A Kind of Spark

Addie, an 11-year-old autistic girl in Scotland, learns about her village's history of witch trials during a school project. When she discovers that no memorial exists for the women who were accused and killed, she starts a campaign to create one, facing opposition from both her community and school. The story centers on Addie's determination to fight for what she believes in while navigating the challenges of being neurodivergent in a mainstream school. Her relationships with her sisters, including an older sister who is also autistic, and a new friend provide support as she takes on this mission. Through Addie's perspective, McNicoll, who is neurodivergent herself, presents an authentic portrayal of autism and explores themes of justice, historical truth, and the courage to stand up for marginalized voices. The novel connects past persecution with present-day prejudices, examining how societies treat those who are different.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of an autistic protagonist navigating school and advocating for social justice. Many note the book helps neurotypical readers understand autism from an inside perspective while giving neurodivergent readers a character they can relate to. Liked: - Clear, accessible writing style for middle-grade readers - Educational without being preachy - Strong family relationships - Historical elements woven into modern story - Representation of autism by an autistic author Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle - A few readers wanted more detail about supporting characters - Occasional reviewers felt the message overshadowed the plot Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Book Depository: 4.5/5 (200+ ratings) "Finally a book that shows autism as it actually is" - Goodreads reviewer "My students could not put this down" - Teacher review on Amazon

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🌟 The witch trials in Scotland were particularly severe, with approximately 2,500 people executed for witchcraft between 1563 and 1736 - nearly five times the rate per capita of England. 🌟 Author Elle McNicoll is herself neurodivergent and wrote this debut novel to address the lack of authentic autistic representation in children's literature. 🌟 The Scottish village of the story is based on North Berwick, a location infamous for its witch trials in the late 16th century. 🌟 The book won the Overall Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2021, making McNicoll the first openly neurodivergent author to receive this prestigious award. 🌟 Many of the accused "witches" in Scottish history were healers, midwives, or women with knowledge of herbal medicine - skills that were often viewed with suspicion by authorities.