Cartboy Goes to Camp (19 page)

When we got to the entrance of the dining hall, Cora came running over.

I took the arrowhead out of my pocket and put it in her hand. “Congratulations on winning Pioneer Day,” I said.

“Thanks—”

“I mean, you know. Even though your beading design was pretty inferior. To mine. Next time, you might want to try a corn dog. Or Cracker Jacks…”

She gave me a little punch in the arm. Which was too bad. Because when it comes to punches and Cora, you're in for a bruise the size of Kentucky.

Cora grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. “Let's go see the dining hall. We just finished decorating,” she said.

We walked inside the building, and at first, I wasn't sure we were in the right place. It was nothing like the dining room where we had spent the last two weeks.

Everywhere I looked were arrowheads and artifacts and carvings. There were paintings of Powhatan men and women that looked so real, it felt like they were right there, in the room. The walls and tables were covered with pottery and jewelry. All the things Mr. Prentice's campers had found and made over the years.

One corner of the room was filled with stuff our camp made during the past two weeks. I didn't think all our pioneer activities had added up to much. But I was wrong.

Together our camp had constructed the entire roof of a cabin. Dug two whole canoes. And beaded enough leather to make a “quilt” on the wall.

We also shot a grand total of eighty-seven animal targets. Enough to feed the entire Jamestown settlement. If the animals were real. And not made of paper. Which I hear is not very good to eat.

I didn't want to admit it, but when I saw that history stuff all over the room, my knees went a little soft. It was like we had walked into the 1600s. And it was kind of cool to be there.

I took a look around and realized there were only a few hours left of camp. Soon, I'd be back on the bus to Stowfield. Back to middle school. Back to life with my parents, my sisters, and probably, an old-lady cart full of books.

Yep. Just a few hours left to enjoy all that Camp Jamestown had to offer.

At the far end of the dining hall, Theo was standing at a turntable, wearing his grandfather's feathered cap. He put on a record, and music filled the entire room.

Well, I thought to myself, there's only one thing to do now.

Dance.

 

Acknowledgments

Many people helped in the creation of this book, and I would like to thank five in particular.

My editor, Susan Chang, who brilliantly and patiently helped craft this story.

Laura Dail, my agent, whose astute observations and general good cheer always steer the course.

And my family—Ian, Beau, and Charlie. I couldn't have done this book without your support and love, not to mention the joke contributions.

I'd also like to thank my friends and extended family for your generous efforts in spreading the word—from Australia and New Zealand to Europe and the United States. You've brought Cartboy into many homes, and I am so grateful to you for that! Much love and thanks.

 

Also by L. A. Campbell

Cartboy and the Time Capsule

 

About the Author

L. A. Campbell
is the author of
Cartboy and the Time Capsule
. She grew up in Park Ridge, New Jersey, and attended the University of Colorado. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

CARTBOY GOES TO CAMP

Copyright © 2014 by L. A. Campbell

All rights reserved.

Cover art: Cartboy by Matthew K. Maley; doodles by L. A. Campbell; photographs by Getty Images

A Starscape Book

Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

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The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

ISBN 978-0-7653-3327-8 (paper over board)

ISBN 978-1-4668-0202-5 (e-book)

e-ISBN 9781466802025

First Edition: June 2014