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Children of the Parallels #1
Parallel Jump
Fourteen year old Jack Snow is late for baseball practice when a unusual young woman and her brother cross his path. Jack knows answering their call for help means he won't make it to practice, but he cannot imagine how far from home he will end up as a result. When a mysterious force draws him through a crack in reality, leaving his two new acquaintances stranded behind, Jack, Phineas, and Calliope must all make their way amongst strangers to find their way home.
132 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2011
1 person is currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Cameron D. Garriepy
33 books112 followersCameron D. Garriepy attended a small Vermont college in a town very like Thornton. She's missed it since the day she packed up her Subaru and drove off into the real world. Some might say she created the fictional village as wish fulfillment, and they would be correct.
She is the author of the Thornton Vermont series, and the founder of Bannerwing Books, a co-op of independent authors. Prior to Bannerwing, Cameron was an editor at Write on Edge, where she curated three volumes of the online writing group's literary anthology, Precipice. Cameron appeared in the inaugural cast of Listen to Your Mother - Boston, and irregularly contributed flash fiction to the Word Count Podcast.
Since her time at Middlebury College, Cameron has worked as a nanny, a pastry cook, an event ticket resale specialist, an office manager, and a content writer. In her spare time, she cooks, gardens, knits, reads avidly, and researches hobby farming. She writes from the greater Boston area, where she lives with her husband, son, a pug puppy, and four hens.
She is the author of the Thornton Vermont series, and the founder of Bannerwing Books, a co-op of independent authors. Prior to Bannerwing, Cameron was an editor at Write on Edge, where she curated three volumes of the online writing group's literary anthology, Precipice. Cameron appeared in the inaugural cast of Listen to Your Mother - Boston, and irregularly contributed flash fiction to the Word Count Podcast.
Since her time at Middlebury College, Cameron has worked as a nanny, a pastry cook, an event ticket resale specialist, an office manager, and a content writer. In her spare time, she cooks, gardens, knits, reads avidly, and researches hobby farming. She writes from the greater Boston area, where she lives with her husband, son, a pug puppy, and four hens.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 11, 2012
4 1/2 stars!
What a gem!! Honestly, I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Especially as this is nothing like any genre I read, and the main character is a 14 year old boy. It just goes to show that no matter how old the MC is, including the story’s secondary characters, if it’s well written, it will be enjoyed by many. This short young adult novella falls under the sci-fi/fantasy (steam punk) genre.
I read this in one sitting it was that engaging, but then it is a novella. Still, I’ve picked up novellas that did nothing for me and I found myself putting them down. This one, however, was just so different. I don’t know why, really. I'm still mulling it over. I do know that it was good, it was very, very good.
This story starts with Jack Snow desperately trying to make it to baseball practice on time. Standing at a pedestrian crossing waiting for the light to change, and whilst looking across at the park, he sees a girl fall out of a tree – soon followed by a boy. Huh? The light changes, Jack crosses the street and walks to where these kids fell, to find out if they are alright. Right after Jack checks on them, Calliope (love this name) asks him if he could help them get their ‘kite’ down from the tree. Her brother, Phineas, isn’t too pleased but then he knows what could happen. Jack knows he’s definitely late now and can see his team up in the distance already warming up – so what are another few minutes? Up the tree he goes, grabs onto the line and as he tugs, the line seems to tug him back up and away. He next finds himself surrounded by, well, sky - until he promptly lands on a lawn in front of a house he has never seen. From here on in (and no I am not going to divulge what happens further in this story) it’s pure fascination drizzled with adventure, world jumping, not to mention a gadget or two – something boys would love to get their hands on. What develops in this story is just so amazing; I wanted to clap my hands. I know I sound like a kid and felt like one reading this book. By now you must have guessed that Jack is in a parallel world – but then you must have gathered that by the title too. :) Even so, I never expected it to turn out quite the way it did!
I loved the way this author wrote this book. Every chapter concentrates on either Jack and the world he is presently in, or the conundrum that Calliope and Phineas face in figuring out a way to get back. What’s wonderful is that no matter which character you are reading about in any given chapter, it’s all cohesive and tightly woven together. It just works, is easy to read and wonderfully written - just magical. I wanted to be a part of this little adventure. The word I have been searching my mind for since I started writing this review – has finally hit me - it’s original. And you know what? I could have read on and on and on. Wow.
Please read it, no matter what age you are. I so recommend it. You will most assuredly enjoy it. I LOVED it. So much so, that I am still thinking about it!
What a gem!! Honestly, I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Especially as this is nothing like any genre I read, and the main character is a 14 year old boy. It just goes to show that no matter how old the MC is, including the story’s secondary characters, if it’s well written, it will be enjoyed by many. This short young adult novella falls under the sci-fi/fantasy (steam punk) genre.
I read this in one sitting it was that engaging, but then it is a novella. Still, I’ve picked up novellas that did nothing for me and I found myself putting them down. This one, however, was just so different. I don’t know why, really. I'm still mulling it over. I do know that it was good, it was very, very good.
This story starts with Jack Snow desperately trying to make it to baseball practice on time. Standing at a pedestrian crossing waiting for the light to change, and whilst looking across at the park, he sees a girl fall out of a tree – soon followed by a boy. Huh? The light changes, Jack crosses the street and walks to where these kids fell, to find out if they are alright. Right after Jack checks on them, Calliope (love this name) asks him if he could help them get their ‘kite’ down from the tree. Her brother, Phineas, isn’t too pleased but then he knows what could happen. Jack knows he’s definitely late now and can see his team up in the distance already warming up – so what are another few minutes? Up the tree he goes, grabs onto the line and as he tugs, the line seems to tug him back up and away. He next finds himself surrounded by, well, sky - until he promptly lands on a lawn in front of a house he has never seen. From here on in (and no I am not going to divulge what happens further in this story) it’s pure fascination drizzled with adventure, world jumping, not to mention a gadget or two – something boys would love to get their hands on. What develops in this story is just so amazing; I wanted to clap my hands. I know I sound like a kid and felt like one reading this book. By now you must have guessed that Jack is in a parallel world – but then you must have gathered that by the title too. :) Even so, I never expected it to turn out quite the way it did!
I loved the way this author wrote this book. Every chapter concentrates on either Jack and the world he is presently in, or the conundrum that Calliope and Phineas face in figuring out a way to get back. What’s wonderful is that no matter which character you are reading about in any given chapter, it’s all cohesive and tightly woven together. It just works, is easy to read and wonderfully written - just magical. I wanted to be a part of this little adventure. The word I have been searching my mind for since I started writing this review – has finally hit me - it’s original. And you know what? I could have read on and on and on. Wow.
Please read it, no matter what age you are. I so recommend it. You will most assuredly enjoy it. I LOVED it. So much so, that I am still thinking about it!
March 26, 2012
Parallel Jump is Cameron Garriepy’s third novella, and it transports readers to a magical place that will enthrall both teens and adults. Teens will love the steampunk magic of the alternative universe Garriepy so adeptly creates, and adults will find themselves examining and re-examining threads of the complex relationships woven through the narrative.
We meet fourteen year old Jack Snow as he rushes across the streets of Boston, late for baseball practice. He’s in a hurry, but things are still right with his world, until he sees a boy fall out of a tree, landing next to a girl whose red hair has a streak of violet.
Something about the duo (a brother and sister named Phineas and Calliope) intrigues him, and when they ask for his help, Jack obliges. Then things start to get bizarre, when Jack gets pulled (literally) into a world he never imagined. A place where wandering out of one’s yard requires a rucksack of provisions and at least a slingshot for protection, where ravens spy and dirigibles hover, armed with Lumastuns.
Meanwhile, Phineas and Calliope are stuck in Jack’s world, and we watch as they navigate the streets of Boston with foreign (and adorably naive) eyes:
“‘Look! Phin! We can get coffee and pastries at a place called Starbucks!’ Calliope cheered, pointing to an ad-board on the taxi’s roof.”
Each chapter leaps from one world to the other, and as Jack, Phineas, and Calliope try to find their collective ways home, we see that their paths are not as separate as it first appears. Garriepy allows the reader to make assumptions along with her characters, but does it so well that the reader is just as surprised as the characters when certain assumptions turn out to be false.
The story is fast-paced (I read it in one sitting), with no wasted space. Garriepy’s writing is tight and propels the reader forward. She builds tension from the first page, and it crests in a roaring crescendo with the introduction of Pollux Snow.
My only complaint about Parallel Jump is that it ended too soon, leaving me thirsty for more about Jack, his family, and their magical world.
We meet fourteen year old Jack Snow as he rushes across the streets of Boston, late for baseball practice. He’s in a hurry, but things are still right with his world, until he sees a boy fall out of a tree, landing next to a girl whose red hair has a streak of violet.
Something about the duo (a brother and sister named Phineas and Calliope) intrigues him, and when they ask for his help, Jack obliges. Then things start to get bizarre, when Jack gets pulled (literally) into a world he never imagined. A place where wandering out of one’s yard requires a rucksack of provisions and at least a slingshot for protection, where ravens spy and dirigibles hover, armed with Lumastuns.
Meanwhile, Phineas and Calliope are stuck in Jack’s world, and we watch as they navigate the streets of Boston with foreign (and adorably naive) eyes:
“‘Look! Phin! We can get coffee and pastries at a place called Starbucks!’ Calliope cheered, pointing to an ad-board on the taxi’s roof.”
Each chapter leaps from one world to the other, and as Jack, Phineas, and Calliope try to find their collective ways home, we see that their paths are not as separate as it first appears. Garriepy allows the reader to make assumptions along with her characters, but does it so well that the reader is just as surprised as the characters when certain assumptions turn out to be false.
The story is fast-paced (I read it in one sitting), with no wasted space. Garriepy’s writing is tight and propels the reader forward. She builds tension from the first page, and it crests in a roaring crescendo with the introduction of Pollux Snow.
My only complaint about Parallel Jump is that it ended too soon, leaving me thirsty for more about Jack, his family, and their magical world.
April 29, 2012
My kids (ages eight and just-six) and I just completed reading this book together and we highly recommend it! Clever, wholesome, and engaging, we all enjoyed it immensely. It kept both of my kids on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what would happen in the next chapter. The child characters are honest and easy to love. The futuristic elements were interesting and unique, but not too complicated. And what could be cooler for a kid to read than a book that contains BOTH a family tree and a pronunciation guide? Simply wonderful! We all agree, though, that the most charming thing is reading it aloud and bursting into giggles together every time I read out loud "Elaisaid said." In fact, the kids think that should be the title of this book. :)
March 18, 2012
Parallel Jump is a young adult novella, just the beginning of my explorations in this fictional world. It was inspired by and dedicated to a family friend, and is especially dear to my heart. Enjoy it with a young reader or on your own.
From the Amazon reviews:
"The characters are intriguing [...]. The story has several twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wanting to keep turning the pages."
"From the opening chapter this story pulls you (almost literally) into a tale set in two parallel universes. While written for young readers, their parents will find it equally engaging. If you know Boston, much is familiar. Cameron Garriepy writes about an intriguing family separated by space, with a 13 year old Jack at it's center and a truly fascinating cast of supporting characters. This novella is only the first installment of what promises to be a compelling series."
"Parallel Jump kept me engaged the entire time. Jack Snow just wants to make to make his baseball practice on time, when he ends up pulled, literally, into a world of intrigue, drama, and adventure. [...] Cameron Garriepy writes a steampunk-like world of teens with originality and intelligent prose. I recommend this short story for the young reader in your family and the adults too."
From the Amazon reviews:
"The characters are intriguing [...]. The story has several twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wanting to keep turning the pages."
"From the opening chapter this story pulls you (almost literally) into a tale set in two parallel universes. While written for young readers, their parents will find it equally engaging. If you know Boston, much is familiar. Cameron Garriepy writes about an intriguing family separated by space, with a 13 year old Jack at it's center and a truly fascinating cast of supporting characters. This novella is only the first installment of what promises to be a compelling series."
"Parallel Jump kept me engaged the entire time. Jack Snow just wants to make to make his baseball practice on time, when he ends up pulled, literally, into a world of intrigue, drama, and adventure. [...] Cameron Garriepy writes a steampunk-like world of teens with originality and intelligent prose. I recommend this short story for the young reader in your family and the adults too."
Read
March 17, 2021Parallel Jump is a young adult novella, just the beginning of my explorations in this fictional world. It was inspired by and dedicated to a family friend, and is especially dear to my heart. Enjoy it with a young reader or on your own.
From the Amazon reviews:
"The characters are intriguing [...]. The story has several twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wanting to keep turning the pages."
"From the opening chapter this story pulls you (almost literally) into a tale set in two parallel universes. While written for young readers, their parents will find it equally engaging. If you know Boston, much is familiar. Cameron Garriepy writes about an intriguing family separated by space, with a 13 year old Jack at it's center and a truly fascinating cast of supporting characters. This novella is only the first installment of what promises to be a compelling series."
"Parallel Jump kept me engaged the entire time. Jack Snow just wants to make to make his baseball practice on time, when he ends up pulled, literally, into a world of intrigue, drama, and adventure. [...] Cameron Garriepy writes a steampunk-like world of teens with originality and intelligent prose. I recommend this short story for the young reader in your family and the adults too."
From the Amazon reviews:
"The characters are intriguing [...]. The story has several twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wanting to keep turning the pages."
"From the opening chapter this story pulls you (almost literally) into a tale set in two parallel universes. While written for young readers, their parents will find it equally engaging. If you know Boston, much is familiar. Cameron Garriepy writes about an intriguing family separated by space, with a 13 year old Jack at it's center and a truly fascinating cast of supporting characters. This novella is only the first installment of what promises to be a compelling series."
"Parallel Jump kept me engaged the entire time. Jack Snow just wants to make to make his baseball practice on time, when he ends up pulled, literally, into a world of intrigue, drama, and adventure. [...] Cameron Garriepy writes a steampunk-like world of teens with originality and intelligent prose. I recommend this short story for the young reader in your family and the adults too."
May 9, 2012
Parallel Jump merges steampunk elements with relatable characters and the intriguing concept of travel between alternate universes occupying the same geographical space.
Jack Snow's headed to baseball practice when he happens upon Calliope and Phineas Wing who seem to have dropped into his sight from thin air. He doesn't have much time to assist them find their way home, as he soon discovers he's leapt a long way from home himself.
Or has he?
Meeting up with the irresistible Lucky Wing on the other side of his inadvertent jump across realities, Jack finds himself on a journey that will hopefully lead him home while answering questions he wasn't even aware he had.
Adults and young people alike will be drawn into the story, which is above all a tightly woven tale of a fantastic adventure.
However, parents and teachers can take the conversation outside of the boundaries of both Boston and the Republic of the River Cam to explore how we should use the technology we possess and what motivates people to make decisions that impact the lives of everyone they touch.
Jack Snow's headed to baseball practice when he happens upon Calliope and Phineas Wing who seem to have dropped into his sight from thin air. He doesn't have much time to assist them find their way home, as he soon discovers he's leapt a long way from home himself.
Or has he?
Meeting up with the irresistible Lucky Wing on the other side of his inadvertent jump across realities, Jack finds himself on a journey that will hopefully lead him home while answering questions he wasn't even aware he had.
Adults and young people alike will be drawn into the story, which is above all a tightly woven tale of a fantastic adventure.
However, parents and teachers can take the conversation outside of the boundaries of both Boston and the Republic of the River Cam to explore how we should use the technology we possess and what motivates people to make decisions that impact the lives of everyone they touch.
May 7, 2012
I won this book as part of the Firstreads program on Good reads. Pretty nice little story aimed, I think, at mid-to-late elementary school readers. Nicely written with interesting characters, especially Lucky. There are two problems I have with it: 1) the author didn't seem to make up her mid if this was gentle science fiction or easy steampunk set in modern day. I realize that steampunk is always Victorian, but there are lots of steampunkish elements to the story - Babbages and dirigibles for example. 2) There is a huge cliffhanger ending. Frankly, the kids reading this book are the same ones that devour Harry Potter. Why make the book so short? It's barely 105 pages. Yes, it will sell the next book, but it's quite irritating. I wish the author all the best and look forward to the further adventures.
March 27, 2016
Young teen Jack is hurrying across Boston Common, late for baseball practice, when he sees two kids fall from a tree. They ask for his help in freeing a strange cord that is tangled in the branches. When he climbs up and works it free, he's pulled into a parallel dimension. What happens when he gets there, involves bad guys, unknown relatives and a mystery or two. This is a fast, fun read, perfect for adventure loving reluctant readers as well as younger teens liking an enjoyable light fantasy.
July 13, 2012
I really enjoyed this YA novella! I loved the futuristic and sci fi elements. I found myself gasping at some of the revelations and staying up late to finish. As a parent, I love that this book is engaging and exciting, without relying on sex to keep the readers attention. This is a book I could read with my children and know they would enjoy it as much as I did.
September 20, 2013
This is a nicely-crafted YA novella with an interesting central plot element involving interconnectivity at a number of levels. It is both a well-thought through and a pacey read.
My only complaint is that is was not longer: I think Ms Garriepy had enough material to expand this into a full-length novel. She has left the door open to a sequel, and I hope we will see one soon ...
My only complaint is that is was not longer: I think Ms Garriepy had enough material to expand this into a full-length novel. She has left the door open to a sequel, and I hope we will see one soon ...
November 19, 2012
A fantastically written novella exploring the concept of parallel worlds and traveling between them. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next piece to the story.
May 16, 2012
A great short novella that truly left me wanting more, and wondering about parallel worlds. Thanks, Cameron!
May 23, 2012
Cute little story. Could have been longer. Good read for middle school age kids.
August 17, 2012
Skilled craftsperson of words, Cameron garriepy write a fantasical journey that's aimed at young adults, but older ones can enjoy, too. Excellent read.
July 22, 2014
Such a fun book! It reminded me of reading "A Wrinkle in Time" as a child. I love fantasy fiction. Cameron captured my attention with this fun read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews