Show Us Who You Are

Cora is a neurodivergent twelve-year-old who meets Adrien, the son of her brother's boss, at a party she doesn't want to attend. Their friendship forms quickly as they recognize their shared experience of being different from their peers. Adrien's father runs Pomegranate Institute, a company that creates digital replicas of people through advanced AI technology. When Cora becomes involved with the institute's work, she uncovers information that forces her to question the ethics and implications of their project. The story follows Cora as she navigates friendship, loss, and moral choices while standing up for what she believes is right. Her determination to protect both herself and others leads her through increasingly complex situations at the institute. This science fiction novel explores themes of neurodiversity, human consciousness, and the boundaries between technology and identity. Through Cora's perspective, the narrative raises questions about what truly makes us who we are.

Readers highlight the book's authentic portrayal of neurodivergent characters and natural representation of autism and ADHD. Many note the complex ethical themes around artificial intelligence and grief that engage both young and adult readers. Frequent praise focuses on: - Strong friendships between characters - Accurate depiction of masking behaviors in autistic people - Balanced handling of difficult topics - Fast-paced plot with science fiction elements Common critiques mention: - Pacing issues in the middle section - Some plot points feeling rushed - A few readers found the AI concepts difficult to follow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) One reader noted: "Finally, a book with autistic characters written by someone who understands autism." Another mentioned: "The story tackles big ideas while remaining accessible to young readers."

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🔹 Elle McNicoll wrote this novel drawing from her own experiences as a neurodivergent person, bringing authentic representation to the story's autistic and ADHD characters. 🔹 The book tackles complex themes of artificial intelligence and grief while exploring the dangers of trying to "fix" neurodivergent people to fit societal norms. 🔹 The hologram technology featured in the story was partially inspired by recent developments in AI and digital resurrection projects, including companies that aim to preserve human personalities digitally. 🔹 McNicoll wrote the first draft of the book in just six weeks during lockdown, channeling her concerns about society's treatment of neurodivergent people into the narrative. 🔹 The author deliberately chose to write about friendship rather than romance as the central relationship, challenging the common assumption that all teen novels need a love story to be engaging.