Sparkle Boy

by Leslea Newman (Author) Maria Mola (Illustrator)

Sparkle Boy
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Young Casey loves sparkly things, just like his older sister, who does not approve until an encounter with teasing bullies helps her learn to accept and respect Casey for who he is.

Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump truck, but he also loves things that sparkle, shimmer, and glitter. When his older sister, Jessie, shows off her new shimmery skirt, Casey wants to wear a shimmery skirt too. When Jessie comes home from a party with glittery nails, Casey wants glittery nails too. And when Abuelita visits wearing an armful of sparkly bracelets, Casey gets one to wear, just like Jessie.

The adults in Casey's life embrace his interests, but Jessie isn't so sure. Boys aren't supposed to wear sparkly, shimmery, glittery things. Then, when older boys at the library tease Casey for wearing "girl" things, Jessie realizes that Casey has the right to be himself and wear whatever he wants. Why can't both she and Casey love all things shimmery, glittery, and sparkly?

Here is a sweet, heartwarming story about acceptance, respect, and the freedom to be yourself in a world where any gender expression should be celebrated. Sparkly things are for everyone to enjoy!

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Publishers Weekly

Sibling dynamics can often be thorny, and in Newman's (Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed) compassionate story, Jessie isn't sure how to react when her younger brother, Casey, wants to wear a "shimmery" skirt and "glittery" nail polish. The children's parents and Abuelita are models of understanding ("If Casey wants to wear a skirt, Casey can wear a skirt," says their mother), and Jessie's breaking/turning point occurs at the library, where Casey's skirt gets him mistaken for a girl and teased by older boys. The warm palette and smudgy edges of Mola's (Jeremy's Dreidel) illustrations create a comforting domestic atmosphere that almost seems to provide a safe space for the sensitive emotions at play; the children's blushing cheeks telegraph their discomfort, embarrassment, joy, and pride. Newman's straightforward text and dialogue offer examples of language that children and adults could use in similar real-life situations, and Jessie's response to the library bullies might be the best of all. After being told that boys don't wear skirts and bracelets because "That's just the way it is," she responds, "Not anymore." Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. Illustrator's agency: T2 Children's Illustrators. (June)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--When older sister Jessie shows off her shimmery accessories, little brother Casey wants them, too, even if Jessie disapproves of sparkles on boys. In three repetitive vignettes featuring the siblings, Jessie appeals in turn to their mom, dad, and Abuelita to back up her claim that boys can't have what she has. In each case, the adult hesitates but ultimately affirms that Casey may wear a skirt, nail polish, and a bracelet if he likes. This delights Casey while making his sister increasingly grumpy. In the fourth and final tale, other children at the library misgender Casey and say that "everyone will laugh at" his clothes. Of course, in the grand tradition of older siblings everywhere, Jessie decides that no one else is permitted to tease or judge her younger brother, and she paints Casey's nails herself when they return home. Mola's winsome pencil and digital illustrations have a style that combines John Parra and Mary Blair. Though somewhat on the wordy side, this slice-of-life story will appeal to families, whether or not they include gender-creative members. VERDICT A cheerful addition for libraries that need more titles like Cheryl Kilodavis's My Princess Boy and Sarah Hoffman's Jacob's New Dress.--Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Leslea Newman
Lesléa Newman has written more than seventy books and anthologies, including the highly successful and controversial picture book Heather Has Two Mommies. She is also the author of October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard and Sparkle Boy. www.lesleanewman.com

Susan Gal holds a BFA from Art Center College of Design and has illustrated several books for children, including Abracadabra, It's Spring! and Here Is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays. galgirlstudio.com
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781620142851
Lexile Measure
490
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Lee & Low Books
Publication date
June 15, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV000000 - Juvenile Fiction | General
Library of Congress categories
Brothers and sisters
Gender identity
Teasing
Gender identity in children

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