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World Made of Glass
An “inspiring” (Kirkus, starred review), “heartfelt” (The Horn Book, starred review) coming-of-age novel about a girl finding her way to activism in the early years of the AIDS pandemic, from award-winning author Ami Polonsky.
Iris tries to act normal at school, going through the motions and joking around with her friends. But nothing is normal, and sometimes it feels like she’ll never laugh again. How can she, when her dad is dying of a virus that’s off-limits to talk about? When she knows that soon all she’ll have left of her kind, loving dad are memories, photos, and a binder full of the poems they used to exchange?
In a sea of rage and grief, Iris resolves to speak out against the rampant fear, misinformation, and prejudice surrounding AIDS—and find the pieces of Dad that she never knew before. Along the way, Iris might just find new sides to herself.
Critically-acclaimed author Ami Polonsky has crafted a lyrical, tender, earth-shattering novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Iris tries to act normal at school, going through the motions and joking around with her friends. But nothing is normal, and sometimes it feels like she’ll never laugh again. How can she, when her dad is dying of a virus that’s off-limits to talk about? When she knows that soon all she’ll have left of her kind, loving dad are memories, photos, and a binder full of the poems they used to exchange?
In a sea of rage and grief, Iris resolves to speak out against the rampant fear, misinformation, and prejudice surrounding AIDS—and find the pieces of Dad that she never knew before. Along the way, Iris might just find new sides to herself.
Critically-acclaimed author Ami Polonsky has crafted a lyrical, tender, earth-shattering novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
20 people are currently reading
2840 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
June 27, 2023
✰ 5 stars ✰
"Dad always says that to write a poem, you first have to identify the beating heart of what you want to say. You have to see the heart, and hear it, and hold it in your hands, and then, once you’ve done all of that, you can write around that heart. Even though I’d have to look up ramiferous, I knew right away that the heart of this poem was me—my heart."
World Made of Glass is a beautifully emotional and powerfully written book set during the late 1980s, about a young girl, Iris Cohen, who struggles with the grief that engulfs her after the crippling death of her father to AIDS.
I cannot find the words to describe how much I appreciated this middle-grade novel; it is something that is so informative and still so tender and heart-breaking. I felt so much for Iris - her frustration and agitation at the sheer ignorance and prejudice she witnessed from the people close to her, once they found out her father was dying of AIDS. It hurt me so much, and just made me want to do something, and I loved how Iris took the repressed anger that she couldn't express and turned it into a challenge, to open people's minds, to be open-minded and more accepting, to show the world to not treat AIDS as the contagious disease they were treating it as.
All her thoughts, her emotions, the strong friendships she forged, her desire of just being - Iris was a real, raw, believable protagonist - her voice resonated with me, in more ways I could possibly express. There was such an underlying sadness in her actions, but still it gave such a hopeful message, through the poetry that she and her father would exchanged. Those just broke my heart, because I am, honestly such a poet at heart, and the acrostics they shared with each other were so beautiful and tangible, full of life and emotion.
I could have saved them all, because they conveyed their feelings so clearly, more so than any descriptive paragraph could. The love she had for her father, it was so beautiful - it was a part of her - not even her mother, the scientist, could relate to the deep connection they shared, and how it shattered when her parents split. It was these poems that kept her going, despite the guilt that she would feel that if her father had always been gay, would she have even existed?
PAPERWEIGHT by Steven Cohen
March 18, 1987
Pieces of my heart
Are
Peeling away. Iris. They’re
Evaporating, purple ivy to purple dust
Red water to air. I try to scribble them onto paper. The
Weight of everything. Wait.
Eventually, everything
Is pulled back to earth by
Gravity. Look for my glass
Heart. When you find it, put it in your pocket.
Take it with you."
🥺🥺
I especially loved the growth and acceptance and understanding Iris shared with JR, her father's boyfriend. The...pain was visceral - her refusal to accept him as her father's boyfriend - the one responsible for giving him the disease - I felt it, and I believed it. But, how JR was the one who helped her move on from the pain, to channel her desire to bring forth change to their struggles - it was so moving and so very real.
In the beginning, she hated him with her core being, she didn't ever want to acknowledge him as the one who took her father away from his mother, never not understanding that it was his very love that made her father have the courage to acknowledge who he had always been. And only after her father's death, when he was the only one who she could turn to, who understood her sadness, who was also dying and in pain and now alone, he was the one - the only one, she wanted to protect and love and keep safe from harm the most. 💞 💞
"I said, ‘Mom, I’m a homosexual,’ and she put down the glass that she was washing and said, ‘Jason Randolph Holmes, the world is going to try very hard to convince you that there’s something wrong with you, and it’s your job to prove to yourself that the world is wrong.’”
And it was such a natural beautiful progression, that there was a deep hurt in my heart, because of it. Her movements of activism were some of my favorites, because it is a difficult yet unforgettable and important moment of history - these things were happening all over. But, Ami Polonsky depicted it in such a light-hearted, caring and kind manner that you wanted change to happen - it needs to happen.
And I think that message is what I walked away with the most - that books like this are being written even now, is both inspiring and enlightening. One, which I hope parents and children can somehow learn to love and accept people, just as they are. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
"Dad always says that to write a poem, you first have to identify the beating heart of what you want to say. You have to see the heart, and hear it, and hold it in your hands, and then, once you’ve done all of that, you can write around that heart. Even though I’d have to look up ramiferous, I knew right away that the heart of this poem was me—my heart."
World Made of Glass is a beautifully emotional and powerfully written book set during the late 1980s, about a young girl, Iris Cohen, who struggles with the grief that engulfs her after the crippling death of her father to AIDS.
I cannot find the words to describe how much I appreciated this middle-grade novel; it is something that is so informative and still so tender and heart-breaking. I felt so much for Iris - her frustration and agitation at the sheer ignorance and prejudice she witnessed from the people close to her, once they found out her father was dying of AIDS. It hurt me so much, and just made me want to do something, and I loved how Iris took the repressed anger that she couldn't express and turned it into a challenge, to open people's minds, to be open-minded and more accepting, to show the world to not treat AIDS as the contagious disease they were treating it as.
All her thoughts, her emotions, the strong friendships she forged, her desire of just being - Iris was a real, raw, believable protagonist - her voice resonated with me, in more ways I could possibly express. There was such an underlying sadness in her actions, but still it gave such a hopeful message, through the poetry that she and her father would exchanged. Those just broke my heart, because I am, honestly such a poet at heart, and the acrostics they shared with each other were so beautiful and tangible, full of life and emotion.
I could have saved them all, because they conveyed their feelings so clearly, more so than any descriptive paragraph could. The love she had for her father, it was so beautiful - it was a part of her - not even her mother, the scientist, could relate to the deep connection they shared, and how it shattered when her parents split. It was these poems that kept her going, despite the guilt that she would feel that if her father had always been gay, would she have even existed?
PAPERWEIGHT by Steven Cohen
March 18, 1987
Pieces of my heart
Are
Peeling away. Iris. They’re
Evaporating, purple ivy to purple dust
Red water to air. I try to scribble them onto paper. The
Weight of everything. Wait.
Eventually, everything
Is pulled back to earth by
Gravity. Look for my glass
Heart. When you find it, put it in your pocket.
Take it with you."
🥺🥺
I especially loved the growth and acceptance and understanding Iris shared with JR, her father's boyfriend. The...pain was visceral - her refusal to accept him as her father's boyfriend - the one responsible for giving him the disease - I felt it, and I believed it. But, how JR was the one who helped her move on from the pain, to channel her desire to bring forth change to their struggles - it was so moving and so very real.
In the beginning, she hated him with her core being, she didn't ever want to acknowledge him as the one who took her father away from his mother, never not understanding that it was his very love that made her father have the courage to acknowledge who he had always been. And only after her father's death, when he was the only one who she could turn to, who understood her sadness, who was also dying and in pain and now alone, he was the one - the only one, she wanted to protect and love and keep safe from harm the most. 💞 💞
"I said, ‘Mom, I’m a homosexual,’ and she put down the glass that she was washing and said, ‘Jason Randolph Holmes, the world is going to try very hard to convince you that there’s something wrong with you, and it’s your job to prove to yourself that the world is wrong.’”
And it was such a natural beautiful progression, that there was a deep hurt in my heart, because of it. Her movements of activism were some of my favorites, because it is a difficult yet unforgettable and important moment of history - these things were happening all over. But, Ami Polonsky depicted it in such a light-hearted, caring and kind manner that you wanted change to happen - it needs to happen.
And I think that message is what I walked away with the most - that books like this are being written even now, is both inspiring and enlightening. One, which I hope parents and children can somehow learn to love and accept people, just as they are. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
February 10, 2023
Ya'll have to stop writing these middle grade books that tear me apart. I knew that this one was going to tug at my heart, but not like that.
Taking place in the 1980's World Made of Glass follows the story of Iris who attempts to live a life of normalcy after her father is diagnosed with AIDS. She not only struggles with the grief of the inevitable death of her father, but also with navigating relationships with friends and teachers who learn of her fathers sexual identity as well as his medical diagnosis. In unexpected ways, Iris finds solace in a community of activists who are pushing the US government to find medical remedies to help treat AIDS.
What Worked: I've always been a fan of historical fiction particular those that are aimed at children and/or middle grade readers. Unfortunately, I've never read a middle grade historical fiction that not only takes place during the 1980s, but also captures the conversations, disagreements, protests, and interpersonal relationships as it applies to the AIDS epidemic. Through Iris's narrative, readers receive the opportunity to explore both the internal and external factors that shape her perspective. She faces discrimination from teachers and friends because of her fathers diagnosis. And while she knows a lot, engaging with other characters who are a part of the protests, have knowledge of the medical field, and those who have HIV or AIDS gives her a broader sense of what her father experiences. It's a particularly important aspect of the book and illustrates just how we lost what feels like an entire generation of humans.
What Didn't Work: This book is extremely sad which is to be expected because the premise of the book is so sad. However, part of me wishes that we would have gotten a little more of Iris experiencing some joy. I wish we could have seen her outside of the context of her father's diagnosis. That's not to say that Polonsky didn't do a good job handling this topic or the development of Iris as a character; however, I think that sometimes Iris's identity becomes nothing beyond her father's sexuality and diagnosis. It creates flat moments with her character development and could potentially withdraw younger readers from the story.
Overall, this was an emotional, but good read. It's a great insight to the AIDS epidemic and how it impacted communities all over the globe.
Taking place in the 1980's World Made of Glass follows the story of Iris who attempts to live a life of normalcy after her father is diagnosed with AIDS. She not only struggles with the grief of the inevitable death of her father, but also with navigating relationships with friends and teachers who learn of her fathers sexual identity as well as his medical diagnosis. In unexpected ways, Iris finds solace in a community of activists who are pushing the US government to find medical remedies to help treat AIDS.
What Worked: I've always been a fan of historical fiction particular those that are aimed at children and/or middle grade readers. Unfortunately, I've never read a middle grade historical fiction that not only takes place during the 1980s, but also captures the conversations, disagreements, protests, and interpersonal relationships as it applies to the AIDS epidemic. Through Iris's narrative, readers receive the opportunity to explore both the internal and external factors that shape her perspective. She faces discrimination from teachers and friends because of her fathers diagnosis. And while she knows a lot, engaging with other characters who are a part of the protests, have knowledge of the medical field, and those who have HIV or AIDS gives her a broader sense of what her father experiences. It's a particularly important aspect of the book and illustrates just how we lost what feels like an entire generation of humans.
What Didn't Work: This book is extremely sad which is to be expected because the premise of the book is so sad. However, part of me wishes that we would have gotten a little more of Iris experiencing some joy. I wish we could have seen her outside of the context of her father's diagnosis. That's not to say that Polonsky didn't do a good job handling this topic or the development of Iris as a character; however, I think that sometimes Iris's identity becomes nothing beyond her father's sexuality and diagnosis. It creates flat moments with her character development and could potentially withdraw younger readers from the story.
Overall, this was an emotional, but good read. It's a great insight to the AIDS epidemic and how it impacted communities all over the globe.
June 2, 2025
This was a “rollercoaster read”.
Set in 1987, it was deliciously nostalgic, with many details about ‘80s clothing styles, hair, music and t.v. shows. That was the year I graduated high school, so it brought back memories!
However, the setting was not in the ‘80s without reason. That was also the decade that the AIDS crisis occurred, causing fear and homophobia due to misinformation, and many, many deaths.
The main character, twelve-year-old Iris, experiences direct hits to her life as a result of AIDS. Although it’s her father that sick, she and her family are subjected to exclusion and mistrust from long-time friends, and even relatives.
“World” was written for a middle-grade audience, but some of the content would be better suited for more mature readers.
Trigger Warnings:
Death of a parent, homophobic attitudes, incidents of bullying, details about the results of terminal illness
Set in 1987, it was deliciously nostalgic, with many details about ‘80s clothing styles, hair, music and t.v. shows. That was the year I graduated high school, so it brought back memories!
However, the setting was not in the ‘80s without reason. That was also the decade that the AIDS crisis occurred, causing fear and homophobia due to misinformation, and many, many deaths.
The main character, twelve-year-old Iris, experiences direct hits to her life as a result of AIDS. Although it’s her father that sick, she and her family are subjected to exclusion and mistrust from long-time friends, and even relatives.
“World” was written for a middle-grade audience, but some of the content would be better suited for more mature readers.
Trigger Warnings:
Death of a parent, homophobic attitudes, incidents of bullying, details about the results of terminal illness
October 3, 2022
So moving and poignant, this is a story that needs to be read and shared with others. For those of us who grew up in the 80s, there is an strong element of nostalgia, yet the story is also new and raw and filled with historical pieces relating to the AIDS epidemic that we might not have understood at the time. You connect with and care for the characters, and really see the agony of those who suffered while not enough was being done to understand and fight AIDS. The call to action is powerful and, like all of Polonsky's books, the underlying theme of acceptance is uplifting. This book will stay with you long after you finish it. A must read for kids and adults alike.
September 12, 2023
Completely devastating but so, so good. There are a lot of kids who LOVE sad books and I think this will be a great option for them.
November 15, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
It's 1987, and Iris lives in New York City with her mother, an obstetrician. Her parents are recently divorced, and her father, who is a professor, lives upstairs with his new partner, J.R. Iris understands that her father is gay, and rather likes J.R., but is devastated that her father is dying of AIDS. It's a big secrect, of course, because there is a lot of fear and prejudice surrounding the disease; 15% of the US population thinks that people who are HIV positive should be identified by tattoos. Iris' best friend, Mallory, has moved away, and she's having trouble connecting with her other two friends, Will and Toby, because of the secrets she needs to keep. When a new boy, Justin, moves to their school from the country, Iris confides in him. As her father conditions worsens, Iris takes comfort in the acrostic poems she and her father exchanged. When he's gone, her mother's friend Bob is a big help, and J.R. helps her to understand that there is more action that the community could take to help prevent AIDS from spreading. Justin encourages Iris to get involved in the ACT UP protests, and Iris is surprised when Will, Toby, and even Mallory are there for her as well, and are not judgemental about her father's death. End notes include more information about the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
Strengths: Can we please agree that this is historical fiction, even though it's only 35 years ago? Historical fiction, no matter what anyone says, is a story placed in a specific time. The 1980s were a different time, and Iris' experiences dealing with her family dynamics, friends at school, and the public perception of people with AIDS are very specific to this time. The New York City setting makes sense, and there is a decent amount of discussion about gay culture, which will resonate with fans of Gino's Alice Austen Lived Here. Iris is a well developed character whose struggles are realistically portrayed, and supporting characters like J.R., Bob, and even her grandparents are well portrayed.
Weaknesses: This was rather slow paced-- rather like some of the 1980s young adult titles, actually. The biggest complaint my students have about books is that "nothing happens", so I wish there had been something else in Iris' life while she was dealing with her family issues to appeal to my readers. I also would have liked a few more references to general 1980s popular culture.
What I really think: There are a few middle grade books that address this period of history; Papademetriou's Apartment 1986, that briefly touches on the issues of AIDS in the 1980s, Grimes The Center of Gravity, Pixley's Trowbridge Road, and Forman's Frankie and Bug. I'm a bit surprised that my library didn't have a number of young adult books from the early 1990s about this; surely there were some. There was a book about Ryan White that no one ever read. I'll probably purchase this one because there is a little interest in LGBTQIA+ history, and this author's Gracefully Grayson is popular.
It's 1987, and Iris lives in New York City with her mother, an obstetrician. Her parents are recently divorced, and her father, who is a professor, lives upstairs with his new partner, J.R. Iris understands that her father is gay, and rather likes J.R., but is devastated that her father is dying of AIDS. It's a big secrect, of course, because there is a lot of fear and prejudice surrounding the disease; 15% of the US population thinks that people who are HIV positive should be identified by tattoos. Iris' best friend, Mallory, has moved away, and she's having trouble connecting with her other two friends, Will and Toby, because of the secrets she needs to keep. When a new boy, Justin, moves to their school from the country, Iris confides in him. As her father conditions worsens, Iris takes comfort in the acrostic poems she and her father exchanged. When he's gone, her mother's friend Bob is a big help, and J.R. helps her to understand that there is more action that the community could take to help prevent AIDS from spreading. Justin encourages Iris to get involved in the ACT UP protests, and Iris is surprised when Will, Toby, and even Mallory are there for her as well, and are not judgemental about her father's death. End notes include more information about the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
Strengths: Can we please agree that this is historical fiction, even though it's only 35 years ago? Historical fiction, no matter what anyone says, is a story placed in a specific time. The 1980s were a different time, and Iris' experiences dealing with her family dynamics, friends at school, and the public perception of people with AIDS are very specific to this time. The New York City setting makes sense, and there is a decent amount of discussion about gay culture, which will resonate with fans of Gino's Alice Austen Lived Here. Iris is a well developed character whose struggles are realistically portrayed, and supporting characters like J.R., Bob, and even her grandparents are well portrayed.
Weaknesses: This was rather slow paced-- rather like some of the 1980s young adult titles, actually. The biggest complaint my students have about books is that "nothing happens", so I wish there had been something else in Iris' life while she was dealing with her family issues to appeal to my readers. I also would have liked a few more references to general 1980s popular culture.
What I really think: There are a few middle grade books that address this period of history; Papademetriou's Apartment 1986, that briefly touches on the issues of AIDS in the 1980s, Grimes The Center of Gravity, Pixley's Trowbridge Road, and Forman's Frankie and Bug. I'm a bit surprised that my library didn't have a number of young adult books from the early 1990s about this; surely there were some. There was a book about Ryan White that no one ever read. I'll probably purchase this one because there is a little interest in LGBTQIA+ history, and this author's Gracefully Grayson is popular.
April 28, 2024
yes.
Starting the next book (ARC copy) tomorrow!
RTC
Starting the next book (ARC copy) tomorrow!
RTC
May 16, 2023
Well, that one hurt.
I love seeing middle grade books tackle heavy concepts. Middle School age kids are capable of understanding and learning about tough things and to assume that they are incapable of reading content like this is ignorant and honestly quite patronizing. Kids go through so much stuff and I personally think it's really important for their literature to reflect that.
This book follows a middle school girl whose dad has AIDS. It's set in the 1980s and she has to deal with her dad's diagnosis along with accepting his partner and trying to understand why the government was so blatantly and horrifically ignoring this massive group of people who were dying. It is a heavy book but it is still directed at kids.
This is definitely one of those stories that would benefit from being in middle school classrooms and honestly would be a wonderful piece of curriculum to teach about the AIDS epidemic. Obviously that's never going to happen because the US hates queer people but you know.
I love seeing middle grade books tackle heavy concepts. Middle School age kids are capable of understanding and learning about tough things and to assume that they are incapable of reading content like this is ignorant and honestly quite patronizing. Kids go through so much stuff and I personally think it's really important for their literature to reflect that.
This book follows a middle school girl whose dad has AIDS. It's set in the 1980s and she has to deal with her dad's diagnosis along with accepting his partner and trying to understand why the government was so blatantly and horrifically ignoring this massive group of people who were dying. It is a heavy book but it is still directed at kids.
This is definitely one of those stories that would benefit from being in middle school classrooms and honestly would be a wonderful piece of curriculum to teach about the AIDS epidemic. Obviously that's never going to happen because the US hates queer people but you know.
July 1, 2023
This is hard to rate. I'll say 2.5 stars, because I think it would be easy to give a less critical review just to avoid suggesting lack of care for the subject or the real-life versions like the book's character. While the subject matter is important and the author provides a lot of information about the culture at the time, for a novel I found there just wasn't enough story to support an entire book. So little happened. It felt more like a setup, background development, setting the stage for where a story then could begin. I could empathize with the protagonist, Iris, but the character seemed stuck in her anger phase. I liked the prose and how the emotions were written, but it almost felt like prep, just written pages to test out ways to portray rage in new ways, rather than a fully developed plot. Not that Iris's unresolved anger wasn't realistic, but as a reader, I would like to see the character arc go somewhere. As a nurse working with AIDS patients in the DC area (and then Chicago) in the 80s, I saw the misinformation and fear in real life. Visitors to my apartment wouldn't touch the elevator buttons, afraid they'd get HIV from my gay neighbors. My hospital required strict PPE to enter AIDS patient's room, which rightfully and extremely distressed them and their partners. So the portrayed ostracisation of HIV/AIDS victims in the book is realistic. While aware this is totally subjective, I didn't feel completely comfortable though with the feeling of the '80s in the midst of the crisis. It felt like the writing was missing authenticity and was based on only book research. (Which of course historical fiction often depends solely on, but I still felt it.) When I read the scene about baseball and the Cubs, I was like, "Who is she talking about??" I was a die-hard Cubs fan and knew all of them. I'd never heard of the obscure players she referenced. I know I sure didn't know EVERYthing about the team but then when the author talked about the Rockies, I was jolted out of the story because they didn't exist in the '80s! It made me start to wonder about other historical bits in the story. It's a story that looks at grief and sits in the anger phase of loss, more than a book of big concept, plot, conflict, then resolution. I'm sure certain readers will enjoy it, but we might be afraid to say it didn't hit the mark because the issues are tender and the loss has been great.
December 18, 2022
4 stars
Well, for those of us who were nearly the exact age of Iris, the m.c., when this middle grade novel takes place, this book is a portal back to an incredibly painful time...and yet I could not put it down.
Iris is an only child who lives with her mother, a medical doctor, and in the same building as her father. When the novel begins, readers learn that Iris's parents divorced after her father tells her mother he is gay, but the two maintain an enviably close and connected relationship. This is particularly important because - also from the start of the novel - Iris's father is moving toward a painful and rapid demise. It's 1987, and he has contracted AIDS.
This book hit so close to home that - to be transparent - I couldn't read it at any point without thinking of my own experiences with closely observing folks die similar deaths just a few years later. But, that is a testament to the authenticity of the experience, characters, and times.
Some of the many highlights here - along with this aforementioned sense of authenticity - include Iris's relationships with her family members and friends; the horrific reactions uneducated folks in all areas of Iris's life have as a result of misperceptions about this disease; the power of ACT UP and protest at this time; the evolution of multiple characters' grieving processes; and especially the use of poetry as a tool for communication and love.
I did notice some pacing and organizational issues at times, but these are so minor. Polonsky has another heavy hitting read here that no one will want to read because the subject matter is so challenging, but everyone absolutely SHOULD. This is a gift to those of us with related experience, to the memories of those we lost, and to the newest generation who - fortunately - have a very different relationship to this disease than some of us did. I will absolutely be recommending this to students for *many* reasons.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Well, for those of us who were nearly the exact age of Iris, the m.c., when this middle grade novel takes place, this book is a portal back to an incredibly painful time...and yet I could not put it down.
Iris is an only child who lives with her mother, a medical doctor, and in the same building as her father. When the novel begins, readers learn that Iris's parents divorced after her father tells her mother he is gay, but the two maintain an enviably close and connected relationship. This is particularly important because - also from the start of the novel - Iris's father is moving toward a painful and rapid demise. It's 1987, and he has contracted AIDS.
This book hit so close to home that - to be transparent - I couldn't read it at any point without thinking of my own experiences with closely observing folks die similar deaths just a few years later. But, that is a testament to the authenticity of the experience, characters, and times.
Some of the many highlights here - along with this aforementioned sense of authenticity - include Iris's relationships with her family members and friends; the horrific reactions uneducated folks in all areas of Iris's life have as a result of misperceptions about this disease; the power of ACT UP and protest at this time; the evolution of multiple characters' grieving processes; and especially the use of poetry as a tool for communication and love.
I did notice some pacing and organizational issues at times, but these are so minor. Polonsky has another heavy hitting read here that no one will want to read because the subject matter is so challenging, but everyone absolutely SHOULD. This is a gift to those of us with related experience, to the memories of those we lost, and to the newest generation who - fortunately - have a very different relationship to this disease than some of us did. I will absolutely be recommending this to students for *many* reasons.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
December 18, 2022
Heartbreaking story, but essential reading. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The year 1987. Iris is in middle school. And her dad Steven is dying from AIDS. He is nearing the end of his suffering as the disease ravages his body. Still close to Iris’ mom, their close knit family includes J.R., her father’s lover, and Bob, a medical colleague of Iris’ mother Sarah who helps their family care for Steven.
This is a heart wrenching story. It’s hard to believe that it was almost 40 years ago when the AIDS crisis was hitting American cities and the LGBT+ community. The fear and misinformation was rampant back then. No one knew how the virus was spread, and people were terrified of dying.
The book does not hold back. AIDS wiped out the gay community in the 1980s and 1990s. The book focuses on politics and activism. Iris gets involved in some protests. She befriends a new kid at school and finds her passion, and where to direct her anger. She also gets close to J.R., and it’s devastating when J.R. starts to also suffer from the virus.
I love how the book incorporates poetry, as Iris and Steven trade notes with acrostic poems with each other. It’s such a loving gesture between a father and daughter.
A very important read.
The year 1987. Iris is in middle school. And her dad Steven is dying from AIDS. He is nearing the end of his suffering as the disease ravages his body. Still close to Iris’ mom, their close knit family includes J.R., her father’s lover, and Bob, a medical colleague of Iris’ mother Sarah who helps their family care for Steven.
This is a heart wrenching story. It’s hard to believe that it was almost 40 years ago when the AIDS crisis was hitting American cities and the LGBT+ community. The fear and misinformation was rampant back then. No one knew how the virus was spread, and people were terrified of dying.
The book does not hold back. AIDS wiped out the gay community in the 1980s and 1990s. The book focuses on politics and activism. Iris gets involved in some protests. She befriends a new kid at school and finds her passion, and where to direct her anger. She also gets close to J.R., and it’s devastating when J.R. starts to also suffer from the virus.
I love how the book incorporates poetry, as Iris and Steven trade notes with acrostic poems with each other. It’s such a loving gesture between a father and daughter.
A very important read.
November 17, 2022
‘World Made of Glass’ has the exact range of emotions tweens need and crave – sorrow, love, laughter, tears, regret – in deep swings. And more importantly, this historical fiction novel tells a story that few really know – I didn’t – about the prejudice, misinformation and rampant fear surrounding AIDS in 1987 – told through the eyes of 12yo Iris. She’s a character who experiences life shattering circumstances beyond her control – yet with the help of her family and friends, she rises to the occasion.
Our youth should read this book because it will build empathy and acceptance of marginalized groups of people, educate a new generation about the AIDS epidemic and LGBTQIA+ History – an area sorely under-represented in literature and inspire people of all ages to use their voices to fight for justice in their communities.
As a bookseller in an indie bookstore who sees firsthand so many young adults purposefully seeking out books that provide a safe place to explore a range of emotions and tackle challenging, complex subjects, I cannot wait for this novel to do just that and find so many readers. Ami Polonsky will inspire the upcoming generation to use their voices for good!
Our youth should read this book because it will build empathy and acceptance of marginalized groups of people, educate a new generation about the AIDS epidemic and LGBTQIA+ History – an area sorely under-represented in literature and inspire people of all ages to use their voices to fight for justice in their communities.
As a bookseller in an indie bookstore who sees firsthand so many young adults purposefully seeking out books that provide a safe place to explore a range of emotions and tackle challenging, complex subjects, I cannot wait for this novel to do just that and find so many readers. Ami Polonsky will inspire the upcoming generation to use their voices for good!
January 19, 2023
In a word this novel is exquisite.
Polonsky dips into the world of historical fiction for this middle grade novel to describe a time of great fear and social isolation. A time when disease ravaged a community and people were dying with no real treatment - and a healthcare system that didn't want to put resources behind it.
Iris's dad dies of AIDS. Most of the book is about the aftermath of his death, how Iris processes that and how she reflects on their life together - sharing a love of poetry and art. It's also about being an outsider, and how true friends show up when it means the most.
It's hard not to notice the skilled, delicate care that Polonsky poured into this book. In an era of fake news, she even took the time to write at the end about where she took some fictional liberties - but that most of the scenes and events related to the ACT UP movement in NYC during 1987 were true to historical documentation. (The most significant fictional liberty she took is probably the funniest part of the book, complete with sling shots. You'll have to read it to know what I mean.)
Can't wait for my kids to read this one. Although I will warn them - they will cry. I know I did.
Polonsky dips into the world of historical fiction for this middle grade novel to describe a time of great fear and social isolation. A time when disease ravaged a community and people were dying with no real treatment - and a healthcare system that didn't want to put resources behind it.
Iris's dad dies of AIDS. Most of the book is about the aftermath of his death, how Iris processes that and how she reflects on their life together - sharing a love of poetry and art. It's also about being an outsider, and how true friends show up when it means the most.
It's hard not to notice the skilled, delicate care that Polonsky poured into this book. In an era of fake news, she even took the time to write at the end about where she took some fictional liberties - but that most of the scenes and events related to the ACT UP movement in NYC during 1987 were true to historical documentation. (The most significant fictional liberty she took is probably the funniest part of the book, complete with sling shots. You'll have to read it to know what I mean.)
Can't wait for my kids to read this one. Although I will warn them - they will cry. I know I did.
June 6, 2023
This book is absolutely Newtberry winner worthy. The writing is poignant, the feelings and emotions relayed are raw. This should not be left to middle grade readers but instead be required for high school and parents.
I truly thought the author lived this because of her vivid and realistic her character portrayals. The writing it so fluid, the feelings will resonate with all. I loved the use of the poems to convey messages and growth throughout the book.
Aids was a stigma in the 80s. Iris not only contends with her parents divorce, but them with him meeting someone and contracting aids. Her anger is justified. Working through her anger is her journey to understanding and action. No rose colored glasses here, her heartache will continue at the end of her story because of JR's medical situation. Iris will handle it, though, with her family, friends and fellow activists.
I recommend this to all for a great read. Thank you Little Brown Young Readers for the ARC.
♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
I truly thought the author lived this because of her vivid and realistic her character portrayals. The writing it so fluid, the feelings will resonate with all. I loved the use of the poems to convey messages and growth throughout the book.
Aids was a stigma in the 80s. Iris not only contends with her parents divorce, but them with him meeting someone and contracting aids. Her anger is justified. Working through her anger is her journey to understanding and action. No rose colored glasses here, her heartache will continue at the end of her story because of JR's medical situation. Iris will handle it, though, with her family, friends and fellow activists.
I recommend this to all for a great read. Thank you Little Brown Young Readers for the ARC.
♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2024
This book covered a lot of hard topics and was so well written for the age group. Terrible things still happened, but you leave the story feeling hopeful and uplifted. I’m not typically a fan of poetry either, but I love a good rhyme! Then ending was great and I loved JR’s advice about not expecting people to be mind readers
The was a brief brief first kiss situation at the end, but that’s it (and considering what topic this book is covering- it’s funny to even mention it). I love how it brings up topics 7th & 8th graders need to hear, and the hilarious scene when they are at their second protest and they find out what they are tossing into the crowds 🤣 spoiler alert it’s condoms! So be prepared if there are any questions- but honestly I love the way the author covered it and you may not have any because that part went over their head.
There is some self centeredness with Iris(but one could argue is typical with middle schoolers), and how she’s always angry that people could be out and about when there’s people dying (somewhere). Cuz, honey, that’s always the case. But there was some signs she was breaking her shell, because at one point, almost like an afterthought, before the second protest, the author/Iris commented about how she wondered if her black friend ever felt alone or different in a sea of white faces. And also, she’s a middle schooler, so yay to her for being able to start seeing the world through another’s eyes, even if for a moment!
Older reader (7&8yh grade) for sure. If all the major themes are going over your head, what’s the point of reading this yet? There’s a place for this. The compassion the author shows when trying to make people realize we’re all just people. Be educated and care for one another. It’s that easy.
The was a brief brief first kiss situation at the end, but that’s it (and considering what topic this book is covering- it’s funny to even mention it). I love how it brings up topics 7th & 8th graders need to hear, and the hilarious scene when they are at their second protest and they find out what they are tossing into the crowds 🤣 spoiler alert it’s condoms! So be prepared if there are any questions- but honestly I love the way the author covered it and you may not have any because that part went over their head.
There is some self centeredness with Iris(but one could argue is typical with middle schoolers), and how she’s always angry that people could be out and about when there’s people dying (somewhere). Cuz, honey, that’s always the case. But there was some signs she was breaking her shell, because at one point, almost like an afterthought, before the second protest, the author/Iris commented about how she wondered if her black friend ever felt alone or different in a sea of white faces. And also, she’s a middle schooler, so yay to her for being able to start seeing the world through another’s eyes, even if for a moment!
Older reader (7&8yh grade) for sure. If all the major themes are going over your head, what’s the point of reading this yet? There’s a place for this. The compassion the author shows when trying to make people realize we’re all just people. Be educated and care for one another. It’s that easy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2025
Iris lives in New York with her parents in the mid-1980s. She and her mom have one apartment, and her dad and his boyfriend live five stories above them. In the last couple years, her dad came out, divorced her mom, started dating JR, contracted HIV from JR, and now has AIDS and is dying. Iris is really close with her dad as they bond over poetry, sharing poems back and forth each day, and their mutual love for a paperweight museum exhibit.
Iris understandably has a lot of feelings. Her best friend moved away and she hasn't told any of her friends or classmates about her father's diagnosis. A new boy catches her eye and they are able to bond. She slowly goes from hating her dad's boyfriend (she blames him for infecting her dad - though he didn't know he was HIV+), to joining him at his activist group meetings and going to demonstrations to show her support for AIDS research, treatment, and education.
By the end of the book, Iris is working through her grief and finding a positive outlet in activism work, focusing first on educating her classmates. Overall, a really depressing book , but good for kids to know the history of the AIDS crisis and how hard it was to fight for the support needed for a marginalized community.
Iris and her boy have a single kiss, and they toss condoms to the crowd at a demonstration.
Iris understandably has a lot of feelings. Her best friend moved away and she hasn't told any of her friends or classmates about her father's diagnosis. A new boy catches her eye and they are able to bond. She slowly goes from hating her dad's boyfriend (she blames him for infecting her dad - though he didn't know he was HIV+), to joining him at his activist group meetings and going to demonstrations to show her support for AIDS research, treatment, and education.
By the end of the book, Iris is working through her grief and finding a positive outlet in activism work, focusing first on educating her classmates. Overall, a really depressing book , but good for kids to know the history of the AIDS crisis and how hard it was to fight for the support needed for a marginalized community.
Iris and her boy have a single kiss, and they toss condoms to the crowd at a demonstration.
March 10, 2024
3.5 stars. I was in fifth grade in spring 1987, so I connected with a lot of the 80s references and enjoyed that as the setting. But being only 10 at that time, I was definitely not aware of the magnitude of the AIDS crisis, and I appreciated learning more about it through a middle-schooler’s eyes in this book. Iris is a great character, very real, and I loved her band of misfit friends, I probably would have been friends with them myself. I wanted to know more about Julian, though, and what exactly his family’s situation was. The poems throughout the book were lovely, as was the metaphor of paperweights as hearts, full of varying colors and emotions. This was a sweet story and a great way to introduce kids to the idea of standing up for a cause. I ended up reading this aloud to my 9.5yo kiddo, because she wanted to know what it was about, and she stuck with it all the way through, which impressed me. She said she could never be as brave as Iris but I’m glad for her to have such a character to inspire her.
June 4, 2023
4.5 A really important, well written, and thoroughly researched middle grade novel about the AIDS crisis and the ACT UP movement. Set in 1987 New York and told from the perspective of Iris, a middle schooler whose father is dying of AIDS, this historical fiction does a great job of detailing the misconceptions that surrounded AIDS at the time and the importance of the protesters’ demands. I loved how it also allowed Iris to fully grieve and feel her anger and resentment, even towards her dad’s boyfriend, while also giving her an outlet for healing and power through activism. I also appreciated the subtle representations of Iris’ Jewish identity and think this story might be useful for exploring pandemics in a historical fiction setting. For a similar story for teen readers, I recommend Like a Love Story.
September 25, 2025
It’s kind of wild to read a book set during my late high school years that ended up being historical fiction. I am getting old!
The book chronicles a seventh grade girl’s life as she handles her parents’ separation/divorce, her dad announcing that he was gay, both parents’ new relationships, her dad’s AIDS diagnosis and the stigma that went along with that in the mid to late 80s.
The author handled living with someone with aids in a very gentle way. The way society dealt with AIDS, was shown for what it was fearful and ignorant. Even the “coolest’ teacher was uninformed, and his reaction was scarring for the main character.
Friendships were tested and ultimately shown to be solid, but people’s apprehension rings true for that time.
The book chronicles a seventh grade girl’s life as she handles her parents’ separation/divorce, her dad announcing that he was gay, both parents’ new relationships, her dad’s AIDS diagnosis and the stigma that went along with that in the mid to late 80s.
The author handled living with someone with aids in a very gentle way. The way society dealt with AIDS, was shown for what it was fearful and ignorant. Even the “coolest’ teacher was uninformed, and his reaction was scarring for the main character.
Friendships were tested and ultimately shown to be solid, but people’s apprehension rings true for that time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
I am trying to read more YA this year, and this book has a beautiful cover, so here I am! This story is tough. Iris is having to deal with a dying parent at a time that AIDS was not well understood. Her grief is very real, with so much confusion thrown in. She just wants her dad to be remembered and loved for who he was - not what took him away. This was a quick listen (the audio version was great), and very much worth the time. The family dynamics are relatable, especially during the time of grief. It will likely have you tearing up and proud at the same time, so be prepared!
September 8, 2025
This was very sad and very good. As an adult who remembers this time in history when many gay men were dying of AIDS, it was interesting to find out more about how these poor people were treated and how they suffered. Iris's father came out of the closet a couple of years ago. He moved upstairs in the same apartment building so that Iris can go back and forth between her mom's and her dad's places. But now her dad has AIDS, and his health is deteriorating rapidly. Iris doesn't know what to do with all of her anger and hurt - made even worse by those around her who think they can catch it from her. Haunting and memorable.
August 27, 2025
3.5 stars...I liked this and I think it's a great story...I just didn't personally feel as connected to the characters as I WANTED to be so it's not something I see myself reading again. I think historical fiction like this is really important...we forget how recently the world looked like this. This one just isn't a new favorite for me personally.
September 12, 2023
This was such a great read. Some of it seemed to read a little slow, but overall it was not too bad. The story itself is so sad, but how the character deals with the struggles of losing a father to AIDS is uplifting. She finds a way to advocate, even though she is young. What an inspirational read.
April 6, 2023
So close to 5 stars. I loved this story! The use of poetry was beautiful.
October 26, 2023
Set in 1987, this short, emotionally charged novel follows a few months in the life of seventh grader Iris Cohen, whose father is dying of AIDS.
March 14, 2024
This book will be etched in my heart forever.
January 1, 2025
Gifted to me in 2023, this heart-wrenching, brutal, and beautiful middle-grade historical fiction sat on my shelf until now—and I’m so glad I finally read it.
The second book I finished in 2025, it’s set in 1986, where Iris’ dad is dying of AIDS in a world that cruelly labels it a gay plague and turns its back on those affected. The story asks unflinching questions: How do you navigate grief and anger? How do you love someone after they’re gone? How do you keep living in a world you can’t fully understand?
This is a book that soars in its portrayal of a time many would rather forget, wrapping around your heart and refusing to let go. Perfect for book clubs or as a springboard for deeper inquiry, it’s a story that demands to be shared.
Opinion is my own and not paid for. #PernilleRecommends #MiddleGradeBooks #HistoricalFiction #BooksThatMatter #AIDSStories #RepresentationMatters #BookClubs #HeartOfInquiry #MGReads #PowerfulBooks
The second book I finished in 2025, it’s set in 1986, where Iris’ dad is dying of AIDS in a world that cruelly labels it a gay plague and turns its back on those affected. The story asks unflinching questions: How do you navigate grief and anger? How do you love someone after they’re gone? How do you keep living in a world you can’t fully understand?
This is a book that soars in its portrayal of a time many would rather forget, wrapping around your heart and refusing to let go. Perfect for book clubs or as a springboard for deeper inquiry, it’s a story that demands to be shared.
Opinion is my own and not paid for. #PernilleRecommends #MiddleGradeBooks #HistoricalFiction #BooksThatMatter #AIDSStories #RepresentationMatters #BookClubs #HeartOfInquiry #MGReads #PowerfulBooks
April 17, 2023
I’ll write a review once I’m done crying
December 1, 2024
So sad, and so beautiful. She really captured grief.
September 11, 2025
2026 Caudill #7 - I really enjoyed this one. For students who finish the novel, they will gain a lot of perspective, become informed and will see how activism can start at a young age.
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