14 Amazing Books About Camp to Take You Back
Olive and June just released their summer polish collection and it inspired us to create this post of our favorite books about camp.
Camp has a special place in both of our lives. Going to camp shaped both our lives in different ways. When we saw that Olive and June’s newest collection is all about summer camp, we couldn’t resist sharing our favorite books about camp to match your polish.
*the summer camp books post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Best Books About Summer Camp
The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Daphne, Lanier, and Mary Stuart met at Camp Holly Springs as 6-year-olds and have remained inseparable ever since. They have been through unplanned pregnancies and addiction, and have taken on each other’s hard things.
Now, with the camp that they love so much in danger of closing, the three women come together to help Daphne’s aunt (and owner of the camp) save their beloved home.
Why I Loved It: Every so often you read a book that brings you back to your childhood. Kirsty Woodson Harvey brought me back to my summers at camp. This book touched my heart. I loved every word! This is a real celebration of friendship and chosen family.
Find this Book in Best Books of 2023 / Lake Novels / Summer Camp Novels
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel
Author: Elyssa Friedland
Year: 2021
Genre: Fiction
More info: A Good Morning America Buzz Pick, A Best Beach Read of 2021 from Bustle, A Best Summer Read of 2021 from PopSugar
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel is all about 2 families who own a resort in the Catskills and are thinking of selling or overhauling the Golden. This is the ultimate in family drama books.
Three generations of the Goldmans and Weismann clans have gathered to make the decision and family secrets are unspooling left and right in the midst of goat yoga, comedy shows, and salon catastrophes.
Why Kirsten loves it
It was a pleasure to read it while staying at the Hyatt on the Chesapeake and experiencing some resort life of my own.
Why Jackie loves it
This book had an amazing cast of characters that made me laugh out loud. I loved the dynamics of the family as they navigated to changes that come after the heydays of family resorts
Find this book in: Best Books of 2021 / Best Books for Book Clubs / Summer Camp Books / Books With Colors in the Title
Romance Summer Camp Books
Plot
Jessie and Hillary were best friends for years at camp and were supposed to return to become counselors together. Jessie is shocked when Hilary does not return with almost no explanation. Years later, Jessie is still working at the camp as the director when the owners’ children decide to sell the camp.
Jessie decides to have one last amazing summer at the camp with all the former campers invited back for a reunion. Hilary knows this is her last chance to have the summer she always wanted and rekindle her friendship with Jessie. But just like kids have camp drama and relationships, the adults are no better!
Why Jackie loves it
This book about summer camp reminds me so much of my childhood at camp. I was laughing so hard while reading this book, I had tears streaming down my face. This is a perfect summer read for anyone who went to camp.
Find this book in: Amazing Books About Camp / Best Beach Reads / Best New Romance Books of 2024
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
The second book in BookTok sensation, Hannah Grace’s Maple Hills series is a summer camp book! After a one-night stand before summer break, Aurora wasn’t planning to see Russ again. But then, she reports to work at her beloved overnight camp and sees that he’s a fellow counselor.
This steamy romance is not nearly as dirty as the first book of the series, but there is still PLENTY of heat. Do not let the cartoon cover fool you. This one is for the over-18 crowd.
Why I like it: This romance took me right back to the year I was a summer camp counselor, when I met my now husband. While my camp romance wasn’t quite this steamy, I still remember those summer love butterflies.
Find this book in Summer Reads 2024 / Camp Books
You Have a Match by Emma Lord
Winter 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
When Abby signs up for a DNA service, she does it to support her best friend and secret crush, Leo. She doesn’t expect to find an older sister she never knew she had. To find uncover the entire story and get to know her green juice-loving, Instagram queen sister, Abby heads off to camp where her sister works.
It also happens to be the same camp where Leo works as a staff chef. This Reese book club YA winter pick is a perfect YA romance with a little more depth and emotion. It’s one of our favorite books about sisters!
Plot
Bernie is nothing like her great aunt Bernice. Bernice was adventurous and spontaneous while Bernie has not taken a vacation in years.
When her friends and family convince her to go on a hike to Alaska, Bernie can’t find an excuse not to go. When she meets Matthew on the trailhead and discovers that the two will be required to share a tent, he is annoyed and she questions her choices.
Why Jackie loves it
This forced proximity romance was such a fun read. Bernie and Matthew are funny and sweet and I loved every minute.
Find this book in: Books About Camp / Forced Proximity Trope Romance
Thriller Books About Camp
The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu
The book is very readable and has a great storyline. I love books about camp! A group of girls come to camp and go on an overnight camping trip that will change their lives forever.
The book alternates between telling about each girl and telling about the camping trip. I was dissatisfied with the ending and felt like a lot of issues were left unresolved. I wanted the stories of the girls to come back together somehow or for an epilogue.
Plot
Emma is returning to her summer camp as a counselor after avoiding it since the tragedy of her bunkmates, Vivian, Natalie, and Allison’s disappearance. Trying to piece together what happened that fateful summer, she realizes she might be in danger.
Why Jackie loves it
I was so freaked out that I finished this thriller in 2 days, maybe because I visited my own overnight camp while reading it. I just needed to know how it ended! Other people have told me they were shocked at the twists and turns too.
Find this book in: Books Set at Camp / Best Riley Sager Books Ranked / Lake Novels
The God of the Woods
Author: Liz Moore
Year: 2024
Genre: Literary Historical Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestseller
New York Times Notable Book of 2024
People Magazine’s #1 Book of the Year
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Early one morning in August 1975, a camp counselor discovers that Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of the camper owners, has gone missing. Fourteen years earlier, her brother also went missing, and he was never found.
As the story flashes between the investigation into Barbara’s disappearance and the events leading up to Bear’s, detectives, family members, campers, and staff members’ lives are unfolded in a way that makes the mystery one of many threads woven into a masterful tale.
Liz Moore captured my attention from the very beginning and kept me engaged throughout as each secret and discovery unfolded into further mysteries.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Domestic Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve not read many literary mysteries, but I can say that I like this subgenre of literary fiction. The mystery of what happened to Barbara and Bear was a fascinating central point, but I was so invested in each character’s story that I sometimes forgot what crime was being solved. I can see this not being for everyone though — there are lots of characters and sub-plots buried within. It’s no cozy mystery but that’s exactly why I think it’s one of my favorites of the year.
Why Jackie loves it
I will admit that it took me a little longer than usual to get into this book. As Kirsten mentioned, there are a lot of characters and subplots so it took longer to get into the heart of the story. You need to persist with the slower beginning of the book. Once you are 75 pages in, you won’t be able to put it down. The plot development is so well done as the stories from the past and present come together.
Find this book in: Giftable Books / Books about Camp / The Best Books of 2024
The Final Girl Support Group
Author: Grady Hendrix
Year: 2021
Genre: Horror Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Lynette is one of a group of final girls in a support group with 5 other girls for over a decade. They are trying to live their lives after being the only survivor of a massacre. When someone starts killing these girls one by one, can they survive again?
Why Jackie loves it
This horror lives up to its title of Goodreads Choice Best Horror Novel. Somehow Grady Hendrix brings humor into his horrors that makes you simultaneously want to turn the page and slam the book shut.
Adaptation Information
In 2021, it was announced that Charlize Theron would produce and adapt this book for HBO into a series.
Find this book in: Books Becoming Movies / Books About Camp
Middle-Grade Books About Camp
Plot
Abby is so excited to go to summer camp. She is going to camp for famous kids except that she is not famous. So, she pretends to be famous so she can fit in with the other kids at the camp. She just wants to make friends and find a best friend. I don’t want to give spoilers but she has hard decisions she has to make.
Why Jackie’s Daughter loves it
This was a really fun book to read and is perfect to read in the summer. I already read it twice.
Find this book in: Books About Camp / Books for 11-year-olds / Middle Grade Fiction
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Year: 2005
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age:9-13
More info:
Percy Jackson and The Olympian Book #1
Currently a Series on Disney Plus
Plot
This first Percy Jackson book is about our beloved Percy, who discovers he is a demi-god and must recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. He travels into the underworld to locate the lightning bolt and, at the same time, try to save his mother.
His amazing adventures with Annabeth and Grover along the way create the foundation for all the books that follow in this amazing and epic series.
Why Jackie loves it
I don’t think anyone has read this middle grade fantasy series and not loved it. It’s a contemporary Greek mythology retelling for the ages. It is fun and exciting!
Adaptation Information
While the original films based on the books are generally considered to be flops, the show adapted on Disney+ is fantastic! Season 2 is currently being filmed and will follow the second book in the series.
Find this book in: Percy Jackson Books in Order / Rick Riordan Books / Best Books for 10-year-olds / Books like Keeper of the Lost Cities / Tween & Teen Fantasy Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
To Night Owl From Dogfish
Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer
Year: 2019
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction
More info: Two amazing authors with a story told via letters and emails.
Age Range: 9+
Plot
This tween book came so highly recommended that I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to the hype. But, I loved it. Is it about two girls who could not be more different whose fathers fall in love and send them to camp together so they can meet before they all become a family.
It is told through emails sent back and forth between the girls, family, and friends as well. It is so well written and is ultimately a story about friendship and unconditional love. This middle grade book deals with really complicated issues like what makes a family in a completely approachable way.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a book written by two fantastic writers in such a unique way- it is told through letters and emails. It is relatable for children and adults alike, even though it is appropriate for ages 9 and up.
Find this book in: Ultimate List of Middle Grade Books for Tweens / Books About Sisters / Epistolary Novels/ Best Books for a 12-Year-Old / Books about Camp
Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Year: 1998
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 12
More info: National Book Award Winner, Newbery Medal Winner, Holes #1
Plot
When a boy under a curse is sent to a detention camp he’s taught to behave by digging holes all day, every day. It doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s digging for a reason – but what are the camp wardens looking to find?
Why Jackie loves it
Holes should be on every child’s list. It’s clever and will captivate the attention of any child. Read it and then watch the movie starring Shia LeBeouf.
Find this book in: Books About Camp / Best Books for 11-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens / Bedtime Stories for Kids / Ultimate List of Middle Grade Books
Plot
Nina is the odd duckling in her family, preferring birds to humans. Eager for a break from home, she decided to spend the summer with her quirky aunt who happens to run a summer camp in Texas.
While there, Nina stumbles upon a mating pair of egrets so rare, they haven’t been seen in Texas for almost 100 years. As she works to protect the birds, she begins to form friendships with the other campers helping her keep the secret of the birds.
Why Kirsten loves it
As a summer camp girly, I was eager to pick up this book. It was wonderful to see Nina gain self-confidence at camp while staying true to herself. I also loved checking in on my favorite protagonist from Lynne Kelly’s other book, Song for a Whale.
Find this book in: Best Books for 11-year-olds / Books about Camp
More Books About Camp
Olive and June Summer 2022
If you are interested in ANY manicure or pedicure system, use the code KIRSTENB20 for 20% off with the code .
What are the new nail polish colors in the Olive and June Summer 2022 collection?
• Field Day – a watermelon red nail polish (Limited Edition)
• Pen Pal – a bubblegum pink polish (Limited Edition)
• Counselor in Training – a cantaloupe orange nail polish (Limited Edition)
• Sleeping Bag – a pastel mint green nail polish
• Green Canteen – a teal green nail polish
• Blue Canoe – a medium denim blue nail polish
• Sprinkle Cookie – a rainbow confetti nail polish
What is included in the Summer 2022 Olive and June Manicure System?
The Olive and June Manicure System contains:
- Straight-edge clippers
- A dual-sided nail file
- Nail buffer
- Polish remover pot
- Clean-up brush
- Poppy (in tomato red)
- Cuticle serum
- Super Glossy Top Coat
- Plus the Olive and June nail polish of your choice (1 or 6)
- a limited edition friendship bracelet
- and a newly redesigned trunk studio box with special slots for all your gear!
What are the new press-ons in the Olive and June Summer 2022 Collection?
• Sleeping Bag – short squoval press-ons
• Blue Canoe – short round press-ons
• Field Day – extra short round press-ons
• Triple French – short round press-ons
• Rainbow Love – medium almond press-ons
• Bikini Bottoms – extra short squoval press-ons
What is included in the summer 2022 Olive and June Press-On System?
The Olive and June press-on System includes:
• All 6 press-on nail styles
• Carry-All Pouch
• Straight-edge Nail Clippers
• Dual-grit Nail File
• Nail Buffer
• Cuticle Pusher
• Nail Strenghtener
• Removal Kits
• plus a limited edition “Olive you” friendship bracelet!
Do you love Olive and June Ombrés but don’t know where to start? Check out this post with great ideas
Olive & June Nail Polish Review with 9 Gorgeous Ombre Ideas!
If you love this Caudalie review, you’ll probably be interested in our Olive & June review too!
