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Glitter Boy
Eleven-year-old James loves dancing, poetry and Mariah Carey. His teacher, Mr Hamilton, is getting married to his boyfriend, and it looks like James will be part of a surprise choir performance at the wedding. But James’ father seems very uncomfortable about the plan, and a lot of other things – like any mention of Mr Hamilton, and James’ dancing, and the way James talks about his new friend Joel. Meanwhile, a different boy has been harassing James at school, calling him gay, and it’s getting worse every day. James can find relief with his wonderful Nan, but she’s been having worrying falls, and James can’t tell anyone, or she might be sent to a care home. The secrets start building up, and James is starting to lose his characteristic spark. Will he find the strength to let the truths come out?
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2023
5 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Ian Eagleton
8 books10 followersIan is 35 year olds and is the director of The Reading Realm. He is also a content creator and resource writer for various educational organisations, including The Literacy Shed and Authorfy. Ian has taught in primary schools for 13 years and during this time has been a member of the senior management team, a phase leader, and literacy co-ordinator. Ian has also run staff training and writing workshops for children. He still teaches part time at a local school and especially enjoys sharing picture books, poetry and creative writing activities with the children he teaches.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 17, 2023
I knew this would make me cry as soon as I heard what it was about. Honestly, there’s some things in here that hit VERY close to home for me - I’m a teacher, I’m a member of the LGBT community, I’ve been bullied for being queer. I love that we’ve got a book here (not just any book though… a kids book!) about LGBT+ history, acceptance (and non) in the today, about being yourself and loving people for exactly who they are. This brought me such joy, many chuckles and many tears. This is one of those “I want to give you a hug” books and I’m so glad I’ve had the pleasure of reading it.
August 29, 2024
It's been ages since a book made me cry like this.
I would have done anything to have had this around when I was in middle school. Instead, I'll take it upon myself to recommend it as much as possible.
I would have done anything to have had this around when I was in middle school. Instead, I'll take it upon myself to recommend it as much as possible.
August 26, 2024
I laughed, I cried, I felt every emotion possible while reading this one. It's funny, it's meaningful, and it's real.
If I had this book when I was in middle school, it would've made such a difference. Seeing so much of your younger self in a character while reading a book as an adult is so cathartic. I knew this story well -- it was my story at one point. Ian Eagleton has crafted a book that is so effortlessly genuine that it's impossible not to connect with it.
The book approaches so many important topics, including an in-depth plot line on bullying and how damaging it is on children's mental health and wellbeing. It explores LGBTQ+ history and introduces some of the historical figures in the community. It explores grief, guilt, and shame in ways that can make sense to the target audience.
With overarching themes that include the importance of kindness and staying true to yourself, this is the kind of book we need now more than ever. Knowing that kids have stories like this that validate them and their feelings brings me hope.
Thank you for this absolute gem, Ian!
If I had this book when I was in middle school, it would've made such a difference. Seeing so much of your younger self in a character while reading a book as an adult is so cathartic. I knew this story well -- it was my story at one point. Ian Eagleton has crafted a book that is so effortlessly genuine that it's impossible not to connect with it.
The book approaches so many important topics, including an in-depth plot line on bullying and how damaging it is on children's mental health and wellbeing. It explores LGBTQ+ history and introduces some of the historical figures in the community. It explores grief, guilt, and shame in ways that can make sense to the target audience.
With overarching themes that include the importance of kindness and staying true to yourself, this is the kind of book we need now more than ever. Knowing that kids have stories like this that validate them and their feelings brings me hope.
Thank you for this absolute gem, Ian!
December 29, 2024
Wow!
I bought this book a year ago. A book about a kid obsessed with Mariah Carey? Sounds right up my Alley (or Doris if you will!).
However, I held off on reading it, largely cuz I had a paperback "real" book version instead of the ebook version of the book that I would normally read. And I was a bit skeptical if I'm being honest. Thought it would just be a big ball of cheese.
HAPPY TO ADMIT I WAS TOTALLY WRONG.
THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ! I laughed a lot, loved all the Mariah references, and found myself bawling at times. This book really hit close to home; too close sometimes, it was heartbreaking at times. Reminded me very much of Judy Blume's "Blubber", updated for the 21st century.
Highly recommend this for everybody. Seriously, just go read this book. Even if you're not a Mariah Carey fan (and why aren't you?) you should read this one.
Five glittering, sparkling stars.
I bought this book a year ago. A book about a kid obsessed with Mariah Carey? Sounds right up my Alley (or Doris if you will!).
However, I held off on reading it, largely cuz I had a paperback "real" book version instead of the ebook version of the book that I would normally read. And I was a bit skeptical if I'm being honest. Thought it would just be a big ball of cheese.
HAPPY TO ADMIT I WAS TOTALLY WRONG.
THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ! I laughed a lot, loved all the Mariah references, and found myself bawling at times. This book really hit close to home; too close sometimes, it was heartbreaking at times. Reminded me very much of Judy Blume's "Blubber", updated for the 21st century.
Highly recommend this for everybody. Seriously, just go read this book. Even if you're not a Mariah Carey fan (and why aren't you?) you should read this one.
Five glittering, sparkling stars.
February 27, 2023
An absolute gem of a book that explores some hard hitting issues with grace and sparkle.
June 9, 2023
Lovely, sparkling, funny, touching, the book every teacher and parent should read! James is a glittering hero fighting with bullies, coming of age and discovering his identity.
The language is simple and powerful and the story is full of James notes and poems that are really moving and great. Bravo to Ian Eagleaton for this LGBTQ+ story perfect for kids from 11 to 99!
The language is simple and powerful and the story is full of James notes and poems that are really moving and great. Bravo to Ian Eagleaton for this LGBTQ+ story perfect for kids from 11 to 99!
November 9, 2023
Thank you to @danniestar
For reaching out and offering me the chance to read this fabulous book.
Thank you to @ian.eagleton for creating a masterpiece.
💭 𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 -
A lovely thought provoking & heartfelt coming of age story about a year 6 boy who adores Mariah Carey, loves making up dance routines with his friends in the playground, goes to choir and is on a journey of self discovery. As much as I wish it was just about that, sadly, he's being bullied.
It shows from the offset how someone outgoing and bubbly can be dragged down by bullying, causing low self-esteem, to make someone feel they have no support, therefore pushing those they love away too.
Even at such a young age.
Despite his struggles, James shows the readers that if you ignore bullying, it doesn't necessarily go away, and you need to open up to others for help. It also shows that if you stand up for what you believe in, you become the best version of yourself.
Another important topic is that young readers are introduced to LGBTQIA+, which I think is fabulous, and there is even a little quiz at the end of the book to help with knowledge and understanding.
Overall, a splendid must read novel for anyone 8+ it's easy to follow, relevant, and relatable.
For reaching out and offering me the chance to read this fabulous book.
Thank you to @ian.eagleton for creating a masterpiece.
💭 𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 -
A lovely thought provoking & heartfelt coming of age story about a year 6 boy who adores Mariah Carey, loves making up dance routines with his friends in the playground, goes to choir and is on a journey of self discovery. As much as I wish it was just about that, sadly, he's being bullied.
It shows from the offset how someone outgoing and bubbly can be dragged down by bullying, causing low self-esteem, to make someone feel they have no support, therefore pushing those they love away too.
Even at such a young age.
Despite his struggles, James shows the readers that if you ignore bullying, it doesn't necessarily go away, and you need to open up to others for help. It also shows that if you stand up for what you believe in, you become the best version of yourself.
Another important topic is that young readers are introduced to LGBTQIA+, which I think is fabulous, and there is even a little quiz at the end of the book to help with knowledge and understanding.
Overall, a splendid must read novel for anyone 8+ it's easy to follow, relevant, and relatable.
December 31, 2023
BLOOMING FABULOUSLY AMAZINGLY GREAT AND SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!
I am soo stuck for words! It’s just such a good book! My new favourite!
I am soo stuck for words! It’s just such a good book! My new favourite!
July 13, 2024
i loved this book
i think james dad was a massive twat for most of the book apart from the last 20 pages
my fav characters where harriet and joel.
i really want to beat up paul
i think james dad was a massive twat for most of the book apart from the last 20 pages
my fav characters where harriet and joel.
i really want to beat up paul
October 5, 2024
Found another stunning Middle grade book that makes me ugly sob. I loved this so much, the conversations.
I wish everyone had a teacher like Mr Hamilton!!!
I wish everyone had a teacher like Mr Hamilton!!!
March 26, 2023
I've been wanting to read this for ages as I follow the author on Twitter and have read such good reviews about it! Well, it didn't disappoint! Great book about how children who feel they are 'different' come to accept that they are perfect as they are (and you can SO tell the author is a teacher 😉 )
February 19, 2023
Such a very beautiful book which is so well written. It made me cry in places ( which means it really touched me as a reader)
I loved the character James and all the different emotions and feelings he goes through and think there is probably a character like James in every primary school.
The messages and themes in the story are all extremely powerful and important. The story deals with homophobic bullying and teaching children that this is and never will be acceptable.
I think this book needs to be in every primary classroom and I can not wait to share it with children in my school.
I loved the character James and all the different emotions and feelings he goes through and think there is probably a character like James in every primary school.
The messages and themes in the story are all extremely powerful and important. The story deals with homophobic bullying and teaching children that this is and never will be acceptable.
I think this book needs to be in every primary classroom and I can not wait to share it with children in my school.
March 6, 2023
Oh how I cried at this book. The emotion throughout was intense. I felt anger, shame, love, happiness, every emotion I know. No child should ever feel like they have to hide their identity from anyone and the knowledge that some children do, is heartbreaking. I wish every year 6 class in the country read this. Perhaps then, we'd have a better, more understanding, future ahead of us.
February 25, 2023
In this powerful story, we follow James, a warm and sweet kid who's proud of his interests, even if they vary from the toxic masculinity around him. While he faces a cadre of bullies at school, he also has a circle of supportive friends, and a teacher who is both a role model and a support.
The story includes many classic elements—school bullies, an unsupportive parent—but in a completely new and realistic manner. For one, James's bullies don't just shout hate speech and physically attack him in dark corners. They harass in front of everyone with small, frequent touches. It's nothing you could complain about, James thinks; he's tried to ask for help from a past teacher, but she didn't listen.
James's father, with whom he lives alone, bullies him unintentionally. He's homophobic, and his small touches—from forbidding James contact with another non-masculine boy, disparaging a female couple in the neighborhood, to general homophobic comments meant to somehow prevent James from being gay—creates an unsafe home life for James. Poor James endures some pretty rough self-loathing as a result of all of this.
But he has support. His grandmother loves him for being the glitter boy of the title. His friends clearly adore him, including the coolest boy in school. And then there's his teacher: proudly gay, about to be married, and a wonderful educator. His reaction to an episode of homophobic bullying is one of the most chilling and powerful moments of the book.
This story brings up a multitude of themes: being yourself, what we expect from our friends, how parents deal with conflict, how kids deal with the death of a loved one, and how to survive a family that's seeming to fall apart. This is a sweet, perceptive, delightful read—and one that's really important to have in classrooms today.
The story includes many classic elements—school bullies, an unsupportive parent—but in a completely new and realistic manner. For one, James's bullies don't just shout hate speech and physically attack him in dark corners. They harass in front of everyone with small, frequent touches. It's nothing you could complain about, James thinks; he's tried to ask for help from a past teacher, but she didn't listen.
James's father, with whom he lives alone, bullies him unintentionally. He's homophobic, and his small touches—from forbidding James contact with another non-masculine boy, disparaging a female couple in the neighborhood, to general homophobic comments meant to somehow prevent James from being gay—creates an unsafe home life for James. Poor James endures some pretty rough self-loathing as a result of all of this.
But he has support. His grandmother loves him for being the glitter boy of the title. His friends clearly adore him, including the coolest boy in school. And then there's his teacher: proudly gay, about to be married, and a wonderful educator. His reaction to an episode of homophobic bullying is one of the most chilling and powerful moments of the book.
This story brings up a multitude of themes: being yourself, what we expect from our friends, how parents deal with conflict, how kids deal with the death of a loved one, and how to survive a family that's seeming to fall apart. This is a sweet, perceptive, delightful read—and one that's really important to have in classrooms today.
March 4, 2023
Ad-pr product: Thank you so much to Scholastic for my copy of this gorgeous book 🌈🥰
Glitter Boy tells the story of James, who starts his final year of primary school with a new gay teacher Mr Hamilton. He loves Mariah Carey and has a gorgeous relationship with his nan who loves him just the way he is but he finds his relationships with his friends deteriorate as homophobic bullying by Paul starts again, more children are involved and it starts to cause a rift between his dad and himself.
He meets Joel, a new boy in class, and they work together on a presentation about Marsha B. Johnson; and he sings in the choir, which is preparing a surprise song for Mr Hamilton's wedding, but the bullying is mounting and everything comes to a head.
I loved this book! As a teacher there were lots of funny titbits about teaching, like the uncanny ability of deciphering which jumper belongs to which child by its smell! And the glorification of the staff room by children!
But also there was such an important message about acceptance and unconditional love, important relationships in a child's life and antics on the playground. I learnt many things myself as I didn't know anything about Marsha B. Johnson's life or the use of mx for a non-binary person's title. This was all written about in a gentle way, for older children, but also gives any child reading this a chance to wait, to work out, in their own time, who they are, without worrying about labels unnecessarily early. The love of poetry also shone through and the poem James writes for his nan is just beautiful.
The cover makes this book look like it's all glitter and rainbows in James' life, but ultimately there are struggles, just these are dealt with in a positive, life affirming way 💖
Glitter Boy tells the story of James, who starts his final year of primary school with a new gay teacher Mr Hamilton. He loves Mariah Carey and has a gorgeous relationship with his nan who loves him just the way he is but he finds his relationships with his friends deteriorate as homophobic bullying by Paul starts again, more children are involved and it starts to cause a rift between his dad and himself.
He meets Joel, a new boy in class, and they work together on a presentation about Marsha B. Johnson; and he sings in the choir, which is preparing a surprise song for Mr Hamilton's wedding, but the bullying is mounting and everything comes to a head.
I loved this book! As a teacher there were lots of funny titbits about teaching, like the uncanny ability of deciphering which jumper belongs to which child by its smell! And the glorification of the staff room by children!
But also there was such an important message about acceptance and unconditional love, important relationships in a child's life and antics on the playground. I learnt many things myself as I didn't know anything about Marsha B. Johnson's life or the use of mx for a non-binary person's title. This was all written about in a gentle way, for older children, but also gives any child reading this a chance to wait, to work out, in their own time, who they are, without worrying about labels unnecessarily early. The love of poetry also shone through and the poem James writes for his nan is just beautiful.
The cover makes this book look like it's all glitter and rainbows in James' life, but ultimately there are struggles, just these are dealt with in a positive, life affirming way 💖
July 17, 2023
Glitter Boy is Ian Eagleton’s first middle-grade novel, after writing a few picture books. It’s the story of James, a self-described fabulous 11-year-old boy, who loves Mariah Carey so much that I question if Eagleton was hired by Mariah herself. James lives with his Dad after his Mum left them at a young age. Every day he plays and hangs out with his friends Harriet, Nathan and Joel, and then after school sees his Nan on the way home. The problem is Paul, his classmate, keeps calling him *that* word, and it sets James on edge. Not to mention that James really wants to join the school choir in singing at his teacher’s wedding. But will James’ Dad want him to sing at Mr Hamilton’s wedding? Especially when he’s getting married to a man?
💭Honestly, this book brought me to the brink of tears more than once. This is the book that Conor at 11 needed, but it didn’t exist. Sarah Webb first told me about this book, kindly saying that the teacher, Mr Hamilton, reminded her of me. I only hope that I can live up to the example that Mr Hamilton sets for all queer teachers out there. But this is the story of James, who is relentlessly bullied by his classmate Paul, and eventually by others in the class as well. It’s heartbreakingly familiar to me, and I’m sure all queer adults. James goes through all the issues there can be with friends, family, and even your own sense of self at that age, and Ian does a stellar job of portraying it. I will be using this book as a class novel the next time I teach 10-12-year-olds. It’s wonderful.
Read this if you like stories about:
♥️Healing
🏔️Overcoming bullies
🌱Coming of Age
🏳️🌈Queer Stories
💭Honestly, this book brought me to the brink of tears more than once. This is the book that Conor at 11 needed, but it didn’t exist. Sarah Webb first told me about this book, kindly saying that the teacher, Mr Hamilton, reminded her of me. I only hope that I can live up to the example that Mr Hamilton sets for all queer teachers out there. But this is the story of James, who is relentlessly bullied by his classmate Paul, and eventually by others in the class as well. It’s heartbreakingly familiar to me, and I’m sure all queer adults. James goes through all the issues there can be with friends, family, and even your own sense of self at that age, and Ian does a stellar job of portraying it. I will be using this book as a class novel the next time I teach 10-12-year-olds. It’s wonderful.
Read this if you like stories about:
♥️Healing
🏔️Overcoming bullies
🌱Coming of Age
🏳️🌈Queer Stories
April 18, 2023
I was sent an ARC from scholastics and I am so glad I requested it as I loved it so much!
This is such a wonderful story dealing with self acceptance, being different and bullying.
James is in year six and loves all things Mariah and anything that is as fabulous she is, like dancing and singing. As these are seen as girly things another boy in class starts to bully him telling him he is gay as if it’s a bad thing to be. I loved James, he was so full of fun and kindness that it was hard to see him experience this but it was written so sensitively and beautifully that it was lovely to read even though it broke my heart a few times.
I loved the friendships he had especially Harriet as she was a real firecracker and a true friend, I also loved his friend Joel. The story felt really authentic and I think it’s because the author wrote from his own experiences, from his childhood to being a teacher. I feel that books like these are so important I have many gay friends and I know that a book like this would have been so comforting to them whilst growing up, helping them feel less alone and more understood.
Despite it being quite heartbreaking in parts the book was like one big hug! It would be perfect for fans of Boy at the Back of the Class or Wonder as it reminded me of these. Similarly to these books it will help foster empathy and acceptance towards those who are different. Highly recommend!!
This is such a wonderful story dealing with self acceptance, being different and bullying.
James is in year six and loves all things Mariah and anything that is as fabulous she is, like dancing and singing. As these are seen as girly things another boy in class starts to bully him telling him he is gay as if it’s a bad thing to be. I loved James, he was so full of fun and kindness that it was hard to see him experience this but it was written so sensitively and beautifully that it was lovely to read even though it broke my heart a few times.
I loved the friendships he had especially Harriet as she was a real firecracker and a true friend, I also loved his friend Joel. The story felt really authentic and I think it’s because the author wrote from his own experiences, from his childhood to being a teacher. I feel that books like these are so important I have many gay friends and I know that a book like this would have been so comforting to them whilst growing up, helping them feel less alone and more understood.
Despite it being quite heartbreaking in parts the book was like one big hug! It would be perfect for fans of Boy at the Back of the Class or Wonder as it reminded me of these. Similarly to these books it will help foster empathy and acceptance towards those who are different. Highly recommend!!
September 30, 2024
Ian Eagleton has written elsewhere about his adolescence, which was blighted by homophobic bullying, and also about his love of Mariah Carey (who has since returned the compliment!), so everything rings true in this heartfelt and beautifully-written middle grade story about James, a sweet and sparky Y6 boy whose shine is slowly dimmed by unpleasant classmates, and a dad who's worried about his son's tendency to flamboyance, and would prefer him to be less stand-out and more standard.
You do really feel for James as things get worse and worse for him (his mum has already left the family home, his adored and adoring Nan dies, he's bullied and can't speak to his dad), and the author also does a great job of showing how sometimes our response to traumatic events can be less than ideal; we see James pushing people away as a result, and how this affects his friendships.
James's new class teacher is gay, and getting married, and one of James's same-aged friends does ultimately come out, but it is all completely age-appropriate, and the focus is on being yourself rather than sexuality. James may indeed be gay, but he's not yet sure, and Glitter Boy emphasises that that is fine, which I think will be very reassuring to young readers in a similar position. Ultimately, anyone should be free to like what they like and not have to worry about stereotypes, or 'girls/boys don't do that.
You do really feel for James as things get worse and worse for him (his mum has already left the family home, his adored and adoring Nan dies, he's bullied and can't speak to his dad), and the author also does a great job of showing how sometimes our response to traumatic events can be less than ideal; we see James pushing people away as a result, and how this affects his friendships.
James's new class teacher is gay, and getting married, and one of James's same-aged friends does ultimately come out, but it is all completely age-appropriate, and the focus is on being yourself rather than sexuality. James may indeed be gay, but he's not yet sure, and Glitter Boy emphasises that that is fine, which I think will be very reassuring to young readers in a similar position. Ultimately, anyone should be free to like what they like and not have to worry about stereotypes, or 'girls/boys don't do that.
July 10, 2024
For a children's book this really touched me in a way that I didn't expect and I am so happy for it.
James is a young boy who loves to sing and dance, loves his grandma and really loves Mariah Carey.
When James' teacher announces the he is marrying his boyfriend the school choir organises to sing at the wedding, but James' dad really doesn't seem happy about that at all, and dad also doesn't seem to like Joel either, but why ever not?
Plus, at school, boys are starting to bully him and call him names... That name... GAY!
Put it's fine because he has nan still, but now nan is having trouble and he's promised not to tell. It's all becoming too much and James' shine is fading. Is there anyway it will ever come back?
This book was honestly a fantastic read, I cried as I remember being that little boy and carrying so much on my shoulders, especially the blame element.
This book deals with topics of bullying and harassment, homophobia, self identify, death of a loved one, family separation
James is a young boy who loves to sing and dance, loves his grandma and really loves Mariah Carey.
When James' teacher announces the he is marrying his boyfriend the school choir organises to sing at the wedding, but James' dad really doesn't seem happy about that at all, and dad also doesn't seem to like Joel either, but why ever not?
Plus, at school, boys are starting to bully him and call him names... That name... GAY!
Put it's fine because he has nan still, but now nan is having trouble and he's promised not to tell. It's all becoming too much and James' shine is fading. Is there anyway it will ever come back?
This book was honestly a fantastic read, I cried as I remember being that little boy and carrying so much on my shoulders, especially the blame element.
This book deals with topics of bullying and harassment, homophobia, self identify, death of a loved one, family separation
March 13, 2024
Being mean in any way about Ian Eagleton’s teen hero would be like punching a carol singer or putting a foreign coin in an RNLI collecting box, so I won’t - and it’s genuinely sweet and charming and all the right intentions along the lines of Heartstopper, All Of Us Strangers or what we hope the latest Tales of the City instalment will be like. Mariah Carey and sparkly Sharpie fan James fights a horrible homophobe school bully, a suspicious parent, the death of his grandmother, and his own doubts to turn up and sing at the wedding of his gay class teacher - with a little help from his friends. Without tilting too much towards either a portrayal of state schools as some kind of nirvana of sympathetic teachers, counselling on tap and vegan options in the canteen, or a happy ever after ending (though there is a bit), this steers just clear of schmaltz perhaps more successfully than our hero’s idol. And I’m jealous as all hell
March 1, 2023
Rate : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre : Middle Grade Contemporary
Author : Ian Eagleton
Thank you to pride book tours and scholastic Uk for this gifted copy and a place on this tour!
Glitter Boy is a beautifully written story about finding who you are and understanding the people around you. It’s an eye opening novel aimed toward ages eight to twelve to easily introduce them to terms in and surrounding LGBTQIA+ as well as reassuring them that it’s normal to be queer (it even has a little quiz at the back too to help their understanding!).
It’s such a quick read that can easily engage it’s readers as you get sucked into James’ world. It’s gorgeous. It’s courageous. It’s heartwarming. It shows it’s readers that if you persevere and ignore the prejudice, you can become the best version of you! It gives its young readers a beautiful message and help them see that they’re not alone in their journey.
I feel that this should be a must read for anyone in the middle grade, with it being easy to follow, a capturing plot line and loveable characters. It’s definitely something kids can relate to and enjoy.
What I love about this, is that it highlights how someone so bright and bubbly can be dragged down due to such an internal struggle when they feel like they have no support. It shows how words can affect others. How someone can bottle up their feelings and seem okay on the outside when on the inside they’re hurting.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to help their children learn more about the LGBTQIA+ society (especially general terms) as well as wanting them to read something about being the best them they can possibly be!
CW/TW : Slight homophobic language, prejudice and character death
Genre : Middle Grade Contemporary
Author : Ian Eagleton
Thank you to pride book tours and scholastic Uk for this gifted copy and a place on this tour!
Glitter Boy is a beautifully written story about finding who you are and understanding the people around you. It’s an eye opening novel aimed toward ages eight to twelve to easily introduce them to terms in and surrounding LGBTQIA+ as well as reassuring them that it’s normal to be queer (it even has a little quiz at the back too to help their understanding!).
It’s such a quick read that can easily engage it’s readers as you get sucked into James’ world. It’s gorgeous. It’s courageous. It’s heartwarming. It shows it’s readers that if you persevere and ignore the prejudice, you can become the best version of you! It gives its young readers a beautiful message and help them see that they’re not alone in their journey.
I feel that this should be a must read for anyone in the middle grade, with it being easy to follow, a capturing plot line and loveable characters. It’s definitely something kids can relate to and enjoy.
What I love about this, is that it highlights how someone so bright and bubbly can be dragged down due to such an internal struggle when they feel like they have no support. It shows how words can affect others. How someone can bottle up their feelings and seem okay on the outside when on the inside they’re hurting.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to help their children learn more about the LGBTQIA+ society (especially general terms) as well as wanting them to read something about being the best them they can possibly be!
CW/TW : Slight homophobic language, prejudice and character death
May 7, 2023
This book was amazing. Its such a good book that brings awareness of real life issues for a minority community and I can talk coming from experience that the story line is so relatable for so many people in the LGBTQ+ community and its so heartwarming for James' dad to finally support his son and let him go to the wedding in the end. The whole story felt like a movie and it felt like I was watching something instead of reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2023
What a wonderful, heartwarming and moving story. In many ways, it felt like I was reading the story of my childhood (I just didn’t have as much courage and strength as James did - though I did have Mariah). The novel made me laugh, cry and reflect. It’s the sort of book every school should have & every young person should read. If that happens, the world will shimmer a little brighter with much more glitter x
June 6, 2023
This is such a magical book. This heartwarming tale beautifully captures James' personal growth as he deals with loss, embraces his true self and develops courage to stand up for himself, and the things he believes in. With its empowering message to young people, Glitter Boy is a delightful story that celebrates individuality and the power of love. Perfect for young hearts ready to embrace difference and shine!
January 16, 2024
I really didn’t expect much from this book. I am, myself studying to become a teacher so I read children books from time to time. I picked this book randomly in a bookstore and I was ready for a relaxing read. But I got so much more! The topics that should be spoken about out loud, understanding how the child’s mind works while all the stuff is happening around him. And all in all, seeing the child’s perspective in this world! It’s an absolute must read for everyone! Recommend 5/5!!
March 22, 2023
This story is about a boy who struggles to be who he is without worrying about the bullies at school and his own bully he lives with at home. Casey loves the same things most boys like but he also loves things that sparkle, shimmer or shine. I would also have this book in my classroom because it is so important to let kids be who they wanna be and be proud of it!
May 1, 2023
Everyone everywhere can resonate with something in this book. As a teacher, I laughed and tutted and rolled my eyes at all the little details that tell me an actual teacher wrote this book. I see myself in Mr Hamilton. I see myself in James. This book gives the representation and hope that so many of us need but never had. I am so proud to be adding this to my classroom. ✨
June 27, 2023
This book is fabulous! As an adult I guess I'm not the target audience, but I adored it. It has beautiful LGBTQ+ representation, relatable characters and situations, and moving poetry too! It's the sort of book everyone should read. For kids who are queer or questioning, it's boldly affirming; for those who aren't, as well as parents and teachers, it gently offers insight into other people's experiences. It's clearly written from the heart, and I feel richer for having read it.
September 28, 2023
'Glitter Boy' by Ian Eagleton is a great Middle Grade book. With lgbtq+ chatacters, and storylines, which deal with the themes of: friendships; family; bereavement and bullying (& James's love of dancing to Mariah Carey!)
At the end of the book, there are quizzes. As well as a section about the author's own childhood experiences.
Highly recommended for Middle Grade readers.*****
At the end of the book, there are quizzes. As well as a section about the author's own childhood experiences.
Highly recommended for Middle Grade readers.*****
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March 4, 2024I LOVED this book. It was about a boy called James in year 6, who adored his Nan. James would be bullied by a boy called Paul called him gay. Nan would always listen to all of James worries and then they would dance together. Then something bad happens to James’ Nan and James becomes angry. James is being called gay and he thinks he’s gay but cannot become true to himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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