A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 19, 2021
ISBN: 0593374258
Pages: 192
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

A Kind of Spark

 

Addie is an eleven-year-old girl who is on the autism spectrum and has always felt that she should change in order to make other people more comfortable.   She has a horrible teacher who never tries to understand Addie and bullies her.  Her best friend has deserted her for another girl.  But Addie has a great relationship with the school librarian and one of her sisters and she loves studying sharks.  However, when a field trip ignites Addie’s concern for the women in her community who were killed because they were different and believed to be witches, Addie fights for a memorial for them.

There is so much information on autism and what people should know to better treat those who are on the spectrum.  This is an excellent book to educate upper elementary and middle school students and Addie is such a sympathetic character. I believe it should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland