AGNES PARKER...HAPPY CAMPER?
by Kathleen O’Dell & illustrated by Charise Mericle Harper
A month at science camp become much more than studying the soil and casting animal footprints when Agnes Parker and her friend Prejean are separated into two very different cabins. In this sequel to Agnes Parker . . . Girl in Progress (2003), Agnes has only been vaguely aware of the changes taking place in her friend and is surprised at the reactions of the other campers to Prejean’s exotic beauty. A cast of interesting campers, including a precocious eight-year-old, an outgoing tomboy and a tough yet sensitive girl with a secret, keep Agnes company as she struggles with the changes in her best friend. Camp culture forces the friends to confront racial prejudice, loyalty and a blooming interest in boys. Realistic dialogue and smart characters offer a richness and depth without sacrificing some serious fun. The campfire is bright and warm when shared with Agnes and her friends. (Fiction. 8-12)