How will Bea replace her best friend for a whole summer?
More
10 Books About Jewish Summer Camp
The 8 Things You NEED to Pack for Summer Camp
Mad Libs–Style Activity: Silly Summer Camp Packing
May 28, 2024