Sparkle Boy

May 8, 2017
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 1, 2017

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.

April 15, 2017
Newman adds to her lengthy resume of LGBT-themed books for children with this story about sibling rivalry and gender nonconformity.Despite the title, this book is not about Casey, the titular Sparkle Boy. It's about his big sister, Jessie, and her ongoing attempts to bully, shame, and otherwise convince her little brother that "boys don't wear shimmery skirts," paint their fingernails, or otherwise accessorize. Casey's parents and abuelita, indicated as a Latino or mixed family, are refreshingly supportive and kind, but Jessie's anger overshadows much of the story. Readers never learn why Jessie feels such antagonism, with no space given for reflection or empathy, nor does Casey display much depth of personality beyond his ravenlike attraction to shiny things. Of course, Jessie has a sudden and cliched change of heart at the very end, when she's compelled to protect her brother against other children making identical accusations about his gender expression, and by the end the siblings "adore...each other." With illustrations that are colorful yet subdued and stationary, there's little to distinguish this story from other recent picture books about femme boys and trans girls who are forced to endure maltreatment from family, community, or both. Multiple titles already explore nearly identical themes, and at this point any of them will suffice until the industry yields more interesting and nuanced portrayals. (Picture book. 3-8)

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May 15, 2017
Preschool-G Jessie is a girl who like things that are shimmery, glittery, and sparkly, and so, as it turns out, does her younger brother, Casey. When he sees Jessie twirling in her sparkling skirt, he wants one. Jessie says, boys don't wear shimmery skirts, but Mama finds an old one and Casey wears it. Ditto with glitter nail polish, which Dad has no problem with, and a bangle from Abuelita. Jessie, however, is still not on board and unhappily heads to the library with her decked-out brother. But when kids mistake Casey for a girl, and laugh when he says he's a boy, Jessie takes a stand. The straightforward text realistically makes Jessie the one who sees the problems that can arise for Casey (and herself), but her protective mechanism seems natural, as does the leap from annoyance to acceptance. When the kids say no glitter for boys is just the way it is, Jessie responds, Not anymore. The inviting, solidly drawn artwork features doll-like characters with expressive faces. It's easy to see that being himself moves Casey from sad to happy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2017
Jessie is unhappy that her little brother Casey gets his own sparkly accessories from Mom, Dad, and Abuelita. Jessie finally changes her mind about what boys should wear when she defends Casey from bullies. This sweet but bland addition to Newman's LGBTQ uvre prioritizes but does not explore Jessie's attitude toward gender nonconformity; stiff illustrations add little to the story.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)