Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun and endearing graphic novel. There were a handful of panels that had me rolling with laughter! I'm a sucker for themes of friendship in middle grade graphic novels and this one definitely centered on this theme. I would highly suggest this heartwarming, silly graphic novel to all ages.

Oh my gosh I loved this graphic novel. If you are a fan of Camp Midnight and Camp Daybreak this one is for you! I enjoyed the character development in this one and loved the illustrations. It was pretty cool to see a kid whip up some cool dishes and express their feelings along the way. Actually, I loved following our main character throughout her journey in this book. A must read for the summer :)

Maya has never found it easy to make friends. When her father's girlfriend announces she's moving in, Maya's response is to cook something. Charlotte (the girlfriend) tries to make it up to Maya by arranging for her to go to Camp Unami, a cooking camp, for the summer. When Maya gets on the wrong camp bus in the parking lot, she winds up at a very different camp, Camp Dracula, and it's not what she expected. After their phones are confiscated by the counselors, Maya tries to send a message to her dad to get her NOW! but then she and her bunkmates begin to grow closer and Maya gets to work in the kitchen with the chef, who shares her passion for Kiki Cooks. Maybe Maya is at the right camp after all.

Huge thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book 😊
"Summer Vamp" by Violet Chan Karim was such a perfect read!! 🧛🏻‍♀️ I really enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel because of how fun and unique the storyline was. I also REALLY loved the illustrations and will definitely be reading this again!!! 🖤

This was such a cute story, I devoured it in a night. Love the friendship, and the humor. Would read a sequel

This is such a cute premise for a novel and reminds me a bit of Blood City Rollers. I'm disappointed I messed this one up and missed it before it expired and I could finish. I love the illustration style and hope to pick this one up in print sometime!

5 Reasons to Read

Summer Camp

I never went to summer camp when I was younger but if I did, I might find this one both scary and fun! Maya got on the wrong bus and finds herself among a group of Vampires teens. She starts to quickly realize she may have gotten on the wrong bus and is now determined to get a message out to her dad that she’s not made it to culinary camp.

Vampires

Pointy Ears and an aversion to garlic is only the beginning. When they tell her to turn into a bat she is left wondering how she’s going to fool them all in order to survive because there’s no way she’ll be able to manage that trick! Also, who wouldn’t want to play a game of chase the Bat? My favorite is when Nico turns into a bat and continues reading his book. Also, there’s definitely subtle Twilight references which I LOVED!

Shenanigans

The minute the camp counselors took away the campers phones the shenanigan planning began! From breaking into the counselor’s place to retrieve their phones to a food fight in the camp cafeteria, the fun is only beginning! I had so much fun seeing how all the fun and games bring these campers together! The graphics just made it that much more fun!

Bringing Culinary Camp to Vamp Camp

The instant Maya fixed the mashed potatoes at lunch and then befriended the camp chef the flames of friendship started to kindle. Food is a great way to bring people together and Maya’s love for cooking definitely play a big part in helping the campers not only start to enjoy camp but gives them a way to connect and build friendships!

Friendships

Maya wasn’t the popular kid in human school and she’s realizing that things haven’t changed here at camp. She’s eating lunch alone just like at home and the kids haven’t been the nicest to her either. She doesn’t have the backbone to stick up for herself but being at this camp just might help her gain the confidence to tell people that they can’t keep treating her poorly. In the end she just might end up making friends with some of these vamps!

Very interesting spin on the vampire genre. This graphic novel is full of funny moments, but also some really touching scenes. The art style was delightful, and I think it will be a perfect title to add to our summer reading theme of adventure.

Fast paced and humorous with an engaging art style, I highly enjoyed this quirky little graphic novel. While vampires are a part of the story, I still feel kids will find it relatable with the focus on friendship and changing family dynamics. This will be a definite add to my middle school library.

Book Review: “Summer Vamp” by Violet Chan Karim

Summer Vamp is a delightful graphic novel that tells the story of Maya, a human girl who finds herself at a summer camp for vampires after a mix-up.

Maya, after a lackluster school year, looks forward to a culinary summer camp to indulge in her passion for cooking. However, she ends up at Camp Dracula instead of Camp Umami. The camp is full of vampires who, contrary to popular belief, are not so different from humans. They have sharp teeth and drink animal blood from juice boxes, but they also eat regular food and have their own personalities and problems.

The graphic novel, with its colorful art and animated storytelling, explores themes of friendship, self-advocacy, and acceptance. Maya’s journey of making friends, navigating through misunderstandings, and embracing her unique situation makes for an engaging read. The mix of humor and tween awkwardness, makes it a sincere story that will resonate with middle-grade readers.

Top 5 Reasons to Read “Summer Vamp”:

1. Unique Premise: The idea of a human girl at a vampire camp is fresh and intriguing.

2. Themes of Acceptance: It deals with important themes like finding a place where you’re welcomed and supported despite differences. It stands out for its educational value.

3. Relatable Protagonist and characters: Maya’s character is well-rounded, and her experiences are something many can relate to. The supporting characters are just as well-developed as Maya. Each character has a distinct personality that contributes to the camp's dynamic environment.

4. Humor and Heart: The story balances silliness with sentiment, offering both laughs and touching moments.

5. Artwork: The bold and colorful art enhances the storytelling, making it a visual treat. A graphic novel that I absolutely loved.

Also, we have a recipe or 2 included in the book.
Lastly, Summer Vamp is a testament to the power of storytelling. Violet Chan Karim uses a blend of text and illustration to weave a narrative that is both engaging and visually stimulating. The book encourages readers to look beyond the surface and find common ground with those who appear different at first glance.

In conclusion, "Summer Vamp" is a graphic novel that offers more than just a fun summer read. Whether you're a fan of vampires or just looking for a charming story, "Summer Vamp" is sure to satisfy.

When Maya gets on the wrong bus for summer camp, she expects the worst. She was supposed to go to culinary camp, not vampire camp! When she realizes that Camp Dracula is for -actual- vampires, she decides she needs to blend in until she can get her dad to pick her up. As the weeks pass, she sees that maybe vampires aren't so bad after all. Maybe they can even be friends.

A cute middle grade graphic novel about friendship, and learning to like yourself for who you are. Weirdness and all.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A cute Summer Camp themed book for all ages. Maya attends Summer Camp for the first time and hijinks ensue. I really loved this book. It was such a fast read with a great story and amazing art work. I would definitely recommend this book to readers of all ages if they are looking for something fun to read over the Summer.

This graphic novel was delightful and blended humor, heart, and a dash of the supernatural to create an engaging story perfect for young readers. The protagonist, Maya, is an aspiring chef who mistakenly ends up at a summer camp for vampires instead of her intended culinary camp. This mix-up sets the stage for a summer of unexpected adventures and self-discovery.

Maya is a relatable and well-rounded character who feels like an outsider, not just at camp but also in her own home. Her journey at Camp Dracula, where she must navigate the challenges of fitting in with vampire campers while hiding her human identity, is both amusing and touching. The friendships she forms, particularly with her bunkmate Abby, highlight themes of acceptance and the importance of embracing differences.
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First I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now, onto the review!

This graphic novel was absolutely adorable. The art, the story, all of it. The characters, the camp, each part just put a smile on my face.

It follows Maya, a young girl who loves to cook and is looking forward to doing it during the summer. Her family is just her and her dad…and her dad’s girlfriend. Chelsea is uncomfortable with his girlfriend being around, and it’s totally understandable. It’s not that she doens’t like her, it’s just different. It’s just been her and her dad for so long.

We see early on that Maya loves cooking. While her dad and his girlfriend are watching a movie about a teenager falling in love with a vampire, she goes tot he kitchen and watches her favorite youtuber. She follows a recipe for garlic parm pasta and is excited to share it.

Only to see that a pizza has been delivered. And now she has to put it away.

Her usual routine has been disrupted and she miffed about storing fresh pasta in the fridge without it even being eaten. Which she is so real for.

She’s always wanted to go to this culinary camp and it turns out, her dad’s girlfriend signed her up for it. Which makes Maya’s day and helps her look at the woman in a new light.

Unfortunately, culinary camp isn’t where Maya ends up. She ends up on a bus with kids who don’t seem as enthusiastic about food. Who defintely don’t seem enthusiastic about garlic. And seem a little pale? With pointed ears?

Something I loved about this was the diversity of the characters. When vampires are involved they are almost always white. These kids were white, brown, Black, Asian. Their skin tones were pigmented and not that weird kind of ashy that some artists struggle not to do when portraying darker skinned vampires.

Now, Maya gets put in a bunk with a couple of girls and quickly forms bonds with them.

It tackles issues where kids don’t necessarily know that they’re being mean, where Maya has to overcome some fears, and even, comically, how one girl seems unable to live without her phone. Although she’d been excited for a game update and yeah, that’s understandable.

The relationships between the characters made me smile. I loved the art and even though it was a short read aimed at younger kids, I think a lot of people would benefit from reading it. Even if it’s just to remind themselves it’s okay to say sorry and that you’re supposed to be there for your friends.

I really loved this, blazed through it and want more. I’m giving it a 5 out of 5! Please pick it up for the young reader in your life!

This was such a cute graphic novel! I loved the humor and the art style, and I really liked the premise. I think that all the characters had issues that were realistic to kid readers, while also incorporating a good balance of humor into the story as well. I would love to see a sequel, because I still have questions about Oliver (was he also supposed to go to Camp Umami? What was his deal?), but overall, I think the story still works well on its own.

A well written graphic novel, the story of middle graders who don’t fit in just need to believe in them self. Don’t worry about what others think of you, because you don’t know how the other kids feel about themselves. #Bumblebee forever

Summer Vamp was so cute and funny it was a joy to read. All the characters shone but my favourite was Nico she was hysterical. The illustrations matched the story so well it really added to the banter and high jinks which the girls got into.

There were also nice messages throughout on such subjects like how to be a good friend and how misconceptions can really be changed when you get to know someone.

I do hope that there will be more as I would most certainly carry on with the series as I had such a great time.

For all the above reasons Summer Vamp receives 4 stars.

What happens when you realize you haven’t gone to culinary camp and ended up at not just any regular old summer camp, but a camp for vampires?! Well, it turns out you can have a whole lot of fun in the last place you’d expect to! 😂

Maya is a young girl who struggles to make friends and is unable to speak her mind out of fear of being judged by others. After a big life-changing announcement from her father and his girlfriend, she gets treated to the summer camp of her dreams: culinary camp. Only, she ends up somewhere completely different and she’s terrified about it! But what starts as an awkward summer of having to pretend she’s not human ends up being an unforgettable summer spent making the best friends with the most unlikely cabin mates.

It was great to see Maya find her voice and learn to speak up for herself but to also see her be comfortable with showing who she is and what she loves. The friendship group she makes with Alex, Daisy and Nico is so sweet and wholesome, even if it started on the wrong foot with Alex especially. There was even an adorkably cute vampire boy who developed the most awkward summer crush on Maya! 🤭 Even though the themes are ones typically found in all middle-grade stories, I found the combination of the summer camp setting and pre-teen/teen vampires was a fun and fresh way to bring the message across. Growing up problems are truly universal and it doesn't matter whether you're human or a vampire, you'll find people who may be going through the same thing as you and you'll always find your people.

I also really enjoyed the art style and colour palette because it was adorable and gave the book such a great summery vibe. Overall, this was such a fun and heartwarming graphic novel that would make the perfect summer beach (or camp!) read for readers all ages, but especially the young ones. Highly recommend it! This was such a great heartwarming graphic novel that would make the perfect summer beach (or camp!) read for readers of all ages, but especially the young ones. I highly recommend it!

This was a fun graphic novel written for middle school kids but could also be enjoyed by upper elementary students. I have not seen this particular scenario for a book, but I loved it! Maya love cooking, but her lack of social skills often leaves her feeling left out. She is excited when her dad's girlfriend gives her the gift of summer camp at a cooking camp--finally she'll be with kids who get her. Except it all goes wrong when she gets on the wrong bus and ends up at a camp for vampire kids!

I loved Maya and her enthusiasm for cooking, and I really loved how she unexpectedly ended up loving this camp that was NOT cooking camp. The story is fun and while it contains the usual middle trope of embracing yourself and being excellent at it, I loved how the author chose to tell this story. The illustrations were a lot of fun and overall, I just enjoyed it. I would recommend this for 4th grade and up, depending on the reading level of the child. But thinking back to my days at the elementary school book fair, I can think of many 4th and 5th graders who would have no trouble with this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Maya has a hard time fitting in at school and making friends. She’s prepared for a boring summer until her dad’s girlfriend signs her up for culinary camp. Maya loves cooking so she is excited and looking forward to going to camp. However, Maya gets on the wrong bus and ends up at Camp Dracula- a summer camp for vampires.

Summer Vamp was a cute middle grade graphic novel. The story was entertaining and funny. I loved the adorable and colorful artwork. I loved the characters, especially the vampire campers. I had a fun time reading this one!

If you’re a fan of super cute, light-hearted middle grade graphic novels, definitely check this one out.