Camp Shady Crook

Archie is sent to camp for six weeks in the summer mostly because his stepmother needs a break from him as she has young twins taking up her time. Vivian is sent to the same summer camp because her parents, travel agents who usually take her on their summer tours, are upset about her getting into trouble at school. Archie, who happens to share a name with an incredibly rich guy but doesn’t have any money of his own, spends every summer with his partner-in-crime, Oliver, a counselor in training at this poor excuse for a camp, running cons on the rich kids who come. When Vivian shows up and runs a small con right away, Archie realizes he has competition. They are stuck with each other all summer and end up as unlikely allies.

Author Lee Gjertsen Malone must have spent some time at camp in the summer. She paints a picture most former campers can relate to, and her characters are well-rounded and interesting, although not always likable. The writing is crisp, and the story is pretty fast-moving with a lot of humor. This is perfect for the middle-grade set.