Be Prepared

Vera feels out of place as a Russian-American girl in suburban Connecticut, where she struggles to fit in with her wealthier classmates. When she learns about a Russian summer camp, she convinces her mother to let her attend, hoping to finally find a sense of belonging. The summer camp experience presents unexpected challenges as Vera navigates strict counselors, unusual traditions, and fellow campers who speak better Russian than she does. Her artistic talent becomes both a source of comfort and a way to document her experiences at camp. This graphic memoir captures the universal experiences of trying to find one's place while straddling two cultures. Through expressive illustrations in a green and white palette, Brosgol transforms her childhood memories into a story about identity, friendship, and the complex nature of belonging.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of an outsider trying to fit in at summer camp. The art style and color palette receive frequent mention in reviews for effectively conveying both humor and emotional moments. Liked: - Relatable experiences of social anxiety and friendship struggles - Balance of funny and touching moments - Russian-American cultural elements - Character growth feels earned - Accessible for middle-grade readers while appealing to adults Disliked: - Some found the protagonist difficult to sympathize with initially - A few reviewers felt the ending wrapped up too quickly - Minor concerns about depiction of mean girl characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (18,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (450+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Notable reader comments: "Captures the awkwardness of being 9-12 perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer "The green monochrome artwork is gorgeous" - Amazon reviewer "Honest about the struggles of fitting in without being heavy-handed" - School Library Journal reader review

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🏕️ Author Vera Brosgol based this graphic memoir on her own childhood experiences at Russian summer camp in upstate New York as a nine-year-old immigrant trying to fit in. 📚 The book's distinctive green-tinted artwork was inspired by old-fashioned Boy Scout manuals and camping guides. 🎨 Brosgol is also an acclaimed animator who worked on films like "Coraline" and "ParaNorman" at LAIKA animation studios. 🏆 Be Prepared won the 2019 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12) and was selected as a Kirkus Best Book of 2018. 🌲 The Russian summer camp depicted in the book, ОПРУ (OPRU), was a real organization that operated camps for Russian-American children to help them maintain connections to their culture and heritage.