Ava Spark: Hello, I’m Here!

About this book

Meet 10-year-old Ava Spark. She has a twin sister called Flo, two best friends called Jack and Miya, and she speaks using a communication aid. 

When a new girl from Australia joins the school, Ava is asked to look after her. The new girl is quite shy, so Ava and her friends come up with a plan to help her feel welcome. But will the strict teacher Mrs Hare agree it’s a good idea? 

This charming chapter book depicts a slice of life at a primary school, where the protagonist just happens to be in a wheelchair. 

The story doesn’t linger on Ava’s way of speaking, as it has a wider theme of communication, with the focus on welcoming new friends and supporting existing friends. 

It’s important for children to read about characters having similar experiences to them, like making new friends, and for these characters to encompass a range of backgrounds, abilities, and personality traits to reflect contemporary society. 

The author’s son used a communication aid like Ava, which is perhaps why Ava Spark achieves this in a naturally inclusive way.