Guardians of the World Gates (Book One):
The Watcher at Crow Forest
Not all doors should be opened…
Deep in Crow Forest, a hidden World Gate awakens at midsummer – and something ancient is waiting beyond it. When the Gate begins to call, twins Jay and Jill Warde are drawn into a mystery that will change their summer, and their lives, forever.
The World Gates are fragile portals linking our world to secret magical realms hidden in forests and forgotten places. For generations, Guardian Circles have protected these supernatural doorways, keeping the balance between worlds. But now the old magic is stirring again. Strange footprints appear in the woods. Crows gather and whisper at dusk. And someone (or something) is watching from the shadows.
Jay and Jill are ordinary children who already feel different from the world around them. Jay struggles with noise and crowds. Jill refuses to conform or be touched. Yet when the Gate opens, they discover that their differences are not weaknesses at all, but powerful Guardian Talents. Together, with animal allies and ancient magic, they must face a growing threat before the Gate unleashes something that cannot be undone.
This children’s and teen fantasy novel is ideal for readers aged 9–16, but it also appeals to young adults who love magical adventures, supernatural mystery, and portal fantasy. For readers searching specifically for kids books with autistic main characters, this is a fast-paced portal fantasy adventure. With autistic twins at the heart of the story, the book offers authentic neurodiverse representation in a fast-paced, accessible style that works beautifully for confident readers, reluctant readers, and middle-grade fantasy fans alike.
Blending magic, mystery, folklore, talking animals, and hidden worlds, this story will appeal to readers who enjoy classic and modern fantasy adventures. It’s also a wonderful read-aloud for parents, teachers, and librarians seeking inclusive books that encourage empathy, imagination, and discussion.
Because sometimes, the children who feel most different…
are the ones meant to guard the gates.
I wrote this book for my 10-year-old granddaughter. The book is dedicated to her. I let her read the first four chapters and she was desperate for me to finish it. She said that it is the best book she had ever read!
When it was published she took a copy to show her teacher – he liked it so much, calling it ‘very exciting,’ and asked for six copies so he could put it onto the Key Stage 2 group reading list.