Reviews with content warning for Bullying - A Kind Of Spark

This was such a sweet, uplifting story. It was lovely to read a book about an autistic main character written by an autistic author. Addie was such a wonderful MC; she's thoughtful and kind and I loved her passion for sharks and her campaign to get the monument built. The ending was just so soft and adorable too.

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lochanreads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring 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

4.5

Brilliantly written juvenile fiction novel and a perfect resource for understanding how autism manifests differently in neurodivergent people. It has lovable characters and a happy ending.

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readandfindout's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars

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readingelli's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

Addie is autistic, and she likes sharks. Her older sister Keedie is also autistic, and helps translate the world for her and her to their family.
At school, Addie learns of the witch trials, and sees herself in the misunderstood women, so wants to do something to remember them.

I empathised so much with Addie’s struggles, her overactive imagination, struggles with fitting in, with not understanding friendships. Her passion and determination was great. I really liked how her neurotypical family was presented, especially her sister Nina. The character development, through Addie’s eyes, was brilliant. I highly recommend this book.

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amyalicejakob's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Absolutely adored this. What wonderful representation this has for neurodivergent women and girls. I sobbed throughout, children are living in a time of such brilliant, diverse, writing and I love dipping my toe in!

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mariebrunelm's review against another edition

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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? Yes

5.0

Addie is autistic and she would very much like people to stop treating her autism like a disease, thank you very much. The trouble is, her teacher and classmates refuse to see past their prejudices and see the real Addie. When the young girl discovers the history of her village, and especially the witch trials that sentenced to death women just for being different, she launches a campaign with all her might to acknowledge the errors of the past and do what is right.

Honestly, this book should be handed out everywhere for everyone to read. It's so touching, infuriating, heart-warming and important. Elle McNicoll writes an entertaining story with a lot to consider as a neurotypical reader about biases and perspective.

Rep: autistic MC (own voice).

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anjbhat's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

EXCEPTIONAL. I highly recommend the audiobook version especially. Elle McNicoll has written Addie so lovingly — she is such an inquisitive, empathetic tween — and the soft-spoken Scottish narrator really brings her to life.

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