Title: Camp Musky
Author: David DeLong
Publisher: Kravitz and Sons, LLC
ISBN: 979-8896390824
Pages: 120
Genre: Adventure / Fiction
Reviewer: Ephantus M.
Hollywood Book Reviews
Think summer camp fun, a spooky lake myth, and a story with real emotional depth – welcome to “Camp Musky.” David DeLong’s heartwarming Christian adventure blends mystery, humor, and meaningful life lessons into one unforgettable read.
Buddy and Cally Chambers are the sibling duo at the heart of it all. Thirteen-year-old Buddy is returning to Camp Musky for another round of fun, while twelve-year-old Cally is diving into her first summer there with wide-eyed curiosity. They’re expecting all the usual camp highlights – lake swims, games, new friends, and uplifting Bible lessons, but things take a mysterious turn when rumors spread about a massive, possibly monstrous musky fish lurking in the water. Buddy first brushes it off as a typical hoax, but Cally? She’s not so sure, especially when strange things start happening near the waters. But when things begin to get denser, they soon begin questioning whether the stories have any reality to them.
The mystery deepens with the arrival of the camp’s oddball neighbors, the reclusive Chillblaines brothers who live in a gloomy old mansion across the lake and who own the campgrounds. The brothers seem determined to shut down the camp just as the camp lease is about to expire. Their eerie actions and cryptic warnings, which threaten to cloud the sunny days of Camp Musky, are evident to us.
As tensions increase, Buddy and Cally are forced to rely on their faith and one another and with the help of a group of other campers and the astute advice of Pastor Randy, they are well able to confront difficult circumstances. We also notice that the challenges they encounter tremendously help improve their relationship as siblings as well as their morals. We also see friendships bloom around the campfire and in the mess hall, filled with laughter, teamwork, and even some powerful personal growth and transformation; for instance in the life of a camp bully who receives a sobering but difficult lesson in forgiveness.
Readers will regard Camp Musky as a masterpiece because of how quickly the action moves, how nicely the chapters flow, and how the tension and heart are masterfully balanced. Buddy and Cally are especially well-drawn, not as perfect, which is actually what makes them so likable. You see them grow, mess up, support each other, and keep going. And even the side characters like the camp bully, the oddball neighbors, and the goofy campers add color and texture to the story. The book is bound to provide readers with the conventional yet profound message about how courage and kindness, led by faith, may help them navigate even the most difficult waters.
DeLong’s writing is easygoing and engaging – perfect for middle-grade readers. The Christian themes are present throughout, but never heavy-handed, making the story feel both meaningful and accessible. Camp Musky is a faith-filled, feel-good adventure that brings together mystery, humor, and heart in all the right ways, as well as the kind of book that inspires thought while maintaining a feeling of fun and wonder. It’s perfect for young readers looking for a summer story that’s both entertaining and inspiring.