cover image Camp Kickapoo: 9

Camp Kickapoo: 9

Linda Gondosch. Dutton Books, $13.99 (128pp) ISBN 978-0-525-67373-6

Gina and Carrie begin their summer by turning an old cabin in Gina's backyard into Camp Kickapoo. Carrie is convinced the cabin is haunted (``This place gives me the creeps''), though her friend will have none of it (``You're crazy''). But Gina has second thoughts when things mysteriously disappear and the girls hear an angry voice and begin receiving strange messages. For the most part, Gondosch fails to invest her many characters with distinctive personalities; consequently much of her dialogue and the characters' reactions seem artificial and unbelievable. Though the (slowly) unfolding mystery here might initially entice readers, its resolution is disappointingly ordinary. Ages 9-11. (Apr. )