Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Glitter

Rate this book
Liberty Parfitt is sure there’s more to life than getting good exam results and earning lots of money. Unfortunately her super-rich, workaholic dad doesn’t agree - he thinks Liberty’s passion for music is a total waste of time. But when Dad loses his job and falls into a deep depression, Liberty’s talent may be the one thing that can save him. The second novel from Kate Maryon -- a sparkling new voice for tween girls. Ages 7-9.

242 pages

First published September 2, 2010

52 people are currently reading
265 people want to read

About the author

Kate Maryon

10 books43 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
267 (51%)
4 stars
138 (26%)
3 stars
80 (15%)
2 stars
19 (3%)
1 star
13 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Abbie Thomas.
5 reviews
May 6, 2014
I read this book a little while ago but I remeber it was really good xxx
Profile Image for Charlotte.
395 reviews
March 31, 2013
I liked this book a few years back, It got me back to playing the violin actually I was so in love with the book, so I thought I would re read it, so I got my own copy as it was no longer available in the library where I originally read it. However, I found it a little more childish and was disappointed with it the second time round, I found it a little slow paced and the characters to simple, not complicated enough. It was a quick easy read, with a nice music theme, but nothing complex which made it fairly nice to read in comparison with big dusty tombs. However, I think I shall leave this book a few years before re reading it, as my opinion currently is that I don't want to waste time reading some thing that now seems childish to me. Although it is a childs book, I found it a little condescending, Though Kate Maryons writing style is usually quite infatuating, I found it did not seem her usual structure. My favourite book by Ms Maryon would have to be Shine. But I lost my copy a long time ago on a Cornwall holiday, so I dont know if I will get to read that again as my library is literally terrible for books! I'll have to look on my kindle when I have an empty slot on my up and coming "to read" book shelf.
Profile Image for Katy Kelly.
2,572 reviews105 followers
July 6, 2013
A bit like 'A Little Princess' but with a wee bit less sappiness. Or a Gleitzman's 'Too Small to Fail' for girls.

Liberty is rich. She loves her boarding school and her life away from home. Mostly because her father seems to never be satisfied with her, and she can't live up to her elder brother's success. He won't let her learnt the violin, which she desperately wants, as it is frivolous and a waste of her time. Liberty's mother died when she was a baby.

One day, Liberty suddenly learns that her life is about to change dramatically as the world's financial problems affect those close to her. Her world topsy-turvy, can she cope with the changes, find her place and work out just why her father is so hard on her?

Another novel from Maryon that has a light, feminine cover hiding quite dark storylines. There are quite moving family scenes, with the idealised homes of Alice (fellow rich girl) and Ceri (poor but happy family) both judged against the home and love in Libby's home.

Non-patronising tale for Upper Primary-aged readers. It's all tied up a little too neatly but the journey there is a good one.
5 reviews
October 6, 2013
Liberty's glittering world all smashes to pieces when Dad's business closes down as all the money goes towards sorting out the debts. Poor Lib is picked up from everything she ever knew- ponies, mansions, lemon cakes- and dropped into a strange unknown world- aka, an old family friend's flat in a rough part of London. All Lib wants is a violin, but her father HATES music. "It ruined your mother and I won't have it ruining you!" he says. What actually did happen to Lib's Mum? She knows that she's dead, and there's nothing she can do about that- but how did it all happen? And why is there a violin case under Dad's bed if he hates music so much?
Lib delves deep into her past and uncovers more than she could ever imagine.

You'll love this straight away! The characters have realistic problems and the whole book has a generally good plot. It has a great beginning- Kate Maryon gets straight in there, a lovely ending- which I won't tell you, and lots of simply fantastic things in the middle! Pick up this book or you'll regret it!
3 reviews
October 17, 2022
This was an amazing book and I absolutely loved it . The writing is amazing it isn't too and I love how in the happy moments in the book you can get sucked in by the flowery writing which helps to immerse you into the book and you are able to feel Liberty's emotions. The problems were realistic and so was the way the characters dealt with them. The ending was left with a lot of things that didn't get a resolution which left me a bit upset but I believe that was the best way to end it as it was a good resolution to the different characters arcs but they still had a lot of problems to face. The ending felt real it wasn't just a happily ever after, the characters feel like real people who's stories go beyond the book and those stories we'll never get to see.
6 reviews
November 21, 2021
A stunning new cover look for the second novel from Kate Maryon - the sensational new voice of tween girl fiction.
Liberty’s family is super-rich but when her dad loses his job, she has to learn that not all that glitters is gold…

Liberty Parfitt is sure there’s more to life than getting good exam results and earning lots of money. Unfortunately her super-rich, workaholic dad doesn’t agree – he thinks Liberty’s passion for music is a total waste of time. But when Dad loses his job and falls into a deep depression, Liberty’s talent may be the one thing that can save him.

The second stunning novel from the sparkling author of SHINE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Natasha Giuliano.
133 reviews
February 3, 2025
Read this book at bedtimes with my daughter (aged 9) together.
We both enjoyed the book thoroughly and helped her think a little deeper about life, introducing her to the terminology of credit crunch and how lies and secrets can create deep conflicts. How parents try to protect their children, but as parents, we don't always get it right. I love how Liberty experiences such a contrast in life due to not having money anymore, and how she realises that both lives were good in the end and she was glad of both sides of her life she experienced.
Profile Image for Athena Angelica.
11 reviews
November 12, 2018
The story tells that, no matter how big the change, in a matter of time, everything will be alright
1 review
May 22, 2020
Lovely book

This book took me a little bit longer to get into than the other books I have read by this author but then I really enjoyed it.
1 review
June 2, 2021
I cannot give this excellent book enough credit. The storyline made me want to read on so much, and I thought it was one of the best books I have read this year
Profile Image for Livia.
139 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2022
Loved this book when I read it in my early adolescence.
Profile Image for chenoa.
54 reviews
December 2, 2022
i read this like 11 years ago and i spent 30 minutes searching for it online because i randomly remembered it, from what i remember it was such a slayyy
16 reviews
December 29, 2022
What an amazing book. I rarely rate a book at 5 stars but this was exceptional.

The characters are so real and the descriptions of music are so evocative I just couldn't put this down.
1 review
April 15, 2017
This book was really well written. I didn't enjoy it at first as liberty sounded spoilt and she only cared about herself and her problems but it quickly improved up to the point that I couldn't put it down. The story made me smile, laugh and cry all at the same time. I loved how touching the book is and how the problems that the characters have are all realistic things. It is a beautiful story of friendship, believing in yourself and trust. I'm so happy I read the book even though there were a few things that annoyed me throughout it. Loved it! Read in one day.
2 reviews
March 4, 2014
This is definitely one of, if not my favourite book. As I have read it over several times and thoroughly enjoy it because it is full of exciting twists and turn along the way. Making you want to read on. I like this book because of its suspense, the sad story of Liberty’s life with her having to move out of her boarding school and going to a dump, her secret violin obsession, having to cope in her new school and making new friends the bad and the good ones. I especially like the brilliant ending. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
Profile Image for Alice .
219 reviews
February 3, 2014
The author used the word GLITTERING way too much. Also she wasted so much time on using sickly sweet wording in her descriptions that you lost the story underneath them. honestly, so much flowery wording is yuck. The characters were ok and the depth in their story was good enough, but they didn't really make me want to know about them, or befriend them, or even care about them much. I liked Tyler and Cali, but Alice was the worst best friend you could imagine having.
Profile Image for Eloisa.
3 reviews
January 19, 2014
I loved this book. I found it hart warming and sad at the same time. All thought I read this back in 2012 I still remember loving the book and even crying at parts. Even thought this is a kids book I still kept me interested throw out the book. I would recommend the book.

I fill like I need to re-read this so I can wright I better review but over all I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Varsha Seshan.
Author 28 books36 followers
April 1, 2013
Somehow, this book borders on being soppy without reaching that adjective. It's a sweet story that kept me reading right through. I expected it to be totally predictable, but there was a surprise in store for me too!
Profile Image for Rachel Sargeant.
Author 10 books163 followers
December 9, 2019
This was a very decent novel that will probably most appeal to girls aged 9 to 12. It covered riches to rags, father-daughter strife and a love of music. Frances Hodgson Burnett meets Jacqueline Wilson, well done, Kate Maryon. I will definitely recommend her books.
Profile Image for Ari (Head in a Book).
1,356 reviews117 followers
July 30, 2022
I remember really loving this book, the main character was annoying at some points but the side characters at her new school were great, so was Alice. I loved watching Liberty grow into herself and start being who she was one hundred percent.
Profile Image for Tanya.
59 reviews
November 21, 2011
All Liberty wants is to play the violin but her Dad disapproves! Glitter is a beautifully written book about holding onto & following your dreams. I absolutely loved it.
Profile Image for Tania.
17 reviews
April 8, 2013
Students from year 3 up have raved about this and the three other Kate Maryon books. My favourite Kate Maryon do far. I can't wait for Invisible Girl to be released.
19 reviews24 followers
August 4, 2013
I just loved this book. That's the only way I can describe it. I loved the plot, and the message that this book gives. I could emphasise with Liberty because I totally know how it feels. It's great!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.