Silver Sparks is an environmentally conscious coming-of-age story, with irresistibly charming characters and lines that will stay with you long after you finish reading. The few fantastical elements are grounded in ecology and kids being kids (or teens). The environmental theme is not forced; it weaves into the story as a natural, real-world concern for the characters of Trevian Bay. The author has undeniable wit and imagination, crafting a beautiful, heartfelt story about rural life, childhood, and finding your voice to protect what you love.
Once I was absorbed—and it did not take long—I was transported back to my semi-rural childhood, where I spent countless hours playing outdoors, digging up worms, building forts, and feeling the wind in my hair as I coasted my pink bike(!) down the largest hill. The descriptions are vivid; You can feel the mud and see the reeds and taste brackish waters of Trevian Bay, so much so that it becomes one of the lead characters. It made me realize how disconnected from nature I have become in adulthood, and reminds me to take a pause outdoors, use all of my senses, and appreciate what I started taking for granted (No lie! I ate my lunch in the park today instead of the stale cafeteria).
But my favorite part: the dialogue is incredibly entertaining. It's not just what they say, but how they say it, that is chock full of personality. I found myself reading the dialogue aloud for the fun of it on more than one occasion. The protagonist, Kaneia, narrates this tale in a way that is both perfectly practical and sublimely unorthodox; you can follow her logic and fall down the rabbit hole with her. Even if she winds up at the wrong conclusion, it's usually a lot of fun getting there. Overall, her feelings and thoughts are articulated in a way that is both deeply personal and highly relatable. As the reader, I felt like I was experiencing the story with her. And I would have appreciated friends like Kaneia and Jaspercito when I was in high school!
What you can't tell from the cover (and it's not a spoiler) is that Kaneia grows up in a church. Full disclosure: I do not enjoy books that delve into Christianity and Catholicism; That's a part of my past I do not want to revisit (I make an exception for Steve; you know who you are). But, to my surprise, Kaneia's religious views ended up being one of the most enjoyable elements of the story because they are uniquely her own, with metaphors chock-full of practicality, simultaneously sensible and ridiculous. While she is comfortable with the way she was raised in the church, she doesn't blindly adopt her family's beliefs. Wanting to forge your own spiritual path that isn’t aligned with your parents is something a lot of young people struggle with.
Admittedly, I wanted to see Jasper's character development run a little deeper. His character is by nature quieter than his sassy counterpart, so without being privy to his thoughts, it's difficult to get to know him like we do with Kaneia. He's funny and sweet but seems to have no other friends?! That is shocking to me. I am still highly recommending Silver Sparks by J. S. Bowers. While this would be a perfect book for my teenage nieces, it’s a nostalgic, quirky, and heartfelt story that everyone can enjoy.
OR
$2.99 with 77 percent savings
Print List Price: $12.99 
The Print List Price is the lowest suggested retail price provided by a publisher for a print book format of this title, available on Amazon (e.g. hardcover, paperback, mass market paperback).
Learn more
Learn more
These promotions will be applied to this item:
Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.
Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
About the author
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2022
- Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
- Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2023
- Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2022
- Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2022
- Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
