Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - A Kind of Spark

A great book to explain the beauty of autistic people. I definitely felt the author wrote this authentically and there was so much I learned and felt from this story. It’s a great explanation for those who are neurotypical to understand others.

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themelodyofspring's review against another edition

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informative lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Good book that talks a lot about Autism, but the plot wasn't strong enough. I liked the witches storyline, but that was it? Kinda needed the book to have a bit more plot and to be more engaging or fun.

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penofpossibilities's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Cried a couple of times. Its the first kids book ive read with such explicit autistic rep. I felt very jealous at the mc for having so many words to explain her autism to others. I could relate alot to her experiences but not the way she could express herself and stand up for herself. I did not have those words as a kid. Im glad some kids do and that this book could be meaningful for them. I did not like the whiteness of the autism rep though, it talked about how its more difficult for high support needs autistics but not about intersectionality of ableism and racism and that was a pity. There was not enough intersectionality in the advocacy of this book in general and I also did not like the language policing; two times the mc says that autism is not something you have but autistic is something you are and the mc says it like that is a fact. But not all autistics feel that way so it felt a bit exclusive :/ also at the end the mc says everyone in the town is good now bcs they recognised one wrong thing in history but that is very simplified and again I feel like thats such a white perspective that largely ignores how dangerous it still is to be poc and autistic or having intersecting disabilities etc. I still rate it 4 stars despite these issues bcs its a really special book and I wish I had it as a child. It made me feel closer to my self and it made me feel validated.

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musingsofazebra's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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bookswithlauren's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautiful. I loved this book and really related to this book as well.

We follow Addie who is a kind hearted, passionate, eleven year old autistic girl who loves sharks and reading. In school, Addie starts learning about the witch trials that occurred in her town and she is eager to learn everything she can about them but to show her town how wrong the actions of their past were.

'A Kind of Spark' is quite hard hitting as it explores bullying but also how wrongly treated people are for simply being different. One thing that really hit me is when Addie realises she would have been accused of being a witch if she lived during that time period because of her Autism. It is heartbreaking but also unfortunately true. I do not have Autism but I have Epilepsy and would also have been in the same situation as Addie and the entire book really resonates with me.

Everyone in this world is different and it is a wonderful thing but Elle McNicoll really explores how those differences can be viewed, in the past and during the present day. There are many countries and beliefs that would deem my Epilepsy a curse or the work of the devil. There are many countries and beliefs who do not understand different conditions, genders, sexualities and much more and 'A Kind of Spark' really makes you think about that harsh and heartbreaking reality.

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hayley_mariep's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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maeverose's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

Contemporary isn’t a genre I tend to like, especially middle grade, but I wanted to read more books with autism rep by autistic authors and I liked this a lot more than I expected to.

This is such an important book and I’m so glad it exists. It was infuriating to read how Addie was treated by some of the ignorant and abusive adults in this book and it’s especially infuriating knowing that that’s a very real experience for lots of kids in the real world. I think this book could be really helpful for kids who might be going through something similar. Or for allistic kids to learn more about what having autism can be like.

Bonus quote: ‘Mr Laird rises in her place, eyes slightly wild and mustache aquiver. “The geese on Juniper pond,” he booms, “are demonic.” There are some groans, but a couple of ayes.

Idk why but that made me laugh a lot 😆 I wanna know how these geese got this reputation.

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someonelikeblue's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

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