Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

 

Over the weekend, I read Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol. This graphic novel is a fictionalized story about the author's experiences at a Russian summer camp in Connecticut. Because her family isn't wealthy, Vera finds it challenging to fit in with the other girls at school in upstate New York. More than anything, she wants to go to summer camp, just like they do. When Vera hears about the Organization of Russian Razvedchiki in America's (ORRA) camp from a girl at church, she decides to convince her mom to let her and her younger brother, Phil, go there the next summer. After talking with the girl's mother and gaining funding from their church, Vera's mother signs up Vera and Phil up for the camp. Vera is very excited to go, but quickly learns that camp will have its own challenges, including insects, Russian history lessons, older girls who seem much cooler than she is, and extremely gross outhouses.

After reading The Line Tender and Orange for the Sunsets, I was certainly ready for a more lighthearted book. Although Vera feels deep loneliness at times, she definitely has a sense of humor about her experiences at camp. This graphic novel was a joy to read and it was interesting to see Vera learn that summer camp isn't all it's made out to be. At first, she struggles to make friends and ends up trying to bribe the older girls into friendship with drawings and candy, which doesn't end well, but in a stroke of luck later on she finds a younger girl Kira's pet guinea pig and they form a genuine friendship. I also don't think Vera realized how much she would miss the luxuries, like running water, she has at home. For me, one of the most exciting parts of the story was Napadenya, or Capture-the-Flag, which was held once a week at night at the camp. I kept wondering if the girls would ever beat the boys and was very satisfied by the last game. I don't want to spoil anything! Be Prepared is perfect for anyone who has wondered what summer camp is really like or wants to compare their experience at summer camp to another's. Not to mention, it is great for a laugh.