Sparkle Boy - Hardcover

Lesléa Newman

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1620142856 ISBN 13: 9781620142851

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2017

Synopsis

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 Author:

LESLEA NEWMAN is the author of seventy books for readers of all ages. She has received
many literary accolades, including poetry fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation, and has served as Poet Laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts, from 2008 to 2010. In addition to creating her own books, Newman teaches writing for children and young adults at Spalding University's brief-residency MFA in Writing program. She wrote this book to celebrate all the "sparkle boys" she knows. Newman lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, with her spouse, Mary Vazquez.

From 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

About this edition

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