Gone Camping: A Novel in Verse

A "playful, delightfully illustrated verse narrative" (Kirkus) about two siblings who take on the great outdoors with their young-at-heart grandfather. Exuberantly illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Matthew Cordell and filled with a variety of poetic forms, this camping romp is packed with family humor and adventure.

Sam

PROVISIONING 

Tercet Variation

Late night. 

House bright. 

Everybody packs tonight.

Summer:    Here. 

Trip:           Near. 

Mom and Lucy check our gear.

Map out. 

Plan our route. 

Dad named me chief camp scout.

One more 

Final chore. 

Duffel mountain near the door.

Next day. 

No delay. 

Campsite:    We are on our way!

Lucy

PACKING LIST 

List Poem

√     Tent 

√     Poles 

√     Stakes 

√     Hammer 

√     Rope

√     Grill kit 

√     Food 

√     Bucket 

√     Soap

√     Sleeping bags 

√     Canoe 

√     Canteen

√     Lantern 

√     Duffel bags 

√     Sunscreen

√     Fishing gear 

√     First-aid kit

√     Four campers 

√     One car 

√     Tight fit

Sam and Lucy

GOING CAMPING 

Dramatic Poem for Two

Sam

Lucy

We’ll set up camp,

Go hiking,

Catch our bait.

We’ll build a blazing fire,

Stay up late. 

We’ll cool off by the lake.

We’ll barbecue.

We’ll fish with Mom and Dad

In our canoe. 

Tomorrow’s almost here.

Hooray! 

Hooray!

We’re going camping in a day!

"...this is a strong selection for school libraries." 

--Bulletin 

"Just right or young chapter-book readers, here’s an accomplished, upbeat introduction to camping, poetic forms, and verse novels." 

--Booklist 

"An uplifting tale showing what fun may be had when one summons the courage to head into the woods and off the grid." 

--Kirkus