Sparkle Boy - Hardcover

Lesléa Newman

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1620142856 ISBN 13: 9781620142851

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2017

Synopsis

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!

About this title

About the Authors

Lesléa Newman is the author of eighty books for readers of all ages. She has received numerous awards for her work, including two Stonewall Book Award Honors, two National Jewish Book Awards, the Massachusetts Book Award, and a creative writing fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. From 2008–2010, she served as the poet laureate of Northampton, MA. Visit her online at lesleakids.com.

Maria Mola has illustrated picture books for publishers in both Europe and the United States, and her images are notable for their expressiveness and sense of whimsy. Mola was drawn to the story in Sparkle Boy because she believes it addresses a socially important topic. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Mola now lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband and their two sons. You can visit her online at mariamola.com.

Reviews

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1620142856
• ISBN 13: 9781620142851
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Maria Mola
• Number of pages: 32