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Camo Girl
Set in a suburb of Las Vegas, Ella and Zachary, called Z, have been friends forever, but Z has always been “the weird kid” in their class. He collects stubby pencils, plays chess, and maintains an elaborate –and public– fantasy life, starring himself as a brave knight. Z’s games were okay back in 3rd or 4th grade, but by now their other friends have ditched them both. Z doesn’t care, but Ella longs to be part of a group of friends, even though most of the class makes fun of her. Ella’s mother is black and her father (now deceased) was white, and she’s the only black girl in their sixth grade class. When a new boy, Bailey, moves to town, he befriends Ella, because they are now the only two black kids in class. But Bailey is popular – popular enough to make Ella cool and give her a wider circle of friends – but only if she stops hanging out with Z. Ella’s faced with a difficult decision – remain loyal to the boy who has been her best and only friend for years, or pass up the opportunity to be one of the popular kids that she has always longed to be.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2011
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October 29, 2020
The line we draw around ourselves sort of breaks open. For a moment, we're a figure eight. Everything else is outside, and it's just us. In.
Ever notice how like attracts like?
For example, when I was raising my first child, I hung out with all of the overachieving moms and drank hot beverages with them while we compared notes on whose child was playing which instrument and whose kids' needs were being met in the talented and gifted program.
Now, on my third child, I hang out with all of the broken, chain-smoking moms on the side of the building, comparing notes on whose child has which allergy and who's having a harder time with their kid's dyslexia and speech impediments.
The same thing happens here, in Camo Girl. Three kids: Ella, “Z” and Bailey are brought together, despite the obvious differences in their social standings with peers.
The magnetic pull between these three is undeniable, but it takes them a while to figure out what has created this magical bond between them.
They finally figure it out: it's their missing fathers. One has lost a father to addiction, the second to mental illness, the third to cancer.
These three preteens find compassion and something more important than popularity in this surprisingly good middle grades fiction set in the state of Nevada.
To be honest, the only thing keeping me from giving this novel five stars is the author's mistake of making these kids sixth graders. If she'd have made them 8th graders, this would have been a certain slam dunk for me.
Kekla Magoon's a writer to watch. I see a Newbery Medal in her future.
Ever notice how like attracts like?
For example, when I was raising my first child, I hung out with all of the overachieving moms and drank hot beverages with them while we compared notes on whose child was playing which instrument and whose kids' needs were being met in the talented and gifted program.
Now, on my third child, I hang out with all of the broken, chain-smoking moms on the side of the building, comparing notes on whose child has which allergy and who's having a harder time with their kid's dyslexia and speech impediments.
The same thing happens here, in Camo Girl. Three kids: Ella, “Z” and Bailey are brought together, despite the obvious differences in their social standings with peers.
The magnetic pull between these three is undeniable, but it takes them a while to figure out what has created this magical bond between them.
They finally figure it out: it's their missing fathers. One has lost a father to addiction, the second to mental illness, the third to cancer.
These three preteens find compassion and something more important than popularity in this surprisingly good middle grades fiction set in the state of Nevada.
To be honest, the only thing keeping me from giving this novel five stars is the author's mistake of making these kids sixth graders. If she'd have made them 8th graders, this would have been a certain slam dunk for me.
Kekla Magoon's a writer to watch. I see a Newbery Medal in her future.
May 13, 2016
Have you ever had to make a decision that would benefit you but hurt the person that you love the most? Well this is what happened to the main character of this story named Ella. The genre of this story is realistic fiction because the events that happened to Ella and the other characters can happen to anyone in real life. Overall, this was an amazing story with a lot of lessons. The author tried adding a twist to make it entertaining yet meaningful at the same time.
The setting of this book is in a small town in Las Vegas, Nevada. It mostly takes place in Ella's middle school. Ella was mixed skin so her skin was different shades of brown. Kids at her school would bully her and call her names like "camo girl." She was the only African American student in her school. She had a guy best friend named Z that wasn't mixed skin. Z was very short and was bullied a lot too. They were all in sixth grade but they have been best friends since Ella's dad died from cancer three years ago. Z helped Ella go through a lot of difficult moments in his own way. Z had a big imagination so he created stronger made up characters for him and Ella. These imaginary characters helped Ella and Z go through all the nasty comments from the students at their school. It also helped them go through the death of their dads. One day a new student came in named Bailey. He was the only other African American student other than Ella. From the start he became very popular and was liked by all, especially Ella. He and Ella became really close friends but Z felt uncomfortable around him. The conflict was person vs person because Ella and Z would get into fights because Z felt left out and he left like Ella valued Bailey more than she valued him, so he felt it was unfair since he has been there for her since the start. At the end they had to separate because Z had to move. The theme of the story is to accept yourself how you are, and that colors don't matter. Also another message spread to the readers is that popularity doesn't matter.
The first person point of view affects the story because we only get to see Ella's point of view. We never got to see what Z felt about the situations so all we know about him came from his actions. But at the same time I think Ella's point of view was the best point of view in the story because her character went through the most emotional changes through out the story. I saw from the beginning to the end of the story that Ella's perspective about herself changed. She gained self confidence and learned how to love herself. I say this because in the text Ella says," Anyone who can see you will see you beautiful, Mom always says, maybe just maybe I'm starting to see." The title relates to the book because the title is Camo Girl and the kids from her school would call her that because her face had different colors. Ella would hate when people made fun of her or Z but those comments helped them become stronger. An event that affected the story was when Ella's father died because her family used to be very happy. Her father worked really hard to support her and her mom but when he died it all changed. Ella wasn't happy anymore and she barely saw her mother because she had to work in order to be able to support her. But with the help of Madam Eleanor (Ella's character) and Sir Zachariah (Z) she was able to go through it just fine.
I think the author's idea about making made up characters for the characters in the story was really meaningful. It added to the theme and it was something different, honestly I've never seen any author add something like this but it's great. I was moved by how strong Ella's and Z's friendship was because it was so caring . I could tell that both characters influenced each other's life and how Z changed Ella's. But I was sad when I found out that Z had to move because they needed each other but I think that each other's company made them braver and more independent. I thought that the ending of the book was really peaceful because Ella got to reunite with her old best friend and they got to say goodbye to Z for now. But I realized that it was a happy goodbye because they weren't sad or crying they were just having a fun time although they knew they wouldn't see each other in a long time. What really brought my attention in the story was at the part where it said that Z had to live in a store where her mom worked because they couldn't afford to buy a shelter to live in. It said that Z would sleep on top of toilet paper rolls which was the part that brought my most attention. I think that it's sad that a lot of people don't have a place to live in like Z and I feel really bad for them because they have to go through difficult situations.
In conclusion I would give this book five stars because it has been one of the best books that I have ever read. I would recommend this book for people that are dealing through bullying because it can help them realize that with they help of other they can go through it just fine. So if you ever see anyone saying something mean, offending, or making fun of another person make sure to make a difference and be a positive person.
The setting of this book is in a small town in Las Vegas, Nevada. It mostly takes place in Ella's middle school. Ella was mixed skin so her skin was different shades of brown. Kids at her school would bully her and call her names like "camo girl." She was the only African American student in her school. She had a guy best friend named Z that wasn't mixed skin. Z was very short and was bullied a lot too. They were all in sixth grade but they have been best friends since Ella's dad died from cancer three years ago. Z helped Ella go through a lot of difficult moments in his own way. Z had a big imagination so he created stronger made up characters for him and Ella. These imaginary characters helped Ella and Z go through all the nasty comments from the students at their school. It also helped them go through the death of their dads. One day a new student came in named Bailey. He was the only other African American student other than Ella. From the start he became very popular and was liked by all, especially Ella. He and Ella became really close friends but Z felt uncomfortable around him. The conflict was person vs person because Ella and Z would get into fights because Z felt left out and he left like Ella valued Bailey more than she valued him, so he felt it was unfair since he has been there for her since the start. At the end they had to separate because Z had to move. The theme of the story is to accept yourself how you are, and that colors don't matter. Also another message spread to the readers is that popularity doesn't matter.
The first person point of view affects the story because we only get to see Ella's point of view. We never got to see what Z felt about the situations so all we know about him came from his actions. But at the same time I think Ella's point of view was the best point of view in the story because her character went through the most emotional changes through out the story. I saw from the beginning to the end of the story that Ella's perspective about herself changed. She gained self confidence and learned how to love herself. I say this because in the text Ella says," Anyone who can see you will see you beautiful, Mom always says, maybe just maybe I'm starting to see." The title relates to the book because the title is Camo Girl and the kids from her school would call her that because her face had different colors. Ella would hate when people made fun of her or Z but those comments helped them become stronger. An event that affected the story was when Ella's father died because her family used to be very happy. Her father worked really hard to support her and her mom but when he died it all changed. Ella wasn't happy anymore and she barely saw her mother because she had to work in order to be able to support her. But with the help of Madam Eleanor (Ella's character) and Sir Zachariah (Z) she was able to go through it just fine.
I think the author's idea about making made up characters for the characters in the story was really meaningful. It added to the theme and it was something different, honestly I've never seen any author add something like this but it's great. I was moved by how strong Ella's and Z's friendship was because it was so caring . I could tell that both characters influenced each other's life and how Z changed Ella's. But I was sad when I found out that Z had to move because they needed each other but I think that each other's company made them braver and more independent. I thought that the ending of the book was really peaceful because Ella got to reunite with her old best friend and they got to say goodbye to Z for now. But I realized that it was a happy goodbye because they weren't sad or crying they were just having a fun time although they knew they wouldn't see each other in a long time. What really brought my attention in the story was at the part where it said that Z had to live in a store where her mom worked because they couldn't afford to buy a shelter to live in. It said that Z would sleep on top of toilet paper rolls which was the part that brought my most attention. I think that it's sad that a lot of people don't have a place to live in like Z and I feel really bad for them because they have to go through difficult situations.
In conclusion I would give this book five stars because it has been one of the best books that I have ever read. I would recommend this book for people that are dealing through bullying because it can help them realize that with they help of other they can go through it just fine. So if you ever see anyone saying something mean, offending, or making fun of another person make sure to make a difference and be a positive person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
soooo good I loved this book so much
May 27, 2015
Ella has been constantly bullied. Most of the bullying has been because of her face with different colors of brown. The common bully, Jonathan Hoffman, calls her "camo-face" or "came-girl." The other bullying is because she hangs out with a boy named "Z" who imagines reality into a fairytale. But that all changes when Bailey comes to school.
Bailey is the only other black kid, and in his company, Ella feels that she finally has a hot at being normal. However, Z and Bailey clash. As Z hates Bailey for stealing Ella. Now, Ella has to choose between being "Ella" with Bailey or "Milady Ellie-Nor" with Z.
I recommend this book to anyone. The book is a really nice story about overcoming bullying and loss, and about friendship. Each main character has lost their dad: Ella's to death, Bailey's to war, and Z's to money. In the end it is about friendship. She has one friend who shares memories and one who promised new awakenings.
Bailey is the only other black kid, and in his company, Ella feels that she finally has a hot at being normal. However, Z and Bailey clash. As Z hates Bailey for stealing Ella. Now, Ella has to choose between being "Ella" with Bailey or "Milady Ellie-Nor" with Z.
I recommend this book to anyone. The book is a really nice story about overcoming bullying and loss, and about friendship. Each main character has lost their dad: Ella's to death, Bailey's to war, and Z's to money. In the end it is about friendship. She has one friend who shares memories and one who promised new awakenings.
September 13, 2018
it was a really good book its starts off slow but as u keep reading it gets really good
January 22, 2024
Representation: Biracial (half Black and half white) and Black characters
Trigger warnings: Disappearance of a child, death of a father in the past
Score: Six points out of ten.
I own this book. This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.
I am glad to say that the author didn't commit cultural appropriation. It's authentic. I never saw this novel before the library giveaway, so I picked it up. I put it off for a while until I had to get it again after I burned through some other novels and finally read it. When I finished Camo Girl, I appreciated some of its strengths; it was only okay. It starts with the first character I see, Emma, whose last name I forgot, who lives in a predominately white suburb near Las Vegas and goes to a PWI. She's the only biracial girl (scratch that! She's the only biracial person, given the circumstances) at school for the first few pages. Ella's only friend is a person named Zachary, who is neurodivergent, with an implied learning disorder/disability and, most prominently, a wild imagination, much to his detriment as no one wants him except Ella. Only a few pages in, another person, Bailey, arrives at her school as a new student (making him the only Black person in the institution), and everything is going well for Ella, but soon enough, the cracks surface. The characters are likable but not the most relatable. Bailey is the antagonist because he tries to convince Ella to be prevalent by not being friends with Z. Other than that, he doesn't seem that bad. The central conflict is whether to listen to Z or not. She chooses the latter, and towards the conclusion, Z gets lost, but fortunately, the other characters find him, finishing the narrative on a high note.
Trigger warnings: Disappearance of a child, death of a father in the past
Score: Six points out of ten.
I own this book. This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.
I am glad to say that the author didn't commit cultural appropriation. It's authentic. I never saw this novel before the library giveaway, so I picked it up. I put it off for a while until I had to get it again after I burned through some other novels and finally read it. When I finished Camo Girl, I appreciated some of its strengths; it was only okay. It starts with the first character I see, Emma, whose last name I forgot, who lives in a predominately white suburb near Las Vegas and goes to a PWI. She's the only biracial girl (scratch that! She's the only biracial person, given the circumstances) at school for the first few pages. Ella's only friend is a person named Zachary, who is neurodivergent, with an implied learning disorder/disability and, most prominently, a wild imagination, much to his detriment as no one wants him except Ella. Only a few pages in, another person, Bailey, arrives at her school as a new student (making him the only Black person in the institution), and everything is going well for Ella, but soon enough, the cracks surface. The characters are likable but not the most relatable. Bailey is the antagonist because he tries to convince Ella to be prevalent by not being friends with Z. Other than that, he doesn't seem that bad. The central conflict is whether to listen to Z or not. She chooses the latter, and towards the conclusion, Z gets lost, but fortunately, the other characters find him, finishing the narrative on a high note.
February 7, 2011
The author of The Rock and the River returns with another amazing book. Ella is not part of the popular crowd at school. In fact, she is the lowest of the low. Teased by about her uneven skin coloring, some of her classmates call her Camo Face, Ella has trouble even looking at herself in the mirror. She has her best friend, Z, who has been her friend for many years, but Z is getting stranger and stranger, losing himself in stories and roles. Now there is a new boy at school, a boy who doesn’t seem to notice Ella’s skin at all. He brings her a way into the popular world, but how can she leave Z to fend for himself? This novel speaks to issues of race, bullying, friendship and differences, never shying away from asking very difficult questions.
Magoon’s writing here is superb. Her writing is at times filled with such longing and ache that it enters your bones. Other times it soars, lifting readers along with it, demonstrating that anything is possible. She illuminates the darkness of bullying, but this book is about so much more than that. It is about the tenderness of long friendship. It is about the hope of the new. It is about the beauty of difference. It is about the strength of self.
Ella is a great character who is gripped with such self-doubt that it is almost despair. Yet she continues on, watching out for Z, caring for her family, and even hoping that the new boy’s smile might be just for her. Beautifully, her transformation in the book is less about her changing and more about her perceptions changing about herself and those around her. It is a powerful and important distinction.
Highly recommended, this is an amazing book for tweens looking for a book that has depth, power and strength. Appropriate for ages 9-13.
Magoon’s writing here is superb. Her writing is at times filled with such longing and ache that it enters your bones. Other times it soars, lifting readers along with it, demonstrating that anything is possible. She illuminates the darkness of bullying, but this book is about so much more than that. It is about the tenderness of long friendship. It is about the hope of the new. It is about the beauty of difference. It is about the strength of self.
Ella is a great character who is gripped with such self-doubt that it is almost despair. Yet she continues on, watching out for Z, caring for her family, and even hoping that the new boy’s smile might be just for her. Beautifully, her transformation in the book is less about her changing and more about her perceptions changing about herself and those around her. It is a powerful and important distinction.
Highly recommended, this is an amazing book for tweens looking for a book that has depth, power and strength. Appropriate for ages 9-13.
February 27, 2016
Grades: 4-7
Awards: Caudill list 2016
Ella and Z have been friends for a long time. They are both outcasts in their Las Vegas suburban town. Ella is biracial and has a skin condition, hence the name the kids call her at school: Camo-girl. It is never explained what exactly Z is suffering from, but he is clearly suffering from a psychological disorder that causes him to live through a fantasy world. Ella's world changes when Bailey moves to town. Suddenly there is another African American in school. They befriend each other...but it is damaging Ella's relationship with Z.
This is a coming of age story where Ella is trying to decide where she fits in. She feels loyal to her friends from childhood, but is plagued with guilt at the desire to hang out with people that she has something in common with. Each main character has lost their dad: Ella's to death, Bailey's to war, and Z's to money. Kekla Magoon does a nice job of showing how people deal with tragedies in different ways. There are deeper themes of helping vs. hurting: the stigma of mental health, the courage it takes to recognize it in your loved ones and to get them the help they need.
This book would be good to use when teaching characters or text to self connections. It also would be a good read aloud or lit. circle book. There is a lot in this book that students would want to explore through discussion.
Awards: Caudill list 2016
Ella and Z have been friends for a long time. They are both outcasts in their Las Vegas suburban town. Ella is biracial and has a skin condition, hence the name the kids call her at school: Camo-girl. It is never explained what exactly Z is suffering from, but he is clearly suffering from a psychological disorder that causes him to live through a fantasy world. Ella's world changes when Bailey moves to town. Suddenly there is another African American in school. They befriend each other...but it is damaging Ella's relationship with Z.
This is a coming of age story where Ella is trying to decide where she fits in. She feels loyal to her friends from childhood, but is plagued with guilt at the desire to hang out with people that she has something in common with. Each main character has lost their dad: Ella's to death, Bailey's to war, and Z's to money. Kekla Magoon does a nice job of showing how people deal with tragedies in different ways. There are deeper themes of helping vs. hurting: the stigma of mental health, the courage it takes to recognize it in your loved ones and to get them the help they need.
This book would be good to use when teaching characters or text to self connections. It also would be a good read aloud or lit. circle book. There is a lot in this book that students would want to explore through discussion.
March 28, 2016
Camo Girl is about sixth graders Ella and Z that have been friends since 3rd or 4th grade. Z has always been the weird kid at school, but Ella has always been a friend to him. When a new boy moves to town, one thing sparks between Ella and Bailey, the new kid. They’re both black. Ella and Bailey’s racial identity is a strong element to this book. Bailey’s popularity can help expand Ella’s social side and help her make more friends, but nothing is more important to her than her relationship with Z. Ella faces a difficult decision: remain loyal to the boy who has been her best and only friend forever, or embrace the opportunity to become one of the popular kids. Ella finds herself caught between two worlds. She is drawn to the popular new boy, but also stays loyal to her best friend, Z, whom she could never disappoint (after all they’ve been through together). Ella’s decision will affect not just her but the person who has been with her the hardest days of her life. Can she make the right choice? What is the right choice? Camo Girl is a great book that serves a lot of character! I couldn’t put it down! I recommend this book for middle school readers.
April 26, 2012
Ellie and Z are best friends bonded by being different and thus the target of a school bully. Z lives in an imaginary world while Ellie, the only African American at her school, has a mottled commplexion and is known as "camo girl." When new student Baily James arrives at school, Ellie is no longer the only African American. She and Baily forge a friendship that Z is not at all comfortable with. While Ellie like having a new friend and being accepted at the cools kids table, she feels an obligation to Z. What she comes to learn, however, is that everyone is different and has something to hide - even Baily.
I have been a fan of Magoon's ever since I read her award winning THE ROCK AND THE RIVER. This book did not disappoint. She created 3 believable characters that you can't help but care for.
I have been a fan of Magoon's ever since I read her award winning THE ROCK AND THE RIVER. This book did not disappoint. She created 3 believable characters that you can't help but care for.
June 5, 2011
Sixth grader Ella suffers some self-esteem issues to the vitiligo that causes light brown and dark brown coloring across her face. Because of this effect, some of her classmates call her "Camo Girl." Feeling shunned by others and mourning her father, Ella spends her free time with her friend Zachariah (Z) who has created a fantasy world which helps them cope with the painful reality in both of their worlds. When a new boy enters the class, he has more in common with the two than might appear on the surface. After all, there are many ways to hide secrets. This quiet story tackles issues of self-concept, loss, and mental illness with grace and warmth, and readers are reminded that while our lives will be filled with losses, they will also contain moments of love and joy.
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March 4, 2016In this story Ella has mixed skin. She thinks she has everything figured out with Z her friend. Her x friend dose'nt hang out with her much. But all of that changes when Baily the new kid in school takes a fancy in her. She thinks she can handle the both of them. When she just relized whats always been there. Z is not totally ok. Z hates Baily for taking away Ella. The author wrote an incredible story. Packed with some lies a little adventure and knights.
December 14, 2011
Wow, this book packs a punch! Newbery, anybody?
This is an amazing book about 3 distinct characters; Ella, Zachariah, and Bailey. As their story unfolds, readers discover they have more in common than not. Can they learn to trust each other before its too late? Can they save the one of them most in need before its too late?
Read this book!
This is an amazing book about 3 distinct characters; Ella, Zachariah, and Bailey. As their story unfolds, readers discover they have more in common than not. Can they learn to trust each other before its too late? Can they save the one of them most in need before its too late?
Read this book!
September 8, 2016
When I read this book, it gave me an ache in my heart. Not because I was reading about a great and terrible love, but because how much I could relate to it.
The bullying, the self-confidence, the race issue, trying to be popular, accepting you aren't pretty but maybe attractive to someone. This book, is so well-crafted. If only I had found this four years ago...
The bullying, the self-confidence, the race issue, trying to be popular, accepting you aren't pretty but maybe attractive to someone. This book, is so well-crafted. If only I had found this four years ago...
January 3, 2016
Great story and a lot of events that occur which make the story interesting. Ella, also known as Eleanor, is a very nurturing friend who cares deeply about Z. Both of whom have had unfortunate things happen to them at an young age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2011
One Sentence Review: Magoon goes contemporary and gritty with this moving portrait of a girl who wants to fit in but can't abandon the only friend she had when she was unpopular.
March 1, 2015
Typical coming of age/multi cultural book. There was a lot (maybe too much) going on in Ella's life that made her tricky to relate to as a character.
November 22, 2018
How do you accept others when you don't accept yourself? How do you expect others to accept you when you don't accept yourself?
August 14, 2020
This is another beautiful and honest narrative by Kekla Magoon. (The last book I read of hers was The Season of Styx Malone). Ella's life has gotten harder in the last three years, so has her friend Z's life. They form a bond, supporting each other. This support is crucial for the day-to-day getting by, but what they need is healing. One day, from out of the blue, Bailey shows up. He's amazing, but can he fit? Ella sees a chance to enter a whole new world when she's with Bailey, but Z seems to need too much of her energies.
I love this novel! I know this, because I read all but the first 15 pages in one day, (in one sitting actually). That hasn't happened since Kwame Alexander's Booked. The author is so good at making the reader care deeply about the ups and downs of these three very relatable main characters, who defy norms, challenge "how things work" while on their journey of self-discovery and friendship.
Great quote: (p. 51). Z took my sad day, the saddest day ever, and turned it a little bit magic. He knows how to do that. Sometimes, every once in a while, I get the see the world through his eyes. It's a much better place. That's why he tries to live there."
I love this novel! I know this, because I read all but the first 15 pages in one day, (in one sitting actually). That hasn't happened since Kwame Alexander's Booked. The author is so good at making the reader care deeply about the ups and downs of these three very relatable main characters, who defy norms, challenge "how things work" while on their journey of self-discovery and friendship.
Great quote: (p. 51). Z took my sad day, the saddest day ever, and turned it a little bit magic. He knows how to do that. Sometimes, every once in a while, I get the see the world through his eyes. It's a much better place. That's why he tries to live there."
May 16, 2017
It seems that Eleanor (that's not her real name) has found a way to cope with the death of her father but it involves cutting herself off from her friends, hiding behind a physical difference that was never a problem before, and escaping into the make believe world of a friend who cannot function in reality. So is she really coping? Add to the mix an interesting new boy in school who makes reality seem worthwhile again and wants to be her friend. Can she go back to the real world? How will her friend Zachariah (not his real name) deal with her betrayal of the world they have created?
The author does not give away any information easily in this story. It is up to the reader to figure out what Ella's physical difference is and why she might be called "Camo Girl" by thoughtless students in her school. It will take some real evaluation to see what the true problems are and readers will enjoy the moments when they are able to deduce for themselves why the situation exits and how it will best be resolved. This story will open up plenty of discussion about how individuals deal with lifes' trials.
The author does not give away any information easily in this story. It is up to the reader to figure out what Ella's physical difference is and why she might be called "Camo Girl" by thoughtless students in her school. It will take some real evaluation to see what the true problems are and readers will enjoy the moments when they are able to deduce for themselves why the situation exits and how it will best be resolved. This story will open up plenty of discussion about how individuals deal with lifes' trials.
July 7, 2017
When I read Kekla Magoon's How It All went Down this past May, I could not stop talking (and posting) about the novel and its the provocative storyline and multiple perspectives. I have even suggested it for a Law & Literature course.
Today I read Camo Girl, another important story, written for readers in Grades 5 and up. Ella and Z are sixth-grade outcasts and they are best friends. But they are not best friends because they are outcasts; they are there to support each other--no questions asked, no matter how weirdly Z acts and how Ella looks. When a new student befriends Ella, she thinks she may have to choose between popularity and Z, but just maybe the popular Bailey, who has his own view of reality, can help both of them.
As a reader who requires a provocative story, well-developed diverse characters, and good writing to help her attention, I have been abandoning a few new YA novels lately, questioning that my standards are too high, but I was thrilled to again find a book that I read straight through and that would be a good choice for young adolescents, both boys and girls, who just want to be accepted by their peers.
Today I read Camo Girl, another important story, written for readers in Grades 5 and up. Ella and Z are sixth-grade outcasts and they are best friends. But they are not best friends because they are outcasts; they are there to support each other--no questions asked, no matter how weirdly Z acts and how Ella looks. When a new student befriends Ella, she thinks she may have to choose between popularity and Z, but just maybe the popular Bailey, who has his own view of reality, can help both of them.
As a reader who requires a provocative story, well-developed diverse characters, and good writing to help her attention, I have been abandoning a few new YA novels lately, questioning that my standards are too high, but I was thrilled to again find a book that I read straight through and that would be a good choice for young adolescents, both boys and girls, who just want to be accepted by their peers.
October 4, 2018
The book Camo Girl was actually really good because I could relate to what Eleanor was going threw, she felt left out and felt like she didn't belong because she was colored/black. She was the only black kid in her class until a boy came along who was also black sand his name was Bailey James. who was actually nice to her. bailey made a lot of friends easily and fast. Before Bailey James came to that school Eleanor used to get called Cam face. Now later in the story Eleanor had another friend named Z or that's what she called him because he doesn't like when people say his real name. so when bailey came Z started to feel left out because Bailey and El started hanging out more. so Z ran off to Vegas to find his dad. but there was no luck. Z and his mom was kinda homeless, people believed he lived in a store. His dad left him was he was younger and now its just him and his mom. Also Ella's dad died when she was younger to and Bailey dad also died, well Bailey dad didn't die he is just really sick right now but Bailey thinks he's going
April 6, 2018
Kekla Magoon continues to amaze me. I will be forever grateful that I stumbled across her book "The Rock and the River" while planning the Civil Rights Era book club for my advanced students. Not only did that book blow my mind, but reading that book caused me to add all of Magoon's other works to my to read list.
In this book, Magoon hooked my attention in the first paragraph; I could not put the book down. She creates engaging characters, realistic struggles, and does not shy away from dealing with tough things even if the main character cannot comprehend was is going on.
I highly recommend this book.
In this book, Magoon hooked my attention in the first paragraph; I could not put the book down. She creates engaging characters, realistic struggles, and does not shy away from dealing with tough things even if the main character cannot comprehend was is going on.
I highly recommend this book.
March 23, 2019
Camo Girl is very inspirational. There are so many relatable events in this book and they are inspiring in a way. I liked the "lesson" in this book, but the BIG thing for me is that it is written in the point of view of a sixth grader, and it reads like the book was written by a sixth grader. The message in the book is beautiful, but the situations as far as Ella braiding her hair and trying to figure out where to sit, are childish.
Ella has stuck by Z's side through thick and then. He has also stuck by her side through thick and thin. When the challenges start taking a toll on them, they have to figure out how to function in the world. Ella looks differently and this causes social problems for her. Z is "different" and this causes problems in general for him. When a new boy comes in the picture, Z and Ella start to part ways. Whether it be taking a bus to Vegas or just sitting in silence, these friends do whatever it takes to help out the ones they love. There are obstacles faced in this book as well as heartbreak and sorrow. Despite the fact that this book, to me, is simple in a way, it's eye-opening and beautiful. Don't judge a book by its cover.
Ella has stuck by Z's side through thick and then. He has also stuck by her side through thick and thin. When the challenges start taking a toll on them, they have to figure out how to function in the world. Ella looks differently and this causes social problems for her. Z is "different" and this causes problems in general for him. When a new boy comes in the picture, Z and Ella start to part ways. Whether it be taking a bus to Vegas or just sitting in silence, these friends do whatever it takes to help out the ones they love. There are obstacles faced in this book as well as heartbreak and sorrow. Despite the fact that this book, to me, is simple in a way, it's eye-opening and beautiful. Don't judge a book by its cover.
January 5, 2021
Ella and Z have been friends for as long as they can remember. Each of them has overcome hardship and are targets of teasing at school, but they are always there for each other, even if that means Ella going along with Z's alternate reality. When Bailey starts at their school, he starts being friendly to Ella and through them spending time together, Ella starts to feel more accepted. She starts to struggle at balancing being a friend with both boys and Z's behavior starts to show this.
A nice story about the importance of friendship and supporting each other no matter what. Ella's inner struggles are easy to relate to and readers will understand what she's going through.
A nice story about the importance of friendship and supporting each other no matter what. Ella's inner struggles are easy to relate to and readers will understand what she's going through.
July 25, 2018
Ella struggles at school due to bullying she faces due to her appearance. Also, her best friend Z is very different and gets bullied as well. When Bailey moves to town, he notices Ella and is actually nice to her. This new attention forces Ella to begin to see things they way they really are.
This is an awesome story of friendship and self-acceptance. It’s what everyone hopes for, to find some who sees, recognizes, and accepts the real broken you! I know students will be able to relate to the characters and love them like I do.
This is an awesome story of friendship and self-acceptance. It’s what everyone hopes for, to find some who sees, recognizes, and accepts the real broken you! I know students will be able to relate to the characters and love them like I do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2019
Ella is torn between her long time friend Z and the popular new boy Bailey, who is the only other black student in Ella's sixth grade class. As the friendship between Bailey and Ella grows, Z retreats further into a fantasy existence, and only Ella can save him from bullies and depression. Each of these three well drawn characters must deal with problems from their past.." everyone has something to hide."
July 15, 2019
This is a good, safe read for middle schoolers with no cursing. Ella, who has vitiligo, and Z, who is homeless and living at Walmart, are misfits at school. They watch out for each other and defend against the bullies. Then a new student comes and changes everything when he is interested in Ella.
August 22, 2021
This book was a decent kids read. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting, but it wasn't too bad. I'm just not really sure how I feel about the characters. There was a lot of confusing narratives and excuses, and I just wasn't a super big fan of it.
TW: mental health issues, grief, policemen (not brutality, just being kind of rough to kids), homelessness, bullying
TW: mental health issues, grief, policemen (not brutality, just being kind of rough to kids), homelessness, bullying
October 6, 2017
The writing in this book is so vibrant and you can help but connect to the characters despite their flaws. Giving voice to biracial children is so important, this story is a must read for any person wanting to get enlightenment about young girls living in current times.
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