Reviews with content warning for Bullying - A Kind of Spark

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

113 reviews

wintah's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

very good, cried just a little.

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aishallnot's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-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? Yes

5.0

"I am not afriad of this. Or ashamed. It's just a part of who I am. Someone being autistic is no different from someone being left-handed or color-blind. It means we experience the world differently. And while some people might misunderstand it, I know that it is just a part of who I am. I can't be cured. I don't want to be. It's just a fact of life."

This book was so affirming to me as an autistic adult. Even though this is middle grade I think this book is perfect for everyone to read and understand and/or relate what it means to be neurodivergent. This story came at the right time for me to ensure that there is nothing wrong with being different in a neurotypical society. I even found myself tearing up a bit bc of how much I related to addie in how we deal with emotions and people treating us. I know this book will stick with me for a while and i honestly want to get a physical copy to read again and keep with me forever. this author will be an auto-buy/auto-read for sure!!

Side note: there is a tv show adaptation of this book with two seasons so far so i'll be checking that out 👀

cw: ablest language (r slur is used a couple of times) bullying, torture, violence, forced institutionalization,

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sustainably_lucia's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

I love this book! It is an honest and beautiful story of an 11-year-old girl and her family navigating being autistic in a world that is not built for us, surrounded by people who do not understand us, nor wish to. It shows various forms of bullying as well as how the love and support of our family and friends can make a big difference.

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marleens's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

An amazing middlegrade story with a very moving main character, I loved Addie’s enthusiasm and deeply caring nature. Her sisters were great side characters as well, and I’m happy to see that it looks like there is a prequel about Keedie. Will for sure be reading that one as well.
This was definitely an awesome own voices story of the kind that should be mandatory reading in schools.

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thelibraryofamy's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

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elenaluisa's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

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palebea's review against another edition

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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

4.25

> I would be mindful reading this if you are autistic yourself. I found some parts of this really hard to read and so whilst very validating, even as an autistic adult, it's probably a book geared more to trying to get non ND kids to not treat autistic kids badly. <

Baring in mind this is considered a "middle grade" children's book, this hit my heart as an autistic adult. I found Ade's experiences with ableism and bullying difficult to read because it resonated with my own childhood experiences. Unlike Ade, I did not have a supportive family and I was not diagnosed young so it healed my soul to read about this kid with such a positive, self accepting take on herself. I love how she was angry at the world for the lack of care and justice. Especially in how it related and compared to the witch trials.

I imagine this would be a wonderfully affirming book to read as an autistic child. I didn't have books like this growing up and I am so glad they exist now.

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