A Kind of Spark

by: Elle McNicoll

(Amazon) Recommended Age: 8 years and above

Lexile: 580L

Content Warning(s): Ableism, bullying

"Ever since Ms. Murphy told us about the witch trials that happened centuries ago right here in Juniper, I can't stop thinking about them. Those people weren't magic. They were like me. Different like me.

I'm autistic. I see things that others do not. I hear sounds that they can ignore. And sometimes I feel things all at once. I think about the witches, with no one to speak for them. Not everyone in our small town understands. But if I keep trying, maybe someone will. I won't let the witches be forgotten. Because there is more to their story. Just like there is more to mine." (book summary)

What I Thought:

I really enjoyed A Kind of Spark. Before reading this, I hadn't really ventured into books that had neurodiverse characters which kind of gave me a few minor prejudices of how neurodivergent people acted. I didn't really know much about autism. A Kind of Spark is a quick and easy read too, in the terms of volume and reading level. There are only 180 pages but I wished there had been more. The story and plot is so interesting and unlike anything today. Honestly, throughout the book, I really wanted to punch Ms. Murphy. I just don't get how someone can be so ableist without understanding or even wanting to help the child. Like, why are you even a teacher?!? I loved the bond between Addie and Keedie and I was in pure horror when reading what Keedie had to go through, as a child. I hate that someone has to go through that just because they're a bit different. Being autistic, as Addie put it somewhere in the book, is just like being left-handed or being different from the majority. I'm now looking forward to reading Elle McNicoll's other book, Show Us Who You Are.