Review: A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

An honest and witty look at the autistic community’s experiences of ableist bullying

It’s the new school year. Eleven-year-old Addie is a brilliant writer whose stories have always been praised for their creativity. Unfortunately, her new teacher won’t see it. Addie is autistic and Miss Murphy thinks that means she is incapable of doing anything of worth. Miss Murphy always finds something to criticise – such as Addie’s handwriting – and refuses to acknowledge the intelligence and creativity in her work. Then there is Emily, a girl in the same class who excludes her from social groups and talks to her as if she is a baby. There’s also Addie’s big sister, Nina, who refuses to hear that any of the things happening at school are hurtful.

When a history project about Scottish Witch Trials begins, Addie immediately empathises with the women who were never given a chance to defend themselves. She wants a memorial to their lives installed in the local area, and when she is talked down by the local council she determines to find out more – and challenge the way other people see her.

As a narrative about autistic lives, A Kind of Spark is groundbreaking. It openly challenges ableist behaviour and explores the multiple reasons why, in 2020, autistic people are still often perceived and treated in ways that are unjustifiable.

The look into witch trials is fascinating too and Addie’s quest to see the behaviours of the past acknowledged kept me turning the pages.

As an autistic woman whose MA research focused on the fictional representation of disabled and neurodiverse lives, Elle McNicoll was the perfect person to write a children’s story with an autistic protagonist. When we talk about problematic representation, we don’t just mean something we dislike. It is something far deeper, that has repercussions for more than one person. We’re talking about books that shape attitudes, that misinform and misguide readers about the experiences of a community. A Kind Of Spark combats this by showing the lived experiences of many autistic people without shaping it to please a non-autistic audience.

‘They like nice things here in Juniper. Being nice is more important to them than being good.’

The book is also incredibly warm. Readers will relate to Addie and her middle sister Keedie. Both girls are autistic and the bond between them is beautifully drawn. They are very protective of each other and help one another to navigate a world where the social code is predominantly suited to non-autistic people. Keedie faces struggles of her own and her storyline looks at masking – the way autistic girls and women especially learn to blend in and pass as non-autistic, and the pressure and upset this causes.

Addie has many people who are important in her life and what is wonderful is how they understand her experience to different degrees. Her new friend Audrey, and school librarian Mr Allison instinctively show empathy and recognise that Addie needs slightly different things but essentially wants the same courtesy and kindness as anyone. Her big sister Nina doesn’t show understanding but watches out for Addie like a hawk. Then there’s Mum, who doesn’t always grasp the impact of casual ableism, and Dad who loves to geek about with his daughters. What’s important about the multiple relationships in Addie’s life is that they show there is no one right way to befriend and know autistic people. There are just hurtful and unkind behaviours that nobody wants to experience.

Some things are less confined to the past than we would like to believe. This story is passionately told and filled with hope. A Kind of Spark pitches itself well to the age-group. It shows what it is possible to achieve when autistic people are listened to.

• A Kind of Spark is available now from KnightsOf. RRP. £6.99