Piper Reed, Campfire Girl - Perma-Bound Books

Piper Reed, Campfire Girl

Select a format:

To purchase this item, you must first login or register for a new account.

Henry Holt & Co.

Just the Series: Piper Reed Vol. 4

Series and Publisher: Piper Reed

Annotation: Fifth-grader Piper and her sisters are thrilled about their first-ever camping trip until they learn it will be at Halloween, but other Navy families join them, including an annoying new member of the Gypsy Club.

Genre: [Realistic fiction]

Reviews: 4

Catalog Number: #5422704

Format: Paperback

Special Formats: Chapter Book

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

Edition Date: 2011 Release Date: 03/29/11

Illustrator: Davenier, Christine,

Pages: 148 pages

ISBN: 0-312-67482-1

ISBN 13: 978-0-312-67482-3

Dewey: Fic

Dimensions: 18 cm.

Subject Heading:
United States. Navy. Fiction.
Camping. Fiction.
Clubs. Fiction.
Halloween. Fiction.
Family life. Florida. Fiction.
Pensacola (Fla.). Fiction.

Language: English

Reviews:

ALA Booklist (Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2011)

Piper is annoyed by motormouthed Stanley, the new kid in her fifth-grade class and, worse, in her club for navy brats. But when hapless Stanley accidentally overturns his rowboat on a weekend camping trip, Piper surprises herself by silently vowing to "make him shine" in some way. The fourth volume in the rewarding Piper Reed series, this chapter book takes the familiar characters outside their usual settings of home, school, and neighborhood. The fresh, inviting look of Davenier's drawings works well with Holt's amusing and perceptive first-person narrative. A realistic family story with a satisfying conclusion.

Horn Book (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Piper Reed knows how hard it is to be the new kid. Nevertheless, she has trouble being nice to motor-mouth Stanley Hampshire. That is, until she takes on a new mission: finding something Stanley is good at. A Halloween camping trip with family and friends (and Stanley) turns into a series of small adventures in this lighthearted, likable book.

School Library Journal (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Gr 9 Up- BRICELAND, V. The Nascenza Conspiracy . Bk. 3. 344p. (The Cassaforte Chronicles) Flux . Jan. 2011. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7387-1894-1 . LC number unavailable. Gr 8 Up CAST, P. C. &; Kim Doner . The Fledging Handbook 101 . 157p. (The House of Night Series). St. Martin's / Griffin . Oct. 2010. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-312-59512-8 . LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up CONRAD, Lauren . Sugar and Spice . 288p. (An L.A. Candy Novel). HarperCollins . Oct. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-176762-3 . LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up GRANT, Michael . Plague . Bk. 4. 492p. (A Gone Novel). HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Bks. Apr. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-144912-3 ; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-144913-0 . LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up HOLT, Kimberly Willis . Piper Reed, Campfire Girl . Bk. 4. illus. by Christine Davenier. 160p. Henry Holt . Sept. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9006-2 . LC 2009050765. Gr 35 HOLT, Simon . Fearscape . Bk. 3. 314p. (The Devouring Series). Little, Brown . Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03570-5 . LC 2010006364. Gr 8 Up JENNEWEIN, James &; Tom S. Parker . Ship of the Dead . Bk. 3. 304p. (RuneWarriors Series). HarperCollins . Dec. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-144942-0 ; LC number unavailable. Gr 710 KAYE, Marilyn . Now You See Me . Bk. 5. 214p. (Gifted Series). Kingfisher . Oct. 2010. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-7534-3046-0 . LC number unavailable. Gr 69 KROSOCZKA, Jarrett J. Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit . illus. by author. unpaged. Knopf . Dec. 2010. PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96729-0 ; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86729-3 . LC 2010012781. Gr 35 MCDONALD, Megan . Stink and the Ultimate Thumb-Wrestling Smackdown . illus. by Peter H. Reynolds. 131p. Candlewick . Mar. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4346-1 ; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5457-3 . LC number unavailable. Gr 24 MALLEY, Gemma . The Legacy . Bk. 3. 266p. Bloomsbury . Jan. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-567-9 . LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up MATSUMOTO, Natsumi. St. Dragon Girl . Vol. 8. illus. by author. unpaged. (Shojo Beat Series). Viz Media . Sept. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-2017-9 . LC number unavailable. Gr 68 MOULD, Chris . The Treasure Keepers . Bk. 6. 192p. (Something Wickedly Weird Series). Roaring Brook . Oct. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-389-2 . LC number unavailable. Gr 46 NEFF, Henry H. The Fiend and the Forge . Bk. 3. 560p. (The Tapestry Series). Random . Nov. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-83898-9 ; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93898-6 ; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89295-0 . LC number unavailable. Gr 58 NO&3;L, Alyson . Night Star . Bk. 5. 302p. (The Immortals Series). St. Martin's / Griffin . Nov. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-312-59098-7 . LC number unavailable. Gr 9 Up PATTERSON, James . Angel . 291p. (Maximum Ride Series). Little, Brown . Feb. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03620-7 . LC number unavailable. Gr 7 Up PETERSON, Will . The Gathering . Bk. 3. 368p. (Triskellion Series). Candlewick . 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4847-3 . LC 2009047753. Gr 69 REGER, Rob &; Jessica Gruner . Dark Times . Bk. 3. illus. by Rob Reger. 248p. (Emily the Strange Series). Harper . Dec. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-145235-2 . LC 2009032256. Gr 710 STAUFFACHER, Sue . Show Time . 160p. (Animal Rescue Series). Knopf / Borzoi . Feb. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85850-5 ; PLB $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95850-2 ; spiral $0. ISBN 978-0-375-89794-8 . LC number unavailable. Gr 4–6 TANIGAWA, Nagaru . The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya . tr. by Chris Pai. illus. by author. Bk. 4. 192p. Little, Brown . Nov. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03890-4 ; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03889-8 . LC 2010009352. Gr 8 Up VAN DRAANEN, Wendelin . Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher . 296p. Knopf / Borzoi . Oct. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86107-9 ; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96107-6 ; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89734-4 . LC 2010006916. Gr 5–8 WALLACE, Rich . Benched . Bk. 3. illus. by Jimmy Holder. 122p. (Kickers Series). Knopf / Borzoi . Oct. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85756-0 ; PLB $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95756-7 ; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89709-2 . LC 2009034695. Gr 2–4

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
ALA Booklist (Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2011)
Horn Book (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)
School Library Journal (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)
Wilson's Children's Catalog

Word Count: 15,636

Reading Level: 3.4

Interest Level: 3-6

Accelerated Reader: reading level: 3.4 / points: 2.0 / quiz: 140434 / grade: Lower Grades

Reading Counts!: reading level:3.1 / points:6.0 / quiz:Q53858

Lexile: 530L

Piper Reed, Campfire Girl

ALL ABOUT STANLEY

Halloween was just two weeks away. Trick-or-treating and jack-o'-lanterns--that was all I could think about. But I still hadn't decided on my costume. I thought about dressing as a Blue Angel pilot for the U.S. Navy since that's what I planned to be when I grew up. But I didn't own a Blue Angel's uniform.

On the way to school, I asked, "Do you think the base is going to do anything special for Halloween?"

We lived at NAS Pensacola because our dad was a Navy chief.

"I'm going to be someone that I've never been before," my little sister, Sam, said.

"Who?"

"Princess Elizabeth."

"What's new about that?" I asked. "You're a princess every year." Sam would use any excuse to wear her crown.

Sam frowned. "I've never been Princess Elizabeth before."

"I thought she was Queen Elizabeth." I knew some things about the royal family.

"Queens have to be princesses first," said Sam.

"What are you going to be?" I asked Tori.

My big sister was sitting in the front seat with Mom. We had to drop her off at the middle school before Mom drove us to the elementaryschool where we went and where she worked as the art teacher.

Tori didn't answer me so I spoke louder. "Well, what are you going to be?"

She turned around and rolled her eyes. "Piper, Halloween is for little kids. I'm almost thirteen. I don't do dress up."

"You mean you have to stop having fun when you're a teenager?" I was sure glad I was in fifthgrade. That meant I still had a few good years left.

"I'll stay home and give out the candy," Tori said.

"Gosh," I said, "the trick-or-treaters won't stand a chance." My sister loved to eat. She'd probably empty the candy bowl before the first goblin rang our doorbell.

Tori glared at me. "Piper Reed, you're mean." Then her head snapped in Mom's direction. "Mom!"

Mom wasn't a morning person. She needed coffee. Lots of coffee. She probably didn't hear one word I said, but she went into her warning tone. "Girls, behave. It's too early for this."

Before the bell rang I met the other Gypsy Club members. We gathered in our usual spot near the front of the school sign. The twins, Michael and Nicole, were already there. But this time there was someone else standing inour circle--a boy with hair that stuck straight up like he forgot to comb it.

Hailey hopped off the bus and raced across the school yard. When she caught up with me, she asked, "Who's that boy?"

"I don't know, but he's in our meeting place."

"Hi, Piper." Nicole flashed her braces. She must have gone to the orthodontist because yesterday her rubber bands were fuchsia. Today she wore orange and black ones.

"Hi," I said, but I was staring at the new kid. He had the thickest glasses I'd ever seen on anyone.

"This is Stanley Hampshire," Michael said. "He just moved here." He punched Stanley's shoulder. He acted like Stanley was his new best friend.

"Oh," I said. "Hi, Stanley. I'm sorry, but this is a Gypsy Club meeting spot."

Hailey snapped, "Piper, you're mean!" That was the second time I'd heard that today and the morning bell hadn't even rang yet. Hailey was right. I was being mean. My dad was a Navy chief. I knew what it was like being the new kid. I'd moved a zillion times.

"I ... I was thinking," Michael stammered. "I was thinking Stanley could be in our Gypsy Club."

I gave Stanley a good look over. I'd only lived in Pensacola a year. That first day was hard until I started the Gypsy Club.

"He meets all the qualifications," Michael said. "His dad is in the Navy. He moves a lot, too. And he already knows the Gypsy Club creed."

"What?" I yelled.

Everyone stared at me.

"You taught him the Gypsy Club creed without asking permission of your fellow Gypsy Club members?"

Michael folded his arms across his chest. "I don't remember that being a rule."

"Well, some rules shouldn't have to be spoken."

"Am I supposed to read your mind?"

Stanley stared down at the ground. He was probably real smart and read a lot. Smart people had to wear glasses because they wore out their eyes from reading all those books. That meant my eyes had a lifetime guarantee.

Nicole spoke up. "I don't see anything wrong with Stanley being in the Gypsy Club. It's hard to be new and make friends."

Without saying a word, Stanley glanced around the playground. I guess he was the silent type. The smart, silent type, who had replaced me as Michael's best friend.

Everyone scowled at me. My face burned. I knew when I was outnumbered. Sometimes even a captain has to listen to her soldiers. I saluted him. "Welcome to the Gypsy Club, Stanley!"

All of a sudden, Stanley opened his mouth real wide and shouted, "Get off the bus!"

Then he started to talk very fast. "I mean thanks. You're really not going to regret this. I've never been a member of a club before, but I think I'll be good at it. I once was in the Boy Scouts of America. That's not really a club. The Boy Scouts of America is an organization, but, anyway, I was only a member for a short while. I never earned a badge though. I wanted to earn the knot-tying badge. I really wanted that one bad because my dad is a sailor. I mean, he's an officer, but he sails for a hobby. I go with him sometimes, but I'm not very good at it. Now my brother, Simon--"

The school bell rang. Kids raced by us and went inside the building. I usually dreaded that sound, but now I knew what it meant to be saved by the bell!

Nicole took off for her class while Hailey andI followed the boys. I wasn't sure about this new kid, Stanley. He'd already weaseled his way into the Gypsy Club. Now he was going to be in my class, too. That added up to a lot of Stanley Hampshire. At least he lived in the officer housing instead of the enlisted housing. That way I wouldn't be bumping into him on my street.

As usual Ms. Gordon made a big to-do about Stanley being the new kid. She always made it sound like a new kid was a gift to our class.

"Students," she said, "may I present Stanley Hampshire. He moved here from Norfolk, Virginia. Stanley, would you like to tell us a little about yourself?"

Uh-oh. For a teacher, Ms. Gordon sure had a lot to learn.

Stanley stood like he was running for mayor of Pensacola, Florida. He pushed up his glasses.He cleared his throat. "Well, my name is Stanley Hampshire, but you already know that. I was born in Germany, but I don't remember a thing about it because we moved by the time I was six months old, although my mom said I lived there long enough to develop a taste for Wiener schnitzel. But my dad says that's a fairy tale. Next we moved to Bremerton, Washington, and apparently we could see Mount Rainier from our backyard, but I don't remember that either because we moved before I was three. Then after that--"

Ms. Gordon said, "Okay, Stanley, thank you."

"But I didn't get to tell you about the otherplaces I lived or what my favorite color is or my favorite television show."

Ms. Gordon's right eyelid started twitching. "That's quite all right, Stanley. We need to start our day."

Stanley looked disappointed. "Well, all right, if you say so." He sat down.

Right off, I could see that I was going to have to make a new rule for the Gypsy Club--Gypsy Club members must not be blabbermouths.

At lunch, Michael, Hailey, Nicole, and I learned everything the rest of the class missed.

Stanley had also lived in Groton, Connecticut, and in Hawaii. His favorite color was blue, not the blue of the sky but the blue on his fourth-grade geography textbook. He had two brothers and, according to Stanley, his oldest brother was the smartest human being in theworld. "Simon will probably be president of the United States someday."

Stanley told us his favorite song was "Yankee Doodle." How could my favorite song be the same as his?

"'Yankee Doodle' makes me want to spin," said Stanley.

Hailey was about to take a bite when he said that. She put her sandwich down and asked, "Why?"

Stanley shrugged. "Beats me. I guess the rhythm makes me want to spin."

"'Yankee Doodle' makes me want to march," said Nicole.

"That's because 'Yankee Doodle' is a marching song," I said.

"If you say so," said Stanley. He chomped on his carrot and swallowed quickly. I knew what was coming next. More about Stanley Hampshire.

Right after lunch, Ms. Mitchell came into our classroom. I glanced at the clock. It was one thirty. I had already been to her room. She must miss me. Every morning I go to Ms. Mitchell's room. While the other kids have to read together in our classroom, I get to read alone with Ms. Mitchell. That's because I have dyslexia.

I love Ms. Mitchell's room. It has an orange beanbag chair I sit in while I read. And she stashes stickers in her drawer--zillions of stickers. She lets me pick out a sticker for my notebook every time I read good ... I mean, read well. That means I get a sticker every day because I've improved a lot since I started working with her last year. I grabbed my notebook and went to meet her at the front of the class.

"Hi, Piper," Ms. Mitchell said, smiling.

"Sit down, Piper," Ms. Gordon said.

"But I need to go to Ms. Mitchell's class," I told Ms. Gordon.

"Piper, I'm afraid it's not your turn," Ms. Mitchell said.

"But--"

Ms. Gordon's eye twitched. "Piper, please return to your seat." Then she said, "Stanley Hampshire, please come here and meet Ms. Mitchell."

Stanley stood and we passed each other on my return to my seat.

Ms. Gordon said, "Stanley Hampshire, this is your reading teacher, Ms. Mitchell."

Then Ms. Mitchell--my Ms. Mitchell--held out her hand. "Stanley, I can't wait to get to know you."

Uh-oh.

"Well," Stanley started, "I was born in Germany, which I don't remember a thing about because we moved when I was six months--"

"That's enough, Stanley," Ms. Gordon said. "You'll have plenty of time this year to tell Ms.Mitchell about yourself. For now it's time to read."

"But--"

"Go along now." Even from where I sat, I could see both of Ms. Gordon's eyes twitch.

Excerpted from Piper Reed, Campfire Girl: (Piper Reed No. 4) by Kimberly Willis Holt
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Piper and her family are going camping--nothing could be better. But when Piper finds out that the camping trip is on Halloween, nothing could be worse Still, catching fish, roasting marshmallows, and sleeping in a trailer are right up Piper's alley, even if getting poison ivy is not. Get ready for another terrific adventure starring the ever-spunky, ever-loving Piper Reed.

Book Buttons