How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer Paperback – Picture Book, June 7, 2016

Packed with humor and heart, I loved this book. Chloe's voice is authentic to her age, and she's relatable to middle grade kids. Chloe is willing to work hard for what she wants (a new bike), resourceful, witty, and sensitive. From an unpredictable goat (named King Arthur), to bugs, a crush, a bully, and new friends, Chloe faces every summer camp challenge head on, while staying true to herself throughout. Her summer camp experiences brought me right back to my own childhood summers at sleepaway camp. I especially enjoyed the friendship between Chloe and Pogo, as well as the drama taking place inside the bunk. The author clearly understands the dynamics of how girls function when they all live together. Souders's writing style is easy-to-read and smooth with many laugh-out-loud moments, making this book a great choice for both reluctant readers and avid readers.

Taryn Souders created likable characters (mostly) and gave them challenging experiences with a variety of hilarious events. As the kids at camp deal with bullies, an unruly goat, disappointments, and dangerous storms, they learn to forgive and overcome their challenges. This was a delightful book and I look forward to reading more books by Taryn Souders.

My daughter loved the book. She said was an exciting book.

This was a good, entertaining story for my 8th grader. He choose this as his summer reading for school and said he found it intriguing.

"How to (Almost) Ruin your Summer" by Taryn Souders is a hysterical and funny for all ages. I had a hard time putting it down. Mrs. Souders is a very vivid writer, as she draws you into the characters and story. I enjoyed all of the adventures of Chloe and her friends. They had their ups and downs like friends sometimes have but at the end they all helped each other. This book teaches about kindness, friendship and teamwork. It also brought back memories from my childhood writing letters and using PS, PPS and PPPS. I highly recommend this be one of your summer reads. Don't miss out on Camp Minnehaha's adventures! Georgia

My son (9 years old) will be venturing off to sleep away camp this summer for the first time and we were looking for a fun book to read about all the possible adventures. This book was a hoot and and he is even more excited to go...he is also hoping there is goat to care for. Easy read. Lots of laughs. Teachable moments.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because both the plot and characters drew me in from the beginning. While mostly lighthearted and humorous, the story consistently moved forward to an intriguing climax with a satisfying conclusion.

Written by my daughter:I really liked the book and I told my mom that I want Taryn Souders to make a new book called How to NOT ruin your summer. Also I love the very end when Chloe then tells the reader that her and Victoria don't hate each other but they're not friends either. The book says that King Arthur drove Chloe crazy but at the very end she did the right thing and saved King Arthur.