Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp, by James and Crystal Bass, is a sun-drenched, laughter-laced ride through summer camp. It follows six lively kids—Annabelle, Ariel, Zion, Bo, and twins Big Jay and Little Jay—on their hilariously mischievous, often heartwarming journey of faith, friendship, and epic pranks. Through silly escapades like fart-sounding balloons in Bible class and googly eyes on school supplies, they explore what it means to grow, learn, and bond in ways that go beyond marshmallow roasts and canoe races.

I loved how genuine this story felt. The kids aren’t perfect. They make a mess, push boundaries, and pull off pranks that would give any camp counselor pause. But they’re never cruel. Their balloon prank during Pastor Coleman’s Bible lesson had me laughing. But even better was how the adults handled it—with humor, a touch of wisdom, and a good-natured lecture that turned the chaos into a lesson about kindness. That balance—fun without meanness, correction without scolding—made this more than just a goofy camp story. It felt real. Like a place I wish I’d gone to as a kid.

Then there was the moment Micah the Menace arrived. A toddler armed with the appetite of a vacuum and the tantrum power of a hurricane? Genius. But it wasn’t just for laughs. The counselors flipped the script on the pranksters. Watching the kids learn humility through a pint-sized storm named Micah was both hilarious and surprisingly touching.

As the story moved into the later chapters, especially “The Apology and Making Amends” and “A New Kind of Fun,” it honestly got me a little misty-eyed. The kids’ decision to write apology letters and then organize a camp-wide talent show? That hit home for me. It reminded me of how we grow up in spurts—first we laugh, then we reflect. That campfire scene, with everyone clapping and singing, wrapped the whole thing up in the best way possible—warm, sincere, and full of love.

If you’re a parent, a youth group leader, or anyone looking for a story that teaches lessons without preaching, Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp is a treasure. It’s especially perfect for middle-grade readers who want humor with heart. Think Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets Sunday school. This book made me laugh, smile, and think, and I’d happily recommend it to anyone who believes that joy, mischief, and growth can all live in the same chapter.

Pages: 58 | ISBN : 978-1963737837