Synopses & Reviews
Chapter One
Dear Diary,
Today was one of the best -- and the worst -- days I've had since I came to camp Evergreen. Right now I'm so tired, I don't even know where to begin! I'm lying on my bunk in the Tree Frogs cabin. The lights are all out, and everyone else is asleep. But you know me, Diary. I've got a flashlight under the covers!
Allison is the noisiest one of the bunch -- but only because she sneezes all the time! She's allergic to everything! Claire is a born leader and superbrainy. She's tall, with short brown hair and glasses. Mindy is sort of Claire's opposite. Not as tall, with long, wavy dark hair. She has tons of tie-dyed shirts and is way into astrology. Emily is shy and was homesick at first, but I think Ashley is pulling her out of her shell a little.
Some of the guys are tons of fun to be with, too -- especially Patrick. I think he has a crush on me! Me, Ash, and our Evergreen friends make an awesome team. We've all been working to beat Ravenwood, the enemy camp down the road.
The rivalry between the two camps goes way back, Diary. A long time ago two sisters founded a summer camp. They called it Camp McArdle because that was their last name. But then the sisters had a big fight, and they split the camp into two smaller ones. Each summer since, there have been tons of contests to see which camp is the best. So far we're losing in the official intercamp, competition to Ravenwood.
But there's another challenge -- a secret one that both camps really want to win.It's one of the coolest things about Camp Evergreen!
We heard about it from our counselor, Jill, the first day we were here. She told us that when the McArdle sisters were alive, they had a portrait of themselves painted and they hung it up at their camp. But after the argument, only one camp could have the portrait -- and Camp Evergreen got it. But the next summer the campers from Ravenwood stole it. And then Evergreen stole it back!
Years later it became a tradition for one camp to try to take the portrait from the other. Whoever has it at the end of the summer wins the secret challenge!
Well, guess what? Today we did it. We stole the Founders' Portrait from those creeps over at Ravenwood!
We took it to the Evergreen main lodge, where we eat our meals and we have meetings and stuff.
When we hung it over the fireplace. We figured the Ravenwood kids would try to get the portrait back, so we decided to spend the night in the lodge to guard it.
We were so psyched when we went back to our cabin to get our sleeping bags. That's when the bad part of my day started.
My heart started thumping, Diary. Because deep down I knew Jessie had run away because I yelled at her. I couldn't help it. Jessie had tattled on Ashley and gotten her in big trouble.
Lisa, the counselor in Jessie's cabin, jumped up when she realizedwhat had happened. "I'll go wake Nancy," she said. Nancy is the director of: Camp Evergreen. "You go to bed."
"Jessie," I called. "Where are you?"
Only the wind answered.
Then I heard it -- a rustling sound. I knew it was probably just a raccoon, but I went toward it.
"Jessie!" I cried. "Are you okay? Come out of there."
"No," she said. "I'm staying right here."
"You can't," I said. "Nancy and Lisa are both really worried about you. I've been worried, too."
"So what? They don't like me. You don't like me. No one likes me."
"Oh, Jessie, I like you. I think you're great." I knelt in front of her and took her hands. "And I didn't mean to yell at you."
"Really?" She looked up at me doubtfully.
Synopsis
How can you make your biggest enemy become your best friend?
Dear Diary,
All I wanted was to fit in with the cool kids at camp. How was I supposed to know that one tiny dare would get me into such a big mess?
-- Ashley
Dear Diary,
The Top Three Reasons I Should Not Be Teaching Arts and Crafts to Six-Year-Olds
- They locked me in the supply closet.
- They are way better at arts and crafts than I am.
- They made me eat a worm.
An that was only the first week!
-- Mary-Kate
About the Author
Mary-Kate and Ashley have been celebrities since the day when, at the age of nine months, they joined the cast of the hit sitcom "Full House" in their shared role as Michelle. Each of Mary-Kate and Ashley's 14 years since has witnessed the outstanding expansion of their popularity...their fans have literally grown up alongside the twins! First in television and feature films, Mary-Kate and Ashley now appear in videos, music, interactive software, fashion dolls and accessories, and more. Their latest ventures include launching their official website and debuting a line of licensed fashion clothing, as well as their very own magazine in spring 2001.
Mary-Kate &Ashley books launched in 1990, and today the various book series continue to grow to reflect the ever-evolving lifestyles of kids, 'tweens, and teens. HarperEntertainment and Parachute Publishing release twenty-five books a year and have sold more than 30 million copies. Mary-Kate and Ashley's two book series Two of a Kind and The New Adventures of Mary Kate and Ashleyare frequent USA Todaybestsellers. And Mary-Kate &Ashley novelties, such as Wall Calendars, a Mood Diary, a Be My Valentine card-making kit, and the movie tie-in series, Starring-Incontinue to be hugely popular.
The growth of the Mary-Kate &Ashley brand has afforded Parachute and Harper the opportunity to work with companies such as Acclaim Entertainment, Mattel Inc., Warner Home Video, Kid Rhino, Lightyear Entertainment, Sail with the Stars on cross-promotional and cross-merchandise projects, including a very special, book-dedicated area on mary-kateandashley.com -- Now Read This!