A British boy bullied by his new schoolmates because of his love of books has gained the support of readers—and a few well-known authors—all over the world, the Guardian reports.

Callum Manning, a 13-year-old boy in the English town of South Shields, was heartbroken when he learned that students at his new school had taken to a group chat to make fun of his Instagram page, which features reviews of books he’s read, including Pride and Prejudice, The Hobbit and, remarkably, Crime and Punishment. (Clever lad.)

“I don’t tend to cry that often, but I think that was the first time in a while I’ve actually cried,” Callum said.

His outraged sister tweeted about her kid brother’s ordeal. “Can’t believe how awful kids are,” she wrote. “My little brothers made an Instagram reviewing and talking about books and kids in his new school have seen it and have created a group chat calling him a creep slagging him off about it and added him to it so he could see.” (The bullies were cowardly enough that while Callum could see the chat, he wasn’t allowed to respond.)

 

Caroline Kepnes, author of You—one of the books that Callum reviewed—texted the boy as a show of support. And author Matt Haig offered to send him autographed copies of his books, the BBC reports.

“I think this is about the best and worst of the internet,” Haig said. “Yes, there are always going to be cyber-bullies, but there are moments like this who swamp out that bullying with kindness.”

The last laugh belongs to Callum, and not his jerk schoolmates. His Instagram followers now number 257,000, and he’s receiving messages of support on his posts.

“It’s bizarre, but nice to know that people care,” the boy said.

Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.