Glitter Boy: A heartfelt children's novel about the courage it can take to stay true to yourself

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There are some nice references to queer history along the way, from the extraordinary courage of Martha P. James’s experiences are based on the bullying the author, Ian Eagleton, went through himself at school and his book highlights how using the word gay in a negative way is absolutely unacceptable. This story is about a boy who struggles to be who he is without worrying about the bullies at school and his own bully he lives with at home. A variation of the Glitter Boy designed for Reconnaissance missions (the armor is painted in camouflage in the field).

It’s not something to fear or which will corrupt young people, it’s about learning to simply dance and spread more love than hate. At school, he finds himself the victim of bullying by Paul (who is very good at football and already wears Lynx Africa) who taunts him at every opportunity. Your previous titles include some wonderful, inclusive picture books but Glitter Boy is your first (and hopefully not last) middle grade book. But James’ father seems very uncomfortable about the plan, and a lot of other things – like any mention of Mr Hamilton, and James’ dancing, and the way James talks about his new friend Joel.This is one of those “I want to give you a hug” books and I’m so glad I’ve had the pleasure of reading it.

James is having a tough time, his mum has gone, he’s being bullied for being gay and his beloved nan is not well. He’s invited to sing in a surprise choir performance for his teacher’s wedding, but his father expresses discomfort because the ceremony involves two men getting married. It’s a heartwarming and often moving story about learning to not just be yourself but to help others become more tolerant and accepting of those who are different.

Sarah Webb first told me about this book, kindly saying that the teacher, Mr Hamilton, reminded her of me. The GB only has a 90-degree cone of fire and his feet are firmly stuck in the ground, so the big edge here is mobility. Hamilton’ but my editor Linas felt that the story would work as a middle grade and asked me to think about how I could expand upon it. James and Joel’s Quizzes’ provides some information, explaining words and phrases children may have heard and introduces famous figures from the recent past, which might be useful to readers. Glitter Boy is Ian Eagleton’s amazing middle-grade book debut, after previously publishing the picture books Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, Violet’s Tempest, and The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince.

What I love about this, is that it highlights how someone so bright and bubbly can be dragged down due to such an internal struggle when they feel like they have no support. No child should ever feel like they have to hide their identity from anyone and the knowledge that some children do, is heartbreaking.I have a huge soft spot for Nan and how she brings joy to his life as well as Harriet, who is another that brings a cheeky presence whenever she appears due to her confidence and integrity. It shows it’s readers that if you persevere and ignore the prejudice, you can become the best version of you! Highly readable coming-of-age middle grade fiction starring 11-year-old James, creator of most extravagant dance routines, lifetime member of the Mariah Carey fan club and a staunch believer in staying fabulous. It was making people think and question all the same questions I was asking myself, 'Should I be doing this? Only a few survivng suits remain, and these have been patched and repaired so many times as to bring in to question whether any original parts remain at all.