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Scholastic scoops 'joyful' middle-grade debut from Eagleton
Scholastic has scooped Ian Eagleton’s "joyful, raw and timely" middle-grade debut Glitter Boy.
Executive editor Linas Alsenas acquired world rights directly from the author. Eagleton is now represented by Neil Dunnicliffe at The Spring Literary Agency. The novel will be published in February 2023.
"Ian is a unique writer who has the courage and skill to truly bare his soul on the page, and that conviction and vulnerability shines through brightly in Glitter Boy," said Alsenas. "This is a book that I sincerely hope will make its way into book collections everywhere, because every child would benefit from reading James’ story and really understanding the pressures that LGBTQ people – grown-ups and children – face today, particularly in schools."
Eagleton is an education consultant, primary school teacher and author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman (Owlet Press), which was shortlisted for the Discover British Book Award 2022. His new novel "aims to reach out a hand to younger LGBTQ+ readers encouraging them to sparkle and shine when they see themselves reflected".
The synopsis for Glitter Boy reads: "Eleven-year-old James loves dancing, poetry and Mariah Carey. His teacher, Mr Hamilton, is getting married to his boyfriend, and it looks like James will be part of a surprise choir performance at the wedding. 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. Meanwhile, a different boy has been harassing James at school, calling him gay, and it’s getting worse every day. James can find relief with his wonderful Nan, but she’s been having worrying falls, and James can’t tell anyone, or she might be sent to a care home. The secrets start building up, and James is starting to lose his characteristic spark. Will he find the strength to let the truths come out?"
Eagleton added: “It’s a real honour to be publishing my first middle grade book with Scholastic! I can’t quite put into words how special Glitter Boy is to me. To get to tell a story set in a primary school about homophobic bullying feels very important, and I hope it will start some interesting conversations around how language can be misused. Glitter Boy is a story of loss, grief and letting go. I hope young readers will enjoy James’s journey of self-discovery as he explores his identity, while learning that we are all special and all deserve to shine and glitter.”
