Starshine at Camp Crescent Moon

Terri Spanjer is a Toronto-based freelance editor.

In this sequel to Starshine!, Starshine Shapiro anticipates a month at
Camp Crescent Moon with both excitement and dread. Although the camp is
located in the vanishing habitat of the thought-to-be-extinct Araneus
vampiricus—the fanged vampire spider—Starshine doesn’t want her
new camp friends to find out she’s a budding arachnologist.
Unfortunately, prissy Miranda Stockton from Starshine’s school is at
the same camp and wastes no time telling Starshine’s secret. But
shared new experiences, especially the neat pranks Starshine initiates,
and the quality of her cabin mates (an Asian, an Italian, an annoying
plump redhead, and a girl in a wheelchair, plus Miranda) eventually
bring all the girls together in harmony, each accepting Starshine’s
hobby.

Written in the first person, the story has the immediacy and kids’
viewpoint that will appeal to young readers. Some phrases (“But I’m
getting ahead of myself,” “Friendly advice? Marching orders was more
like it”) sound too adult, and the occasional “Oh, God” may offend
some. However, parents and teachers will appreciate the moral lesson of
learning that there is more to a person than meets the eye. Recommended.