Susanna Elliot – My Books

The Guardians of the World Gates is a portal fantasy series and a set of books with autistic main characters for ages 9–16.

At a glance:
Ages: 9–16 (KS2-friendly)
Genre: Portal fantasy / magical adventure
Representation: Autistic main characters / neurodiverse representation
Reading feel: Fast-paced, accessible, reluctant-reader friendly

I wanted to write a book that reflects autistic traits in a positive and empowering way, while also being easy and enjoyable for children on the spectrum to read. My aim was a story filled with action and suspense, without long stretches of description or complicated literary techniques that can break the flow of the narrative.

From my experience, too much “padding” between important moments can cause inexperienced readers to lose focus and fall out of the story altogether. It can also slow comprehension for many children, turning reading into hard work rather than enjoyment.

Some children appear to read fluently but are really only decoding the words, not fully understanding the meaning. When that happens, books can quickly become frustrating and that often puts children off reading entirely.

I’ve taught reading to children and adults of all ages, including learners for whom English is an additional language. Through that work, I’ve seen just how vital Key Stage 2 (KS2) group reading is. It’s often the final stage at which pupils receive structured support with reading and getting it right can make all the difference to a child’s confidence, comprehension, and lifelong relationship with books.

Susanna Elliot, Author

Are these books suitable for reluctant readers?

Yes. The Guardians of the World Gates series is written to be accessible and page-turning, with a fast-moving plot, short-to-medium chapters, and clear, immersive storytelling. If you’re looking for portal fantasy for reluctant readers – especially kids and teens who enjoy adventure, mystery, and magic – these books are designed to keep momentum high while still building an emotional connection to the characters. They work well for independent reading, shared reading, and classroom/librarian recommendations for readers who want a story that pulls them in quickly.

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Are the autistic characters the main characters?

Yes. The series features autistic main characters – the autistic characters are the heroes of the story, not side characters. Their perspective, strengths, and challenges are part of the narrative in a natural way, while the focus stays firmly on the adventure: ancient portals, high stakes, and big fantasy-world discoveries. If you’re specifically searching for books with autistic main characters or kids/YA books with autistic characters, this series is built around autistic leads at the centre of the action.

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What age is this portal fantasy appropriate for?

These are children’s and YA portal fantasy books best suited for roughly ages 9–16 (upper middle grade through YA/teen), depending on the reader. They’re a strong fit for:

• confident readers in upper middle grade who enjoy fantasy adventure
• teens who like portal fantasy, magical quests, and character-driven stories
• families and educators looking for books with autistic characters for kids and teens

If you’re choosing for a specific child, reading level and sensitivity to tension can matter more than age – so the best match is the reader’s comfort with adventure suspense and magical peril.