What-A-Bummer Camp - (The Nhia Normal) by Sheelue Yang

About the Book

Eleven-year-old Hmong American Nhia "Silver" Lee is nervous about going to summer camp, and hopes to overcome self-doubt to maybe have fun.

Book Synopsis

Eleven-year-old Nhia is nervous about summer camp in this installment of The Niah Normal graphic novel series. Eleven-year-old Nhia "Silver" Lee is headed to summer camp. Unfortunately, she's packing her nerves along for the trip. Can she build a fire? Will she be able to fall asleep in a tent? And what if the other campers don't like her? This Hmong American girl will need to overcome her own self-doubt to make summer camp less of a total bummer. Written by Sheelue Yang, this graphic novel is a darkly humorous, normalizing exploration of coming-of-age anxiety through the lens of an authentic preteen girl. More Books in This Series: Losing It in Translation School of (Negative) Thought Talent Show of Nerves

Review Quotes

Nhia, 11, struggles with uncertainty and anxiety in this graphic novel series containing four short, episodic entries perfect for emerging readers. Within the four stories, readers glimpse the comforting parts of Nhia's life, like the stray cat she adopts, home-cooked comfort foods from her Hmong culture, a supportive mother and brother, and her friends at school. Although Nhia shows and tells readers repeatedly that she is worried and scared about upcoming events, she overcomes her anxieties and finds new confidence through perseverance. A successful talent show performance, a fun visit with her Hmong-speaking grandparents, transferring to a new school, and going to sleepaway camp give Nhia ample opportunities to work through her struggles. Nhia's emotions and tone shine beautifully through Donnelly's illustrations, perfectly complementing and enhancing Yang's text. Young readers will find the middle school settings exciting and consider Nhia likable and relatable as she approaches her new locker, a new lunchroom, and the possibility of a new soccer team. The death of Nhia's father is mentioned in one line in the fourth book and may leave questions in readers' minds as to just what happened. VERDICT This series would be a sound addition to any collection with insatiable graphic novel readers.--Kim Gardner "School Library Journal"