Glitter Boy

For 11 year old James dancing, singing, writing poetry and Mariah Carey (he plans to write songs for her) are the things he loves doing. He also enjoys spending time with his besties Harriet and Joel and with his Nan who he visits regularly after school. With a new school year just starting, James hopes it will be even better than the last one, especially with Mr Hamilton as his new teacher and a new school choir to sing with! But class member Paul hasn’t left his bullying of James in last year, and as this intensifies, his nan starts to have worrying falls and his dad becomes less than approving of Joel and his teacher, James is at risk of losing his sparkle and all he enjoys doing that make him James. Will his glitter disappear for ever or can he keep it shining even in the darkest of times?

What an enjoyable middle grade novel from Ian Eagleton, full of great characters and heartfelt writing! Ian manages to give an insight into what it’s like being an 11 year old navigating the trials and tribulations of life at home and school, while trying to work out who you are. It's a window into their world and thinking.

Glitter Boy deals with lots of things from friendships and families, bullying, children and social media to family bereavement, LGBTQ+ themes and finding the confidence to be you. James is such a brilliant and kind character, so enthusiastic about the things he loves and full of joy, and it was heartbreaking watching him withdraw into himself and become isolated from his friends as things got tough for him and he felt he couldn't ask for help. Harriet, for me, was my favourite character, with her feisty personality and willingness to do anything to protect and help her friends - everyone needs a Harriet!

Included in the novel are poems written by James through which we find out more about what he is feeling and thinking. Keep a hanky handy when you read Forest of Memories which is written about is Nan. It's worth saying at this point the novel does deal with family bereavement.  For me, the novel really captures the dynamics of a classroom well including friendships and some of the things kids find fascinating, like finding out information about their teacher and what really goes on in the staff room! Overheard in the staff room poem is very perceptive and accurate as anyone who works in a school will appreciate.

The bullying James experiences is well observed, highlighting that it is often those small frequent acts of bullying that can have the most effect on children. I hope the novel encourages children to be brave and speak out about bullying whether homophobic or otherwise so it can be tackled. It's great to see a middle grade novel infused with such strong LGBTQ+ people and themes from the openly gay Mr Hamilton to James Nans neighbours, especially as children of James age are becoming aware of their sexuality and that it's OK to feel what you are feeling. I loved how Mr Hamilton linked the class history project to research famous LGBTQ people. It had me researching some of the names I'd never heard of!

There are a couple of fun quizzes at the and of the novel on LGBTQ terms and famous people. Ian doesn't shy away from highlighting the negative attitudes some have to LGBTQ people and the impact this has on them or those simply trying to work out who they are, and this novel is a great place to start a conversation about it. The contemporary topics and themes in this novel mean there is plenty to discuss and talk about, and would make an excellent book for the classroom and for any kids looking to see the importance of being themselves.

368 pages / Reviewed by Stephen Leitch, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+