Elle McNicoll's children's book A Kind of Spark was named Blackwell's Book of the Year for 2020. According to the Bookseller, McNicoll is "a Scottish and neurodivergent author who wrote the book, her debut, after growing tired of the lack of inclusivity in the industry. The novel features two autistic young women as lead characters. McNicoll has recently signed a second deal with Knights Of for a middle-grade novel coming in March."
The shortlist, which included Boy Parts by Eliza Clark, Humankind by Rutger Bregman and Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan, was voted for by Blackwell's booksellers across the U.K., and the winner selected by a panel of five Blackwell's booksellers.
"I got so much out of A Kind of Spark--perspective, empathy, joy," said Mirjam Coenraads, one of the judges. "It is a book that will live with me for a very long time. I feel passionately that I would love to put a copy into the hands of every customer that passes through our doors."