Chiggers

Gr 5-8Abby is back for another summer at camp. Her friend, Rose, three years older and now a cabin assistant, cannot spend much time with her so she seeks out new friends. Deni, a city girl who produces a constant stream of conversation about boys, soon comes down with a case of chiggers, and no one is sorry to see her leave. Shasta, a raven-haired girl, replaces her. She was late to arrive, she says, due to being struck by lightning. As is common, the cabinmates cannot all get along, and the others turn against Abby for befriending Shasta. Throw in summer crushes and particle-board camp food, and reading "Chiggers" provides a ticket to summer fun. Larson delicately handles both the usual middle-school angst and the additional pressures that come with being somewhat different. The style is more Craig Thompson ("Goodbye, Chunky Rice" [Pantheon, 2006]) than "Shojo Beat", and the content is perfect for upper elementary and middle school students."Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA" Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Chiggers is a fresh, honest, and sweetly touching story drawn by a master artist. Kudos!" — Jennifer L. Holm, Newbery Honor Award-winning author of Penny from Heaven and Our Only May Amelia, and co-creator of Babymouse