3:59

Gr 9 Up—Josie Byrne, a brainy prep school junior, has been brought up to trust in science. Her AP physics project examines the Penrose Interpretation, which hypothesizes that objects can exist in more than one space at the same time. Josie's mind isn't always on science, however: her job at Coffee Crush, her parents' separation, and her painful breakup with Nick, not to mention mysterious deaths in the neighborhood, occupy her thoughts. When an unusual set of events line up precisely at 3:59 a.m., Josie finds a door that opens to a parallel universe, but only for a moment and only twice a day. In this other world, steadfast Josie exists as Jo, a spoiled young woman who still appears to have Nick's love. But Jo's existence is far from fun and games, despite expensive clothes and a BMW. While the same people live in both worlds, their personalities are different. Even worse, Jo's world is inhabited by Nox, creatures that make it deadly to be out at night. The story focuses primarily on Josie, Nick, and the Nox in one dimension, along with people who have transferred between the two universes. Parental love, double-crossing, and the nature of friendship all have a place in the plot. To fully move into Josie's world, readers need to embrace quasi-scientific jargon and believe that teens could construct and operate a version of a multimillion-dollar, top-secret government laser, in a basement, using mirrors held by hand. Those looking for romance/adventures set in parallel universes will come away satisfied.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX