Candace, the Universe, and Everything

Gr 5 Up–Smith delivers a captivating blend of science fiction and coming-of-age ­storytelling that explores friendship, identity, and wonder across generations. ­Thirteen-year-old Candace Wells feels unmoored by changing friendships at the start of eighth grade, but her world expands dramatically when a mysterious bird flies out of her new locker. Inside, she finds a purple notebook filled with advice “For Girls Like Me,” ­written by ­Tracey Auburn in 1988. When new ­messages begin to appear, Candace tracks down the now-adult Tracey, a college professor, and the pair are soon led to 93-year-old physicist Loretta Spencer, who had the same locker in 1948. Together, they discover that ­Candace’s locker is a portal through space and time that connects their lives. Smith expertly weaves together multiple time lines, showing each woman at age 13, facing pivotal moments of growth and change. The speculative elements are grounded in real physics concepts, such as Fibonacci sequences and particle accelerators, while excerpts from an in-universe children’s book add literary resonance. ­Candace’s voice is clear and compelling as she navigates shifting friendships, a first crush, and the overwhelming realization that she’s part of something cosmic. The intergenerational mentorship is especially well crafted, avoiding clichés while showing how wisdom and curiosity flow in both directions. The novel’s grounding in Chicago ­history, with connections to the Underground ­Railroad and Fermilab, adds richness to the narrative. ­