Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade is a young adult story of environmental activism and working with our differences. Artemis is charming in her care and knowledge of the salt marsh. I love that Artemis named some of the plants and animals that she had gotten to know well and her careful notes in a nature journal are just like a professional! Artemis most likely has a neurodivergence, but it is never directly addressed, which is fine because it is not the focus of the story. However, this definitely causes issues with her human friendships and how she relates with the other adults around her causing additional stress. Artemis does display some great ways to get into environmental activism, writing a letter to the editor, environmental art, fundraising, trash pick up and starting an activist group. I was a little displeased about the adults in the story, but that is typical of YA fiction. It seemed that Artemis should have had one of her parents on her side or that at least understood her passion and not just a neighbor. The inclusion of the ghosts in the story was an interesting way for Artemis to learn the history of the hotel within the salt marsh and help the adults understand how to work together; however I felt the idea could have been a little more fleshed out. I wanted more history of who the past hotel guests were and maybe more spirit sightings. Overall, a wonderful realistic fiction with diverse characters and a wonderful environmental angle.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.