Really Rubie (Really Rubie #1)

Eleven-year-old Rubie Fox’s first time attending sleepaway summer camp goes hilariously awry in this frenetic illustrated series launch from Frost (Farm Shark). Though Rubie and her BFF Riley make detailed plans for tackling their time at Camp Pineview, these are upended when Riley breaks her ankle the day before departure, and Rubie pinky swears to not engage in any fun camp activities without her. Though Rubie initially resolves to spend all of her time in her cabin, she’s overjoyed to find a friend in fellow artist Eliza. But when Eliza expresses interest in bracelet-crafting, water-tubing, and s’mores-making, Rubie wrestles with remorse over breaking her promise to Riley. To assuage her guilt, Rubie plots to complete Riley’s mission to deliver a letter to Riley’s crush, Owen, at neighboring boys’ camp Moose-Ridge—only for her scheme to backfire when he confesses that he likes Rubie. As the weeks wind down, Rubie struggles to figure out how to maintain her relationship with Riley while making friends and embarking on new adventures without her bestie. Laugh-out-loud digital b&w line drawings portray stick-legged figures with round, expressive eyes, whose skin tones match the white background. Rubie’s earnest first-person narration unspools across lined composition notebook pages, evoking tween diary charm as handwritten entries recount her experiences and observations. Ages 8–12. Agent: Andrea Morrison, Writer’s House. (June)