GNW: Brain Camp by Susan Kim & Laurence Klavan [Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks]

Brain Camp is one of the graphic novels I picked up at Teen Book Con earlier this year (and unfortunately one of the only books I bought that I didn't manage to get signed). I had read Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks only a few weeks beforehand and, though this wasn't written by her, I instantly recognized Hicks' superb artistic style and snatched it up.

In Brain Camp, we are introduced to Jenna and Lucas. Jenna's the oddball in her perfect family, not as smart as her sisters and too weird for her parents to understand. Lucas, on the other hand, is something of a thug, hanging out with all the wrong people and going home to a mother who drinks too much and views him as yet another hassle who is more than likely to turn out just like his father. But when a representative of Camp Fielding shows up at their homes, both Jenna and Lucas are sent off to a summer camp where they make kids just like them become everything their parents always dreamed they would be.

It isn't long before the two teens discover that there is something very sinister going on at Camp Fielding. Only they seem to have the strength to stop the threat before it overcomes the entire camp, but only if they can keep it from overwhelming themselves first.

Brain Camp was a fun, gross, terrifying, and exciting adventure geared toward older children and teens, though still a great read for just about anyone who's interested. It pits two underdogs against formidable opponents and a threat they could never have imagined.

The artwork is splendid and the story both believable and captivating. I would definitely lend this one out to anyone who might be interested. It won't disappoint.