Boy vs Reality

Author: Fox, James

Interest age: from c 8 years

Published on 12 February 2026 by Scholastic in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 384 pages
194 x 128 | 260g

A funny, relatable, moving story about online fame vs reality.

Meet Ethan Lacey, online vlogging sensation alongside

his mum, dad and big brother Mason.

They film and upload

everyday life for their million subscribers to enjoy - the

pranks, the cosy family time, the perks like going to the opening

of an epic new theme park. They are the perfect family...

aren't they? But reality is not all fun and freebies. Mum

and Dad have been arguing a lot recently and Mason has been picking

on Ethan. When the cracks start to show, can Ethan persuade his

family to fix the real world, not fixate on the online one?

The second book by multi-award-shortlisted (including the Waterstones

Children's Book Prize) author James Fox.

Told with James' trademark blend of observational humour and

glorious heart, with an utterly relatable and loveable main character

and a smart, nuanced take on Instagram/YouTube vs Reality.

The message is about being present and enjoying the everyday

moments of life in an authentic, happy way.