Camo Girl

Reach for this book when your child is navigating the shifting sands of middle school social circles or feels the pressure to trade an old, loyal friendship for a chance at being cool. It is an essential read for the child who feels visible for all the wrong reasons: perhaps due to a physical difference or being the target of a schoolyard nickname: while struggling to find their place in a world of rigid social hierarchies. Ella and Z are best friends and social outcasts. Ella has a unique birthmark on her face that has earned her the nickname Camo Girl, while Z lives in a fantasy world to cope with his own challenges. When a popular new boy enters the scene, Ella is offered a ticket into the in-crowd, but it comes at the cost of leaving Z behind. This story beautifully explores the nuance of loyalty, the pain of being different, and the courage it takes to define your own identity rather than letting a label do it for you.