Camp Scream #1: Shriek Week

Camp Scream #1

by Sarah Yung, Kelsey Eng (Illustrator)

Get ready for a monstrously good time in Camp Scream #1: Shriek Week , the laugh-out-loud, lightly spooky start to a new series perfect for fans of the Tales from Cabin 23 series. With black-and-white illustrations throughout and just the right mix of chills and chuckles, this is one summer camp you’ll never forget!

Max and his best friend Kiana can’t wait for their first-ever sleepaway camp. But when they arrive, there’s one tiny surprise: they’re the only humans... and everyone else is a monster! There are vampire bunkmates, werewolf counselors, and a mummy in arts and crafts.

With the big talent show just days away, Max and Kiana will have to navigate spooky surprises, creepy creatures, and ghoulish games. Can two ordinary kids survive a week at Camp Scream—and maybe even make some monster-sized friendships along the way?

Camp has never been this creepy—or this fun!

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2026

Reviews

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends Max and Kiana are off to their first sleepaway camp, but when they arrive it's a little spookier than they imagined. As they try to fit in with the campers, their friendship is tested and they learn about the camps biggest secret.

The first book in a new middle grade series, I found Camp Scream: Shriek Week to be fast paced, engaging and easy to read. There is theming around friendship and diversity which I think are important but they're presented in a way that feels natural to the story.

When you finish the book you're met with a page of accomplishments that list chapter, page and word count which I thought was unique. There are also a couple of discussion questions which makes this perfect for a home or school.

I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Thank you Harper Kids for the gifted copy.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Most folks who go to camp as kids feel like they are the odd ones out and everybody else is part of the in-crowd OR that they are "normal" kids and everyone else is weird. It's tough to realize that we're all just weirdos doing our best when we're kids, and that's still a struggle for some as adults, but things get especially complicated in this area when you go to camp and realize you are one of two humans, and all of your fellow campers are monsters!!!!!

Max and Kiara find themselves in exactly this scenario, and while the monster part is out there, all other parts of this are wildly relatable for any kid. There's some great messaging about going with the flow, making friends, managing changing relationships, and handling yourself in a new environment.

This is a very efficient read, and it's a lot of fun, too.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Children's for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Katelyn Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

- I received this book from NetGalley -

This was a short and quick book for readers just getting into chapter books.

Who doesn't want to go to summer camp?! Especially if you are sharing it with monsters!
Overall this book touched on a lot of topics that are related to summer camp. Like being split up from your friend that you go with, and having to try to make new friends. It was a good book for what it was, but it didn't go into depth about any of the topics and was very surface level. A good audio book just to have on, and was interesting enough to listen to with all the characters.

My 9 year old said it was good, just short.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

.👻🧟‍♂️Ah! A fun new series for summer, with the second volume already having a cover. We can read the first chapter at the end of this volume.
To keep the Camp Scream open, they need two humans, and it's not easy to find those willing to send their kids to a monster camp. They go without knowing (that it will be the best summer of their lives) making new friends who enjoy the same things but have different lifestyles. Best summer indeed. The monsters are from different cultures/lores not just the traditional ones, example: kapa is Asian.
Short, easy to read, engaging, fun themes and characters, humor, friendship, making unexpected new friends, music band. Fun illustrations, large font.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and funny and relatable story about going to camp and fitting in and making friends. Who's not nervous spending time away from home with strangers? It's definitely more stressful when the other campers are monsters.
But anyone who's gone to camp knows that it's normal to start out nervous but you'll feel better when you try new things! This was a great audio performance. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the new Camp Scream Series. The audiobook was fun to listen to with my six year old son. I thought the narrator did a great job! My son really enjoyed the story and stayed engaged while we listened to it! He’s now requesting to go to summer camp, especially if there will be friendly monsters! The book has a great message for kids about making friends and feeling different than others. We are looking forward to the next book!

[Robin Wasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and cute and full of humor! As Max navigates the nerve-wracking experience of trying to make new friends for the first time with people who seem so different from him, he finds himself branching out, trying new things, building his confidence, and ultimately finding he fits right in. This heartwarming but spooky tale is perfect for the kids in your life.

[Critter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

I thought this book was pretty cute. It is a great read for young readers. There are some fantastic themes about friendship. I did find that the narrator was a bit much for me, but a younger reader might enjoy the performance more.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my 5.5 yo and found it lacking. It was a clunky read written in an awkward active present tense that did not feel well written or edited. The plot had promise as two human kids end up at a camp filled with monsters, but overall the action fell short of the potential. In the world of illustrated early chapter books, better books exist. We borrowed a physical copy from the library.

[Bin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fast paced story for early level readers who like some silly monster stories. This would certainly make for a great series with monster shenanigans happening every book.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute opening to a series. I listened to the audiobook, it was very good, but I think I would prefer the written book with the illustrations. Excited to see how this series progresses

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in a Summerween mood, and this looked cute and fun. While it was different than I thought it would be, I look forward to recommending it at work for kids who want something silly and spooky!