Horn Book Review
Hal Rifkind, called Cartboy, is excited by the idea of going away to real summer sleep-away camp. Unfortunately, his Revolutionary War re-enactor father has a special camp in mind for his firstborn: Camp Jamestown, where Hal's father spent his idyllic youth winning various Pioneer Day contests. Considering that Hal's idea of summer vacation is sleeping until noon, eating doughnuts, and playing RavenCave, it's hard to imagine a less welcome idea. Hal's fans will enjoy his cynical commentary, his humorous black-and-white sketches and timelines, and the photos sprinkled throughout the text. Long, hilariously pitiful descriptions of horrible food and stinky cabin life (complete with the obligatory flatulent and constipated bunkmate) make this one that will be passed between friends and quoted from, perhaps through tears of laughter. History nerds with a sense of humor will find the details about life in Jamestown (through Hal's snarky eyes) both entertaining and interesting. Some might even figure out which facts are true and which are Hal's inventions. The overall framework -- Hal is writing to a being from the future -- is unnecessary to keep the story going; it refers to the first book in the series (Cartboy and the Time Capsule, rev. 7/13), which does not need to be read to understand this one. No matter, readers will look forward to the further misadventures of Cartboy. robin l. smith (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Can Hal survive Camp Jamestown or will he becometh history?Having completed sixth grade, Hal Rifkind was happy to put Mr. Tupkin's time-capsule journal project behind him, but now he starts a new journal addressed to some future person (or alien) as a form of solace when his history-obsessed father sends him to Camp Jamestown, where it's always 1607. Camp owner Mr. Prentice is nice enough, but he says "ye" and "thee" instead of "you" and won't stop calling on Hal despite Hal's lack of historical knowledge. Of course Ryan, who tortured Hal last year, is also at the camp. Thankfully, Hal makes new friends, and they have a treasure map of camp that may pay off. Also, skilled pioneer camper Cora seems interested in being friendsmaybe history camp won't be so bad. Without the time-capsule conceit of the previous book, the journal format in Campbell's second Cartboy title falls flat. Doodles, timelines and photos again extend the story, but the clichd appearance of the bully from home, Hal's dad's lack of character growth, and the coincidences and logic leaps that characterize the treasure hunt make this sophomore effort truly sophomoric. Even the ample fart humor can't save it.Fans of the first will probably be disappointed; at best, it's a desperation read-alike for Big Nate or Wimpy Kid. (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Following in the footsteps of Wimpy Kid Greg Heffley, Hal Rifkind starts off this second Cartboy book happy to be done with sixth grade and ready to hone his video-game skills, when he is informed that he is going to a rustic summer camp the very next day. Hal has certainly got down the wimpy part of the equation: he barely objects to the sudden change of plans and even brings the shopping cart that inspired his hated nickname. Fortunately, Campbell has picked up on the rueful humor that animates Jeff Kinney's series. In his journal, Hal offers up amusingly dry observations about camp, which recreates the Jamestown settlement experience: Tug of war is a game you play when the only sports equipment you have is rope. Simple clip art (i.e., a photo of a piece of rope) shows up throughout the book. It's a bit of a stretch that Hal's hulking nemesis from the first book also shows up at a camp seven hours from home, but most of the surprises are of the welcome, and very funny, variety.--Nolan, Abby Copyright 2010 Booklist
