The Book Depository A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
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Price: £7.99
Brand: The Book Depository
Description: A Kind of Spark : Paperback : Knights Of Media : 9781913311056 : 1913311058 : 04 Jun 2020 : A KIND OF SPARK tells the story of 11-year-old Addie as she campaigns for a memorial in memory of the witch trials that took place in her Scottish hometown. Addie knows there's more to the story of these 'witches', just like there is more to hers. Can Addie challenge how the people in her town see her, and her autism, and make her voice heard?. The Book Depository A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll - shop the best deal online on thebookbug.co.uk
Category: Books
Merchant: The Book Depository
Product ID: 9781913311056
MPN: 1913311058
GTIN: 9781913311056
Author: J SYDNEY
Rating: 5
Review: Many of the books I’ve read which have been published this year are ones which I have picked up as a result of my curiosity being triggered by seeing them on Twitter. This is one such read – one which has generated more interest and discussion than any other, and one which I have had in my TBR pile for a while ahead of this month’s Primary School Book Club. I must be honest, I possibly wouldn’t have read this had it not been picked as this month’s read, because I didn’t find the cover that appealing, but I’m so glad I did because this is a book that everyone should read – one which I will be shouting about very loudly in school in September both to my colleagues and to the children. For anyone who is unaware of this read (and that must surely be a very small number of readers), the book tells the story of Addie, a girl we first meet being humiliated by her teacher Miss Murphy – a downright nasty individual who clearly shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a child, especially not an autistic one. Because Addie, like her older sister Keedie, is autistic. Fortunately for Addie, she has an ally in the form of Mr Allison, the school librarian, who is not only sympathetic to her different way of perceiving the world but goes out of his way to support her through the books with which he supplies her and it is to the library that she heads at the earliest opportunity. After being snubbed by her friend Jenna a day or two later, Addie is surprised when new girl Audrey stands up for her ahead of a lesson in which Miss Murphy tells the class about the witch trials that had taken place hundreds of years ago in the area’s past and how women had been accused of witchcraft then simply for being ‘different’. This provokes a strong reaction in Addie who feels a deep affinity with these women and whose sense of outrage leads her to ask if the town has a memorial to the individuals concerned. Together with her family, Addie attends a meeting of the local village council and raises the issue of a memorial, only to have her idea squashed by the committee who see no worth in the idea. Undeterred, she sets about trying to raise funds for an appropriate way of commemorating the lost lives with the help of Audrey. Along the way, she has to try to make sense of the behaviour of members of her family, her peers at school and Miss Murphy, as she discovers the strength to stand up for what she believes in and finds allies in unexpected places. It would be all too easy to make comparisons here with Can You See Me? and Do You Know Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott as they too tell stories about another autistic individual and there are many parallels, but this, for me, was an even more powerful read simply because where those books are in the main written about an autistic girl, this is written by one. The narrative here, written by someone who has first hand experience of the difficulties faced in a society where most people fit into the ‘neurotypical’ category, and their lives are so much simpler as a result of that, is all the more powerful for being written in the first person and as a result of personal experience. As I read on, and was allowed to feel Addie’s confusion at some events and the discomfort that comes through the heightened senses she experiences, I could empathise greatly with her feeling of injustice at the way that not only were the witches treated, but individuals like Keedie and herself. For anyone who works with children, whether in school or elsewhere, this is a must-read. Its clear explanations as to why certain foods or types of lighting, for example, can be problematic for autistic individuals as well as why meltdowns happen, are far more clearly explained here than when I have attended any of the training that I have received in my time as a teacher. Having read this, I will make a concerted effort now to say autistic individual, rather than an individual with autism, after reading this several times within the book and reflecting on its importance. I have given this book to our SENDCo to read over the summer break and very much hope that by recommending it to my other colleagues that our understanding of the needs of autistic individuals and our teaching practice – not just for these children but for all our learners – is much improved. This glorious story is the debut book by Elle McNicholl, who is herself neurodivergent, and she has stated publicly that she intends to write more books featuring characters such as Addie and Keedie. I know that I am not alone in hoping that it will not be too long before we see more from her. A very definite 5 out of 5 stars.
Author: Nicola Picola
Rating: 4
Review: A book that could inspire important conversations. Should be widely read. Very distressing themes. July 2020 I really do think this is a well written book - others have said it already - and it represents the struggle well and the link to witch trials is inspired. However I think it is likely more suitable for older teens. If you have a generally happy well-supported autistic child/teen I don't necessarily recommend this book for them. It's upsetting and scary in places, regarding the difficulties encountered by many autistic people. It's a distressing account of the masking that might be required in order to be accepted by the wider community. It may suggest to a sensitive child that their life will be full of sensory overwhelm (if it isn't already) and masking fatigue and that they might be regularly misunderstood and belittled. That they could be bullied horribly at school, even by a teacher. That they face violence and abuse. That if they can no longer mask, they could be drugged and incarcerated. What a frightening prospect! I haven't read the ending yet. I do hope it's a bit less harrowing! However, if your child is already experiencing such things, or you suspect they might be, it certainly might be worth reading with them as it is very relatable and may give them a vocabulary to explain how it feels for them. It certainly might help you to understand. It does describe well how it feels to shut down, to meltdown, to lose words. I highly recommend ALL parents read this whether they have an autistic child or not. I also recommend that all teachers and childcare workers read it. And doctors. And bullies. All the best to the author. I look forward to future books. There are some typos in this one if you're interested. I don't know how to contact you. :) March 2021 EDITED to respond to criticism. Another reviewer has criticised my comments here saying I've missed the point. I would say that they have themselves missed the point of my review. They do make a valid comment - that parents may not realise the extent of abuse their child experiences and that perhaps this book can open dialogue so that bullying issues can be exposed. I agree and I recommended it for that reason. (Perhaps my critic didn't read or understand my review fully.) I think ALL parents of all children (ND or otherwise) should read this book to gain insight and understanding. However, in my opinion, this book is not appropriate for all children. In the case of my 14 year old autistic daughter who is genuinely happy and not experiencing any bullying or persecution (and I know this to be the case because I am with her all the time and we already have frank and open discussions - no I am not a deluded parent who thinks these things can't happen; they do and it's tragic) this book caused such distress that she couldn't go on reading it. It was her choice. Of course it opened dialogue between us but I am glad that she didn't get to hear about the harrowing experience of the autistic character who gets locked away in an institution as I think it would have terrified her. As I've said, it's a great story and interestingly written book and ALL PARENTS, CARERGIVERS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, POLICY MAKERS, RETAIL STAFF, BUS DRIVERS etc etc should read it and hopefully gain insight. I recommend reading it yourself and perhaps letting your child know that it contains difficult themes and let them decide if it's for them or not. I could relate to it intensely. I am so keen to find books that my daughter can relate to and be inspired by but it wasn't this one. Yes, the protagonist is a great role model. Yes it describes the sensory overwhelm brilliantly. Addie is certainly an inspirational protagonist. But as I said before, I don't want my daughter worrying that she will be locked up if she can't mask and is misunderstood by the people around her. I stand by my comments that this is not the book for children like my daughter who is happy, has a great life and loves herself the way she is. I see there is a new book by this author and I can't wait to read it!
