Children’s Books about Parallel Worlds
I have loved books about parallel worlds ever since I was young and read Diana Wynne Jones’ Charmed Life (followed by others featuring Chrestomanci). Parallel worlds fascinate me as authors can write about them from a realist perspective, or turn to fantasy or science fiction. I like the way that this allows writers to create fantastic places, describe exciting adventures, and raise questions about society and identity.
His Dark Materials series – Philip Pullman
One of the most famous writers of parallel worlds stories is Philip Pullman, and I greatly admire the His Dark Materials series. I was impressed by the enthralling adventures of Lyra and Will as they travel between different universes, and appreciated the wonderful fantasy elements. I found Northern Lights mesmerising, The Subtle Knife compelling, and The Amber Spyglass gripping. I loved the characters in all three books, and thought the works showed great imagination with intriguing ideas. Although there were some dark moments, I was impressed by the strong sense of hope and redemption. Interest age 9+.
The Strangeworlds’ Travel Agency – L.D. Lapinski
I particularly liked Pullman’s description of very different worlds from our own, and the same can be found in a lighter way in The Strangeworlds’ Travel Agency by L.D. Lapinski. This is an adventure story which describes how Flick finds herself travelling between exotic worlds before having to save some. There is a fair amount of action and humour, and the book was so popular that Lapinski wrote two sequels. Interest age 9+.
The Nowhere Thief – Alice M. Ross.
There are more good descriptions of very different worlds in The Nowhere Thief by Alice M. Ross. Elsbeth travels between them to steal objects which her mother can sell in her shop. Although her intentions are good as she is trying to help her mother, she slowly discovers that she is actually harming the worlds. I much enjoyed this adventure, liked the characters, and was interested in the range of worlds Ross created. Some are much freer than others. Interest age 9+.
Into the Sideways World – Ross Welford
Ross Welford’s Into the Sideways World also uses contrasting parallel worlds to make comments, in a relatively light way, about society. Willa and Manny live in a world which is very much like ours, but where global affairs have deteriorated to the point where Britain seems about to go to war. They accidentally find themselves visiting a very different world where there is co-operation rather than conflict, and environmental problems have been solved. I found this interesting, and liked the combination of adventure, humour, and appealing characters. Interest age 9+.
The Many Worlds of Albie Bright – Christopher Edge
While Welford’s Willa and Manny are coping with global problems, the protagonist in Christopher Edge’s The Many Worlds of Albie Bright is more focused on his immediate family. Albie’s parents are scientists, and so when his mother dies he decides to try and find her by visiting parallel universes. I was intrigued when Albie met different versions of himself and his family; gently helping readers to consider the nature of identity, and how much it is created by external factors. There is much more realism than fantasy in this book, and it obviously has some serious themes, but there is also a lot of humour and a positive ending. Interest age 9+.
Parallel worlds clearly capture the imagination of both authors and readers, and I look forward to seeing what writers produce next.
Frances