Title: Rules for Camouflage  
Author: Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Genre: YA        
Rating:  4 out of 5

Evvie Chambers is doing her best to skate through the last month of high school to graduation. The only thing standing in her way is a biology report on foxes—and her teacher, Mrs. Audrey Dearborn. The same Mrs. Dearborn who’s been a thorn in Evvie’s side for years, refusing to acknowledge or accommodate her neurodiversity. Evvie would much rather be doing her report on Aretha, the octopus she cares for when she volunteers at the Minnesota Zoo but deviating from the exact assignment isn’t allowed—and Mrs. Dearborn isn’t going to make following the rules easy.

Evvie’s only escape from high school hell is the Lair: a safe haven for kids whose brains need some time away. But when Mrs. Dearborn refuses Evvie’s pleas to finesse the final report assignment to her strengths, and persistent bully Vandal McDaniel directs his harassment toward Lair members, Evvie finds herself more desperate than ever for stability and support.

When a shocking act of violence pushes the whole mess over the edge, Evvie, with the help of her friends and the others who love her, will have to figure out how to find her place in the wide world, while remaining true to herself.

I enjoyed this read—especially the scenes with Aretha, who was absolutely magical. I liked seeing how Evvie’s mind worked, and to a certain extent, the other kids in the Lair, too. I didn’t really care for a couple of scenes where Evvie and some of the other kids thought their neurodivergent brains meant the rules didn’t apply to them. While I didn’t care for Mrs. Dearborn and her ugly personality, Evvie’s refusal to follow the rules of the assignment was glossed over and made to seem sympathetic, but, yea, it’s not. This was a solid, entertaining read.

Kirstin Cronn-Mills lives in Minnesota. Rules for Camouflage is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.)

There is a lot going on in this story, and I think it actually really reflects how overwhelming it can feel at times to live as someone who is neurodivergent. There are some sensitive topics including bullying, assault, depression, and teenage drinking/drug use.

The story is told from Evvie’s first person point of view, so we are only getting her side of the story for everything that happens. Her narration is at times a little over the top, but that goes back to her “galaxy brain” as she calls it. Through Evvie’s perspective, we experience her relationship with teachers, fellow students, and coworkers, as well as her close friendships, family, and budding romance.

Evvie is passionate about those she cares about and willing to stand up and fight for what she believes to be right. Though she is also insecure, confused, and just struggling to get through life as a teenager who is a little different from the average student.

I was infuriated by the actions of certain teachers and students who bullied Evvie and her friends, and the fact that the administration seemed to all be friends of the main bully’s family, so did nothing to stop it until it’s almost too late.

I loved that there were teachers and staff at the school who provided a safe space for those who didn’t quite fit in, and who went to bat for them when it mattered most. I also loved the respect and support both Evvie and Hugh received at the aquarium where they volunteered. And I wanted to meet and cuddle Aretha.

Evvie’s relationship with her mom is amazing, especially since her mom is also neurodivergent, so she is able to understand Evvie’s struggles. Her best friend seems flippant at times, but is going through her own struggles that she doesn’t share.

And then there’s Hugh. I liked the way that they both researched each other’s diagnoses so that they could better understand each other. And they both researched kissing before their first date. They aren’t perfect, but they are perfect for each other.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Related

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I admire how this book explores the difficulties of living with certain conditions without ever using labels. It makes it all about the experience, not about diagnosis. While the characters are a bit frustrating at times, the book overall is solid and interesting.

I tend to be wary in general of books that feature neurodivergent characters. I don't want charcters full of stereotypes. I want characters who feel like people.

This book is FULL of characters who feel like people.

Evvie, the main character, is a dynamic neurodivergent girl. I was struck by how she seems very intelligent, and also seems very done with school. I feel like the book really holds space for both of those things. The author lays out that Evvie has had a really hard time in high school, that college is not for her right now, and that she has come up with an alternative plan. I really love that this is done off the page and is presented as a fact as opposed to a plot point. There isn't the push and pull of "should she go to college," that is common in YA books about senior year. There should be more books normalizing that college is not for everyone (or that immediately going to college is not for everyone.)

Mrs. Dearborn is a teacher with whom I am sure many readers will struggle. I think some would have a hard time believing a teacher like her can exist in 2024. I have had a boss like her and just last year, my neurodivergent daughter had a teacher like her. I have seen in other people's reviews on Good reads that they don't find her believable. Gosh, does she feel familiar to me.

The neurodivergent "Lair" reminded me so much of my own high school experiences in our music department that I could only picture my own band room while reading about it. Music teachers have, for so long, acted as the safe haven for neurodivergent kids.

The storyline that I did not like was that of Ken. She seems to be struggling with pretty severe addiction issues, but this storyline gets wrapped up without much fanfare at the end of the book. She is described as "shaky" and "pale" and "puffy," after drinking excessively for what appears to be a long time, often alone, but then just... stops drinking. This storyline didn't seem super plausible to me and didn't address a serious problem in the way I would have liked to read. Although, I did appreciate that Evvie eventually tells her mother about her concerns for Ken and doesn't try to handle the situation completely alone.

this is about a neurodivergent girl, Evelyn, trying to navigate her final year of high school life. her special interest is octopus, so obviously she wanted to pick octopus as the topic of her final biology presentation. but her teacher picked fox for her and left no room for arguments. Evelyn insisted on doing octopus even without permission.

this isn’t the first book i’ve read that has a neurodivergent as the MC. And while i enjoyed the others, TBH i didn’t really enjoy this one. Evelyn is 18 y.o so this book is technically YA but it felt like MG. i know i shouldn’t judge her because she’s neurodivergent but most of the problems she tangled up in are because of her questionable life choices. like girl you insisted on doing octopus and acted surprised when the teacher, who never gave her permission, didn’t approve it???

idk i just didn’t really “feel” this.

this book was neither amazing or bad, it was just ok. it was short and simple and I don’t really have more to say. eventually I’ll post a longer review!

I LOVE THIS BOOK! From the neurodivergent characters and the beautiful support they receive from adults around them to the incredible friendship with an octopus, I was immediately in love with everything about this and the love affair continues even after the last page! SO good!

Evvie is just trying to get through the last few weeks of her senior year, and she doesn't understand why Mrs. Dearborn insists that she deliver her final biology report about foxes instead of her beloved octopus. Who cares that an octopus isn't a mammal? Evvie's favorite creature is Aretha, the super-smart octopus from the Minnesota Zoo, where she volunteers, and she doesn't understand why everyone wouldn't want to learn about her.

Evvie finds safety in "the Lair," a quiet space one of the teachers has cleared for her and other students who need a timeout sometimes, and in addition to navigating the challenges life and school throw their way, the students must also navigate bullying from other students on campus. But they navigate the challenges together, finding strength in their community and themselves.

I loved the representation of neurodivergent students, but the portrayal of the adults in the novel felt really unrealistic. Perhaps I have been lucky in working at schools that have a more empathetic attitude toward neurodivergent students, but I found it hard to believe so few adults were willing to step in and help these kids with the blatant bullying (from teachers and students). I also feel uncomfortable recommending the book to my audience (teachers who recommend books to students within their classrooms) because of the amount of profanity (including the oft-repeated motto "Hop off my wang").

Thank you NetGalley, Little, Brown Books For Young Readers, and Kirstin Cronn-Mills for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!

Evvie is a really cool person. She's a volunteer at a zoo and is good friends with Aretha the octopus. She's trying to figure out what to do when you have a crush on a boy who also volunteers at the zoo. She's navigating a best friend who moved away and maybe drinks too much. She stands up to adults who don't have the best interests of kids at heart. Her brain fires off in a bunch of different directions and she lets it happen and embraces it and knows she's different and doesn't let it stop her from being part of the mutiny (ifkyk).

Of course, the Lair is a place I wish I had in high school. And Rachel is a teacher I wish was part of my life in high school. What a cool experience to embrace the difference in neurodivergent brains and give those kids a place and chance to be themselves.

This was a really sweet story that left me wanting more. It reads like a Middle Grade story, but is definitely YA when it comes to content.

This definition of neurodivergent comes from the Cleveland Clinic:

"Neurodivergent isn’t a medical term. Instead, it’s a way to describe people using words other than 'normal' and 'abnormal.' That’s important because there’s no single definition of 'normal' for how the human brain works." (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent)

Evvie is neurodivergent. She struggled and missed her sophomore year of high school, but through the next two years, she has been making up lost ground and will soon be graduating. She hopes. She believes.

I think it is safe to say that high school is rough on nearly everyone, but it is a special challenge if your behavior and/or talents lie outside the norms. Teen angst surges to become debilitating. This novel focuses on Evvie, but we learn how the people around her, neurodivergent or not, impact Evvie’s life. And when she needs to don her behavioral camouflage. FWOOSH.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable take on the experience of being neurodivergent in high school, and in school in general. As a fellow neurodivergent weirdo, I would have loved to have the Lair in high school and I absolutely was ecstatic to learn about my new favorite fictional cephalopod Aretha! Will absolutely be ready to devour any other stories written by this author!

This was a sweet, emotional, coming of age story, but it was just a little too young for me. This would be perfect for middle school aged readers!

This book was wonderful! There was so much emotion and it was so interesting to read about the experiences of some of the neurodiverse community, who we don't get to hear or read about as much. I also really enjoyed learning about octopuses, which was another prevalent subject in the book. This book was wonderfully written and a lovely story. I would definitely recommend!

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.