Palmer, Caroline. Camp Prodigy. Atheneum, 2024. 978-1-665-93038-3. 249 p. $22.99. Grades 5-8.
After going to an amazing concert, Tate Seong chooses to pursue playing the viola and becoming famous for it at that. But, Tate is not the best violist, and they are also lacking the confidence to come out and be their true self around classmates and family. Their parents sign them up for Camp Prodigy, where they meet Eli, the violist that inspired Tate to pursue learning how to play the Viola. While both are facing their own challenges, they learn to lean and confide in each other to get through the hardships that they are facing, like anxiety and choosing how and when to come out as non-binary.
THOUGHTS: This book is beautifully written and will make a great addition to middle level bookshelves. It is open and honest about topics such as anxiety and coming out as non–binary. It also does a phenomenal job of showing what acceptance looks like in social and familial groups.
Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction
NOTE: Since both main characters in this book are non-binary, the pronouns used in this review will be they/them. After attending a concert, Tate Seong becomes enthralled with the viola. On their way to the bathroom during intermission, they get lost backstage and hear prodigy Eli Violet playing beautifully in a practice room. Unfortunately, a bout of stage fright prevents Eli from actually playing their solo in the concert. But Tate knows how wonderfully Eli plays, and it inspires them to take up the viola. Frustrated by the lack of progress Tate is making in their school orchestra, Tate decides to spend a month of summer at Camp Prodigy, an orchestra camp for students at all skill levels. Unbelievably, they meet and befriend Eli, who also is a camper there. Eli has been hiding their skills since that disastrous concert, but since Tate knows how talented they are, Eli agrees to help them by tutoring Tate one-on-one on the viola. Each week at camp, the musicians audition to find out their chair ranking. Eli, who should be first, finds that they are in the middle of the pack, their skills weakened by the lack of practicing since the concert. Tate starts out in last place but quickly moves up thanks to Eli’s help. However, as Tate becomes better at the viola, they start to feel more pressure to be the best, a feeling with which Eli is very familiar. Together, Eli and Tate have to figure out how to balance their health and well-being while also trying their best at a hobby they love.
THOUGHTS: Palmer’s book is dedicated to kids under pressure, reminding them to not be so hard on themselves. Middle schoolers, especially those who feel pressure to be the best, will relate to Eli and Tate. Both characters are non-binary, with Tate coming out to their loving, supportive family as their confidence grows throughout the book. The illustrations are bright and humorous, and the back of the book includes the author’s previous sketches and explanations for how she developed each character’s personality. This is a must-have for middle school libraries.
Graphic Novel