Each Tiny Spark

Each Tiny Spark
Pablo Cartaya
Kokila/Penguin, August, 2019 326 pages
Grades 4-7
Realistic Fiction

Life is changing for Emilia. Her mother must travel for business, leaving her in the care of her controlling Abuela and tour-returning Marine father. Emilia contends with ADHD and counts on her mother to help her organize her studies and negotiate with teachers, as well as process her social life. School is bad enough without Mom, but she is also having friendship troubles. Her best school friend, Clarissa, is more interested in "hanging out" with the right people than doing things that Emilia enjoys. She would rather spend time with family friend and amateur filmmaker, Gus, only Clarissa doesn't approve of him.  Dad has been distant and strange since returning home and is no help. Abuela is more concerned with turning Emilia into a "proper young lady". Emilia would rather build and create things than go to dances and she finally begins to connect with Papi as they work together fixing up an old car that he purchased many years ago. Further conflict arrives as the neighboring school district, which is bursting, is threatening to send kids to Emilia’s more upscale neighborhood. Some citizens are not happy to share the space with "those people" and a local controversy develops, one in which Clarissa and Emilia are on opposite sides. Emilia must learn to stand up for what is right, despite the noise in her head and the absence of Mom, and embrace the person that she is, even if she doesn't fit into a traditional mold.

Part of Penguin's new multicultural imprint, Kokila, Each Tiny Spark is acclaimed middle-grade author, Cartaya's latest offering. As seen in The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, Cartaya explores themes of community, getting involved in local government and the importance of speaking your mind, even if you are a kid with no voting power. Also at the forefront is the Latino experience within American culture, in this case a Cuban-American family, who has carved out a life in Georgia, building a business and planting roots within a traditional Anglo community. The greater community is resistant to the Latino population, originally encouraged to come and help get Atlanta ready for the Olympic Games in 1996. Now original community members are reluctant to share their space and schools with the immigrant population. Cartaya also highlights the daily struggles facing kids dealing with ADHD and the tricky navigation of life with constant noise in your head. Emilia sees the world both through the lenses of ADHD and as a non-traditional girl--preferring technology to typical feminine pursuits. The cover features Emilia holding a blowtorch and looking all fierce. Though this is certainly not the main focus of the novel, it will attract STEM readers and both boys and girls. Emilia's challenges and interests are specific, yet her story will be universally enjoyed with natural curriculum connections.