Don't miss the moving and inclusive prequel to the award-winning novel A Kind of Spark. Thirteen-year-old Keedie Darrow is used to bullies. Growing up neurodivergent makes you an easy target. But when her friends fall victim, Keedie launches an anti-bullying agency—and business is booming. Keedie Darrow has never been afraid of standing out. Her autism makes it clear she sees the world differently from others. But ever since Keedie and her twin sister Nina entered middle school, NOT standing out seems to be the only thing that matters. And the more Nina tries to fit in, the less Keedie understands her--or her classmates who become increasingly cruel to anyone who is different. Determined to take a stand, Keedie launches an anti-bullying agency. Soon, kids are lining up to have her tell off their biggest nemeses. But Keedie will have to be careful. It's a fine line between speaking up for what you believe in and becoming a bully yourself. "Keedie’s a well-realized character, opinionated and willing to stand up for those in need....A neurodivergent protagonist whom middle-grade readers will root for ." — Kirkus Reviews "[A] wonderful, sparkling lens that readers will not only enjoy, but will also connect them to an understanding of how differences should be positive.... McNicoll has crafted another wonderful story representing tween neurodivergence ." — School Library Journal "Keedie is highly articulate, and she has a lot to say, resulting in a talky novel that veers toward a nonfiction introduction to autism spectrum disorder , but its strength lies in that very voice." — The Horn Book Elle McNicoll is a bestselling and award-winning novelist. Her debut, A Kind of Spark , was a Schneider Family Honor title, an overall winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and a Blackwell’s Book of the Year. She has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal and was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, the Branford Boase Award, and the Little Rebels Children’s Book Award. Her second novel, Show Us Who You Are , was a Blackwell’s Book of the Month title and one of the Bookseller’s Best Book of the year. She is an advocate for better representation of neurodiversity in publishing and currently lives in London. 1 Welcome to Juniper. We are a small Scottish town, and we have centuries of history. We also have bullies. The bullies are just ahead by the river. There are three that I can see. It’s easy enough to watch them from my spot in the tree. High up, disguised in the dying green of autumn. Leaves fall to the ground, easily dislodged and cast down. Ready to die. I’m not going to fall. I’ve got a good grip on the tree branch with my legs because I need two hands to operate the water gun. It’s a large, heavy thing. The Al Capone of plastic pistols. It’s full of ice-cold water, and I’ve been waiting. Their laughter is forced and eerily high; they are all pretenders. It makes my hands tighten and my focus laser in. I don’t like pretenders. Plus, they were rude to Bonnie. We’re in the woods by the Water of Leith, hidden in shade and silence but only a short walk from the bustling village of Juniper. Everyone in Juniper is preparing for the Founders Day celebration, which is why the shopkeeper was too distracted by other customers to worry about me purchasing his largest water gun. I take aim and, just as Spence McLauchlan barks out another obnoxious laugh, I fire. The cold liquid hits him square in the face, causing him to choke on the laugh. He yelps in confusion, while the rest of his little gang looks up to the trees. They spot me instantly. “Darrow?” Spence’s best friend, Jack, squints up at me in surprise. I don’t recognize the other boy with them. Still, I hate a follower. So I blast him next. Then they all are soaked in freezing-cold water. They sputter and gasp, but I do not relent. “What was that for?” shrieks Spence, throwing his arms up to protect himself. I don’t answer. I leap from the tree and land with ease upon the woodland path. For a moment it seems that the earth moves beneath me. I stare them down and it feels like part of a Western movie. I always liked those scenes: when the gunslinger rides into town one last time to seek revenge. Bonnie said it was three of them who jumped out at her in the market, deliberately trying to make her scream. I don’t know if New Guy to Juniper was one of the three, but he can still learn a lesson today regardless. “You go near Bonnie again,” I say calmly, “and nowhere in this village is safe for you.” The water gun is empty, so I dump it at their feet. I turn to leave, heading toward the small uphill path that leads back to the main village. Back to Juniper. The woods always feel like an in-between, where more things are possible. Not a lot of things feel possible in Juniper. “Who is that?” I hear the unknown boy say to Jack, as Spence kicks the plastic toy with his shoe. “Call me Keedie,” I shout over my shoulder, n