After reading the first chapter of this new sequel I was a little bit lost with so many characters. In the first ten pages I met Mackenzie (Mack), Miles, Andre, Winston, Terry, Pat, Nicole, and Makayla. Whew… how was I ever going to keep things straight?

Maybe I should have tracked down a copy of the first book, CAMP AVERAGE, released in 2019. But no, I kept reading and a few chapters later I was feeling much better thanks to the plot staying close to Mack and learning more about the personality traits of each camper.

Camp Avalon is the real name of the camp. The ‘Average’ label is one used by the kids. The focus on Basketball is a welcome one as I find 8-12 year olds are always looking for a good basketball story.

Here’s the official blurb on CAMP AVERAGE—Double Foul:

It’s a new summer at Camp Avalon—which Mack and his friends still affectionately call Camp Average. After last season’s big baseball victory, camp director Winston wants to continue the winning streak. So he’s launched a competitive program for elite athletes—including a new group of girl campers.

When Winston enters his charges in a high-stakes basketball tournament, Mack opts out in favor of other, less competitive activities. But Mack starts to suspect he’s being played, as one by one, his favorite camp activities all get closed for repairs.

Meanwhile, Winston pits boys against girls in a twisted attempt to win. To undermine Winston’s hypercompetitive scheme once again, Mack creates a plan of his own—but it means he needs to secretly sabotage both the boys’ and girls’ teams. Will Mack match wits with Winston and save the camp from the diabolical director’s clutches once and for all? Or will Mack’s own mischief be exposed—and lose him his summer and his friends? The second Camp Average book is a fast-paced and funny addition to this all-star series.

The kids are an enjoyable lot, with a very real depiction of what occurs in the twelve-year-old mind. There’s humor and conflict both with each other and a dishonest camp counselor. The climatic end to the story is a co-ed basketball tournament. A hint at a third book is also given with a reveal on the last page.

Fast paced and enjoyable, if you’ve been to camp or have a summer stay at one planned, this is a fun look at life away from home. Now I’m going back to read the first Camp Average book. Its focus on baseball should fill the void in my world right now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Craig Battle was the editor of OWL Magazine from 2006 to 2012. He now works as an editor at Sportsnet magazine. He has worked as a reporter, camp counselor, and basketball coach, and now adds children’s author to his resume. Originally from Lantzville, BC, he lives in Toronto.

Checkout Craig’s Tweets on Twitter!

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