A Kind of Spark By Elle McNicoll

Intended Audience: ~9-13 year olds as well as carers, educators, or others trying to promote and foster understanding of neurodivergent individuals.          

Written By a Neurodivergent: Yes

Audio Companion Available: Yes - has also been adapted into a TV series

Neuro Affirming Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

A Kind of Spark follows Addie, an autistic girl, who is determined to create a memorial for women who were persecuted as witches in her town’s history. As she fights to have their stories recognized, she also navigates bullying, misunderstanding, and the challenge of making her voice heard.

This book is a powerful exploration of justice, empathy, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. It offers an authentic portrayal of neurodivergence, showing the ways in which autistic individuals experience the world, process emotions, and advocate for themselves. At the same time, A Kind of Spark is a universal story about resilience and the need for acceptance, making it relevant for all readers—neurodivergent and neurotypical alike.

Anyone who values fairness, identity, and the importance of listening to marginalized voices will find something to connect with in this book. A Kind of Spark is a reminder that history is shaped by those brave enough to challenge it, and that every person, no matter how different, deserves to be heard and understood.

Elle McNicoll is so cool. Read more about her here: https://ellemcnicoll.com/about

ABOUT THE READER

Elisabeth Anderson is a neuro affirming neurodivergent school psychologist with 10 years of public service and is the owner of Connected Family Practice. She is also theDirector of Assessment for The ABLE Center.  Elisabeth has been recognized by families, colleagues, and school administrators for her leadership and knowledge as a policy writer, consultant and trainer. Elisabeth’s insights have made her a sought after internship supervisor.  Elisabeth believes that families should be able to find the supports they need both during and after the identification process to build greater understanding of neurodivergent brains, their needs, and potential support options. 

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Elisabeth’s Neuro Affirming Likert Rating Scale

⭐️: The resource contains language or content that perpetuates stereotypes, stigma, or misinformation about neurodiversity. It fails to use respectful and inclusive terminology, and may even promote harmful attitudes towards neurodiverse individuals.

⭐️⭐️: The resource makes some attempts at inclusivity, but still falls short in using affirming language and portraying neurodiversity in a positive light. It may contain instances of language or content that could be perceived as insensitive or exclusionary.

⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource generally demonstrates a decent level of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It makes efforts to use respectful terminology and accurately portrays neurodiverse experiences, although there may still be room for improvement in certain areas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource consistently uses affirming language and content to depict neurodiversity in a positive and respectful manner. It actively challenges stereotypes and promotes understanding and acceptance of neurodiverse individuals and communities.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource excels in its use of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It goes above and beyond to accurately represent the diverse experiences of neurodiverse individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. It serves as a valuable resource for promoting inclusivity and understanding in both neurodiverse and neurotypical audiences.