Rudy looked back at Dave and then again at the counselor of Cabin 13. Upon his arrival via the Algonkian Island ferry, Rudy is a recognizable type from the Korman canon, the likable smart-aleck who remains impressively Bartleby-like in the face of adult-sanctioned activities, while secretly moving forward with his own agenda.Īfter implying his status as a non-swimmer with the waterfront staff, Rudy distastefully regards the phony enthusiasm of the staff at his assigned cabin: Obviously, this is an adult whose delusions of importance are going to be shattered. “What an excellent description of camp!” he said aloud. They feel that he must be placed in a social atmosphere where he will be exposed to all sorts of people, an atmosphere of hearty physical activity mixed with healthy comradeship. …we are sending him to Algonkian Island on the advice of his school guidance department. The Plot: As the book opens, Camp Director Arthur Warden is preparing for the opening day of the boys’ camp founded by his grandfather, Old Elias Warden, when he receives a concerned letter from the Millers, regarding the upcoming stay of their son, Rudy: Korman had published a half-dozen books by the time he graduated from high school, including three more McDonald Hall books and this one. Rudy Miller hates Camp Algonkian Island so much he’ll do anything to escape….īackground: Canadian writer Gordon Korman retains a cultish appeal among a certain segment of Middle Readers, in part because (as stated in the Scholastic Book Services biographical blurbs) “he wrote his first book, This Can’t Be Happening at McDonald Hall! when he was twelve years old”.

I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman