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A Kind of Spark

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2020 middle-grade novel by Elle McNicoll For the television series based on the book, see A Kind of Spark (TV series).

A Kind of Spark
AuthorElle McNicoll
LanguageEnglish
GenreMiddle grade fiction
PublisherKnights Of Media / Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication date4 June 2020
Publication placeScotland
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback), Audiobook
Pages192
ISBN9780593374252
OCLC1273556124

A Kind of Spark is a middle grade novel by Elle McNicoll, published on 4 June 2020, by Knights of Media. The book follows Addie, "an autistic 11-year-old seeks to memorialize the women once tried as witches in her Scottish village." The book was commissioned as a 2023 CBBC television adaptation, with McNicoll acting as head writer for the series.

Reception

A Kind of Spark was generally well-received, including a starred review from School Library Journal.

Kirkus Reviews called the book "arnest and perceptive", noting, "the bullying Addie endures will leave readers’ stomachs in sympathetic knots, but Addie's nuanced relationships with her sisters and a new friend, Audrey, infuse humor and heart."

Publishers Weekly applauded the representation of Addie's autism, stating, "McNicoll, herself neurodivergent, portrays with clarity Addie’s neurological reality, interpersonal bonds, and thoughtful reflections." Deborah Stevenson, writing for The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, echoed the sentiment, writing, "McNicoll ... writes Addie’s narration with power and determination; it’s especially strong at revealing the sheer labor required for Addie to negotiate the world ... and the toll it takes, which is evident in Keedie as well." Stevenson concluded, "Whether they’re facing similar neurodivergent challenges or not, readers will appreciate Addie’s honesty, and they may follow her lead in reconsidering history."

Awards for A Kind of Spark
Year Award Category Result Ref
2020 Blackwell's Book of the Year — Won
2021 Blue Peter Book Award Best Story Won
Waterstones Children's Book Prize Overall Won
Waterstones Children's Book Prize Younger Readers Won
Saltire Society Literary Award First Book of the Year Nominated
2022 Schneider Family Book Award Middle Grades Honoree

Television series

A Kind of Spark was optioned for a CBBC television adaptation, with McNicoll acting as head writer for the series. It premiered in the UK on 31 March 2023, first on BBC iPlayer and later on CBBC.

References

  1. ^ "Children's Book Review: A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll. Crown, $16.99 (192p) ISBN 978-0-593-37425-2". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  2. Beasley, Emily (1 September 2021). "A Kind of Spark". School Library Journal. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  3. "A Kind of Spark". Kirkus Reviews. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  4. ^ Stevenson, Deborah (2021). "A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 75 (2): 67–68. doi:10.1353/bcc.2021.0544. ISSN 1558-6766. S2CID 258078656.
  5. "Awards: Blackwell's Book of the Year". Shelf Awareness. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  6. "Awards: Oates Finalists; Blue Peter Book Winners". Shelf Awareness. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  7. ^ "'A Kind of Spark' wins Waterstones Children's Book Prize". Books+Publishing. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  8. ^ Jin, Ha (2 July 2021). "Awards: Waterstones Children's Book Winners". Shelf Awareness. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  9. "Scottish First Book of the Year 2021". The Saltire Society. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  10. Morales, Macey (24 January 2022). "2022 Schneider Family Book Awards recipients named". American Library Association. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  11. Morales, Macey (24 January 2022). "American Library Association announces 2022 Youth Media Award winners". American Library Association. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  12. "BBC orders 'A Kind Of Spark' adaptation from Canada's 9 Story Media". TBI Vision. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  13. "A Kind of Spark to premiere on BBC iPlayer, CBBC, BYUtv and CBC!". 9story.com. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
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