Jahn, Amalie. Team Canteen: Rocky Road. Chelsea, MI: Holiday House, 2024

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Summary

A hot pink boa that might be magic bonds 4 unlikely friends from summer camp and gives them the courage to face down the challenges they face back home.

This sassy, diverse series debut for tweens is perfect for fans of XO, Kitty, The Baby-Sitters Club, and Julie and the Phantoms.

On the final night of summer camp, Tasha, Raelynn, Claire, and Billie get busted stuffing themselves with ice cream in the mess hall’s walk-in freezer. But when they slip away without being punished, they’re convinced the pink feather boa Billie put on to stay warm is magic.

Back at home, each member of Team Canteen tests the boa’s powers as they face their own challenges. When her little cousin moves in with her destructive dog, Tasha struggles to find her place inside her adoptive family. Claire’s scared the kids at school will find out how hard life’s gotten since her dad lost his job. Raelynn longs to be someone other than her sister’s twin. And with a hockey-obsessed family charting his every move, Billie’s worried he’ll never be able share his dream of becoming a figure skater.

It’s going to be a rocky road from the start of the school year back to Camp Happy Hollow. Will the boa continue to protect Team Canteen, or will their friendship end up being the most magical find of all?

Alternating among the friends, Rocky Road is a smart, soaring celebration of the highs and lows of middle school, and the unbreakable friendships that see you through, no matter what comes next.

My MS Review

Amalie Jahn seems to know and understand teens and the issues they face. Team Canteen looks at sibling rivalry, issues with parents, financial worries, and more. Raelynn is tired of being a twin – her twin is so different from her. Tasha is struggling to fit in her adoptive home when a blood relative moves in. Billy lives in a family that is obsessed with hockey – a sport he doesn’t care about. Claire is insecure since her father lost his job and finances became tight. The four met at summer camp and the book covers the long distance the four experience. Readers will see some growth in the characters as the story progresses. The story is well-written and engaging. 

Unfortunately, the book is not for all audiences. One of the characters was adopted by two dads.

I cannot recommend Team Canteen for K-12 Christian school libraries.

I received a complimentary copy of Team Canteen. This is my honest review.

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