"Camp Prodigy" by Caroline Palmer is a heartwarming and relatable middle-grade graphic novel that beautifully captures the journey of two nonbinary kids navigating anxiety, identity, and the pursuit of their musical dreams at summer orchestra camp.

Palmer skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery, friendship, and resilience, creating a story that is both poignant and uplifting. Through the characters of Tate and Eli, readers are invited to explore the complexities of coming to terms with one's identity and finding the courage to pursue one's passions despite self-doubt and societal expectations.

The graphic novel format adds depth and visual appeal to the narrative, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the world of Camp Prodigy and the emotions of its characters. Palmer's vibrant illustrations complement the story perfectly, capturing the energy and emotion of each scene with precision and charm.

What truly sets "Camp Prodigy" apart is its authentic portrayal of anxiety and performance pressure, as well as its celebration of nonbinary identity. Tate and Eli's struggles feel real and relatable, making their triumphs all the more satisfying.

Overall, "Camp Prodigy" is a triumph of storytelling that will resonate with readers of all ages. It serves as a reminder that with determination, support, and a little bit of courage, anything is possible. Fans of Victoria Jamieson and Raina Telgemeier are sure to fall in love with this heartfelt tale of friendship, identity, and the power of music.

This was so beyond cute and absolutely a delight to read. The illustrations had me laughing at loud because of character expressions, the dialogue was well written and the story was very touching. Truly a great graphic novel!

LGBT propaganda, children really do not need to be hearing about stuff like that. I really don't like this book.

This is a great book for older kids and teens, it covers a wide variety of subjects but the biggest one is the stress and anxiety that comes with accepting yourself and telling others about yourself when it is different then what they are used to. It also covers anxiety when you are doing something and starts to get competitive in whatever you are doing. In this story it focuses on a Nonbinary child who wants to get better at playing the viola and the pressure they put themselves under. We get to see their journey as they start to open up and allow others to be there for them. The art in this story is also very well done as well. I over all enjoyed this story.

A charming and sweet graphic novel that will appeal especially to musical and/or queer teens, but is relatable for all readers who are figuring out who they are (or who remember the pain and joy of when they were trying to figure out who they are). The topic of being nonbinary is handled with care, and is present enough in the story to feel meaningful but doesn't become the entire point of the story. (That would be fine if it were the sole purpose of the book, but it's clearly not - this is first and foremost a book about the main character and all the elements of who they are, including their love for music. Being nonbinary is just one of their many facets.)
The story gets a little deep into some specific elements of music camp, like "chairs" and which numbered "chair" you are in, and for those of us who have never been to music camp (ahem - sadly, me) this can get confusing. But not understanding those specific details doesn't detract from the larger story and the big heart that it brings to all the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for review.

This graphic novel is, at its core, a story of middle school growing pains. At orchestra summer camp, Tate is navigating new friendships, pressures to be the best, and owning their nonbinary identity. Everyone can relate to the strains of balancing school, your passions, and the awkwardness of figuring out who you want to be. Prodigy gives readers permission to enjoy life on your own terms. This story features a diverse cast of characters and LGBTQIA+ representation. I enjoyed how bright and expressive the artwork is.

This story was great in two aspects. First, it is a story about learning to be confident in your abilities and who you are. Tate and Eli take this journey together, though from different starting points originally, and grow as both musicians and individuals. I feel like that would have a wide-ranging appeal (and I so wish there was a way to hear the music off the pages!)

Second, this story would be one I would grab to offer to someone interesting in learning about the nonbinary identity, or who may be questioning the identity for themselves. I think that person would get even more enjoyment from this story, and while that is not the main plot of the story, it is an important aspect of the characters (particularly Tate) learning to be more confident in themselves overall.

This is so adorable and gave me all the warm hug feelings! I love the friendships Tate and Eli develop with each other as well as other campers. I adored Eli framing coming out as a gift you’re offering to others, and if they don’t accept it/you, that’s on them and not you. The art is super cute and I just really loved this story. So cute and warm!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

This was such a cute graphic novel. I loved it. The art was amazing and one of my favorite styles so far. All these summer camp middle grade graphic novels are so fun and I’m adoring them all.

Eli and Tate were awesome and the friendships with everyone was so refreshing. I also love to see books where everyone is accepting. Tate coming out to their friends & parents about being nonbinary was inspiring. Also the lessons about being under pressure and enjoying what you love instead of trying to be the best and hating it. People of all ages can learn from that lesson. This was great and I’m looking forward more from this artist!!

A fantastic middle grade graphic novel!
As a retired band kid I loved the band camp setting.
The illustrations were phenomenal and this illustrator did an amazing job at capturing the facial expressions of the characters and of illustrating the feeling of the music being played.
An inspiring coming of age and identity acceptance story for the main character, Tate!