Only Ever Always

Gr 8 Up—After 13-year-old Claire receives the news that her beloved Uncle Charlie is in the hospital, she retreats into sleep and the escape of her dreams. Clara lives in a shadowy, dystopian reflection of this world, alone but for a friend who cares for her and her romantic relationship with a street-savvy boy. Both girls are dealt harsh blows that each must face in order to move on. They are connected by a music box that allows them to interact with each other and the separate realms they inhabit. This fantasy novel is imaginative, thought-provoking, and unique. The story switches back and forth between the two protagonists, keeping the plot moving and giving readers a chance to see how their stories respond to each other's. As Clara struggles to survive in her depleted world, Claire is working through her emotions and moving into young adulthood, losing her innocence and gaining more knowledge of herself. Clara is the vehicle she uses to do so, but Clara is a well-formed character in her own right. The viewpoint switches are abrupt but the connections between the girls' lives become clearer as the book continues. Overall this novel is distinctive and refreshing.—Elizabeth Jakubowski, formerly at Watervliet Public Library, NY