Several times throughout this book I asked myself why I was still reading it, and after finishing it the only answer I have is "I was bored and kept hoping it would get better". It never really did. Don't get me wrong - if it was THAT horrible, I'm sure I would've given up - but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

The premise, that of a young girl growing up in Appalachia in the 50's with Tourette's syndrome, sounded interesting and promising, but the writing is...unskilled. The dialogue ranges between quaint and believable to "no one actually talks like that, ever". Gestures and body language are ALWAYS described in an awkward, baffling manner ('Miss Emily centered her hands on top of the table and pushed up' - what the hell is that illustrating?? No, she is not trying to lift the table in that scene, Miss Emily is just chatting).

I also found the middle portion of the book, where Icy is institutionalized, to be annoyingly ham-handed. Why are several of the child patients given animal characteristics? Is it to match Icy's ~frog~ theme, and why? If there's supposed to be some symbolism in the autistic boy that headbutts like a bull and the crazy kid who thinks he's a bird (NOT an actual disorder or remotely believable just stop it), it isn't readily apparent and doesn't go anywhere. Also, in a book that's about outcasts and respecting people's differences, I thought it was interesting that the nice aide at the institution was beautiful and the mean aide was ugly. Very progressive.

I think the final insult was finding that the climax of the book, and the solution to Icy's social problems, basically involved Icy FINDING JESUS PRAISE THE LORD and almost smacked of faith healing and just NO NO NO. So this entire book was a slow build meant to preach to the reader? Yeah, thanks.

Pass on this one.

Okay ... deep breath. This book was gifted to my mom by my aunt (her sister) a few years after my own diagnosis of Tourettes in the late 1990s. My mom is not really a reader, so she passed it on to me, and subsequently I read it when I was maybe 15 or 16. At the time I remember really liking it, and even shared it with a well-liked teacher and a few friends, who also read it. I've kept it all these years intending to read it again. But reading it now, twenty years later, is a different experience.

I've lived with Tourettes nearly all my life; it was with me as a child and all of my adult life, so you'd think I'd appreciate the representation in this book a little more ... but I don't. This book is no different from every other sensational TV show, movie, news feature, documentary, or other type of media whose (true or fictional) depictions of Tourettes are now "common-knowledge" examples of what people think this disorder is (remember "Tourette's Guy" of YouTube fame, Maury Povich specials, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigalo , The Wedding Singer, and that feel-good Hallmark movie In Front of the Class).

The author states that she consulted the then-Tourette Syndrome Association for information on the disorder; and firstly, I'll just say bluntly that I feel the Association has always had a very repetitive, droning approach to TS awareness and education. I myself learned about my new disorder from their stale educational materials and then continued using them for years to inform others. I know the points they highlight most, and the message they intend to drive home for their audience; and it is always the same. The facts never change, and the tone is always a bit condescending, especially toward those with the dreaded tics of coprolalia and copropraxia (inappropriate vocal and motor tics), who are and always have been "othered" even within the TS community, which desires to exclude us as outliers of an already misunderstood and misrepresented neurodevelopmental condition. And it is because of my firsthand experience with these tired old tactics and stigmas that I felt like Rubio simply sat down for an hour-long presentation from the Association on the basics of Tourettes, and then stood and declared "Welp, that's good enough for me!" and off she went to write Icy Sparks.

Rubio's approach to the disorder in the character of Icy panders to the common stereotypical version of Tourettes that existed at the time of writing, both socially and academically. Granted, not much has ever been known about TS, and research is always ongoing, but slow. Nevertheless, this story is just a cookie-cutter telling of the experience of Tourettes from the perspective of someone who obviously doesn't live with it or love someone who does. It's like knowing about cancer, hearing about cancer indirectly, and then writing a book about battling cancer, touching on typical subjects like hair loss and chemotherapy sickness, but with no real understanding of the lived experience of fighting the disease. It just feels very over-indulgent in the most patronizing way.

The classic trouble with teachers (which still exists today), the cliche writing and erasing of homework pages, the substituting of small tics for bigger urges, and the fact that doing something she loves and is good at (singing) causes her tics to take a backseat -- all of these things are just supercilious staples of what the world thinks about Tourettes, and the now-Tourette Association of America contributes in some ways (I think) to the very misunderstanding they seek to correct by not disseminating anything beyond these same, dry, beat-to-death facts and attributes over the last several decades.

As a teen reading this, I probably felt very seen and understood to recognize all the symptoms and characteristics of TS from a textbook point of view; but as an adult reading it, with 25 years experience living with Tourettes, it lacked any real feeling of what tics truly feel like, and how they impact our lives beyond just the challenges we hear about the most. It felt like the author started with a desire to write about Tourettes and uncertainly built the story around that foundation, rather than giving Icy any real character depth beyond her disorder. Her growth within the pages seems manufactured and not organic--as if Rubio knew her TS readers really needed a happy ending for Icy in order to feel good about their own experiences living with tics.

The down-home country imagery are what will stand out most in my mind after reading this book twice now. Icy's rural, 1950s Appalachian home actually comes to life superbly, and I loved that the most.

Never in my life have I wanted to burn a book, that is until I finished Icy Sparks. Aside from the bullshit Christian propaganda at the end of the novel, the sentences were filled with awkward actions and adjectives. There were actual moments I was reading the book, had to reread the passage and then shake my head like…what? For example:

p. 143 “Then I jumped up really high, stretched out my legs into an airborne spit, and descended, straight legged, with a thud- my feet planted squarely on the floor.”

p. 212 “Icy Child! She repeated as I corkscrewed and uncoiled my body again and again…”

p. 281 “Zooming straight up, twisting around in the air, he landed in a split, then shot upright again.” (Mind you, this was the pastor who was wearing a literal pinstripe suit?)

Also, can we talk about that weird scene with Maizy? There was a lesson on empathy on p. 162-163 in which she describes to Icy how to understand the patients in the ward, she would attempt to mimic their literal actions to understand their pain. For God’s sake Rose had cerebral palsy with contorted limbs and one kid ate lead. Being empathetic does not entail going to dangerous lengths to understand how one may be feeling. The whole relationship between an adult employee of a mental institute for children and a ten-year-old child was completely unbelievable. Icy was the epitome of good behavior and maturity, yet throughout the entire book, the reader must suffer through her bad mouthing and chastisement of nearly everyone that she knew. Even her closest friend, one of the only people that Icy was ever able to seek solace in, Miss Emily was only described in grotesque words. The word “fat”, “rolls”, “dough”, “whale” were thrown around carelessly. Of course, this was only good when Icy thought about it because when Patanni said the same thing, she would get defensive and tell him that it was not nice. This scene did not conclude the words in her head. For a good Christian novel, this sure included a lot of hatred. Then there was an awkward cat sex scene in which Icy (only 13 years old) states that she wants to be touched the same way by her boyfriend, she previously stated, “No ma’am! I don’t want some ole boy sticking his wiggly up my vagina”. (p. 229) (For some reason she reads so many knowledgeable books and can’t say the word penis).

I guess one of the only good things about the novel was the Walt Whitman reference. Yes, he did believe in God, however he did believe in all religions equally and did not discriminate, which essentially is what Icy stated she herself was going to do towards the end of the novel. Rubio tried to make Icy somewhat of a feminist, literary heroin, a survivor of Tourette’s Syndrome, however, unfortunately, it was a flop and Icy’s remnants are merely a forgettable speck in the wind. Perhaps if Rubio had attempted to focus more on educating the reader about the disorder and lead us into a realistic insight of Appalachia, would the book have been a worthy read.

I REALLY liked the first half of this book. The experience of a young girl with Tourrette's was fascinating and plausible. The author's poor conveyance of dialect was distracting but forgivable, mostly due to the overaching sparkle of the main character's wit. Ten-year-old Icy is precocious and interesting, if a little too perceptive and articulate to be believed.

However, her transformation upon returning home (I'm being vague to avoid spoilers) defies her character and any patience the reader might have with the writing flaws. After that point, my rating quickly spiraled downward.

I'd recommend the first half of this book to anyone who is interested in what those with Tourette's experience. Aside from that, I would suggest skipping it.

Until I reached the last 30 pages, I really enjoyed this book and was prepared to give it a rating of 4. The religious fervour that came out of nowhere had me feeling as if I had missed something in the story. But I hadn't. The feeling at the end is that the author needed a quick and tidy way to wrap up Icy's story, it felt like a cop out..after years of struggling with Tourette's Syndrome (undiagnosed) it takes one reluctant trip to church to discover that Jesus is the answer. I could buy into the idea that community support and an outlet (singing) could help with the symptoms of the disorder, but I could not buy into the complete and total turnaround that seemed to happen for Icy.
Before the last 30 pages, I enjoyed Icy's story. She is 10 years old when she starts to manifest symptoms of Tourettes. It is Kentucky in the 1950's and no one, least of all Icy, understands what is happening to her. Icy displays determination, spirit and resilience in dealing with her symptoms. She is a bright, articulate child who survives the loss of her parents at a young age, abuse at the hands of a teacher, a stay in an asylum and isolation. She handles it all with strength and humour. However, the story is almost entirely focussed on Icy. I would have liked to gain a little more understanding of the supporting cast in this book. There could have been more development of several key characters: Matanni, Emily, Mamie and even the teacher. I think that understanding them would have given me a better grasp on life in Kentucky in that era, particularly life for someone who is different.
So...the book was entertaining and enjoyable until around page 271. From that page on, the story was disappointing.

this book was just lovely.
it is about a girl called icy sparks.
she lives with her grand mother called  matanni and grand father called patanni.
her parents have passed away and she is an orphan.
it is based in rural kentucky in the 1950s.
it is the summer of 1956 when the story is based.
she is then diagnosed with a mental disorder.
for this problem , she is put  in  a hospital.
she hates it over there and does not want to stay over there.
she wants to go back to her grand parents instead of staying over there.
then she finds comfort in meeting a person called miss emily.
her full name is emily tanner.
she gives her books to read and note books to write on.
she is finally sent home to her grand parents which she wanted to do so badly.
miss emily teaches her different things and gives her more books to read about growing up and about life and icy sparks becomes very close to miss emily.
she had been writing to her grand parents and about how much she missed them and wanted to meet them.
she got  very angry and fought with the people at the hospital to let her go home but they tell her that she cant go home until they have found out that what is wrong with her.
the people at the hospital want to find out what the problem she has and to solve it.
she does not know what to do and feels very  bad and just wants to go home.
she then starts going to the church and singing over there.
then time passes and she grows up.
she is then 21 years old and she is diagnosed with tourette syndrome.
that is how the story ends.
the ending was lovely.
this book was just brilliant.
and i loved it.

Book on CD performed by Kate Miller


From the book jacket: Rural Kentucky in the 1950s is not an easy place to grow up, and it’s especially hard for ten-year-old Icy Sparks, an orphan who lives with her grandparents. Life becomes even more difficult for Icy when violent tics and uncontrollable cursing begin – symptoms brought on by a troubling affliction that goes undiagnosed until her adulthood.

My reactions
We know much more about Tourette’s Syndrome today than during the timeframe of this story, and I hope even the residents of rural Appalachia would be more compassionate about a young girl so afflicted.

Icy Sparks jumps off the pages of this book straight into the reader’s heart. This is a child who is curious, intelligent, kind, loving, and who learns to stand up to bullies and fight for herself. She shows empathy and compassion in her dealings with others even when they ostracize and belittle her. I loved her friendship with Miss Emily, an obese woman who knows a thing or two about being friendless and lonely. I wanted to throttle the teacher who so obviously hated this child. I was glad that the principal showed more genuine caring for Icy and that he made efforts to help and encourage her. And I can’t say enough bad things about the hospital worker who delighted in inflicting pain (physical and mental) on the vulnerable patients in her charge. As distressing as that episode was for Icy, it helped define the woman she would become.

Kate Miller does an excellent job narrating the audiobook. She brought these characters to life, and I really loved how she interpreted Icy.

If I could give it half a star I would. This book felt like it should’ve been a script, but even then it would’ve been bad. The storyline was too long and scattered. The main character was not an intriguing character. And it’s portrayal of Tourette’s seems a bit offensive.

It just felt like it was trying to do too much and in the process did nothing at all. So this was a waste.

And ya wanna know something? I don’t think Oprah really read this book at all.

Also the ending felt very out of left field and ultimately like a sermon in the end with no real build up to this point.

A story about Icy Sparks. She is a girl with golden yellow hair, raised in the 1950s, and an orphan child brought up by her grandparents (her mother and father died not too long after she was born). Icy suffers from tourettes (which she doesn't find out until later in life) and has fits of croaks, curses, and arm flailings. She befriends Miss Emily (an older woman and an outcast who weighs over 300 pounds) to find a common bond.

Icy's 4th grade year is miserable because of a teacher who constantly picks on her and unrellenting peers. Her behavior isolates her from other students at school with urges that cannot be controlled. Mr Wooten (her principal) puts her in a classroom alone, separating her from the rest of her class. After a fit of rage when Mr Wooten tries to rearrage the classroom after Icy catagorizes items by colors, she is sent to an institution for help.

In the institution she doesn't fit in and isn't like other patients. Some of the nurses befriend her and she finds out one of the nurses mistreats her patients badly. Icy tries to control her tics and urges by the doctor's advice. When she nears the end of her stay the entire faculty puts on a Christmas show. She discovers she has a voice that can move an audience. A gift she realizes she hasn't discovered until this time.

Back at home she is miserable. Afraid to go out into the public because of her spells. Has a romance with a former grade school student which ends on a sour note. Nothing goes her way.

**Spoiler**

Towards the end of the book she is forced to attend church by her Grandmother. At first she is freaked out by its members speaking in tongues and having outbursts. She discovers this is what she needs to cure her. She starts singing again and realizes her voice is a gift to God. With her gift she joins as many church choirs as she can and discovers her tourettes really was a blessing in disguise.

I actually cried in the last chapter because I was so sad that the book was ending. I laughed, cried, got angry, sometimes in the same paragraph! Icy Sparks was a character that I couldn’t stop thinking about for weeks!

Icy is an adolescent orphan girl growing up with her grandparents in 1950s rural Kentucky. She has Tourette's Syndrome, but no one there really understands her disorder at the time. She ends up isolated from her community; too scared to go out. Icy is a very intelligent young lady, but her tics and uncontrollable cursing/croaking are wrecking her self-confidence.

After failing time and time again to trade a wiggle for a jerk, I felt all kinds of contradictions roosting inside me. I was afraid of having a spell in front of people, but also afraid of being cut off from the world.

It's a story about learning to accept ourselves just as we are. The last half of the book could have been much more succinct, though. It was a slow-go after she got back home from treatment in Louisville.

i thought this book would be interesting: a little girl growing up with Tourette's in 1950s Kentucky. i was so wrong. this book does a horrible job of getting inside a child's mind and does little to show us how her doctors at the institution came to understand enough about it to finally send her home. then it gets all Jesus-freak at the end. i have no idea why this is in Oprah's book club. no sir, i didn't like it.