2026 YA Book List
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The Ten Thousand Doors of January
The Fictitious podcast interview with Alix E. Harrow about The Ten Thousand Doors of January
In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.
Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.Read more about the book here.
Heidi adds: The cover.
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The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter
★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Heidi says: There’s something about Agatha Christie’s work . . . cozy, puzzly, funny, tragic; sometimes deeply flawed and sometimes brilliant; timeless, yet of its time . . .
If you love Christie, too, or would just love to TALK about her books, consider checking out the All About Agatha podcast. It is a seriously nerdy good time. Here’s a direct link to their first episode, And Then There Were 66: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie - Part 1
Click hereto listen to the teaser before the podcast launched in 2016. Be forgiving if you listen to Episode 1 (AFTER reading!). This was their very first episode, and it aired in September of 2016! Enjoy!
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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New List Item
★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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New List Item
★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
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New List Item
★ STARRED reviews from Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Shelf Awareness, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book.
“In two distinct voices, Acevedo explores the rich inner lives of the sudden half-sisters as they grapple with their complicated feelings about their father and the secrets he kept.”
~ Horn Book, STARRED review
Heidi adds: If you haven’t listened to Elizabeth Acevedo narrate before, I highly recommend. She and Melania Luisa Marte bring this story to life and add richness to the text that can only come through the spoken word.
For more resources and information, including AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, visit the Clap When You Land page on Teaching Books.
