A Kind of Spark

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, ableism, child abuse, and bullying.

“‘Do not ever write so lazily again!’ [Ms. Murphy] shouts. Maybe she isn’t even shouting, but it feels that way. ‘Do you hear me, Adeline?’ I prefer being called Addie. ‘Not ever. A girl your age knows better than to write like that; your handwriting is like a baby’s.’”

The novel begins with Addie being berated by her teacher, Ms. Murphy, who tears up her handwritten story in front of the class. The highly abusive interaction touches on many recurring topics, such as Addie’s sensory challenges, her motor functions, and her perception of herself. She prefers to be called Addie, a fact that Ms. Murphy ignores, just as she ignores Addie’s needs. The sound of paper tearing and the teacher’s yelling both overstimulate Addie, and the crux of the conflict—her handwriting—is also directly impacted by her autism. However, Ms. Murphy ignores these realities and instead insults and infantilizes Addie. It is clear from the narrative’s beginning that the protagonist will have to endure extensive amounts of ableism.

“I walk through the corridors, practicing my breathing and keeping my eyes straight ahead. People talk so loudly to their friends, who are right next to them. They get too close, they push and clamor, and it makes my neck hot and my heart too quick. But when I finally get to the library it’s all quiet. A good kind of quiet. There is so much space, and an open window lets in a little fresh air. There is no loud talking allowed. The books are all categorized and labeled in their proper places.”

This scene demonstrates Addie’s sensory differences, as she is sensitive to physical and aural stimuli. While Addie and her family are adamant about her attendance in a traditional school, she is exposed to an environment that isn’t always suitable to her. Luckily, the library offers a reprieve, and the relieved tone of her description demonstrates that people with autism often struggle in many subtle, silent ways that a neurotypical person might not consider. The quiet, cool refuge of the library suits Addie’s need for consistency and sensory balance.