The Trap by Sarah Wray

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Faber and Faber, 2008.
(Age 11+) Luke is amazed to find that he has been accepted to go to a camp in New York State for high achievers. The camp is designed to give nerdy kids some outdoor activities and work in social situations, things which some of them miss. But from the start, Luke has trepidation about the place. One of his room mates, Mark, is a bully, his friend, Matt, seems nervous, and he is surprised to find Natalie, a girl he knew at primary school, at the camp. On the first day, Luke finds a coded note in his cabin and when they work out what it means, they are excited as to what it will lead them to. Each day builds tension and fear amongst the campers, and this is increased when they hear the tale of three campers who disappeared from one of the camps in the past.

A horror story which will have broad appeal to middle school kids, this tale has some very creepy moments, made even more so by the strange counselor Luke has in his cabin.
Fran Knight

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