Official Review: Why I Don't Like Camping...

CataclysmicKnight · Post by **CataclysmicKnight** » 08 Sep 2016, 01:36

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Why I Don't Like Camping..." by Matthew Westerfield.]

2 out of 4 stars

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Years as a Boy Scout convinced me to hate camping long before Why I Don't Like Camping... by Matthew Westerfield ever came into my life, but I never had to deal with mysterious green goo, vicious monkeys or witches! 15 year old Eddy Groten and his sister Grace stay with their weird uncle Fransisco for the summer, and guess what - he's decided to take them camping! Eddy was never a fan to begin with, but this is the "true" (note: not true) story of why he REALLY hates it.

Things are weird from almost the very beginning of the trip - when hopping across a small stream, Eddy lands on a monkey skull. Later that day, Eddy and Grace notice glowing green goo near a tree, with tracks leading up it, and Uncle Fransisco finds a vine that "stretched all the way to the sky." This 30 page book just gets crazier from there, with surprises around every corner.

The book is written in first person, and the book genuinely feels like it was written from a 14 year old's point of view. For better and for worse, the writing style and the vocabulary used made it believable, although the book could have used some editing. Perhaps related to this issue is the fact that nothing is thoroughly described, and moments pass rapidly - it felt more like a huge water slide than an adventure. All the twists and turns rapidly headed toward the end instead of taking their time to really let the tense moments sink in or use the power of the setting (the woods) to draw the reader in.

My main issue with the book, however, was that everything that happened felt so random. There was some action and mystery and nearly nonstop craziness, but overall none of it was explained and parts were left unresolved. The book comes much closer to Goosebumps (the book series) or a campfire story than Lost (the TV show), sure, but at least something to explain how or why any of it happened would've been nice.

Overall, I could see people between around 9-15 enjoying this short book, although there's one scene toward the end that's a little on the gross/gruesome side. The author did a great job keeping me wondering what would happen next and even on the edge of my proverbial seat for most of the story, but I can't bring myself to give it more than 2 out of 4 stars.

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Why I Don't Like Camping...
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Post by **Annelore Trujillo** » 15 Sep 2016, 11:42

This is a great, honest review. I can see where the style of a 14-year-old could be hard to read as an adult. It does sound interesting, especially since it is such a short read.