The Girls of Firefly Cabin

by Cynthia Ellingsen

[Sam@WLABB]

Summer camp! A magical place, where one can frolic and enjoy nature, while sipping bug juice and applying ample amounts of sunscreen and insect repellant. It is also a place, where fast, and sometimes, lasting friendships form. Such was the case for Archer, Isla, Jade, and Lauren.

The main reason I wanted to read this book was because of strong female friendship, and indeed, I definitely got that. However, I wasn't so sure these four were going to gel, because they came from such different backgrounds, and each was also grappling with some sort of emotional baggage. But, as each young woman began to reveal more of herself, and place more trust in the others, their friendship grew and flourished.

I liked the diversity in the issues that each girl was facing. Lauren was the scholarship girl, and also an orphan living in a group home. Isla was a wealthy Manhattanite, who felt inferior in her family of overachievers and also struggled with her overprotective parents' rules. Archer came across as angry at the world with her rebellious hair and clothing, but suffered from isolation from her peers, as well as her mean-girl sister. Jade was weighed down by guilt and grief after suffering a great loss, and was reluctant to allow any happiness into her life.

Yes, the author touched upon many issues, but I never felt overwhelmed by them because they were spread out over four different people, and they were interspersed with so much fun and joy. It was quite satisfying to see each young woman work through her issues, and it warmed my heart the way they supported each other as they figured things out.

Jade's storyline made me cry - every time, but it was Lauren, who touched me the most. She sort of had the least out of all the girls, but she was super optimistic, and found so much delight in all the little things that we often take for granted. I wanted this to be the best summer of her life, and I had NO problem, whatsoever, with the ending Ellingsen gave her. It was sweet and precious, just like Lauren, and it was ok that it wasn't super realistic, because it warmed my heart and brought some serious happy tears to my eyes. As far as Archer was concerned, I wasn't a super fan of her storyline, though I was very, very pleased with the resolution.

I would say, I liked all four Fireflies, and I wanted them to find their way, make good choices, and have an incredible summer. And, it seemed like these four were really making the most of their time at camp, though, I felt they read a little older than 11-years old at times. Maybe it's me, since I haven't been 11 in quite some time, and my daughter is now 24, but they seemed upper middle school to me.

Overall: This was a lovely tale of friendship in a fantastic camp setting, which only added to the warmth and fun of this story.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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