Born at Midnight-C. C. Hunter

Born at Midnight
C. C. Hunter
St. Martin’s Griffin, Mar 29 2011, $9.99
ISBN: 9780312624675

Sixteen-year-old Kylie Galen cannot understand how her perfect teen world could implode this fast as she is exiled for the summer to the Shadow Falls Camp for troubled teens. First her parents suddenly are obtaining a divorce; and second her boyfriend Trey betrayed and dumped her. Finally she must cope with the death of her grandmother while having no one to provide her any comfort.

Complicating matters for the teenager is the troubled other campers who are a ménage of freaks and geeks insisting they are not purebred Homo sapiens, but instead are paranormal species. She thinks the campers are beyond troubled and disturbed to insane though she conceals her ability to see ghosts as she rationalizes that is not the same. However as two freaking hunks (Lucas and Derek make it obvious they want to be her boyfriend, Trey pleads with his ex for a second chance.

Summer in the city is not this camp in isolated Fallen, but resilient Kylie adapts to spending time amidst the Freaks by accepting she is one of them. The question is not whether to freak or not to freak, but instead as the Lovin’ Spoonful sang: “Did you ever have to make up your mind; Pick up on one and leave the other (two) behind.” Young adults will enjoy Kylie’s changing lament while wondering who will be the last camper standing?

Harriet Klausner