49 pages 1 hour read

Pablo Cartaya

Each Tiny Spark

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya centers on 12-year-old Emilia Rosa, a young girl with ADHD navigating school life in Georgia. As her Marine father returns from a warzone and her mother departs for a business trip, Emilia seeks understanding and connection within her family, confronts social complexities like immigration and redistricting, and embraces activism, learning to voice her beliefs despite difficulties. The story includes racism, bullying, and allusions to war trauma.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya is praised for its authentic and heartfelt portrayal of a young girl's struggles with ADHD and the complexities of family and community. The book's vivid characters and cultural richness are strong points. Some readers find the pacing uneven, but overall, it offers valuable insights into identity and resilience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Each Tiny Spark?

A reader who would enjoy Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya is typically a middle-grade student who appreciates heartfelt, realistic stories about family, friendship, and self-discovery. Comparable to those who enjoy Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming or R.J. Palacio's Wonder, they gravitate toward narratives dealing with personal growth and social issues.

Recommended

Reading Age

9-13years

Lexile Level

680L

Book Details

Genre

Children's Literature

Modern Classic Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Family

Identity: Disability

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Topics

Mental Illness

Disability

Trauma / Abuse / Violence