WOW - what a powerful read! This follows the life of a neurodivergent teen that I think many readers around her age could relate to. While it provided a lot of empathy and understanding for the struggles today's teens face (and I think Cronn-Mills did it very tactfully and authentically!), I feel like this book just tried to tackle too much - I think it could have been even more powerful if it had, instead, chosen one or two topics to really do a deeper dive into. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and think many of my students will as well!

This book follows several neurodivergent teenagers and how they deal with the pressures of high school. It has a lot of heavy topics to unpack…Bullying, the pressures of school, alcohol abuse and more.

The main character is a volunteer at a zoo and takes special interest in an octopus. She knows all the facts and finds the zoo is her happy place. She tries to navigate friendship, dating, and school throughout the book while trying to balance her personal needs.

There was a lot for a YA to cover. There were several things that just felt thrown in the mix and I didn’t vibe well with the overall tone of the book at times. I wish there would have been more positives and I feel like some situations could have been handled with more care and sensitivity.

As always thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

This book was fantastic! It is rare that neurodivergent characters get the main role in a story and this will serve as a mirror for students who can relate and a window for those who can’t identify to gain some empathy and understanding. We’ve all experienced teachers who play a power trip rather than strive to meet each student where they are. This helps the story to be relatable and you can’t help but root against the teacher! I can’t wait to add this book to my classroom shelf!

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Rules for Camouflage" by Kirstin Cronn-Mills offers a heartfelt and relatable coming-of-age story centered around Evvie Chambers, a neurodivergent teen navigating the challenges of high school, friendships, and first love. This book is just so honest and authentic. I absolutely liked Evvie’s perspective and learning more about how her “weird brain” (as she describes it) works as well as the other characters in the book. There is so much diversity within this book, and the author is careful not to include any labels, presumably because neurodivergence can be such a spectrum, and this allows readers to connect with the characters even if they themselves don’t have a label.

Evvie's inner world is portrayed as a wonderful and glorious place, providing you with a unique glimpse into her mind. Despite facing obstacles, including a power-tripping and challenging teacher, Mrs. Dearborn, Evvie remains resilient as she strives to find her place in a world that often fails to accommodate her neurodiversity. The book beautifully captures Evvie's struggles and triumphs. Her journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance, as she learns to navigate the complexities of school, friendships, and bullies like Vandal. There is just so much acceptance and love throughout the book, like with Evvie’s friend Hugh (also known as Blue) as well as Evvie’s mother, who is also neurodivergent. I especially love the relationship between Evvie and her mother as they are both neurodivergent and similar in many ways, so they are able to understand one another. They communicate, they give each other space, and I just loved their mother-daughter relationship. I would also love to give a shout-out to the cat, Popcorn, who was also given an (imagined) voice that felt very authentic for a cat. As a fellow cat owner, I just loved the addition of Popcorn and her inner voice.

As the story unfolds, you are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, from moments of joy and camaraderie within the Lair, a safe haven for neurodivergent students, to heartbreaking acts of violence that push Evvie to the edge. There is a powerful message in the book that, unfortunately in today’s society, there are still moments where you have to mask, where you have to put on your camouflage in order to simply survive, but it’s completely acceptable and encouraged to act as your authentic self when in a comfortable environment surrounded by those who love you and understand you. I am so thankful that this book explores this message with having the Lair in a school space, which is something I think all schools should have in order to make life bearable for anyone at school. While the actions of Mrs. Dearborn seemed a bit too extreme at times as well as some of the acts of violence depicted in the book, I know that there are teachers just like her in the real world, that there are those in power who take advantage of and break down those who aren’t neurotypical. With the support of her friends and loved ones, Evvie is able to find the strength to remain true to herself and carve out her own path in the world.

"Rules for Camouflage" is an absolutely necessary addition to the genre of neurodivergent literature, offering a refreshing perspective and reminding readers of the importance of acceptance and understanding. Cronn-Mills' storytelling is both relatable and impactful, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking a coming-of-age tale with a neurodivergent perspective.

Reading a neurodivergent book is always so, so special. It feels like reading my thoughts, like I'm somewhere safe, somewhere I'm understood.

I flew through this book. Evvie's inner mind is a wonderful, glorious place and I feel grateful I got to spend time in it. This is the quirky, adorable, neurodivergent coming-of-age story that is so, so needed.