Role Model

by Elle McNicoll

From the award-winning author of A Kind of Spark comes a new heartfelt and timely novel for middle-grade and teen readers.

Aeriel Sharpe doesn’t want to be anyone’s role model. But, when her mother is elected to be the most important politician in the country (yes, that one), she is thrust into the spotlight. With the world’s eyes on her, friends don’t seem that friendly and she feels trapped by everyone’s expectations.

They want her to be the voice of every autistic teenager, but Aeriel must find a way to speak for herself…

It’s not easy being thirteen… and it’s even harder when you’re the most famous teenager in the country

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Middle Grade, Contemporary, Disability, Childrens, Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2025

About the author

Hey, I'm Elle. I'm Scottish, autistic and an author/screenwriter who is really bad at logging her reading choices.

I write about autistic girls finding out who they are and what makes them happy, because I'm an autistic girl trying to find out who she is and what makes her happy.

I don't read reviews, as they are for readers, but I'm grateful to any and everyone who engages with my work, on the page or on the screen. My Young Adult Romance debut is called Some Like It Cold in it will be published on the 3rd of October. Official professional shiz below:

Elle McNicoll is a bestselling and award-winning novelist and screenwriter. Her debut, A Kind of Spark, won the Blue Peter Book Award and the Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, as well as Blackwell’s Book of 2020. She is a four time Carnegie nominated author, and was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Awards 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Branford Boase Award 2020 and The Little Rebels Award 2020 and 2021. She was also honoured in the US with the Schneider Award, 2022.

Her second Middle Grade novel, Show Us Who You Are, was Blackwell’s Book of the Month and one of The Bookseller’s Best Books of 2021. Her first fantasy middle grade, Like a Charm, was nominated for Best Children’s Book for Older Readers in the first ever Week Junior Book Awards, and was highly praised in the New York Times.

Her debut novel, A Kind of Spark, has also been adapted for television, which debuted on UK and US screens on the 2nd of April, 2023. It is Emmy nominated and won Best Children’s Programme at the Broadcast Awards and the Royal Television Society Awards in London, 2024 and is now streaming in many territories around the globe. A second season is currently airing on CBBC.

Her debut Middle Grade was named as one of the greatest children’s books of all time, coming in at number 75, and she is twice nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

Her YA debut, Some Like It Cold, will be published on October 1st (US) and October 3rd (UK). She is an advocate for better representation of neurodiversity in publishing, as an autistic and dyspraxic novelist, and currently lives in North London.

Reviews

[Laura S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think Elle has written a book where I haven’t cried. This may be a short read but it packs in a lot of emotion and heart.

I feel like this is Elle’s rawest book yet, showing how hard the neurotypical world is for autistic people. Her other books definitely deal with tough matters but this one really opens up the conversation deeper and highlights how cruel others can be and how much masking and trying to fit in becomes so damaging and exhausting. Especially when you are the prime ministers daughter.

I loved so many things about this book, related to several things too. These books are so important for other children (and adults) to feel seen, less alone and represented in the world.

Thank you Elle for another wonderful, emotional read. I think I need to remember my tissues next time!

P.S not sure I quite forgive the adults in this book for how terrible they were to
time!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

god, this is good. Aerial is thrown into a world of fame and scrutiny without really wanting it. What follows is her journey into becoming who she is truly. She’s got some pretty wonderful people around her, and some pretty rubbish ones too. She inadvertently becomes a poster girl for Autism (which she isn’t thrilled by). There’s some bits in this that resonated so much with me. My Y6 library will be so much richer with this. Bloody bravo Elle McNicoll - the world is so much brighter because of your stories.

[Katie Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love Elle McNicoll's writing - her ability to not complicate anything beyond necessity while still striking at the heart of a feeling or issue is remarkable. To me, the most meaningful writing is not incessantly flowery or ornate, it's simple, clear but makes your breath catch a little in your throat when you realise that what you have just read has perfectly described something hidden within yourself that you have never yet found the right words to express.

It would've been five stars if not for the constant bashing of London/England. Sorry, but it's pretty tiresome that Scots have kept up this one sided pettiness towards England (and, in particular, London) for so long. It rings especially hollow coming from an author who chooses to live in London.

[Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Representations: https://trello.com/c/Pujxfq0x

Honestly do I even need to explain why Elle's books are so great? The characters feel real because they are, the situations and reactions feel real because they are. You can tell her books are rooted in real experiences and pain.

People keep saying allistics should read her books to learn more, and sure, yeah. Everyone should read her books. But autistics are the ones who really need this, even if you think you have everything all sorted out and all together - read this or her other books. Or just all of them, they're all pretty short. It'll heal a part of you. These books have a way of making you finally feel actually seen, moreso than any other own voices autistic rep books I've read. They're raw, honest and brutal but you're never left feeling worse at the end - even if some of the solutions are sadly nowhere near as easy IRL..

As for this specific book of hers, it's a lot more reality rooted, ofc, and a lot more honest/blunt than her others I'd say. Characters are as good as always and it is a quick read but it's one that will, as always with Elle's books, stick with you for a while after. The writing certainly gets better with each book, and I would say this is my favourite of hers I've read so far!

[Emily Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO GOOD
So many things in this book that I related to on such a deep level, so many looks Aeriel got that I’ve gotten too, so much of the tone people have spoken to me in, so much of my experience as an autistic person. I’m going to recommend this to anyone who’d like to know what it’s like to be autistic because this, this is it. The way that friends and everyone treats her it’s just so accurate.
I also just loved the concept of the daughter of the prime minister like I want to read more in the realm of what it’s like to be in a famous family it’s a concept I really like and I think it was executed very well with her relationship with her mother.
Also I want a Gideon spinoff PLEASEEE my fav scene was when they were having fun together and I want more on his life and wish he was in it more and the idea of having 2 very different autistic siblings makes me think of me and my sister.
All the details of this were so interesting like I loved how she loved going to Winter Wonderland, I loved that there was a snow day, I feel like so many aspects of the book capture really fun experiences so it felt like escapism as well of the reality of how hard it is to navigate friendships etc.
This book makes me want to be a writer and also I feel so understood by the story and was so wrapped up in the world of it.

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of an autistic girl who is thrust into the spotlight by her Prime Minister mother and becomes an unwilling role model.
I really liked how this own voices author writes their middle grade books. They have a way of explaining thoughts and feelings without being over the top and it allows the reader to get inside the head of the characters and experience their experiences.
The characters were fabulous as always, the storyline was clever and it helped teach at the same time.

[Toby Sutton-Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I say this every time, but all of Elle's work is just sheer perfection. This is also different, I think a novel like this is really needed, both for ND and NT kids; it's such an important message. Something that we need in this time. This is full of characters I loved, especially Aeriel and Txai, and ones I hated (in the best way), and the amazing setting of central London. I couldn't put it down!

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

ROLE MODEL is the latest brilliant middle grade from Elle McNicoll.

This is a novel about being put on a pedestal and being held to an unreasonable standard all while being used to prove a neurotypical point. People like Aeriel as a figure because she's learnt to mask so well she can almost pass as neurotypical. She's being used to say "look, this autistic kid can be 'normal', so why can't these others?" They are trying to feed her lines and get her to say what they want to hear rather than the truth, and none of the adults are willing to see the strain it's putting on her.

The person who is standing up for Aeriel is another brilliant older sister figure, Fizz. She is the one in Aeriel's corner, an ADHD young woman who has had enough for the world telling her and others to be one way that she doesn't care who she offends. I love that Elle McNicoll has so many older neurodivergent figures who shelter the younger ones and show them the paths others would hide from them.

This book does feature a mother prime minister but there is never any mention of parties and policies. Not only does that help this book stay current without referencing events that could date it but it drives home the point that the media (and politics) in general that create the pedestals. There's no one particular set responsible, but all of them.

The book also looks at friendships. Aeriel is picked up by the popular set, who are pretty spiteful. They're talking about each other behind their backs and only care about Aeriel when she's going places. I liked that Aeriel was, to some degree, aware of this as it let the book explore the desire to be liked in a blunt manner.

[amelia 🌸🪷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

something missing

[Alice magical library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I am definitely not the same person that I was before I read d this book. I could relate to it, which is quite sad if you think about it, and it just was a magnificent read!

Aeriel Sharpe doesn’t want to be anyone’s ‘role model’. However, when her mother is elected into being Prime Minister, she is unwillingly thrust into the spotlight. With the world focused on her, and her friends that don’t seem that friendly, and the paparazzi taking photos of every step she takes, she feels she is trapped by everyone’s expectations. They want her to be the voice of every autistic child, but she also needs to speak for herself…

I loved this book. It was amazing! I could really relate to it in the friend kind of situation, as I have been through something like what Aeriel went through in the book. It really impacted me, as all of Elle’s books do, but this one just… hit different. Again, I loved this book, and it was so grown up and magical for a middle grade book, which I love, and I think I want to see more of in MG books.

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was flat and deeply unrealistic. The characterisation of the protagonist is all over the place — she flip-flops between wanting to be part of the cool group and suddenly rejecting it, with no real depth or consequence to her choices. Nothing in the writing actually shows that she’s autistic other than the author stating it; there’s no nuance or insight into her inner world.

The plot feels clumsy and poorly thought-out. At one point, she storms out of Ana’s house, and then suddenly she’s shopping with them for dance dresses — it’s as if the author forgot what had happened just pages before. The Prime Minister’s daughter character is laughably out of place and adds nothing but silliness.

The scene where a teacher forces the protagonist on stage to announce she’s autistic is absurd. No teacher would do that, and it completely breaks any sense of realism.

Overall, this book lacks structure, continuity, and emotional depth. I didn’t enjoy it at all and wouldn’t recommend it.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle McNicoll has don’t It again, she is such a powerful own voices writer that I just adore the way she writes and the characters that she creates, It’s hard not to feel for them or for me to find connections to them as an Autistic Adult myself and when I look back some of the way that people spoke to me, it’s hard to read but at the same time its realistic and entirely believable the worlds she creates.

Aeriel Sharpe’s mother has just been elected Prime Minster her entire world is about to change as she knows it as she is thrust into the spotlight with what seems to be the entire world is focused on her every move and every word that she says. But her friends don’t seem to be that friendly to her and are treating her differently she is trapped under the weight of everyone’s expectations. They all want her to be the voice to “Autistic People” but she needs to be herself and speak for herself.

Once again, I was able to see myself in Aeriel having been through some of the friendship issues myself, but this book impacted me as all of Elle’s books do. This Book felt heartfelt and so incredibly real

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle McNicoll's books always feel like a healing potion, like a portal into the world in which I had been diagnosed as a child and known then why I always felt so different. But I've never felt so entirely represented in the pages of a book. I used to be exactly like Aeriel, in all the positive ways and in all the negative as well. (Probably still am in a lot of ways.) And painful as it is to see her put so much energy into being liked by people who are never going to fully accept her, it is all the more beautiful to follow her as she slowly breaks out of it. I really hope this book finds the people who need it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle McNicoll writes some of the most amazing autistic rep, in that each of her characters are different, as all autistic people are.
Aerial's character development in this was wonderful, I loved her journey of self-acceptance and finding friends who deserve her. I also enjoyed her relationship with her sister, Fizz, who she had become distant with over the years, but reconnects. Fizz was a  such a supportive sister and ready to come to Aerial's defense.
Highly recommend!

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfection. Absolute and utter perfection. Lyrical and heartfelt and so incredibly real. Elle McNicoll has written such a realistic and entirely believable and loveable character. I cried. I cried ugly tears because as a neurodivergent woman who went undiagnosed for her whole childhood I finally found a book that spoke to me and eased my soul. Perfection.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

As a story goes, it’s not her best. I didn’t really feel that much for Aeriel as a character. It felt it was more like a way for Elle to tell the world how she feels about the way some people view her/ talk to her and how she wants to be seen. It does that very well, but the story seems lacking.

[Emma Ferrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle McNicoll never misses.
I read in one sitting!

I just wanted to pick Aerial up and take her away from that situation and christ I wanted to give her damn mother a shakeeeeeee. Even reading as an adult lens and understanding why things were the way they were I was infuriated and a lot of this hit home, as Elle's books often do with me also being autistic.

Just read it!!

[Mrs Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great read from Elle. I love reading her books. It gives such an interesting insight in to the world of neurodiversity. I always feel it brings me a little closer to my children who are both neurodiverse!

[Poppy ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD. page 154-155 had me SOBBING. like i said on my akos review books like these are so important and so are the publishers who get them out there !!!! i hope these all find a new home i wish knights of were still here 🙏🙏

[Cerys Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this would love to see more of Aeriel, Txai and Niamh’s friendship in the future

[abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

sorry but the mum was absolutely awful in this

I do wish it was longer and a little more fleshed out as well

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.

[Erin Simmehchan · Rating 2 out of 5]

really didn’t like this one unfortunately, felt very unrealistic and too preachy (maybe just my hatred for neurotypical vs neurodivergent coming through)

also the mum sucks and is defo a tory

[liz]

This must have been so vulnerable to write, it was so good. The big sister all autistic girls need!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking that it’ll make a good read for the kids of my Children’s Book Club and I’m happy to say that I was right! I’ll be adding this to our list of upcoming titles.

[Cerys · Rating 5 out of 5]

And once again Elle McNicoll has made me cry in less than 200 pages :)