Mr. Universe

This zippy hi-lo science fiction title by Slade (the Amber Fang series) transpires in just over a day as a teen is transported to a parallel universe that he calls Earth Two. Michael is spending the weekend with his science-minded uncle Henry, an inventor who has just completed a quantum multiverse transporter, when he accidentally steps into the device’s portal. Sent to a parallel reality, he meets Emily, a girl who is missing her memories. At Emily’s high school, the two are set upon by men with razor teeth whom no one else can see and who use an eraser gun to disappear student Mick, stating that “the balance must be restored.” Fleeing from these figures in an extended chase scene, the teens are eventually assisted by Uncle Henry, whom Michael can still contact by phone, and Uncle Henry’s Earth Two counterpart, Aunt Henry. Between the compact plot and the short chapters, the story flies by, though Michael and Emily do have time to grow fond of one another; together, this makes for a fun, breezy work accessible to a wide variety of readers looking for a quick sci-fi adventure. Ages 12–up. [em](Jan.) [/em]