"Rule number no one is to leave designated camper areas for any reason. You will not leave camp without permission. Do not attempt it. And stay clear of locked doors and anything marked as off-limits."
Camp Effigy is an unusual summer camp destination to say the least. As they pass through the foreboding gates of Hopewell Manor, Dahlia, Serena, and Aria anticipate a bootcamp for troubled girls (and boy, are they troubled). It doesn’t help that the surrounding camp is built on ancient burial grounds deep some very haunted woods. Strange things happen quickly, leaving our heroines to band together as unlikely friends and fight for their lives at the place where the land of the living and the dead meet and merge. Everything goes off the rails when the campers discover that their own family secrets may tie them to the hauntings that threaten their lives, and that only they hold the key to solving a cold case from 1851.
Prepare for a page-turning adventure where spirits are more than just the subject of campfire tales. Camp A Ghost Story is a middle-grade novel that captures the essence of friendship, bravery, and the power of knowing your ancestry, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Solve the mystery by getting your own copy now!
5% of proceeds will go to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center to end violence against Indigenous women.
Hailing from a serene, small town, I A M Watson unveils a unique perspective, honed through experiences as a professional hairdresser, librarian, death investigator, nurse, and entrepreneur. In the quiet corners of the library, she crafts stories that transport readers to new worlds and introduce the lifelong love of reading to young minds. As a death investigator and nurse, Watson is intimately familiar with the delicate balance of life and death, infusing her horror narratives with a profound understanding of mortality. Amidst the mysteries and terrors of the living realm, she finds solace in the companionship of her husband Nolan, daughter Artemis, ornery striped cat named Coco, and the galumphing Yuki, her Great Pyrenees. Through her work, Watson invites readers on a gripping ride into the secrets that lurk within the shadows.
Every kid breaks a minor rule or two while at summer camp, right?
The horror elements of the storyline were delightfully scary. I shuddered my way through the ones that involved bodies of water and the various entities that can sometimes be found lurking in their depths. They reminded me a little of the various urban legends that are sometimes told around the campfire on warm nights when the looming darkness just past the edge of where flickering flames can cast their light makes every spooky sentence feel bigger and more ominous than it seems during the day. This is a good pick for middle grade or older readers who enjoy being frightened without being grossed out.
There was strong character development for all three protagonists. I enjoyed seeing how Aria, Serena, and Dahlia got to know each other better and worked together to solve the mystery of what was really happening at Camp Effigy. What made this even more impressive was that the author managed to pull it off in a fast-paced novel that didn’t leave a lot of space for long conversations. Much of what I learned about them happened while they were on the run or exploring parts of the camp they had been clearly told were off-limits to them. This gave everything a strong sense of urgency that made it impossible for me to stop reading.
I grinned as Dahlia, Serena, and Aria figured out how they were connected to the cold case from 1851. It was a clever way to tie the present closely to the past and give the characters understandable motives for behaving the way that they did. While I was already enjoying this tale before these details were revealed, I became even more excited to see how it ended once such crucial information about all three girls was revealed.
Camp Effigy: A Ghost Story was the perfect summer read.
My passion for spooky books has made me quite discerning when it comes to judging them. But let me tell you, "Camp Effigy: A Ghost Story" left me in awe. It is an extraordinary piece of work that had me hooked right from the opening pages till the very end.
The writing is outstanding, the storyline is exceptionally well-developed, and the seamless incorporation of historical elements and diverse characters adds an extra layer of brilliance. The dynamic trio of young girls who take centre stage in the narrative each bring their own distinct personalities and strengths to the table, making them relatable and alluring characters.
Their journey at the camp not only highlights the importance of teamwork and camaraderie but also explores deeper themes of personal growth and self-discovery. It's fascinating to witness how they each evolve and uncover hidden aspects of themselves throughout the story.
I have a strong feeling that "Camp Effigy" is going to make waves in the literary world. With its twists and turns, intriguing backstories, accessible characters, and paranormal happenings, it has all the ingredients to make tweens and teens fall head over heels in love with it. In fact, as I was reading, I couldn't help but imagine it coming together as an immensely popular TV series too!
I am eagerly awaiting more from this talented author and will definitely be keeping a close eye on their future success. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on what they have in store!
I AM Watson writes a wonderfully YA suspense tale with Camp Effigy: A Ghost Story
In Camp Effigy: A Ghost Story, the reader is introduced to Camp Effigy, a camp that is unlike any other camp, but it is supposed to be for troubled kids. The camp is behind the gates of Hopewell Manor, but they don't realize that the camp is built on ancient burial grounds deep in the woods. Native American burial grounds, and the spirits that haunt the woods are anything but peaceful. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. Dahlia, Serena and Aria are not the type of girls that would flock together, but when things start going awry, they become friends, when it becomes a fight for survival. The story is a young adult suspense and horror story, and but it was so enjoyable that older persons would enjoy it as well. Just because something is for Young adults, doesn't mean that others can't read it as well. I love how the story evolves, and the kids become more than just those fighting to survive the ghost stories that come to life. Camp Effigy is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.
Classic summer camp with a spooky twist! I A M Watson's middle grade debut channels the chilling vibes of Wednesday and Scooby Doo on Zombie Island. The best part? The ghosts in this story are real! Three young girls meet at a mysterious summer camp and tap into their unique paranormal abilities to solve the secrets behind the dangerous hauntings. The plot was full of twists, turns, and discoveries, and the ending was *chef's kiss* so satisfying! If you love chill-inducing middle grade books, save this one for sure!
"Camp Effigy: A Ghost Story" is an exhilarating ride from start to finish! There's the heartwarming friendship, the haunted grounds of Hopewell Manor, and a camp for troubled girls that is far from ordinary. The ancient burial grounds and spine-chilling secrets create an intense, atmospheric tale. The girls' bravery pulls you in as they uncover family secrets and solve a historical mystery. Perfect for middle-grade readers, this book is a gripping, heart-pounding adventure that deserves a TV adaptation!
A delightfully creepy, suspenseful, historical-paranormal mystery. I usually find shorter books don't fully develop the story to my liking, but this one really did pull it off. Not only was it a well told story, but we actually get to understand the characters in our brief interaction with them. I will highly recommend this one to our middle school readers and will be watching for future books by this author.
This story was great! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your preview reading team. I think this story is perfectly suited for "young readers" in the age group of 10 to adult.
This is a great book! Its both suspenseful and spooky while remaining delightful and fun. 10/10 would read again! I think it would make a great gift for any teen or preteen!