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skylarkblue1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Representations: https://trello.com/c/VAfrX6An/77-a-kind-of-spark-by-elle-mcnicoll
Love that kids have books like these nowadays, and despite the fact I've not watched it yet it's so delightful to know the BBC have seemingly also given it so much support!
The story is quite simple and to-the-point. Addie - who's autistic - learns about witch trials that happened in her town and it effects her a lot more than anyone realised. She sees herself in the so-called "witches" and the bigotry she faces in the modern day just for being autistic. So, she fights for a memorial plaque to apologise to the women who lost their lives and to never let them be forgotten.
Naturally, absolutely wonderful representation. The contrast between adult autism and child autism and showing absolutely for sure that it is not something you grow out of and the harm behind that misconception is critically important.
This book tackles masking, burnouts and meltdowns, ableism of multiple forms and even forced institutionalisation of autistic people. It does get heavy, but it gets very real and all the problems are very real problems us autistic people face.
It's also about joy and family, finding good friends and standing up for yourself and what you really believe in. It's a happy story overall I would say, the negativity doesn't define Addie or her sister Keedie.
Just a note about something mentioned in the ending though, not all neurodiverse people are autistic!!! The opposite of autistic is allistic! Neurodiversity isn't a direct substitute for autistic, autism is just under the neurodiverse umbrella!!!
Also as a note for " Are the flaws of the main character(s) a main focus of the book? " and people saying yes to it, autism is not a flaw. The flaws are from the other characters around her and their bigoted beliefs. Autism is a part of Addie and always will be - it is not a choice, nor something that can be changed - it is not a flaw.
Love that kids have books like these nowadays, and despite the fact I've not watched it yet it's so delightful to know the BBC have seemingly also given it so much support!
The story is quite simple and to-the-point. Addie - who's autistic - learns about witch trials that happened in her town and it effects her a lot more than anyone realised. She sees herself in the so-called "witches" and the bigotry she faces in the modern day just for being autistic. So, she fights for a memorial plaque to apologise to the women who lost their lives and to never let them be forgotten.
Naturally, absolutely wonderful representation. The contrast between adult autism and child autism and showing absolutely for sure that it is not something you grow out of and the harm behind that misconception is critically important.
This book tackles masking, burnouts and meltdowns, ableism of multiple forms and even forced institutionalisation of autistic people. It does get heavy, but it gets very real and all the problems are very real problems us autistic people face.
It's also about joy and family, finding good friends and standing up for yourself and what you really believe in. It's a happy story overall I would say, the negativity doesn't define Addie or her sister Keedie.
Just a note about something mentioned in the ending though, not all neurodiverse people are autistic!!! The opposite of autistic is allistic! Neurodiversity isn't a direct substitute for autistic, autism is just under the neurodiverse umbrella!!!
Also as a note for " Are the flaws of the main character(s) a main focus of the book? " and people saying yes to it, autism is not a flaw. The flaws are from the other characters around her and their bigoted beliefs. Autism is a part of Addie and always will be - it is not a choice, nor something that can be changed - it is not a flaw.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Ableist Slurs, Autistic Meltdowns & Burnout.nica_chan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
_p0ssum_'s review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
heathermarie08's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a story about an autistic girl and the struggles she faces (as well as the bright spots). It is really nice to read the perspective of an autistic character, gives you a chance to feel how autistic people feel, how inspired they are and even how they hurt. I think this book falls in the young adult category but I think it is a good read for anyone. A book like this can possibly inspire more awareness and kindness in the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
myarae's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I can’t explain how much this book meant to me, reading it as an adult who is months into realizing they’ve been autistic their entire life. This was so deeply healing and cathartic to read; I see so much of my inner child and my younger self in the main character Addie, and my current self who just finished university and was destroyed by autistic burnout in the character of her older sister Keedie. I wish I had this book when I was younger and I’m so happy it exists <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
black_flamed_candle_b00ks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? No
5.0
A Kind of Spark is a book about an autistic girl who campaigns for a memorial when she learns that her small Scottish town used to burn witches simply because they were different. Ever since Ms. Murphy told the class about the witch trials that happened centuries ago, Addie 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.” ♾️
I absolutely loved this book! I loved the autistic representation of not only the main character but her sister too. I loved representation of special interests! Addie’s main special interest that was featured was the witch trials, which I could relate to, as I’m autistic too and one of my special interests is witchcraft. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed how it was narrated. A really great middle-grade novel with accurate autism representation and written really well. Also I love how the author is autistic too, as the novel comes across more personalised and realistic. I recommend this book all the time and it’s one of my new favourite books ever! 5 stars! ⭐️
“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.” ♾️
I absolutely loved this book! I loved the autistic representation of not only the main character but her sister too. I loved representation of special interests! Addie’s main special interest that was featured was the witch trials, which I could relate to, as I’m autistic too and one of my special interests is witchcraft. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed how it was narrated. A really great middle-grade novel with accurate autism representation and written really well. Also I love how the author is autistic too, as the novel comes across more personalised and realistic. I recommend this book all the time and it’s one of my new favourite books ever! 5 stars! ⭐️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Ableism
vikkisgrotto's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The autistic representation in this book was incredible. I loved Addie and her family, and although there were some moments that were tough to read, the ending pulled everything together and made my heart happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
themelodyofspring's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Ableism, and Bullying
rivercat0338's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Torture
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
“People aren't like books. A familiar book is always the same, always comforting and full of the same words and pictures. A familiar person can be new and challenging, no matter how many times you try to read them.”
➽ A Kind of Spark follows Addie, an autistic girl who is campaigning for her town to build a monument to the witch hunts that occurred in the past! I heard a lot of good things about this book and was excited to finally check it out. I really felt for Addie, she doesn't have it easy as most people don't understand her autism and judge her for not fitting into their neurotypical norms. Between friends abandoning her, bullying from her classmates and a super ableist teacher, this was hard to read at times! I just wanted to protect Keedie! I'm glad that she could find a new friend and was able to make her passion for the victims of the witch hunts heard. Addie has a strong sense of justice and is fixated on the witch hunts that happened in her town centuries ago. I also loved the close bond with her older sister Keedie who is also autistic and understands her best!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Torture, Murder, and Death