 |
It is 1969, and Chris Polo has taken a job as a counselor at a Christian camp, Camp Clovis, for the summer, working with boys and a few girls. Along with Polo's fellow counselors and other staff members, the book takes us through the daily activities of a camp, such as arts and crafts, ropes course, swimming in the lake, camping, hiking, skits, Camp Olympics, horse riding, and other activities. The book describes the campers and counselors, and the reader gets a nice understanding of the individuals and their relationships to one another and the camp's culture. Of course, ongoing hijinks are part of the camp culture. This is also the time of the Vietnam War, and the novel takes us through the thinking of the time as well as the beliefs and concerns of the young men who are affected by the war.
The story has surprises throughout, and the ending is appropriate to the depth of this novel. It is well-written, interesting, and humorous and has a level of substance that belies its given storyline, looking at not only the culture of the camp but also of the late 1960s. The growth of the campers and the counselors is explored, and the discussions regarding the Vietnam War are thoughtful and insightful. The novel examines how to motivate and entertain kids, be their friends, and mentor them, all while dealing with their own issues of life, especially going to college or getting drafted. A mystical component is also shown through a connection with nature. It reveals a generation of young men that had to deal with life and death issues, and their discussions and thoughts about the war and how they would cope reveal such issues. Overall, Polo has given us a great read.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review