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Summer at Squee
From Newbery Honor–winning author Andrea Wang, a new middle grade novel about a Chinese American tween who attends a Boston-based Chinese cultural overnight camp—and the many ways it transforms her.
Phoenny Fang plans to have the best summer ever. She’s returning to Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short and “Squee” to campers in the know), and this year she’s a senior camper. That means she, her best friend, Lyrica Chu, and her whole bunk (known as the Squad) will have the most influence. It almost doesn’t matter that her brother is a CIT (counselor-in-training) and that her mom and auntie are the camp directors. Time spent at Squee is glorious, free, and sacred.
On the day she arrives, though, Phoenny learns that the Squad has been split up. There’s an influx of campers this year, and the new girls have been mixed with the returning campers. Phoenny is determined to be welcoming and to share all the things she loves about camp with the new campers—who doesn’t love spending hours talking about and engaging in cultural activities? But she quickly learns how out of touch she is with others’ experiences, particularly of the campers who are adoptees. The same things that make her feel connected to her culture and community make some of the other campers feel excluded.
Summer at Squee turns out to be even more transformative than Phoenny could’ve imagined, with new friendships, her first crush, an epic fashion show, and a bigger love for and understanding of her community.
Phoenny Fang plans to have the best summer ever. She’s returning to Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short and “Squee” to campers in the know), and this year she’s a senior camper. That means she, her best friend, Lyrica Chu, and her whole bunk (known as the Squad) will have the most influence. It almost doesn’t matter that her brother is a CIT (counselor-in-training) and that her mom and auntie are the camp directors. Time spent at Squee is glorious, free, and sacred.
On the day she arrives, though, Phoenny learns that the Squad has been split up. There’s an influx of campers this year, and the new girls have been mixed with the returning campers. Phoenny is determined to be welcoming and to share all the things she loves about camp with the new campers—who doesn’t love spending hours talking about and engaging in cultural activities? But she quickly learns how out of touch she is with others’ experiences, particularly of the campers who are adoptees. The same things that make her feel connected to her culture and community make some of the other campers feel excluded.
Summer at Squee turns out to be even more transformative than Phoenny could’ve imagined, with new friendships, her first crush, an epic fashion show, and a bigger love for and understanding of her community.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2024
About the author
Andrea Wang
17 books163 followersAndrea Wang is the award-winning author of Watercress (Caldecott Medal, Newbery Honor, APALA Award, Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, JLG Gold Standard Selection, seven starred reviews), The Nian Monster (APALA Honor), Magic Ramen (Freeman Book Award Honor). Her debut middle grade novel, The Many Meanings of Meilan, was reviewed by the New York Times, has two starred reviews, and is also a JLG Gold Standard Selection. Her work explores culture, creative thinking, and identity. She is also the author of seven nonfiction titles for the library and school market. Andrea holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing for Young People. She lives in the Denver area with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 19, 2024
This book was good!! I though a lot of the story elements were great. The adoptee side of it was really interesting and how that makes them feel different about their heritage. (The C.I.T and camper romance thing was a bit cringy but not terrible.) It’s not a very action packed book, but definitely a fun and enjoyable read.
March 25, 2024
3.5 stars
March 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
This book was very charming. I can imagine slightly more mature readers enjoying it. I think I would've enjoyed this book as a young girl.
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This book was very charming. I can imagine slightly more mature readers enjoying it. I think I would've enjoyed this book as a young girl.
Connect with Me <3
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4... (follow me and/or send a friend request!) - This is how I keep track of all of the books I read each year. I also crosspost all of my NetGalley reviews here.
Instagram/bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookreviews... (I try my best to follow back all Book accounts back in 48-72 hours)
2nd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookreviews... (This account is used as a backup Instagram because my original bookstagram account which I created in 2022 has been getting action blocked quite frequently (I was hacked in February 2024 and lost access to my account for about 5 days, and I think that has something do with why I have been having issues with my account. I have reported the issue to Instagram several times). I try to post on Instagram at least 3x a week. I post many NetGalley ARC books on Instagram, but I also enjoy talking about previously released books that I love. With the exception of NetGalley books, I enjoy both listening to and reading all the books I read.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Substack: https://bookreviewsbyjules.substack.com/ (feel free to subscribe!)
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookreviewsby...
StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
April 14, 2024
I appreciated the basic structure and intent of this book about a Chinese Cultural Summer camp. This dialogue was a travesty, delivered in platitudes and therapy sessions, sprinkeled with modern slang, it never sounded like actual kids. I ‘cringed’ through most of the book. The fashion show sounded splendid.
February 1, 2024
I enjoyed reading the ARC of this delightful story, and I hope that many kids read about and love Phee and her friends. I love that it explored finding the feeling of “home” — at a camp, among a group of friends, with family, and also with people that may not seem like home. But through growth and some discomfort, Phee makes new friends and her “home” grows. A lovely story.
April 21, 2024
rating
╰› 2★
synopsis
Phee is spending her last summer at Squee, a program for campers to recognize and appreciate their Chinese heritage and culture. Phee has all sorts of plans for herself and her friends--the Squad--yet this summer everything seems to go out of her control. Many new campers show up, leading to the Squad being split up and Phee's dreams of the best summer ever at the camp dashed. The new campers don't know anything about Chinese culture, and by miscommunication Phee gets off on the wrong foot after meeting them. Worse yet, racist comments pop up on Squee's social media page and the camp struggles to cope while protecting its campers from the hate that threatens them.
This time, Phee navigates different issues that she's never experienced before, including boy drama, Chinese adoptees, and racism where she must step out of her lines of comfort and face the different experiences that challenge her own.
story
I am Chinese American myself, so I am aware of the various aspects of culture and language mentioned throughout the book. However, it might be confusing for others who are not familiar. I liked the idea of a camp that explored the riches of Chinese culture, yet I admit that I might have enjoyed it more if I was younger--maybe 6th/7th grade--and I do think that a lot of details were dragged out to the point of irrelevance. Much of it was melodramatic...it's like an underage k/c-drama, and you can interpret that how you want it because personally I'm not sure what to think. To sum it up, this book is a gushy kid romance with Chinese culture interwoven in between.
[Not really a spoiler, just something to note before reading.] wtf was that part about being a "Bad Asian"... just because you don't fit under Asian stereotypes doesn't mean you're a "Bad Asian" wtf does that even mean? It's just wrong. What is the author trying to imply? No one should be labeled as a "Bad Asian" because they won't go to China, or be accepted to Harvard/MIT, or don't like its cuisine, or all that other stereotypical stuff. That's bullshit. Also shouldn't it be "Bad Chinese" instead? Using the term "Asian" is too general and the author is clearly only labeling Chinese people here. That's outrageous. So basically I'm a "Bad Asian" too, thanks a lot. It's completely normal to not fit under Asian stereotypes, I would have killed myself by now if that weren't true. Why do people have to label themselves as "bad"??? I don't understand--That part was just torture to read. The book would have been better off just not including that "Bad Asian" crap altogether.
characters
I thought that there was too much emphasis on introductions, and even then I could barely get all the characters straight. The Squad all kind of mushed together in my mind and I just gave up a quarter in. Because of the amount, I couldn't really connect with any of them and most of the characters are just going through puberty (meaning lots of crushing and swooning and whatsitcalled... becoming "head over heels" for boys who are probably still going through puberty themselves /hj). (ᵕ— —)
・Phee : I thought she was cute at first impression; she's closed-minded and not open to change, which in turn makes her frustrated at times when things don't go as she imagined. But I just can't understand how she's so close-minded to the point where she won't accept the fact that not all Chinese Americans have or want connections to their culture. Just because your ethnically Chinese definitely does not mean that you are confined to learn Chinese, speak Chinese, to know every aspect of Chinese culture, etc. Isn't that common sense? Still I recognize and appreciate her acceptance of the adoptees' status as the story progresses.
・McKenna and Teagan : the popular "mean girls" of this book, the antagonists of little Phee who attempt to steal her precious Harrison away...just kidding haha(ง ื▿ ื)ว
・Harrison : the Wang Yibo and Xiaojun reference? ah. now i see. A perfect, charming, pretty cantonese immigrant from Hong Kong, literally the shining kpop idol in everyone's eyes (☆o☆৻)aiya~ yes, we stan!! /j -- This kid has a cheerful but suspicious personality, flirting with every girl around him... but describing him as a c-pop idol multiple times is too much, tone it down a little. We get it.
・the adoptees : basically the white-washed Chinese kids who struggle with others assuming they are brought up as Chinese; honestly I understand the stress they must go through, others expecting to live up to what they are rather than who they are. One of my music teachers adopted a Chinese orphan, and they're always facing problems when people don't assume they're family because of their different races.
・just a sidenote, but Queena having a personality like a queen is a little too cliché, don't you think? ᯣ.ᯣ lmao
morals
・racism : racism of Asian-Americans in the form of trolls on social media who threaten the camp and its campers' safety
・adoption of Chinese children by Americans and culture gaps : exploring the issue of how one's look does not define their culture, their knowledge, or who they are
overall
I picked up this book for a light read, can't say I enjoyed it very much. There's a lot of things the author should have been mindful about in my opinion, but it's based on perspective honestly
I guess it's a great book as a summer romance... would definitely recommend for tweens in middle school, especially those who like romance and kdramas.
╰› 2★
synopsis
Phee is spending her last summer at Squee, a program for campers to recognize and appreciate their Chinese heritage and culture. Phee has all sorts of plans for herself and her friends--the Squad--yet this summer everything seems to go out of her control. Many new campers show up, leading to the Squad being split up and Phee's dreams of the best summer ever at the camp dashed. The new campers don't know anything about Chinese culture, and by miscommunication Phee gets off on the wrong foot after meeting them. Worse yet, racist comments pop up on Squee's social media page and the camp struggles to cope while protecting its campers from the hate that threatens them.
This time, Phee navigates different issues that she's never experienced before, including boy drama, Chinese adoptees, and racism where she must step out of her lines of comfort and face the different experiences that challenge her own.
story
I am Chinese American myself, so I am aware of the various aspects of culture and language mentioned throughout the book. However, it might be confusing for others who are not familiar. I liked the idea of a camp that explored the riches of Chinese culture, yet I admit that I might have enjoyed it more if I was younger--maybe 6th/7th grade--and I do think that a lot of details were dragged out to the point of irrelevance. Much of it was melodramatic...it's like an underage k/c-drama, and you can interpret that how you want it because personally I'm not sure what to think. To sum it up, this book is a gushy kid romance with Chinese culture interwoven in between.
[Not really a spoiler, just something to note before reading.] wtf was that part about being a "Bad Asian"... just because you don't fit under Asian stereotypes doesn't mean you're a "Bad Asian" wtf does that even mean? It's just wrong. What is the author trying to imply? No one should be labeled as a "Bad Asian" because they won't go to China, or be accepted to Harvard/MIT, or don't like its cuisine, or all that other stereotypical stuff. That's bullshit. Also shouldn't it be "Bad Chinese" instead? Using the term "Asian" is too general and the author is clearly only labeling Chinese people here. That's outrageous. So basically I'm a "Bad Asian" too, thanks a lot. It's completely normal to not fit under Asian stereotypes, I would have killed myself by now if that weren't true. Why do people have to label themselves as "bad"??? I don't understand--That part was just torture to read. The book would have been better off just not including that "Bad Asian" crap altogether.
characters
I thought that there was too much emphasis on introductions, and even then I could barely get all the characters straight. The Squad all kind of mushed together in my mind and I just gave up a quarter in. Because of the amount, I couldn't really connect with any of them and most of the characters are just going through puberty (meaning lots of crushing and swooning and whatsitcalled... becoming "head over heels" for boys who are probably still going through puberty themselves /hj). (ᵕ— —)
・Phee : I thought she was cute at first impression; she's closed-minded and not open to change, which in turn makes her frustrated at times when things don't go as she imagined. But I just can't understand how she's so close-minded to the point where she won't accept the fact that not all Chinese Americans have or want connections to their culture. Just because your ethnically Chinese definitely does not mean that you are confined to learn Chinese, speak Chinese, to know every aspect of Chinese culture, etc. Isn't that common sense? Still I recognize and appreciate her acceptance of the adoptees' status as the story progresses.
・McKenna and Teagan : the popular "mean girls" of this book, the antagonists of little Phee who attempt to steal her precious Harrison away...just kidding haha(ง ื▿ ื)ว
・Harrison : the Wang Yibo and Xiaojun reference? ah. now i see. A perfect, charming, pretty cantonese immigrant from Hong Kong, literally the shining kpop idol in everyone's eyes (☆o☆৻)aiya~ yes, we stan!! /j -- This kid has a cheerful but suspicious personality, flirting with every girl around him... but describing him as a c-pop idol multiple times is too much, tone it down a little. We get it.
・the adoptees : basically the white-washed Chinese kids who struggle with others assuming they are brought up as Chinese; honestly I understand the stress they must go through, others expecting to live up to what they are rather than who they are. One of my music teachers adopted a Chinese orphan, and they're always facing problems when people don't assume they're family because of their different races.
・just a sidenote, but Queena having a personality like a queen is a little too cliché, don't you think? ᯣ.ᯣ lmao
morals
・racism : racism of Asian-Americans in the form of trolls on social media who threaten the camp and its campers' safety
・adoption of Chinese children by Americans and culture gaps : exploring the issue of how one's look does not define their culture, their knowledge, or who they are
overall
I picked up this book for a light read, can't say I enjoyed it very much. There's a lot of things the author should have been mindful about in my opinion, but it's based on perspective honestly
I guess it's a great book as a summer romance... would definitely recommend for tweens in middle school, especially those who like romance and kdramas.
November 19, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Phoenny Fang and her best friend Lyrica are super excited for the summer camp their mothers run, Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short, pronounced “Squee”). It's always been Phee's happy place, where she can explore her Chinese culture and also do a lot of her favorite activity, sewing, but this year feels different. Her older brother is a Counselour in Training, and the girls who are usually in a group together are split up because there are some new girls. The new campers all seem to be cousins, since their Chinese names seem to match, but they are all cagey about their relationship, and one, McKenna is just downright rude. It turns out that the new campers have all been adopted by US families, and are a bit resentful. Phee loves speaking Mandarin, doing traditional crafts, games, and sports, and is hurt that the new girls don't necessarily want to participate. She's also crushing hard on Harrison, her brother's friend and fellow CIT who has just moved to the US from Hong Kong. He's only about a year older, and Phee thinks he might be interested in McKenna. There's a lot of stuff to do at the camp, and a final show to prepare for, but the campers have to also deal with online trolls who say racist things about the Squee posts on social media. Some on the counselors try to locate the perpetrators and bring them to justice, but the experience leaves everyone in the camp shaken.
Strengths: There aren't a lot of books about adoptees from China (except for the 2012 Red Thread Sisters by Peacock), and I love the idea of a summer camp that is culture based. The camp is a huge amount of fun, but also has plenty of drama. Not only is there the rivalry with the angry McKenna and the crush with Harrison, but there are also other campers with different sexual identities who are trying to figure out their own crushes. The camp is located on a college campus, which is interesting for those of us who only went to camp out in the woods! Being the daughter of someone who runs the camp would be intriguing, and Phee's struggles during her last year as a camper with the changes that have occurred will resonate with childre who find that their own worlds are changing.
Weaknesses: At 320 pages, this packed in a LOT of characters and a lot of activities on top of a wealth of information about Chinese culture as well as racism and prejudice. This was all good stuff, but it would have helped the story move more quickly if there had been fewer things like Phee's allergic reaction to a weasel bristle art brush and detailed descriptions of her sewing projects.
What I really think: There's been a significant decline in the number of adoptions from countries outside the US; it seemed like we'd had fewer such children at my school, and statistics so seem to show that. This is a good choice for readers who liked this author's The Many Meaning of Meilan or camp books like Matson's Firefly Summer or Soderberg's Sky Ropes.
Phoenny Fang and her best friend Lyrica are super excited for the summer camp their mothers run, Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short, pronounced “Squee”). It's always been Phee's happy place, where she can explore her Chinese culture and also do a lot of her favorite activity, sewing, but this year feels different. Her older brother is a Counselour in Training, and the girls who are usually in a group together are split up because there are some new girls. The new campers all seem to be cousins, since their Chinese names seem to match, but they are all cagey about their relationship, and one, McKenna is just downright rude. It turns out that the new campers have all been adopted by US families, and are a bit resentful. Phee loves speaking Mandarin, doing traditional crafts, games, and sports, and is hurt that the new girls don't necessarily want to participate. She's also crushing hard on Harrison, her brother's friend and fellow CIT who has just moved to the US from Hong Kong. He's only about a year older, and Phee thinks he might be interested in McKenna. There's a lot of stuff to do at the camp, and a final show to prepare for, but the campers have to also deal with online trolls who say racist things about the Squee posts on social media. Some on the counselors try to locate the perpetrators and bring them to justice, but the experience leaves everyone in the camp shaken.
Strengths: There aren't a lot of books about adoptees from China (except for the 2012 Red Thread Sisters by Peacock), and I love the idea of a summer camp that is culture based. The camp is a huge amount of fun, but also has plenty of drama. Not only is there the rivalry with the angry McKenna and the crush with Harrison, but there are also other campers with different sexual identities who are trying to figure out their own crushes. The camp is located on a college campus, which is interesting for those of us who only went to camp out in the woods! Being the daughter of someone who runs the camp would be intriguing, and Phee's struggles during her last year as a camper with the changes that have occurred will resonate with childre who find that their own worlds are changing.
Weaknesses: At 320 pages, this packed in a LOT of characters and a lot of activities on top of a wealth of information about Chinese culture as well as racism and prejudice. This was all good stuff, but it would have helped the story move more quickly if there had been fewer things like Phee's allergic reaction to a weasel bristle art brush and detailed descriptions of her sewing projects.
What I really think: There's been a significant decline in the number of adoptions from countries outside the US; it seemed like we'd had fewer such children at my school, and statistics so seem to show that. This is a good choice for readers who liked this author's The Many Meaning of Meilan or camp books like Matson's Firefly Summer or Soderberg's Sky Ropes.
March 21, 2024
Phoenny, the narrator; is a camper at “Squee” (a summer camp for kids who want to explore Chinese-American culture and experience), and it’s the last year she will be young enough to attend. Andrea Wang explores not just the ordinary themes of friendship, change, and independence common to sleepaway camp stories, but examines differences in privilege and culture, and adeptly addresses what makes kids sharing a common experience the same versus what isolates or excludes them.
It’s the summer between seventh and eighth grade: Phoenny and her friends are navigating firsts and lasts, and the story is Tetrised with moments and experiences that will resonate with any reader: crushes, embarrassments, navigating old and new friendships. In addition, Yang explores adoption, what it means to be Chinese-American, and anti-Asian hate crimes that surged in the wake of the pandemic.
Wang does a lovely job giving us details that make the story and characters vivid and real: colors, personality quirks, names all stand out because they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Nothing is wasted, and nothing feels outsize or unrealistic. Even Phoenny bringing her sewing machine to camp - held on a college campus (how envious my 11 year old self would have been of this!) - feels true.
The inclusion of contemporary tech is deft: I can think of few other writers for middle grade readers who handle this at all well. Here, computers, social media, and the online shadows we cast are simply a seamless part of the story. It’s refreshing to find a book where references don’t feel forced or plastic.
We are introduced to a memorable cast of characters from the very beginning, but the way Yang writes makes it easy to remember who’s who - each one is fully-realized and Yang gives us the idea that each has a life beyond the story. The writing is clear and brisk; nothing feels wasted. The dialog is never awkward, and Yang uses it in a kinetic way that spotlights her characters and enriches the action.
This is a deep and intricate narrative, but not a stodgy or sad one: Phoenny learns some hard lessons about making assumptions, and she discovers that people bound by a seemingly common denominator all bring different and sometimes contradictory experiences.
I hope this book gets the attention it deserves: it is a rich, generous, joyous story that updates the summer camp stories I loved as a kid. Highly recommend this one - no reservations.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s the summer between seventh and eighth grade: Phoenny and her friends are navigating firsts and lasts, and the story is Tetrised with moments and experiences that will resonate with any reader: crushes, embarrassments, navigating old and new friendships. In addition, Yang explores adoption, what it means to be Chinese-American, and anti-Asian hate crimes that surged in the wake of the pandemic.
Wang does a lovely job giving us details that make the story and characters vivid and real: colors, personality quirks, names all stand out because they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Nothing is wasted, and nothing feels outsize or unrealistic. Even Phoenny bringing her sewing machine to camp - held on a college campus (how envious my 11 year old self would have been of this!) - feels true.
The inclusion of contemporary tech is deft: I can think of few other writers for middle grade readers who handle this at all well. Here, computers, social media, and the online shadows we cast are simply a seamless part of the story. It’s refreshing to find a book where references don’t feel forced or plastic.
We are introduced to a memorable cast of characters from the very beginning, but the way Yang writes makes it easy to remember who’s who - each one is fully-realized and Yang gives us the idea that each has a life beyond the story. The writing is clear and brisk; nothing feels wasted. The dialog is never awkward, and Yang uses it in a kinetic way that spotlights her characters and enriches the action.
This is a deep and intricate narrative, but not a stodgy or sad one: Phoenny learns some hard lessons about making assumptions, and she discovers that people bound by a seemingly common denominator all bring different and sometimes contradictory experiences.
I hope this book gets the attention it deserves: it is a rich, generous, joyous story that updates the summer camp stories I loved as a kid. Highly recommend this one - no reservations.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2024
Thirteen-year-old Phee has been attending the Summer Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience camp since she was six years old, and this summer is going to be the best one yet. But, when she arrives at camp and discovers that her coveted Squad is going to be split into different groups this year, she is devastated. And that is just the beginning of the changes Phee will have to face. As the summer continues, Phee must navigate the feelings that come with unexpected people and situations, especially as crushes and rivalries find their way into the mix. The summer may not unfold as she initially wishes, but perhaps the ultimate outcome will be better than anything Phee could have ever expected.
This middle grade coming of age story is cleverly placed in the setting of a Chinese heritage immersion camp. All of the characters have some level of Chinese background, and their awareness of Chinese culture and language varies, as well. There is, of course, a level of angst that appears within the narrative due to the age of the protagonists, but this is amplified by the discomfort several characters feel at their disparate levels of familiarity with Chinese culture. This inclusion helps readers of all backgrounds recognize that challenges are faced by people due to a variety of reasons, even when they happen to identify with a similar cultural background.
The narrative moves smoothly, especially as it is told in the first person from Phee’s perspective. Phee’s emotions are palpable with each interaction, and readers will sympathize with many of the feelings she exhibits. Chinese language and cultural references appear throughout the narrative, which enhances the authenticity of the storytelling in general. These words and phrases are presented using western-styled lettering and accents to increase their accessibility to non-Chinese speaking audiences. Clear, focused, and straightforward, this novel will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction, especially stories with diverse subject matter and strong interpersonal relationships. This is an enjoyable addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
This middle grade coming of age story is cleverly placed in the setting of a Chinese heritage immersion camp. All of the characters have some level of Chinese background, and their awareness of Chinese culture and language varies, as well. There is, of course, a level of angst that appears within the narrative due to the age of the protagonists, but this is amplified by the discomfort several characters feel at their disparate levels of familiarity with Chinese culture. This inclusion helps readers of all backgrounds recognize that challenges are faced by people due to a variety of reasons, even when they happen to identify with a similar cultural background.
The narrative moves smoothly, especially as it is told in the first person from Phee’s perspective. Phee’s emotions are palpable with each interaction, and readers will sympathize with many of the feelings she exhibits. Chinese language and cultural references appear throughout the narrative, which enhances the authenticity of the storytelling in general. These words and phrases are presented using western-styled lettering and accents to increase their accessibility to non-Chinese speaking audiences. Clear, focused, and straightforward, this novel will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction, especially stories with diverse subject matter and strong interpersonal relationships. This is an enjoyable addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
April 15, 2024
This is the kind of book I like to read and recommend to middle grade readers. To me it shows that you can write a book in which nothing earth-shattering happens and yet have the book be engaging. and well-worth the time spent reading. It is an ordinary story about ordinary people - nobody has any superpowers or magical abilities, nobody. has a huge crisis in their life, and nobody. needs to be saved from something or someone evil. I like that in a book now and then.
The book tells the story of a group of kids at a Chinese Culture Camp. The main group of characters are in their last year of camp and one of them, Phoenny, wants it to be the best year ever. Many of the campers are American Born Chinese (ABC) but a new group of girls are actually Chinese born adopted by American parents. The groups clash at first on their attitude toward learning Chinese culture, with. the new group either ambivalent or against the idea. The book is mostly about how the two groups come to understand each others' point of view and find commonalities and friendships based on interests outside of the culture.
The only hokey part for me was the introduction of internet trolls who make fun of the camp and campers and create fear among the kids as well as the adults in the camp. I understood, at the end of the book, what this odd side-plot was there to accomplish, but it wasn't really ever dealt with in a real way and it just fizzled into nothing at the end. Still a good. book and a good read.
The book tells the story of a group of kids at a Chinese Culture Camp. The main group of characters are in their last year of camp and one of them, Phoenny, wants it to be the best year ever. Many of the campers are American Born Chinese (ABC) but a new group of girls are actually Chinese born adopted by American parents. The groups clash at first on their attitude toward learning Chinese culture, with. the new group either ambivalent or against the idea. The book is mostly about how the two groups come to understand each others' point of view and find commonalities and friendships based on interests outside of the culture.
The only hokey part for me was the introduction of internet trolls who make fun of the camp and campers and create fear among the kids as well as the adults in the camp. I understood, at the end of the book, what this odd side-plot was there to accomplish, but it wasn't really ever dealt with in a real way and it just fizzled into nothing at the end. Still a good. book and a good read.
April 1, 2024
Squee. A very interesting word to be used as part of the title of a book. Is it a name, place, object?
Well, Squee is actually the pronunciation of the camp that Phoenny Fang and her family is attending. SCCWEE, or Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience is the life changing camp that Phoenny is staying at.
Phoenny lives in Boston where she is naturally exposed to American culture, but this opportunity allows her and friends to engage in all types of cultural conversations and activities. This is however one part about herself that differs this summer. She is now a senior camper, taking on more responsibility and helping new campers. She expects to have the most amazing time and the opportunity to aid younger campers. However, the more she interacts with other campers, she realizes that they share different perspectives about their culture, especially those that are adopted.
The theme of this story is makes readers realize how everyone has a different upbringing when it comes to expressing you culture. Culture sets us apart from one another, however some people believe it does in a negative way, while others embrace these differences. But we learn that we should appreciate our cultural values even if they’re different from the community that surrounded by, in this case, American vs. Chinese culture.
Well, Squee is actually the pronunciation of the camp that Phoenny Fang and her family is attending. SCCWEE, or Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience is the life changing camp that Phoenny is staying at.
Phoenny lives in Boston where she is naturally exposed to American culture, but this opportunity allows her and friends to engage in all types of cultural conversations and activities. This is however one part about herself that differs this summer. She is now a senior camper, taking on more responsibility and helping new campers. She expects to have the most amazing time and the opportunity to aid younger campers. However, the more she interacts with other campers, she realizes that they share different perspectives about their culture, especially those that are adopted.
The theme of this story is makes readers realize how everyone has a different upbringing when it comes to expressing you culture. Culture sets us apart from one another, however some people believe it does in a negative way, while others embrace these differences. But we learn that we should appreciate our cultural values even if they’re different from the community that surrounded by, in this case, American vs. Chinese culture.
March 24, 2024
Phee is excited for her last year as a camper at Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience aka SQUEE. She’s has gone there since she was 6. She can’t wait to get together with the Squad-all her friends that have been together forever. When she gets there she realizes that a set of new girls and now the Squad is split into 2. Phee meets 2 of the new campers and already has problems with them. What is her summer going to be like? Follow Phee and her friends through 2 weeks of camp. She learns to navigate through many changes-adoption, finding yourself, budding romance, internet trolls, just to name a few. Phee finds that camp is even better than she expected and she is so sad to see it end!
What a great story. It was a little hard to keep track of the characters at first, but soon I had them down. I did learn about Chinese culture and problems facing Asian students. I can see where this was gong to be a popular book for middle grade. Can’t wait to share this with others!
What a great story. It was a little hard to keep track of the characters at first, but soon I had them down. I did learn about Chinese culture and problems facing Asian students. I can see where this was gong to be a popular book for middle grade. Can’t wait to share this with others!
April 3, 2024
Summer at Squee takes the best of summer camp memories and overlays them with a cultural element for campers with a Chinese heritage. I appreciated all Wang incorporated into this book as it opened my eyes to the many ways of being Chinese American, especially when the campers shared why they were “Bad Asians” or the transracial adoptees shared their experiences. Being that this book was billed as middle-grade fiction, I wish it had been targeted squarely there. Going into 8th grade is a hard age and I know that many of the readers in my classes will not like this title because of the sappy crush elements that tip over into whether a 13-year old should be dating, particularly dating an older boy. That element made me uncomfortable, along with some of the overly positive messages and behavior changes. I’m glad to have learned more about Chinese culture camps, but this isn’t a must-purchase title for my classroom library. Thanks to NetGalley for this digital copy for review.
April 21, 2024
Phoenny Fang and her friends are pumped for their last summer as campers at Chinese culture camp, affectionately known as Squee. There are so many campers her age this year though that they have been split into two groups and she won't be together with all of her friends. Also, some of the new girls in her group act like they don't want to be there. This last year of camp is definitely going to be different than Phoenny pictured. Will she and the other girls ever get along? Why come to a Chinese culture camp if you don't want to learn about being Chinese? Phoenny and her friends must learn that even though they all may be ethnically Chinese, they all have vastly different experiences. This is a great middle grades book filled with typical camp experiences as well as the addition of cultural content.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 5, 2024
Having grown up going to Jewish summer camp, I found Phee's experiences at Chinese summer camp extremely relatable. It is her last summer as a camper, and Phee and the rest of her squad of friends are so excited about. Unfortunately, there are a bunch of new girls their year and they are separated. To add to the tension, many of the new girls are not happy about being at camp. While Phee and her friends are growing up in Chinese families, the new girls are transracial adoptees growing up in white families. This leads to a lot of tension between the girls. Through authentic conversations and several fun activities, they work out their differences and learn to appreciate each other's perspectives. This is a great summer story and would be especially fun to read while at sleep away camp! Recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
March 7, 2024
3.5 stars. Phoeny has attended Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (aka Squee Camp) for years. Her mom is the director and she has lifelong friends from camp. Now in 8th grade, this is her last year as a camper. Lots to like about this book: fun camp antics, the sense of belonging that campers feel, the friction with the new campers who are adoptees and not raised by Chinese parents. However there's a bit too much going on in this book. I felt like there was a mismatch between the age of the campers and the intended audience. (Although innocent, there is romance involving counselors but otherwise the book felt solidly like at book for 5th and 6th graders.) Some other story lines could have been left out (mom being the director perhaps?) Still a great addition to any library.
January 16, 2024
Summer at Squee is an upcoming middle grade novel by Andrea Wang about friendship, culture, and summer camp. The eighth graders in the story all face very typical coming-of-age scenarios like first crushes, difficulties in relationships, and trying to navigate and celebrate who they are as individuals.
In Andrea Wang’s Author’s Note she says:
“It is my fervent wish that all children will find a book that reflects their identity, written by someone who shares their lived experience. Every child should have the opportunity to feel that they belong and that they are enough, because they are.”
Such a lovely hope, and what a gift she’s giving to many middle grade readers who will be able to have that experience because of this very book. :-)
In Andrea Wang’s Author’s Note she says:
“It is my fervent wish that all children will find a book that reflects their identity, written by someone who shares their lived experience. Every child should have the opportunity to feel that they belong and that they are enough, because they are.”
Such a lovely hope, and what a gift she’s giving to many middle grade readers who will be able to have that experience because of this very book. :-)
January 28, 2024
It took me a bit to get into this novel, but once I figured out who all the characters were (there are a lot for a middle grade novel to keep track of), I enjoyed my time at Chinese cultural camp. I loved the friendships, crushes, and character arc of Phee as she learned how to view others with an open mind. I learned so much about Chinese culture and have a new appreciation for adoptees--every chapter is packed with Chinese food, history, art, and more. I found the detailed sewing project descriptions made this story drag and think some of this could have been cut to keep the pacing better. I would enjoy reading a second book with these characters, possibly returning as counselors in training for the following summer camp. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC.
December 21, 2023
Pfoenny is excited for camp at Squee (Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience), can't wait to be with her "squad" to celebrate their last year together as campers. Her last year starts off on a rocky footing, with her "squad" being separated and new campers who really don't want to be there. There are different classes this summer and racist trolls post on the camp's website, causing the counselors to tighten security for the campers, but the campers decide to fight the racist trolls by living their best camp lives. I also loved the shoutout to Jasmine Toguchi in the book. A perfect story for middle-grade students who are trying to figure out who they are.
April 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and wish there were more cultural camps around for all different backgrounds. A group of these campers shared something special of always having gone to squee in the summer to learn more about their Chinese heritage, but this summer some new girls are attending squee, but the girls who have gone to camp there can't figure out how the girls are related or fit together.
I loved how this book showed problem solving in hard situations and asking for help when you need it. Learning about a person's cultural heritage can be hard at times especially if you feel like you don't identify with it.
I loved how this book showed problem solving in hard situations and asking for help when you need it. Learning about a person's cultural heritage can be hard at times especially if you feel like you don't identify with it.
March 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this middle grade book about Phee and her “squad” who are attending their last year at a sleepaway Chinese Cultural Camp. This was a fun book that also tackled some serious subjects, but did so in a way that didn’t make the book too heavy. There are lots of middle school themes like pulling pranks, crushes, not getting along with fellow campers and figuring out who they are in the world. The underlying theme of racism appears when people write negative comments on the camp website. I liked the way the author handled this serious subject matter. The characters were likable and I loved Phee’s spirit. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
April 3, 2024
🦭 ꒰ 메모 ꒱ ۪ ݁ 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
a nice cozy story about children coping up with life’s ups and downs and finding friends within their camp. i feel like this’ll be much more fun as a graphic novel because i really love all oft he character and i was so invested in them ! i honestly want to get to know them more but i loved the story nonetheless <3 i gave this a 3.75 star rating !
thank you so much to the author for this wonderful read and to NetGalley as well !
a nice cozy story about children coping up with life’s ups and downs and finding friends within their camp. i feel like this’ll be much more fun as a graphic novel because i really love all oft he character and i was so invested in them ! i honestly want to get to know them more but i loved the story nonetheless <3 i gave this a 3.75 star rating !
thank you so much to the author for this wonderful read and to NetGalley as well !
April 11, 2024
Really nice book about camp that does encompass how many things can happen in only 2 weeks when you’re at camp. It takes awhile for the reader to figure out this is a Chinese heritage camp but all the Chinese heritage moments are the main part of the story. Plus, it’s supposed to be inclusive for all Chinese American kids—but is it? Everything is challenged when a group of adoptees joins and some new immigrants.
Lots of really important cultural ideas here, and some growing up happens for all of the characters.
Lots of really important cultural ideas here, and some growing up happens for all of the characters.
March 27, 2024
This book tells the story of a summer camp for Chinese American kids to learn and practice their heritage. I loved learning about the music, dancing, art and more! The main character is the daughter of the camp’s owner/director so she has literally grown up going to this camp. This is her final year before she ages out so she wants this final summer to be epic and filled with her “squad” of friends from over the years. Things don’t turn out as she planned. This year’s camp has new campers who are none too friendly, not being with all of her usual friends, and navigating her first crush. The characters were diverse, beyond being Chinese American. The MC was believable with all of the angst that goes along with being a middle schooler. Kids will identify with the story and the feelings the MC goes through. Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for sharing this ARC with me.
March 27, 2024
This middle grade novel, Summer at Squee, perfectly mixes the fun of summer camp, friends, and first relationships with powerful topics such as culture, immigration, adoption, and belonging. With a large cast of well-developed characters and a wide variety of themes, readers will be sure connect with this story. My 12-year-old daughter and I both enjoyed reading this one!
March 11, 2024
Summer at Squee is a relatable, realistic fiction book filled with summer camp, fashion, crushes, and friend drama that will appeal to many readers 4th grade and up. I appreciated that the author consulted with Asian American adoptees when writing the book.
My one issue with the book was that there were too many characters to keep track of. The OG squad at the camp had 8-10 members, not to mention the various new campers, the counselors, and other campers. I had trouble keeping track of them, and feeling invested in many of the storylines as there were simply too many of them.
My one issue with the book was that there were too many characters to keep track of. The OG squad at the camp had 8-10 members, not to mention the various new campers, the counselors, and other campers. I had trouble keeping track of them, and feeling invested in many of the storylines as there were simply too many of them.
March 7, 2024
I couldn't put it down!
March 12, 2024
A fun summer camp story highlighting a vast diaspora of Chinese American characters. The story dragged a bit about 3/4 of the way through and some things felt unresolved and unfinished.
March 18, 2024
This was soooo cute I really enjoyed the main characters inner monologue and how the author was able to keep the voice of a 12 year old with realistic self reflection
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