About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider at summer camp or struggles with the pressure to fit into activities they dislike. While it is a spooky Goosebumps thriller, it speaks to the very real anxiety of being the new kid and the desperate mistakes one might make to avoid embarrassment. Sarah's decision to fake a drowning to get sent home leads to unintended consequences, blending relatable social awkwardness with classic supernatural suspense. Parents might choose this for a reluctant reader who enjoys being scared but also needs to explore themes of accountability and the weight of lies. It is appropriate for middle grade readers who can handle ghost stories, offering a safe environment to discuss why we sometimes pretend to be someone we are not just to belong.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The scene where Sarah fakes a drowning and then actually begins to struggle in the water may be intense for children with a fear of swimming. The ghost Della is persistent and threatening, demanding Sarah die so they can be together forever. There are descriptions of the ghost's decaying appearance that might be vivid for younger or more sensitive readers. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the danger of Sarah's 'prank.' Faking an emergency is a serious action, and kids might need to talk about better ways to communicate their unhappiness than through deception.
Ideal Reader
An 8 to 11-year-old who loves 'scary' stories and perhaps feels like a fish out of water in social or athletic settings.
Parent Prep
Read the chapters involving Sarah's faked drowning to ensure your child understands the gravity of the choice. A child being so unhappy at camp that they resort to a dangerous lie to get their parents to pick them up.
Age Experience
Younger children (8-9) will focus on the 'creepiness' of the ghost, while older children (11-12) will better recognize the social dynamics and the irony of Sarah's situation.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many camp horror stories that focus on a masked slasher, this focuses on the psychological toll of social isolation and the haunting consequences of one's own choices.
Read plot summary
Sarah is miserable at Camp Cold Lake because she hates water sports and feels alienated by her bunkmates. In a desperate attempt to be sent home, she fakes a drowning. The plan backfires when she actually loses consciousness and wakes up to find a ghost named Della who is determined to keep Sarah as her eternal companion. Sarah must find a way to escape the ghost's grip while navigating her own guilt and the dangers of the lake.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Sarah felt like an outsider at camp. Why do you think she felt she couldn't just tell her parents she was unhappy?
2
When Sarah faked drowning, her plan went wrong very quickly. What were the risks she didn't think about?
3
Della the ghost says she just wants a 'buddy.' Why is her version of friendship actually scary?
4
If you were Sarah's bunkmate, what could you have done to make her feel more welcome at Camp Cold Lake?
