Now That You're Here

Reviewed by: Sally Holt - Raymond Village Library, Raymond, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

Danny is a 15 year old skater graffiti artist and a bit of a troublemaker. While being chased by the cops he is jolted into a parallel universe and discovers that his parents are dead and he is living in a foster home where the father is abusive to the children and his wife. His friends in the parallel universe are classmates who he had once bullied and his friends are no longer his friends. Eevee, an academic and strong female character is now a love interest as she works relentlessly to get him back to the universe he belongs to. Eevee's parents live next door to one another and do a great job of co-parenting Eevee. At first they are supportive of Eevee's relationship with Danny but when her grades begin to falter that changes. This is Nichols debut novel and the first book in a new series called Duplexity.

This YA novel is fact paced, partially because the chapters are short with Danny or Eevee taking turns at being the narrator of each chapter.

All of the teen characters in the book have unique and endearing qualities and as a result the reader really identifies with them. YA readers will enjoy this book. Recommend for purchase for high school.

Overall Book Score: very good