Camo Girl in Mock Newbery 2026

Jun 05, 2011 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: ncbla

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 ...more

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Mar 19, 2015 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: realistic-fiction, 2016-caudill-awards

Ella is the only African American kid at her school and it doesn’t help that her skin is darker in some spots and lighter in others. Her father died when she was in third grade and since then her life seems to be falling apart. Her ex-best friend Millie doesn’t want to have anything to do with now, and Millie only hangs with the popular 6th grade crowd. “Z” is Ella’s only friend; Zachariah lost his dad too, but in a different way. His Dad left when he lost all his family money while gambling, so ...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Becky Barrier Nelson rated it really liked it

Shelves: realistic-fiction, newbery-candidate-2012, read-alouds, lunch-bunch, battle-candidate

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 05, 2011 Doret rated it really liked it

Ella has recently started the 6th grade and everything has changed. Before Ella was best friends with Zachary and Millie. Now Millie has moved on, leaving Ella and Zachary to be the outcast. Both are teased for different reasons. Ella because she's the only Black girl in her class. The taunts are worse because Ella has white splotches on her face. Some of Ella's classmates call her camo face.

Zachary is picked on for always creating imaginary worlds. Sometimes Ella plays along. Zachary becomes Z Ella has recently started the 6th grade and everything has changed. Before Ella was best friends with Zachary and Millie. Now Millie has moved on, leaving Ella and Zachary to be the outcast. Both are teased for different reasons. Ella because she's the only Black girl in her class. The taunts are worse because Ella has white splotches on her face. Some of Ella's classmates call her camo face.

Zachary is picked on for always creating imaginary worlds. Sometimes Ella plays along. Zachary becomes Zachariah, and Ella becomes Eleanor. These new personalities can handle the taunts.

Ella's voice is strong and realistic. Author's are asking a lot of their main characters when they are required to carry the story. There are other well rounded characters like Zachary, Ella's grandmother and mother but in the end it comes back to Ella and she carries the story with ease.

When Bailey James, a new kid starts at school, I felt Ella's loneliness of being the only Black student.

"Bailey James. I say his name in my mind a few times. First to myself, then as if to others:Yeah, Bailey James. You, know, the other black kid. The other black kid. Bailey James is looking around the room. I haven't had time to worry what he'll think. I'm too shocked, too busy looking. to try to hid my face. His glance lands on me moves on. Returns. Moves on. Returns. My heart is all but leaping. Then his face breaks. Bailey James smiles at me. Actually smiles. Then he gives this little nod as if to say. Yeah, I'm here. You're not alone. I lay my head on the desk, in case I start to cry." (arc)

I love that Magoon doesn't ignore race and nor is it the focal point. Ella being the only Black student is just a part of the story. There's so much more going on, like Ella missing her father, wishing her mother didn't have to travel for work, or being self conscious about her face.

It seems that Ella and Zachary have nothing in common with the very popular Bailey. In the end Magoon reveals a common thread that will touch readers hearts. Ella lives with her grandmother while her mother is traveling for work. One of my favorite parts of the story is the three women family dynamic when the mother is home. Camo Girl is simply a very good and well told story.

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Nov 20, 2011 Deanna rated it really liked it

Shelves: juvenile-fiction, 2011

A story which will resonate with anyone who ever felt like they didn't fit in. A nice choice to expose kids to a beautifully written text which is nicely paced and dramatic enough to hook the reader. Best for grades 5 and up, but nothing objectionable for a younger reader. ...more

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May 22, 2015 Christina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-school, 2011-kids-ya, 2016-caudills

African-American Ella is teased at school for her "camo" face, which has white patches amidst her dark skin. She hangs out with eccentric Z, a true friend who supported her when her dad died three years earlier, and together they stand bravely against the vicious bullying they both experience. Then a new boy, Bailey James, a second African-American student, arrives in town and pursues a friendship with Ella, who quickly develops a crush but worries about betraying her fragile friend Z. I absolut ...more

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