Although Smallest and Tigerboy are now 13 and 11, I still read to them every night. It’s a really nice way to round off the day, and we’ve enjoyed a lot of different books that way.
Recently we read Like a Curse, the sequel to Like a Charm by Elle McNicoll from the pioneering KnightsOf.
I’d been looking forward to it from the moment we finished Like a Charm, I love Elle’s books, with unapologetically neurodivergent characters just being people. Previous characters have been autistic, and the lead character in Like a Charm and Like a Curse, Ramya Knox, is a dyspraxic witch in training, with an autistic aunt, also a witch. The duology is set in an Edinburgh and UK full of Hidden Folk and magical creatures, and not all of them are cuddly and friendly in the slightest. I don’t want to add< in spoilers for anyone still waiting to read Like a Curse, but it's good to get to know Ramya a bit better, as well as getting more of an insight into the rest of the women of her family. Plus her cousin Marley is of course back, and playing counterpoint to Ramya's impulsivity. Lots of legendary creatures feature in this title, from druids, to mermaids, dragons and nymphs. The action moves along well, and there's plenty of character insight into Ramya, with more than a little mild peril throughout. It's not a spoiler to say I cried one evening while reading. Ideal for independent middle grade readers, this is also a really good readaloud - let's face it, not all books work that well that way. The pacing is good, and the names are pronounceable - I'm very grateful for that! If you're looking for fiction incorporating neurodiversity, either for neurodivergent readers or to give some insight to the neurotypical these books are great. And if books aren't your thing, but TV is, well, there's a real treat in store for you. Elle's first book, A Kind of Spark, has been turned into a series!
The press release:
A Kind of Spark is a powerful, heart-warming live action series about friendship, courage and self-belief based on the award-winning book by neurodivergent author, Elle McNicoll.
Coming to BBC iPlayer on 31 March and CBBC from 17 April, it tells the inspirational story of an autistic teenager Addie. When she learns about the witch trials that happened centuries ago in her hometown of Juniper, Addie knows that there’s more to the story of these ‘witches’, just as there is more to her own.
Her desire to be herself becomes entwined with the historical mystery of Maggie and Elinor, two sisters who lived in the 16th Century. Maggie was accused of witchcraft and mysteriously vanished before she could be brought to trial while Elinor struggled with her true self.
As Addie tries to unravel what happened to Maggie, she discovers an even more surprising connection to Elinor and embarks on a journey of self-discovery while campaigning for a memorial in Maggie and Elinor’s honour. Can Addie challenge how the people in her town see her and make her voice be heard?
Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and the Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, A Kind of Spark interweaves the past and present in ten action packed episodes full of the joys of friendship, sisterhood, the drama of growing up, mystery and magic.
Filmed in Knutsford, Manchester, A Kind of Spark has authentic representation throughout its production with the three lead characters of Addie, Keedie and Nina played by neurodivergent actors.
A Kind of Spark is created for television by Anna McCleery (Free Rein, Secret Life of Boys) and produced by 9 Story Media Group. Lead writers are Anna McCleery and Elle McNicoll (A Kind of Spark, Show Us Who You Are) with Karissa Hamilton-Bannis and Vicki Lutas. It is executive produced for 9 Story by Gráinne McNamara.
A Kind of Spark will be available on BBC iPlayer from 31 March and CBBC from 17 April.
I genuinely can’t wait for this. Neurodivergent characters, handled sensitively by neurodivergent creatives and actors – absolutely awesome. For the kids who never get to see themselves in books or on screen, this is a milestone moment. Autism in the mainstream, but not as a plot point or add in, just as part of a story, part of a life, like it is for autistic people every day.
If you’re interested in the books by Elle, you can find affiliate links below to my bookshop list. Or they’re available at all good booksellers, or via your library 🙂