The space between worlds by Michaiah Johnson

Hodder & Stoughton, 2020. ISBN: 9781529387100.
(Ages: 13+) Highly recommended. In a world where traversing through the multiverse is possible due to the scientific genius of Adam Bosch, only those whose counterparts on the parallel Earths have passed away can travel to that particular Earth. And it's a job, not a holiday, of which Cara is all too aware. Originally from the wastelands, Cara finds herself in the position of traverser, primarily because while there are 380 parallel Earths, her counterpart is dead on all but 8. This makes her a highly valued commodity for Eldridge Institute as she can travel to most of the parallel Earths. As an outsider in the walled-off Wiley City, Cara is willing to do what it takes to stay, including the dangerous job of a traverser. When one of her doppelgangers is murdered though, Cara finds herself in a plot that endangers all the Earths in the multiverse.
Covering a diverse range of themes including identity, privilege, abuse, poverty, sexuality and more, all woven into an extremely well crafted story, this science fiction is sure to delight YA readers. The protagonist of the story, Cara, is tough and vulnerable, a relatable character who presents to others as having confidence but is looking for her place in the world. She works closely with Dell, her watcher, and Jean, her mentor, in the Eldridge Institute. The entire storyline is well thought out, with plenty of intrigue, action and twists. Fans of the Starbound series by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner will enjoy this Sci-fi adventure.
Themes: Science fiction, Identity, Self perception, Self worth, LGBTQI+ people, Belonging.
Melanie Phillips