Families who loved Camo Girl by Kekla Magoon often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
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.