Right Here, Right Now

Gr 9 Up–This clever book addresses quantum physics—that there are multiple universes that exist in parallel where different choices are made. In this case, the focus is on two: one where Liam’s cousin and Anna’s best friend Elise dies, and one where she does not. In both worlds, Anna and Liam find each other. Each section begins with a quote from a quantum physicist; the name of Liam’s band is Dark, Dark Matter. Reminiscent of Jennifer E. Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, this book will attract readers who like to be challenged to think more deeply. The novel is set somewhat back in time near Cleveland, OH, although not too far back (there are landlines instead of cell phones). This novel is about love and loss, specifically death, and how we deal with it. Liam has the added burden of an older brother who died when he was five. In fact, the reason Liam even exists was so he could provide a bone marrow transplant to save his brother, which did not work out. Readers may find this book initially confusing until they figure out that the chapter heading “left” means one world, “right” means another. Contains sex, but not explicit, and cursing.