Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This was an amazing middle grade graphic novel about two musicians who meet at a summer orchestra camp and become friends. Together, they learn how to become better musicians and how to express themselves. This is a sweet story about growing up and becoming who you are meant to be and finding people who will support you and love you for who you are.

Tate is inspired to become a violist after hearing an amazing musician play in a way that spoke to his soul. After a year, he doesn't feel like he is improving but heads to Camp Prodigy with hopes of gaining the skills he is missing. Once at camp Tate meets Eli, the violist he heard the year before. When campers introduce themselves and are offered the chance to share their pronouns, Tate doesn't feel super comfortable with the "he/him" pronouns he offers up but is not confident enough to share what he has been thinking- that "they/them" is a better fit. Eli, who is also non-binary, becomes a bit of a mentor for Tate- helping them get better and gain confidence as a violist. Tate, in turn, helps Eli see that playing can be fun again and that perfection doesn't have to be their goal.

This was a great story that has a focus on multiple aspects of life for kids this age- identity, confidence, anxiety, pressure, and so on!

This was a very cute and heartfelt book. I appreciate the anxiety rep so much. And the non binary rep was great too. All the characters were fun as well. Loved it

This was such a cute graphic novel! I loved that it had non-binary representation which is so important in middle grade stories. From start to finish I had warm little butterflies in my stomach! It was a cozy read and will be perfect for a lazy summer day read!

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s summer camp time but for musicians of all sorts. When Tate meets Eli (his inspiration for taking the violin), their immediate love for music is what bonds them at first. Through fun hijinks, constant drama, and learning to be their best, these two try to make the most of music camp. Yet, with the pressure of being a soloist and finally coming out as nonbinary (for Tate), things begin to crack. Can Tate and Eli save the day on the most important event: the final concert for friends and family?
This was such a heartfelt story I almost cried. Tate and Eli are remarkable in their learning of each other as friends and being open with everyone else. With a bit of drama here and there, the music continues. For fans of music-themed stories, this graphic novel pulls the strings while making beautiful music. A triumphant!

Caroline Palmer’s <i>Camp Prodigy</i> is a story that encompasses learning who you are with finding and expressing your needs. At its core, this is a book that’s going to speak to a lot of young queer children as they learn what their identity is, what boundaries they have, the needs in their life, and how they will communicate all of that. For this, I think this book is enormously important and will be helpful to a great many young readers. With that in mind, I can definitely see myself recommending it to any student who would benefit from a story like this.

All of that said, however, I did find that the story was very slow moving and a little boring. Ultimately, this is a very subjective feeling. I have every confidence that <i>Camp Prodigy</i> will speak to a large number of kiddos out there and is a great recommendation for the ones who are in need of the emotional support a story like this will bring. Anyone who can connect really well with the themes I mentioned above will likely deeply appreciate the book. While I appreciate it for those themes, I was much less interested in everything centered around the musical camp and for that reason, this may be a book more suited toward those who are interested in instruments and music on a more technical level.

The artwork was beautiful and very engaging throughout.

Camp Prodigy follows our main character, Tate, who is inspired to play viola by Eli, who they accidentally hear playing one day. These two end up at the same music camp together and become friends. This graphic novel was such a wonderful journey through their relationships with music, themselves, the friends around them, and their family dynamics. I really enjoyed this and look forward to more from this author! Wonderful nonbinary representation!

I loved the setting of this book with middle grade kids figuring out who they are at a music camp. The artwork was exceptional, especially the scenes with music playing.

The LGBTQIA+ representation was incredibly well done and positive. The characters' voices and personification was strong, and it was clear that they were each well-written and developed. Overall, I think this would be an amazingly positive book to give to middle grade kiddos.

This was a great book! The illustrations and characters were amazing. It really captures the experience of being in orchestra very well. I knew the author played because of the reference to eating a banana to calm your nerves (I remember doing that before auditions growing up). Perfect for any reader who loves music.

Camp Prodigy has everything I love about middle grade graphic novels. Really sharp and fun art, diverse characters, real issues, and friendship. I loved this story! Tate's parents send him to music camp for viola in hopes it helps Tate become a fine young man. Problem is Tate isn't very good as violin - and they secretly don't identify as a boy. Luckily Tate meets Eli, a viola prodigy who is also non-binary, and the two become fast friends. Eli is struggling to play viola well due to immense pressure to perform at a professional level, but they agree to help Tate develop their skills. Together the two help each other realize vital lessons about confidence, finding what makes you happy, and living your truth proudly. While there are serious lessons in this book this is also a really fun camp story with quirky side characters and shenanigans. I love the kids in this story and how they support each other. This will be loved by any Raina Telgemeier or Kayla Miller fans.

My kid is a violinist, so I was really excited to pick up this music camp graphic novel. I loved that the MCs are violists! Dynamic art, compelling conflict and character growth, and a cast you'll really enjoy rooting for. I'll definitely be picking this up for my elementary school library! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

"Camp Prodigy" by Caroline Palmer is a heartwarming and relatable middle-grade graphic novel that beautifully captures the journey of two nonbinary kids navigating anxiety, identity, and the pursuit of their musical dreams at summer orchestra camp.

Palmer skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery, friendship, and resilience, creating a story that is both poignant and uplifting. Through the characters of Tate and Eli, readers are invited to explore the complexities of coming to terms with one's identity and finding the courage to pursue one's passions despite self-doubt and societal expectations.

The graphic novel format adds depth and visual appeal to the narrative, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the world of Camp Prodigy and the emotions of its characters. Palmer's vibrant illustrations complement the story perfectly, capturing the energy and emotion of each scene with precision and charm.

What truly sets "Camp Prodigy" apart is its authentic portrayal of anxiety and performance pressure, as well as its celebration of nonbinary identity. Tate and Eli's struggles feel real and relatable, making their triumphs all the more satisfying.

Overall, "Camp Prodigy" is a triumph of storytelling that will resonate with readers of all ages. It serves as a reminder that with determination, support, and a little bit of courage, anything is possible. Fans of Victoria Jamieson and Raina Telgemeier are sure to fall in love with this heartfelt tale of friendship, identity, and the power of music.

This was so beyond cute and absolutely a delight to read. The illustrations had me laughing at loud because of character expressions, the dialogue was well written and the story was very touching. Truly a great graphic novel!

LGBT propaganda, children really do not need to be hearing about stuff like that. I really don't like this book.

This is a great book for older kids and teens, it covers a wide variety of subjects but the biggest one is the stress and anxiety that comes with accepting yourself and telling others about yourself when it is different then what they are used to. It also covers anxiety when you are doing something and starts to get competitive in whatever you are doing. In this story it focuses on a Nonbinary child who wants to get better at playing the viola and the pressure they put themselves under. We get to see their journey as they start to open up and allow others to be there for them. The art in this story is also very well done as well. I over all enjoyed this story.

A charming and sweet graphic novel that will appeal especially to musical and/or queer teens, but is relatable for all readers who are figuring out who they are (or who remember the pain and joy of when they were trying to figure out who they are). The topic of being nonbinary is handled with care, and is present enough in the story to feel meaningful but doesn't become the entire point of the story. (That would be fine if it were the sole purpose of the book, but it's clearly not - this is first and foremost a book about the main character and all the elements of who they are, including their love for music. Being nonbinary is just one of their many facets.)
The story gets a little deep into some specific elements of music camp, like "chairs" and which numbered "chair" you are in, and for those of us who have never been to music camp (ahem - sadly, me) this can get confusing. But not understanding those specific details doesn't detract from the larger story and the big heart that it brings to all the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for review.

This graphic novel is, at its core, a story of middle school growing pains. At orchestra summer camp, Tate is navigating new friendships, pressures to be the best, and owning their nonbinary identity. Everyone can relate to the strains of balancing school, your passions, and the awkwardness of figuring out who you want to be. Prodigy gives readers permission to enjoy life on your own terms. This story features a diverse cast of characters and LGBTQIA+ representation. I enjoyed how bright and expressive the artwork is.

This story was great in two aspects. First, it is a story about learning to be confident in your abilities and who you are. Tate and Eli take this journey together, though from different starting points originally, and grow as both musicians and individuals. I feel like that would have a wide-ranging appeal (and I so wish there was a way to hear the music off the pages!)

Second, this story would be one I would grab to offer to someone interesting in learning about the nonbinary identity, or who may be questioning the identity for themselves. I think that person would get even more enjoyment from this story, and while that is not the main plot of the story, it is an important aspect of the characters (particularly Tate) learning to be more confident in themselves overall.

This is so adorable and gave me all the warm hug feelings! I love the friendships Tate and Eli develop with each other as well as other campers. I adored Eli framing coming out as a gift you’re offering to others, and if they don’t accept it/you, that’s on them and not you. The art is super cute and I just really loved this story. So cute and warm!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

This was such a cute graphic novel. I loved it. The art was amazing and one of my favorite styles so far. All these summer camp middle grade graphic novels are so fun and I’m adoring them all.

Eli and Tate were awesome and the friendships with everyone was so refreshing. I also love to see books where everyone is accepting. Tate coming out to their friends & parents about being nonbinary was inspiring. Also the lessons about being under pressure and enjoying what you love instead of trying to be the best and hating it. People of all ages can learn from that lesson. This was great and I’m looking forward more from this artist!!