The Lightning Circle
Illustrations by Laura K. Watson
Published by Tundra Books
Ages 12+
After having her heart broken, seventeen-year-old Nora Nichols decides to escape and takes a summer job as an arts and crafts counsellor at an all girls' camp in the mountains of West Virginia. There, she meets girls and women from all walks of life with their own heartaches and triumphs and learns how to heal and be healed. Told in a series of free verse poems accompanied by spot art, The Lightning Circle chronicles the beauty, magic, and transformative power of summer camp.
From Vikki:
“My own camp experience, which The Lightning Circle is based on, was an incredible time of self discovery for me. A summer at camp feels like a series of small but pivotal moments, something I think is captured best in poetry. I’ve always wanted to write about camp but struggled to capture the intimacy, beauty and magic of my experience until I decided to write in verse. .
The Lightning Circle is about sisterhood, friendship, self-discovery, lake swims, trail rides, and fresh starts. It’s for anyone who has been heartbroken, made a wish on a full moon, or scream-sang around a campfire- the poets, the romantics, the introverts, the optimists, the horse girls, the Folklore girlies, theatre kids, and of course, my fellow camp counsellors. You can take the girl out of camp but you can’t take camp out of the girl.”
Praise for The Lightning Circle
Amy Mathers Teen Book Award Finalist 2025
A Quill & Quire Best Young Readers’ Book of the Year, 2024
Kirkus Best Young Adult Books of the Year 2024
“This journal-like free-verse novel expertly conjures the essence of the summer camp experience while exploring self-identity and highlighting the importance of friendships.” Shelf Awareness STARRED review
“A richly imagined and deeply felt story that speaks to the power of female friendship, the gift of reinvention, and the perspective-shifting joy of being outdoors.” Quill & Quire STARRED review
“[A] delightful coming-of-age story that is easily relatable for even those who have never been to camp or had their hearts broken…Hand this novel to fans of David Levithan and Elizabeth Acevedo.” School Library Journal
“The text nicely captures experiences that will resonate with readers familiar with sleepaway camp and is beautifully illustrated with portraits of characters and glimpses of scenes from Nora’s days.” Booklist
“A portrait of a classic mid-aughts summer camp in this slice-of-life verse novel…Sparse, exacting verse pairs well with Watson’s soft, sketchy line drawings in charcoal gray and sage green, which render the natural world, tidbits of camp life, and characters.” Publisher’s Weekly
“The intimacy of poetry provides a clear window into Nora’s sometimes painful but ultimately satisfying journey to self-discovery.” CM Magazine
