Gr 10 Up—A fast-paced, darkly comic narrative. When a tragic accident changes everything, Hunter S. Thompson (not the famous author) is sent to Camp Sunshine, a camp for teenagers with depression. At first, he is determined never to discuss "The Incident" which led to his suicide attempts. Once he meets a beautiful and confident fellow camper, Corin, he decides that he must reveal his past in order to forge a true connection with her. But Corin has her own secret history, one which Hunter has been warned about cryptically by the counselors. Cowan's narrative is perfectly paced. He keeps readers guessing about what will happen, and what has already happened, to Hunter and Corin. Unfortunately, though the author conveys several positive messages—lying is wrong; take responsibility for your actions—there are problematic messages as well. The only major female character, Corin, is highly manipulative and unempathetic, traits that Cowan explains as being a direct result of the trauma she has experienced. The author tries to emphasize the importance of putting trust in helpful adults, such as therapists and counselors, yet this advice is undermined by the disturbing incompetence of many adult characters. The writing style is repetitive at times, which may put off advanced audiences but could appeal to reluctant or struggling readers. Sexual content and drug use make this more appropriate for older teens.
VERDICT Though this is a fast, entertaining read, it could send mixed messages to teens living with mental illness.
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