Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4 Up--This summer, Sue is finally able to join her friends at Camp Willow, but it isn't the perfect experience they hoped for. The idea of spending more time with friends is great, but the reality is quite different: Sue's older sister Carmen is one of the counselors, her younger sister Ester is a camper, and Sue and her friends can't participate in enough of the same activities together. While their summer doesn't turn out as expected, Sue has plenty of new experiences that help bring her out of her shell. From friend drama to crushes to live-action role-playing, this summer will be one that Sue will never forget. The colorful artwork is excellent at capturing the emotional highs and lows of the story. This is a companion to Fajardo's earlier graphic novel Miss Quinces, and while it isn't necessary to have read it to enjoy this one, those who read them in order will appreciate the payoff of watching Sue finally make it to the same camp as her friends. Sue has brown skin and uses she/they pronouns; there is vast representation of genders, skin tones, and religion throughout. VERDICT For graphic novel fans who enjoy realistic family and friend relationships, camp stories, and characters who grow up before their eyes.--Andrea Lipinski
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Review by Horn Book Review
This sequel to Miss Quinces (rev. 5/22) picks up the following summer, as Sue (short for Suyapa) sets off to Camp Willow. The two-week session will be the first time she is apart from her parents, but her sisters -- younger sister Ester as a camper and college-age Carmen as a counselor -- are along for the trip. As she adjusts to the quiet and chilly upstate New York mornings and eating roast beef for the first time in the mess hall, she also finds herself navigating tricky relationship dilemmas. She feels left out and envious of the bond her best friend from home and a camp friend share; another camper reveals his crush on her, which Sue is unsure she reciprocates; and Ester's clinginess hampers Sue's independence and time with friends. While the protagonist is in her teens, the familiar relationship dynamics and colorful, jewel-toned illustrations in this graphic novel will appeal to middle-grade and middle-school readers. Honduran cultural elements are treated with respect; Spanish dialogue is in English but printed in blue. Recurring characters should please fans of the first book, but Sue's self-discovery and exploration of new interests through such activities as swimming, archery, and LARPing (live action role-playing) will thoroughly engage those new to the series. Concurrently published in Spanish as Srta. Campista. Jessica AgudeloSeptember/October 2025 p.61 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
One year after her quinceañera and her abuelita's passing, Sue continues her adventures at summer camp in this companion toMiss Quinces (2022). Sixteen-year-old Suyapa "Sue" Gutiérrez (who usesshe/they pronouns) can't wait to spend two weeks at summer camp, taking classes like LARPing and archery and sharing a bunk with her best friend, Sam. Even with older sister Carmen for a camp counselor and younger sister Ester attending camp, too, Sue is determined to have the perfect summer. Her high expectations start to crumble, however, as Ester clings to her side and Marisol, a camp friend from last year, claims Sam's attention. Separated from Sam and thrust into new activities, Sue finds herself pushed out of her comfort zone. Complicating matters, her friend Izzy confesses he has a crush on her, and Sue doesn't know if she feels the same way. The art and dialogue reflect diversity in the world around Sue, depicting characters with a range of skin tones from pale to dark brown who express a variety of gender identities. Although Sue and her friends are teens, her troubles with friendship, siblings, crushes, and camp experiences will appeal to a wide audience. Diving right into the summer, this sequel relies on context as well as familiarity with characters and events from the first book to be fully appreciated. A sweet and encouraging coming-of-age story. (author's note, map)(Graphic fiction. 9-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
