Sparkle Boy

Author: Leslea Newman
Illustrator: Maria Mola
Lee & Low Books Inc. (2017)

I chose to evaluate the effectiveness of "Sparkle Boy" written by Lesl'a Newman, Illustrated by Maria Mola. There is no question that this book addresses one of the most socially important topics of this time. I evaluated the effectiveness of Sparkle Boy as a children's book in three main areas. This book teaches social acceptance, respect, and promotes the freedom to be yourself. I believe this book to be very effective in addressing these three criteria to young children.

Sparkle Boy is about a young boy named Casey that enjoys playing with his toys but also shows interest in "girly" pleasures as well. Casey's older sister Jessie thinks that her brother's interest in shimmery, glittery, sparkly things is weird. The children's parents find no harm in Casey's new unique interests and support him. It is interesting to watch Jessie change her view from "boys don't play with those things" to completely accepting her brother after she witnesses him being disrespected for expressing himself at the library.

This book teaches young children readers the importance of social acceptance. The realization that just because someone is different than you, or holds different interests, that they are still people with feelings just like yourself. In the book, Casey and Jessie are playing in the yard with their grandmother. Jessie mentioned that she liked her grandma's sparkly bracelet. Once Casey noticed he showed interest in the bracelets too. Jessie did not want Casey to have a bracelet. Grandma explained that "there's no reason why Casey can't wear a bracelet, Jessie. He isn't hurting anyone" (Newman 16). I think that this is a very important lesson for children to learn. Jessie is slowly learning to socially accept Casey and the point that he isn't hurting anyone, could really open the eyes to a reader that perceives Casey's behavior like Jessie does.

This book also teaches the importance of respect. An example from the book is when Casey and Jessie are in the library and some older boys are making fun of Casey calling him "A boy in a skirt". This bullying ends up making Casey sad to where he almost started to cry. This example in the book allows the reader to sympathize for Casey and realize the importance of being respectful to others.

Lastly, this book promotes the freedom to be yourself. Throughout the whole story Jessie is witnessing Casey show interest in things that sparkle and has no problem putting on a skirt and wearing it to the library. This book would be especially effective for any child that is worried about what others might think of them but want to express themselves. From this book they can get the message that it's not them that has anything wrong with them but that people that judge them just don't understand that it's okay for people to express themselves and it doesn't hurt anyone. The example of Casey getting picked on in the library and making it through that experience also gives hope to anyone that fears getting picked on for expressing who they are.
        
Overall, after evaluating this book on the three criteria of social acceptance, respect, and the freedom to be yourself, I believe it is very effective in explaining these concepts to young readers. Along with being effective in teaching the criteria, the choice to try and reach children at a young age to start teaching these values was really important. I would highly recommend all teachers and educators of children to consider having this book available for their students to read. 

I would highly recommend all teachers and educators of children to consider having this book available for their students to read.

Review by Christian Goldsmith