Rating: 
Summary: SUPERB INSIGHT
Review: "Icy Sparks" is unique, familar; tender, angry,; beautiful, ugly, and overall hopeful. I was so impressed by the writing style, a tribute to the hills of Kentucky. Descriptions so complete that I smelled the flowers perched on the mountain valleys and saw their splendor. I was in awe of the novel approach Ms. Rubio presents in letting us inside the head of someone suffering Tourette Syndrome. Magnificant detail in the inner workings of the body before a sufferer breaks forth into an attack.The story flowed, the characters were brilliantly written, the plot new and fresh; this is an enchanting read that you won't regret investing time in.
Rating:
Summary: A good metaphor for feeling different!
Review: Gwynn Hyman Rubio did an excellent job at writing this inspiring novel of ten-year-old Icy Sparks, who overcomes what seems like the impossible. This book is for anyone who feels like they never quite fit in and feel different. Reading this book will fill you with life's important lessons.
Rating: 
Summary: Overly sentimental and amateurish
Review: I agree that the subject matter is compelling, but the writing was a big disappointment. It seems that the author just gave up at certain points, such as when Icy gets out of the mental hospital. She's medicated to the point of oblivion for a couple of weeks and then suddenly she's ready to go home? The ending left much to be desired as well. It turned into a syrupy bit of self-congratulation at the end, with Icy "embracing" her difference. I was extremely irritated and disappointed by this book, but I do think that people who liked Forrest Gump would enjoy it immensely.
Rating:
Summary: A Book That Is Inspirational, But A Little Strange
Review: This book is okay, and would probably earn more like 4.4 stars, but it also has some odd parts in it. It is the story of a girl, Icy Sparks, who is struggling with Tourette's Syndrome, although neither she nor her fellow residents of Poplar Holler know what her affliction is. After increasing difficulties with her mean-spirited teacher, Icy is transferred to a supply room where she is tutored at intervals throughout each day. However more difficulties, this time centered around her principal interfering with the order she set up, Icy is sent to the Sunshine Building of a far-off hospital. Children here have many different problems, and are looked after by a small staff. Wilma, the cook, makes Icy erupt in angry bursts of tics. After continued treatment and therapy, Icy is sent home, taught to control her anger. The odd parts come up when she falls in love with a neighbor at age 13, and nearly sleeps with him. Icy breaks up shortly after, and later discovers a way to stop her symptoms.
Rating: 
Summary: Thank You
Review: Within the first few pages of Icy Sparks I knew the author was talking about Tourettes Syndrome. She was descibing my son! The further I read about the difficulty Icy had coping with her condition and how she felt going through it, the more I began to realize how lucky we were. My son was diagnosed in the 1980's some 30 years later when this disorder had become more known. So many of Gwyn Hyman Rubio's descriptions were right on the money. I felt I was inside Icy's head and feeling what she was feeling. How cruel those around us can be. Thank you Ms. Rubio for opening the doors for others to understand this disorder. I applaude you as a parent of a Tourettes child.
Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFUL, SENSITIVE AND HEARTWARMING
Review: Set in the 1950's, the story is that of a Icy Sparks who at the age of ten becomes aware that all is not right with her world. Suffering from Tourettes Syndrome, she is taunted by her classmates, humiliated by her teacher and shunned by those who do not understand her affliction. The story gives the reader a clear indication of what it is like to grow up financially poor and lonely, but to be rich in strength and character. While I will agree that some of the characters were weak, I found the story, itself, to be extremely moving, inspirational, heartwarming and certainly well worth reading. If you only see the negative aspects, you are missing something very rare and wonderful about the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Stong story, weak ending
Review: I read the entire book on a 5 hour plane ride. I couldn't put the book down and couldn't wait to find out what finally became of Icy. Icy is a convincible character and you don't have to have Tourette's to identify with her struggles and to want to cheer her on. I was hoping for a "happy" ending and even hoped that it would end with room for a sequel. Instead I felt the ending was rushed and unbelievable. I was very disappointed and felt let-down by the outcome. I'd give the first 90% of the book 5-stars and the ending 1-star.
Rating:
Summary: good till the end
Review: This was the best book I have ever read!... That is until about the last 20 pages. It just got boring near the end. I mean the end made sense and it brought closure, but it was just a boring ending. I recommend to anyone reading these reviews: ignore all the stuff about the bad ending, the book is DEFINETLY worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Incredulously Inefficient
Review: As childish and immature of a description that is, it is very befitting of this foolish novel...I am honestly baffled this work was even published. What is even further infuriating is that this immature piece of work made it to the best seller list simply because Oprah chose it for her 'book club'!...Not only was the story simple and un-artistic, I was insulted by the superficiality the reader is forced to accept and appalled at the constant stero-typical generalizations. The story line consists of a young southern girl's struggle with Turret's Syndrome, who attempts to mature and grow, while battling with an illness that no one recognizes because the town is filled with un-educated poor southern farmers. She is ostracized by the paltry population of her little town- Poplar Hollar, the only people she talks to are her old, hickish grand parents, and a gigantic fat woman that has secret southern charm of the educated middle class. The largest problem being, I was never sure if it was ABOUT a ten year old...I thought the language simple. the plot un-motivational, the character's un-inspiring, and was shocked...I was expecting to gain insight into he unknown realm of a relatively infantile neuro-tragedgy, but was horrified by the broad stereotypes it enforced; For example, in the preface of the story- the author hints at explanations for Icy being the way she was; 1- her mamma ate too many crab-apples during pregnancy and the other being her father having some ridiculous car accident involving chickens, both rationalizations equally farcical and ignorant. The only redeeming quality of this book was the epilogue, ...her writing style here is more in-depth and less superficial..., but as for Icy Sparks, it should never have made it out of Icy Creek.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing and a cheap shot at evangelism
Review: If I had known that the story of a young southern girl with Tourette's Syndrome could be tied up in one chapter and a religious revival, I never would have started the book! Icy is a young orphan, raised by her grandparents, and afflicted with a rare neurologic disorder that causes tics, outbursts, and other strange behavior. In the 50's, when this story is set, there was little knowledge of this disorder and less tolerance. And so, the scene is set for poor Icy to be shunned, punished, and ashamed. She is subjected to humiliation of a sadistic teacher, the senseless committment to a mental hospital that yields no detectable good (she is discharged suddenly and with no improvement of her condition), and finally finds god. Oh come now. The characters are almost cartoonish, drawn broadly and without depth. Story lines are left hanging, and the ending is rushed and not at all satisfying. Oprah, next time you pick a book about the downtrodden, find something that makes sense! Or how bout a good mystery for a change? I'm tired of reading of defeat with the same wordy but weak philosophies.
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