In a culture where kids are glued to their cell phones, Christina Hergenrader wanted to introduce a technology-free mountaintop experience. This desire led her to write Last Summer at Eden, a new young adult novel released today by Concordia Publishing House. Eden captures the mountaintop experience of camp, the enchanted world that develops when energetic people build a community around Jesus and a campfire.

Described as “an amusing, romantic, and uplifting YA tale” by Kirkus Reviews, Last Summer at Eden introduces readers to nineteen-year-old Poppi and Camp Eden. Camp Eden is on the verge of being shut down, causing Poppi to spring into action to save the camp for future campers. Poppi knows that kids need camp just as much as she does.

Hergenrader agrees. “Kids need camp!” says Hergenrader. “I hope Last Summer at Eden is a bouncy, fun camp song in the middle of the humdrum of bad-news headlines. May it be the bright campfire spark in the darkness of rude social media comments. Camp and young love and Jesus? YES!”

To order or learn more about Last Summer at Eden, visit cph.org/lastsummerateden. For more information on the author or to request a review copy, please contact Lindsey Martie, Public Relations, by phone at 314-268-1303 or by email at Lindsey.Martie@cph.org.

What People Are Saying about Last Summer at Eden

“Hergenrader nicely captures the friendships, games, problems, and atmosphere of summer camps, Christian ones in particular, such as when counselors groan at the thought of another God’s-eye craft project. Characters give thoughtful consideration to their religious beliefs, and Hergenrader does an especially good job of tracing Poppi’s evolving understanding of God’s will.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“I loved this book! Oftentimes the importance of outdoor ministry is forgotten, but Christina Hergenrader’s characters brought back my own cherished memories, summer loves, and horror stories of campers all getting sick or just two counselors having drama. Beyond a magical camp story, Last Summer at Eden delicately and intentionally empowers young women and affirms the always difficult aspect of trusting in God’s vision. If I could, I would have every young Christian read this, especially if they are considering working at a camp this summer! It’s fun, it’s uplifting, and it’s refreshing! Great read!”

—Allison Westerhoff, program director, Mt. Cross Ministries

“I was hooked from the very beginning when, upon arriving at Camp Eden, Poppi immediately feels, ‘This is home. I am home.’ This is exactly how those of us who have been lucky enough to find that ‘BPOE’ (Best Place on Earth) feel about our special places—no place on Earth we would rather be! (For me it also happens to be a summer camp.)

The writer captures the very essence of a Christian (or any) summer camp experience: the sights, the smells, the traditions, the romance, the music, how lives are changed, along with the problems that are also prevalent.”

—Marilyn Ogden, cottage renter at Norman B. Barr Camp in Lake Geneva

“Any camper knows that life at a summer camp has plenty of ups and downs. S’mores and stings, campfires and chaos—it’s all there! Christina Hergenrader captures the smiles, songs, and smelly socks of outdoor life in her teen book Last Summer at Eden. So pack up your sleeping bag, tennis shoes, and bug spray for a fun reading escape.”

—Lisa M. Clark, author of The Messengers series

“Last Summer at Eden by Christina Hergenrader is a beautifully executed book about love, motivation, and a young girl’s relationship with Jesus Christ. This remarkable story is about a nineteen-year-old girl named Poppi who recently moved from her home state of Minnesota to sunny California to work as Camp Eden’s summer camp director. While working at Camp Eden, she quickly learns about the devastations that are to come to the enchanting camp. Not only does Poppi wrestle with saving Camp Eden, but she also immediately develops a major crush for camp worker Jake who, to her, seems to be unmotivated in doing the right thing. This story brings you through a vivid journey of hard work, struggle, and fighting for what is right, all while encompassing God’s true love.

This book will surely remind you of your days back in summer camp, the strength in fighting for what is right, and God’s plan. Last Summer at Eden will definitely reside in your heart and teach you to love God in eccentric ways.”

—Brooke Goss, teen and avid YA reader

“Wonderful. Simply wonderful. There are so many wonderful, amazing truths in this book that I think every teen girl should read. I found myself in several parts wishing my teenage self would have had that advice, and reading things that my adult self still appreciated and needed to hear. I also love how the Christian messages are presented. You get to see the love of God shown through Poppi’s life and the people around her, which I think has an especially meaningful impact. I can’t wait to read what Tina writes next!”

—Hannah Davis, middle-school teacher

“Get ready to be whisked away to camp. You can almost smell the campfire, swat the mosquitoes, and taste the s’mores (with peanut butter cups, of course) as you are taken back to relive your memories of camp or make new ones with Poppi, Jake, and the whole crew. This book will leave you with a smile on your face, a tear in your eye, and hope in your heart.”

—Jamie Truwe, artist and owner of Pure Joy Creative, photographer, wife, and mother

About the Author

Christina Hergenrader is an author, speaker, blogger, and retreat leader. She was named teacher of the year for Houston-area Lutheran schools. She and her husband, Mike, are the parents of four children.

In a culture where kids are glued to their cell phones, Christina Hergenrader wanted to introduce a technology-free mountaintop experience. This desire led her to write Last Summer at Eden, a new young adult novel released today by Concordia Publishing House. Eden captures the mountaintop experience of camp, the enchanted world that develops when energetic people build a community around Jesus and a campfire.

Described as “an amusing, romantic, and uplifting YA tale” by Kirkus Reviews, Last Summer at Eden introduces readers to nineteen-year-old Poppi and Camp Eden. Camp Eden is on the verge of being shut down, causing Poppi to spring into action to save the camp for future campers. Poppi knows that kids need camp just as much as she does.

Hergenrader agrees. “Kids need camp!” says Hergenrader. “I hope Last Summer at Eden is a bouncy, fun camp song in the middle of the humdrum of bad-news headlines. May it be the bright campfire spark in the darkness of rude social media comments. Camp and young love and Jesus? YES!”

To order or learn more about Last Summer at Eden, visit cph.org/lastsummerateden. For more information on the author or to request a review copy, please contact Lindsey Martie, Public Relations, by phone at 314-268-1303 or by email at Lindsey.Martie@cph.org.

What People Are Saying about Last Summer at Eden

“Hergenrader nicely captures the friendships, games, problems, and atmosphere of summer camps, Christian ones in particular, such as when counselors groan at the thought of another God’s-eye craft project. Characters give thoughtful consideration to their religious beliefs, and Hergenrader does an especially good job of tracing Poppi’s evolving understanding of God’s will.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“I loved this book! Oftentimes the importance of outdoor ministry is forgotten, but Christina Hergenrader’s characters brought back my own cherished memories, summer loves, and horror stories of campers all getting sick or just two counselors having drama. Beyond a magical camp story, Last Summer at Eden delicately and intentionally empowers young women and affirms the always difficult aspect of trusting in God’s vision. If I could, I would have every young Christian read this, especially if they are considering working at a camp this summer! It’s fun, it’s uplifting, and it’s refreshing! Great read!”

—Allison Westerhoff, program director, Mt. Cross Ministries

“I was hooked from the very beginning when, upon arriving at Camp Eden, Poppi immediately feels, ‘This is home. I am home.’ This is exactly how those of us who have been lucky enough to find that ‘BPOE’ (Best Place on Earth) feel about our special places—no place on Earth we would rather be! (For me it also happens to be a summer camp.)

The writer captures the very essence of a Christian (or any) summer camp experience: the sights, the smells, the traditions, the romance, the music, how lives are changed, along with the problems that are also prevalent.”

—Marilyn Ogden, cottage renter at Norman B. Barr Camp in Lake Geneva

“Any camper knows that life at a summer camp has plenty of ups and downs. S’mores and stings, campfires and chaos—it’s all there! Christina Hergenrader captures the smiles, songs, and smelly socks of outdoor life in her teen book Last Summer at Eden. So pack up your sleeping bag, tennis shoes, and bug spray for a fun reading escape.”

—Lisa M. Clark, author of The Messengers series

“Last Summer at Eden by Christina Hergenrader is a beautifully executed book about love, motivation, and a young girl’s relationship with Jesus Christ. This remarkable story is about a nineteen-year-old girl named Poppi who recently moved from her home state of Minnesota to sunny California to work as Camp Eden’s summer camp director. While working at Camp Eden, she quickly learns about the devastations that are to come to the enchanting camp. Not only does Poppi wrestle with saving Camp Eden, but she also immediately develops a major crush for camp worker Jake who, to her, seems to be unmotivated in doing the right thing. This story brings you through a vivid journey of hard work, struggle, and fighting for what is right, all while encompassing God’s true love.

This book will surely remind you of your days back in summer camp, the strength in fighting for what is right, and God’s plan. Last Summer at Eden will definitely reside in your heart and teach you to love God in eccentric ways.”

—Brooke Goss, teen and avid YA reader

“Wonderful. Simply wonderful. There are so many wonderful, amazing truths in this book that I think every teen girl should read. I found myself in several parts wishing my teenage self would have had that advice, and reading things that my adult self still appreciated and needed to hear. I also love how the Christian messages are presented. You get to see the love of God shown through Poppi’s life and the people around her, which I think has an especially meaningful impact. I can’t wait to read what Tina writes next!”

—Hannah Davis, middle-school teacher

“Get ready to be whisked away to camp. You can almost smell the campfire, swat the mosquitoes, and taste the s’mores (with peanut butter cups, of course) as you are taken back to relive your memories of camp or make new ones with Poppi, Jake, and the whole crew. This book will leave you with a smile on your face, a tear in your eye, and hope in your heart.”

—Jamie Truwe, artist and owner of Pure Joy Creative, photographer, wife, and mother

About the Author

Christina Hergenrader is an author, speaker, blogger, and retreat leader. She was named teacher of the year for Houston-area Lutheran schools. She and her husband, Mike, are the parents of four children.