Module 9

Adler, D. (2007). Cam Janson and the summer camp mysteries. NY: Penguin Group.

Book Summary

Cam Jansen is a young girl with a photographic memory (that is why she is called "Cam" for camera). All she has to do is "click," and she can recall even the smallest detail of something she has seen. When Cam is at Camp Eagle Lake for three weeks, the young girl find three mysteries to solve. On the first day of camp, the campers' snack money is stolen. With her photographic memory, Cam is able to give the police what they need to find the man. Of course, the man is nabbed, and everyone gets their snack money back. The next mystery is who raided the girls' cabin and messed it up. The girls know they are supposed to keep their cabin neat and are very upset. Using her deductive and photographic memory skills, Cam identifies the culprit as Fran, their camp counselor. Fran explains that she just wanted everyone to get excited and build team spirit. The third mystery at camp concerns missing sports equipment. The shed where it was kept was locked according to the athletic director. With the help of her friends and using deductive reasoning, Cam finds the sports equipment in a freezer locker in the kitchen. A worker for the kitchen had stolen them. Cam looks forward to returning to Camp Eagle Lake again.

My Impressions 

To me the mysteries were easy to solve, but to a new chapter book reader, they will be just right. Young readers will enjoy the book because it is part of a series, and they can get to know Cam and her friends well. I think it is significant that a girl is the main character, and a boy, willingly, her second banana. I think it will help girls to understand that they can be smart and still be fun to be around. I am wondering if these have ever been turned into videos. It sounds like something the Disney Channel might do. 

Professional Review

Rosenfeld, S. (2007). Cam Jansen: the summer camp mysteries. Booklist, 103(18), 45-47.

This entry in a popular beginning-chapter-book series finds 10-year-old Cam Jansen and best friend Eric attending Camp Eagle Lake, where Cam finds fun, friends--and tree unexpected mysteries. In the fist, the campers' snack money disappears; next, Cam and her bunk mates try to find out who wreaked havoc in their cabin; the third concerns stolen sports equipment. Cam's photographic memory is instrumental in solving each mystery, and throughout, the lively story features humor, familiar camp activities, and diverse youth and adult characters. The mysteries are chronological but distinct, in separate sections with short chapters and black-and-white illustrations. First-time campers will appreciate the camaraderie that develops through the sleep-away session; new and returning readers will enjoy following Cam's recall process--accompanied by her characteristic verbal "click."

Library Uses 

1. Organize a mystery and make all of the students sleuths.  Hide someone's lunch money, a watch and a favorite book. If you like, some of the students can play the part of the thief.

2. Create a memory game. Place groups of objects on a tray. Students should try to remember what is on the tray. Remove one item and see if the children can identify what is missing.