Worlds collide in romantic, unexpected, and heartbreaking ways in this “picture-perfect” ( VOYA , starred review) debut novel about a young man with a truly unique power. Sometimes high school senior Jonathan Aubrey wishes he could just disappear. And as luck—or fate—would have it, he can. Ever since coming out of a coma as a kid, he has been able to create alternate worlds. Worlds where he is heroic, desirable, or simply a better version of himself. That’s the world he’s been escaping to most often, a world where he has everything he doesn’t have in real life: friends, a place of honor on the track team, passing grades, and most importantly, Kylie Simms as his girlfriend. But when Jonathan confuses his worlds and tries to kiss the real Kylie Simms, everything unravels. The real Kylie suddenly notices Jonathan…and begins obsessing over him. The fantasy version of Kylie struggles to love Jonathan as she was created to do, and the consequences are disastrous. As his worlds collide, Jonathan must confront the truth of his power and figure out where he actually belongs—before he loses both Kylies forever. Gr 9 Up—High school senior Jonathan Aubrey is a world-maker. After surviving a plane crash that killed nearly everyone onboard, including his family, Jonathan discovers that he can simply will new worlds into being. This comes in handy, because in the real world he has no friends, isn't graduating, and watches his crush, Kylie Simms, from afar. In the Kylie-Simms-Is-My-Girlfriend world, Jonathan has friends, a spot on the track team, college prospects, and Kylie's undying devotion. One day he confuses the two worlds, almost kissing the real Kylie Simms. Suddenly, the Kylie in Kylie-Simms-Is-My-Girlfriend grows distant, while real Kylie feels an inexplicable pull toward Jonathan. As the Kylies from the two worlds become increasingly intertwined, Jonathan must determine what is happening and how to fix it before both girls suffer catastrophic fates. Brooks's debut novel will find wide readership. Elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance combine in a well-paced story that still manages a surprising conclusion. Jonathan's transformation from teenage boy escaping reality to mature young man grappling with the ethics and impact of his decisions feels organic, rather than preachy. The romance between Jonathan and both Kylies explores deeper ideas about love while providing tender and appropriately steamy scenes. VERDICT A thoughtful story that still feels fresh amid the many other sci-fi/romance combinations out there.—Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, La Crosse Public Library, WI “A shining debut. Smart, tender, heartbreaking, triumphant. In a World Just Right is a miracle.” ― Julie Berry, author of the award-winning ALL THE TRUTH THAT'S IN ME “Elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance combine in a well-paced story that still manages a surprising conclusion…A thoughtful story that still feels fresh amid the many other sci-fi/romance combinations out there.” ― School Library Journal “Jonathan is the best kind of main character any story could want; he is sympathetic, flawed, and is as surprised as the reader by how events unfold…Every piece of the puzzle that is this book slides into the exact right spot, forming a picture-perfect work of fiction.” ― VOYA, STARRED REVIEW "Coping with devastating loss and near-death tragedy takes many forms, and, in Brooks’ caring narrative, an appreciation for the rationale for world making is made to feel just right." ― Booklist "Readers will find multiple points for empathy and reflection in this intriguing take on what-if." -- The Children's Bulletin Shortly after graduating from Dartmouth College, Jen Brooks started teaching English to high school students. She did so for fourteen years and then received an MA and MFA in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University. A competitive hurdler and jumper in high school and college, Jen now enjoys running, hiking and gardening. In a World Just Right is her first novel. She lives with her husband and son in Massachusetts. Learn more at JenBrooksWriter.com. In A World Just Right CHAPTER 1 IT’S TWO O’CLOCK IN THE morning, and the streetlight stretches my shadow across Kylie’s lawn up into her mother’s English garden. My shadow’s head is where the fat yellow lilies will bloom after graduation this summer. Bunches of smaller flowers her mom planted yesterday, a rainbow of color in sunlight, sleep under a blanket of moonlight gray. I glance up and down the street at a neighborhood of unlit windows, to confirm no one saw me appear out of thin air. Without crushing anything, I navigate Kylie’s garden and squeeze between bushes to reach the window. Her curtains are drawn, so I can’t see inside. With a kick to the mulch, I uncover the butter knife we hid there and slide it along the window’s edge to unhitch the screen. I push the unlocked window up, then part the curtains to see into the room. Kylie’s