Claire's Cursed Camping Trip

By Eleonora Lorenzet and Wendy L. Brandes

With two besties at camp, Claire sometimes feels like she's a third wheel to Nina and Emily. But after Nina and Emily get in a fight, the three decide to split up for their overnight tent camping trip. Without her BFFs by her side, Claire hits a few rough spots. She falls into the rapids while rafting and she can't help but worry about a rumored bear in the area, especially since she's known to sleepwalk. Will Claire's camping concerns bring the trio back together? Critical thinking is encouraged with provided discussion questions and writing prompts, and a glossary provides reading support.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Aug 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781496533548

Eleonora Lorenzet

Eleonora Lorenzet is a 25 year old Italian illustrator. She's been raised with a strong sense of faith in every form of art and firmly believes in magic. After studying foreign languages in high school to get the chance of travelling the world, she attended the school of comic "Scuola di Fumetto" of Milan, and had the opportunity to meet the amazing artist Michael Sowa during a workshop with MiMasater. Her biggest influences are Nicoletta Ceccoli, Victoria Frances, Shaun Tan Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa. Lately she fell in love with digital art thanks to the amazing work of artist Loish (Lois Van Baarle) and the previous advices on Chris Oately Academy. In 2015 she drew a line of greeting cards for Nicitta. She's represented by Advocate Art since 2014.

Book preview

Outdoorswoman

CHAPTER 1

Three. Not the best number. Two is a pair. Best friends come in twos. And three? I guess three is a triangle or three of a kind. Best friends can come in threes too, I guess. But sometimes it’s two plus one, with the one hanging by itself. Sometimes that’s me—I’m the one left alone.

This is my fifth summer at Camp Mon Mon Lake, and I have two best friends, Emily and Nina. We’re all totally tight. Ask them who their best friends are, and they’ll say each other and me. But every once in a while, three doesn’t work.

I don’t know if Nina and Emily ever feel like they’re on the outside, but I sometimes do. When that happens, it’s like they have an unspoken language that doesn’t exactly include me.

I hate feeling insecure. I try to think of myself as being true to who I am, following my own path. I usually don’t care if I’m the odd one out. But when we have to break into twos for whatever reason, I sometimes worry that I’m the one who’s going to be looking for a partner. And I hate that feeling.

CHAPTER 2

Why are you writing a camping guide? MJ, one of the two new campers in my bunk, asked as we checked the gear we were bringing on the rafting trip.

It’s not a guide, exactly. Arlene—you know, the head of camp trips—asked me if I could take some notes on this year’s Blue Jay group trip since it’s our first time going whitewater rafting. She wants to have something on hand for next year. So I’m just going to jot down notes about how we prep and what goes on at the campsite.

That’s cool. Everyone says that you are the best when it comes to outdoor stuff, MJ replied.

Well, I have the most outdoor badges from our group. And I definitely love camping. I feel like I’m at my best when I’m in the wilderness. I smiled. Now help me check everyone’s pack for flashlights.

We were halfway through our bunk’s packs when Emily burst in. What are you guys doing? she asked.

Checking everyone’s packs to make sure we all have flashlights, water bottles, first aid kits, granola bars— I said.

"Granola! Now there’s a good nickname for you, our vegan goddess," Emily said to me.

I rolled my eyes. Do you really think that Granola is a good nickname? I asked. You know that if you make fun of a vegan, animal rights groups will come after you, right?

MJ giggled.

What about Grans? That’s a good nickname. You’ve got to admit it, Emily said.

I shook my head. Sounds like a grandma. I’ll pass. Just Claire is fine.

Nola? Emily asked.

"Doesn’t a nickname just sort of have to happen organically?" MJ said.

Yeah, MJ. I agree, I said. Emily’s been trying to come up with the perfect nickname for me for five years, and so far, nothing’s caught on.

Emily stuck her tongue out at me. I’m going to get it this year. Nola. It’s such a cool nickname.

Totally forced, I said.

"Remember last year, I almost got