It is important to note that the majority of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on these topics as well. Many people might find the subject matters of the book as well as those detailed in my review overwhelming. I would suggest you steer clear of both if this is the case. Please note that from this point forward I will be writing about matters which contain reflections on parental abandonment, financial insecurity, parental neglect, judicial equality, gender norms, political structures, sexism, racism, bigotry, religious freedom, educational equality, & others.

Ember & Bernard—nicknamed ‘Amber’ & ‘Beetle’—notice something different about their mother during their drive to school one morning. Things aren’t quite right with Sandra, whom the children call by her first name with her support—comfortable with the use of her legal name rather than any of the alternatives. The children must journey through the reflective surface of an old building, into a parallel universe, in an attempt to find their real mother. What ensues is a confrontation of variables; the cruel world of the parallel resembles the comfortable world they knew as their own, with distinct extremism.

I want to highlight the reasons for which I included the content warning in this book before moving on into the girth of my review. What is, at surface value, a commentary about societies & the dystopian counterparts that await them, separated only by small choices & decisions, becomes an overall discourse on extremism in a way that leaves the reader very little opportunity to grapple with the subject matter.

Having read this book as an adult some of the more nuanced aspects of the story appear quite clear to me but I suspect they might not for a younger reader. Therefore, should this be a book you are endeavouring to pass along to a young reader or one that someone close to you has completed reading, please be aware that the discourse that this book requires—further research & conversations—should be performed so that any younger reader might not leave this story behind without comprehending the nuances of what was written.

The reader is introduced to Amber & Beetle in an offhanded way; without dedicated time to weave a reveal of what their family or social lives are whilst still allowing the reader enough information to form their own understanding of the characters. This is not innately bad & I do think that this succinct approach towards the introduction of the three (3) main characters works towards encouraging a speedy flow of events. The reader can deduce that Amber is sporty, & enjoys friendships but is struggling to find ones with people who respect her values; she is an older sister who has taken on the responsibility of safeguarding her mother to the world around them & this is where my worry towards the approach of the story comes forward.

The presentation of Sandra as a single mother is intriguing, coming from the perspective of a grown adult. However, I found much of what she chose to do, distressing & could not help but wonder how this subject matter would be absorbed by those who are actively living through these scenarios—having been one such child myself, once upon a time. Sandra is eccentric & colourful. She values animal rights, & human rights & does a lot for the political community; encouraging people to vote & research their government representatives. Yet, for all the good Sandra does as an individual adult person, these endeavours appear to succeed at the expense of her children’s well-being.

Amber & Beetle's reality is troubling. Their mother refuses to keep steady employment which causes them to live through financial insecurity, all of which is put on the shoulders of Amber & Beetle—more so the eldest child who pointedly does not bring up school activities to her mother knowing they can not afford to participate. They eat nothing but cheese sandwiches for lunch, with some little carrots on the side. While supper consists of noodles, every single day. I appreciate that this is a fictional account meant to put pressure on our understanding of societies, but, there are children who live with the burden of their financial situations, every single day & reading this book without being aware of that is very overwhelming.

I found it particularly sad to read about Amber’s interpretation of the situation they find themselves in. She voices not trying to counter her mother’s eccentric nature because she’s afraid she will quit her ‘job’ as a mother to herself & to Beetle. Having no known memories of their biological father & no secure explanations as to why he is not present in their lives, Amber & Beetle are at the forefront of attempting to protect their mother’s feelings for fear that she will abandon them as well.

The representation of all the different kinds of families in the world is very positive. We read about how every family at Amber & Beetle’s school isn’t necessarily the same as the next. This approach is wonderful as it allows every reader to find themselves in the positive representation of reality. In that same breath, one cannot help but feel badly reading about the responsibility that Amber has taken on, as the older sibling, while her mother lives in a world riddled with witches & fairies. Beetle exhibits some characteristics of a person with severe anxiety but this is never touched on whatsoever.

What this story would benefit from would be adding further depth to the characters. I appreciate that every single person plays a part in the running of society & therefore also plays an important role within this book but, by the end I realized I knew nothing of any of the characters & this story reads as pedantic rather than genuinely informative. Perhaps this is the point that the author sought to achieve.

Presenting a family of ‘Parallels’ in place of the main characters showcases how shadow- they are to each other. What makes an individual unique? How much impact do our choices have on those around us? 'The Parallels' chose to leave their city because it was exhibiting controls that they did not agree with so, they traded places with Amber, Beetle & Sandra against their knowledge. Is it wrong to leave something destructive behind while not attempting to save any of the people who are unknowingly stuck there?

The core of this plot is interesting & induces reflectiveness in the reader. I would have appreciated a bit more decorum when presenting some of the extremist beliefs that Sandra exhibited & forced on her children. However, I am, again, left wondering if that was intended. For example, Sandra chooses to be a vegetarian because she does not support the meat industry & therefore even if her children wanted to try meat, they are not permitted to do so because Sandra believes that the practices big corporations & farming institutions take to produce the food is unethical. Yet, there are several religious beliefs that present ethical ways to consume meat.

I found it ironic to read about Sandra who presents herself as free-loving & dedicated ‘to the cause’, actively ignoring the alternatives to things she believes are innately the truth. That being said, Amber states that there is one South Asian person in her school year & we read about no other person present in the community whose ethnicity diverges from the one we might rightfully presume to be the main family’s. Therefore, perhaps I should grant Sandra some leeway—maybe she didn’t know that halal meat is not produced the same as fast-food burgers.

The lack of diversity in the narrative does render this book to be particular for a very distinct & specific reader. Would a reader—young or old—be unaware of the discrimination faced by their parents who might be in a same sexe relationship? Would a reader who was not White need to be explained that the judicial & policing bodies pay closer attention to them because they’re not White? Therein lies, again, my question—Amber is able to distinguish her reality from those in her class because she is poor; she doesn’t have nearly the same financial situation as her peers & this is distinctly obvious to her. Is the point of this story to find its way into the hands of someone identical to Amber? Or perhaps, this story is meant to be interpreted uniquely per the readers’ experiences?

The reason for which I ask these questions is that I would have felt very disconnected from this book as a young person. I had no interest in having lessons dictated to me, ones I very obviously already knew. I can imagine I am not the only child in history to have felt this way, which is why I wonder who this book is for. The subject matter is touched on very critically. Creationism is viewed as simplistic & for those of subpar intelligence—as noted while Amber flies through her school assignments. Yet, there are no explanations as to why it is important to understand why certain people choose to follow scientific rationals versus religious beliefs. One is simply presented as being better than the other.

Though the topics explored throughout this book are important to discuss they are written very briefly. Due to the short number of pages of which this book is composed, there is little opportunity to simmer on a claim. I appreciate that this is a book that could be read in the hopes of igniting future conversations but, it would not have been negative to add a bit more discussion surrounding these topics so that the reader who may be unaware of social complexities might not feel that, if they eat meat (for example) they are innately in the wrong.

With that being said, it was nice to come across a dystopian story for younger readers. I remember when I was first introduced to the genre; I found the subject matter & reflections insightful & intriguing, some of them have nestled into my constant reflections ever since. I should hope that the reader who comes upon this book is gifted with the encouragement to further their own comprehension of the status quo & the ways in which our difference enhance the culture of the collective.

Thank you to Edelweiss+, Fitzroy Books & Marcie Roman for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewdystopique edelweiss états-unis ...more19 s Anne Krawitz1 review

I enjoy reading YA and Journey to the Parallels is one of the best YA novels I've read in a very long time. Amber is forthright and tough. Her little brother Beetle is adorable and quirky in an utterly authentic way. Mother does her very best to take care of her kids while adhering to her values, but of course Amber questions each one as she goes, that's what daughters are for! Journey to the Parallels is engaging and politically savvy (for children as well as adults). There were many times I laughed out loud! I highly recommend this book for teens as well as adults.1 Jude AtwoodAuthor 1 book47

The woman dropping Amber and her brother Beetle off at school might sound their mother; she might dress their mother; she might even look their mother Sandra. But she is definitely not their mother. After the impostor gets a professional haircut, cooks a complete meal, and shows up on time, Amber realizes she’s got to find her mom! Fortunately the real Sandra’s tall tales may have contained a clue about a window to an alternate world, a place almost exactly their town, but with a few chilling differences…

I stayed up much later than I intended last night because I had to find out what happened next in Marcie Roman’s Journey to the Parallels. It’s a middle grade book with bite, blending elements of magical realism and science fiction. It’s as though Jordan Peele and George Orwell made a Twilight Zone episode especially for middle school students. Roman’s prose is warm and engaging, and the finely drawn relationship between Amber and her mother feels honest and unconventional. Young readers may enjoy the tense adventure story, but the novel also invites its audience to think about how our culture views gender, class, and family structures. This timely and affecting book deserves to find a wide audience.1 Tonja DreckerAuthor 3 books210

This book sweeps the reader up into a world, which hinges closely on reality and lets the fantasy trickle in.

Amber's having a rough go at school, since her two best friends are suddenly whispering behind her back. They're shutting her out and making fun of her, and she's not really sure what to do about it. When her mother picks her and her brother, Beetle, up from school, life begins to twist in odd ways. The woman in her car, although looking her mother, acts completely different. She cooks, she cleans, and she even brushes her hair. The oddities stack, one right after the other, until it's clear that this is not their scattered-brained mother. Plus, they're receiving strange notes in their lunches, which claim they are running out of time. When they discover a window in an old warehouse, which leads to a parallel universe, the adventure begins.

I had no trouble reading this one in a single setting. The first chapter hooks, and the pacing remains high the entire way through. Amber is a girl, who doesn't easily give in. Nor does she let things get to her right away. She's tough in her own way, makes mistakes, and does long for her family to get back together. It's no problem to root for her and understand her decisions the entire way through.

This tale does hold an interesting parallel world, and the leaping between the two adds exciting twists to the story. It's hard to guess what will happen next. But what really won me over was the well-done weave of reality with fantasy. Amber faces realistic problems at school and home. She does her best to handle them, but also has a lot to learn. She rebels, and yet, doesn't ignore rules....just tests them. The parallel world peaks the imagination and adds a bit of mystery with a good amount of tension. But this also strengthens Amber's own character arc as she learns what could be improved in her own life, and which things are more valuable than she realized.

It's a great read for fun, for classrooms, for discussions, and more. So, yes, I do recommend this one. I received an ARC and enjoyed this read as much as I hoped I would.1 Sandy Gordon1 review1 follower

As I was reading Journey to the Parallels, I kept flashing back to my youth and the story From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I'd forgotten how fun it is to be taken on such a creative ride into a modern world I could never have dreamed up myself, this one. The insight into tweens and all they are grappling with in a society filled with such turmoil is so cleverly woven into this tale of discovery. I love the juxtaposition of Amber and Beetle as they flip between two parallel universes, showing them what could be and helping them to appreciate what they already have. There is a great opportunity here for a family conversation about the world - maybe this is a new type of book club. Family club? Good stuff.1 J.R. PotterAuthor 6 books48

A brilliant and brilliantly executed "What if?" that pulls off a profound double magic trick--illuminating the wonder of childhood adventure while shining a light on the real-world challenges of our time. Where does empathy end and indifference begin? In clear but emotive prose Roman threads the needle of a high-stakes adventure, full of comedic turns and philosophical pauses that are never pedantic, with sympathetic characters who step off the page and sit down next to us, inspiring our empathy and our resolve to never accept the veneer of a simple surface world.1 Maggie O'Donnell1 review1 follower

Loved this book! Perfect for a tween or an adult. It reminded me of the books of my youth, Wrinkle in Time, when I would disappear into another world and follow the young heroine on her quest to save her family. I love that this book also has a social conscience, it's a perfect way for a young reader to learn about important issues in a fun and exciting way. I have recommended to my children, who are all over the age of 20! I know they will love it!1 Annarella13.2k 143

I loved this story that kept me hooked and turning pages as fast as I could.
It's well written, entertaining, and the characters are fleshed out. The world building is well done.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mineedelweiss mystery urban-fantasy1 Amanda Friedman1 review1 follower

This beautifully written story will remind both kids and their parents how much they need, love, and appreciate one another.1 Trina Lion1 review

As a parent of teens, former educator of teens, and devotee of YA lit, this book completely resonated with me. Journey to the Parallels features relatable, awkward, ultimately healing parent-teen dynamics and the inner world of a modern teen trying to navigate friendships and find meaning in her existence. Even the paranormal aspects of the book are written in an authentic, personable voice. Highly recommended. Sandy GrubbAuthor 1 book17

Amber didn't appreciate what she had until she lost it. When she and her family become trapped in an alternate—parallel—world, the tension spikes as they try to figure out how to get back to their true home before it's too late. Marcie Roman has crafted an engaging middle grade mystery that also reveals how we are capable of shaping our lives and any world in which we find ourselves. Full of hope and heart, this is a great book for all ages. Sara28 1 follower

Ever wonder what your life would be under different circumstances? Then this book is for you. I loved following Amber, her brother, and her delightfully eccentric mom on a journey of discovery -- discovery of one another and of how our choices shape our world. Corinne Peterson1 review1 follower

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