Ein schöner Sommer

Trebizon #7

by Anne Digby

Rebecca Mason had been expecting to go on holiday with her parents at the end of her year in the Third at Trebizon School. But a last-minute telegram and a fruitless journey to Bath result in her returning unexpectedly to join her friends, helping with the children's summer camp in the school grounds.
And looking after Tommy Carter provides plenty of drama. But when he becomes involved in Mrs Lazarus' excavation for Roman coins in nearby Mulberry Cove, Rebecca and her friends are in for even more than they bargained.

Genres: Childrens, School Stories, Fiction, Boarding School

128 pages, Hardcover

First published June 24, 1982

About the author

Anne Digby is a popular British children's author, best known for her fourteen-book Trebizon series, set at a large boarding school. In addition to her own Trebizon books, Digby has contributed new volumes to Enid Blyton's Naughtiest Girl series.

Reviews

[Ruth]

I think this is where I leave the series behind. I really enjoyed reading the early books; they were shaping up to be a strong school series with several relatively complex plot lines that I was looking forward to seeing develop; namely Rebecca's writing and tennis. I enjoyed those early books for the excitement of finding a school series that I hadn't read when I was younger (and I loved school series!). The early Trebizon books have the charm* of being a teeny bit old fashioned (set in the 70s) while also feeling fresher than Enid Blyton/Chalet School for the same reason. Surfing! Beach walks in the evening! Going to dances with the local boys school! Friendships develop and genuine challenges have to be overcome. But as the series progress, the books become less well developed and feel more rushed. Less slick. For me, most of the fun of a boarding school novel is that it represents a closed world, and the experiences of those who live in that closed world. 'Summer Camp' opened that world up a little too much for me to enjoy. In general, I feel the series has lost its way by this book too, as there's no pace to Rebecca's progression through the school.

But, it was fun while it lasted! And I will definitely enjoy re-reading the earlier books.

One final point:
Like so many of the school stories/children's novels/ books by women that I really enjoy, the Trebizon series deserves much better cover design. So many editions have covers that make the series look silly, which is unfair, as the books are better than that!


*That being said, the child safeguarding in 'Summer Camp' was pretty lacking to a modern reader. Oh wow. That was the 70s, huh.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

More Trebizon and basically more of the same, I think I have mentioned before that the series moves pretty slowly, and here we are book seven and she is nowhere near close to finishing school, this is fine in one way, but the pace of the stories could be upped a little bit, and like most school stories there is very little school and too much other guff.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite of the series so far, even though it's not set in school itself. Real treasure hunt on the beach; Tommy the fun cheeky orphan boy (and dog) at the centre whose story is for the most part sensitively handled; some exciting drama, and a happy ending; Rebecca learns through Tommy to appreciate her own privilege... and Elf gets to play a bigger part than usual.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was okay. A bit different in that the girls are helping out at a summer camp on the Trebizon grounds. The whole treasure thing was...meh. It may say something about me that the most interesting part of the book was the question of what GCSEs Rebecca should go in for in the next year...

[Nicolle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up...
Not my favorite of the series, Summer camp involves the Trebizon girls watching younger kids, one being particularly annoying.

[kella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super relaxing night time read - Rebecca and co help out at a summer camp and become close with a young boy and help mrs Lazarus with her dig.

[Emma Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereadi in February 2019 - I'm bumping up the rating for that one. It's not a school story but it's a good treasure hunt adventure story (it really should be called Treasure Island of Trebizon) and I really enjoyed it.


----

Really strange installment in the series. It didn't feel at all like a Trebizon book. While I somewhat enjoyed the new adventures of Rebecca (the others, except for Elf, don't make much of an appearance, which is another reason I didn't like this one as much, I like their friendship), I much prefer them during term time.

[Billi Tiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Camp at Trebizon is a fun, easy read. It follows the summer camp adventures of a group of boarding school girls. The story flow very well and there is enough intrigue to keep young readers’ attention. I recommend this book for middle-graders who are looking for a series to follow.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story about 'the six', this time as they help out at summer camp for underprivileged children held in the grounds of Trebizon. There's a treasure hunt, and a troublesome small boy called Tommy to sort out. Nicely tied together.

[Tianne Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another great mystery for younger readers while following the girls of Trebizon again with the puzzle of buried treasure to find.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious.

[Caroline Clancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

read with my daughter