''Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All'' is a young adult novel by

Laura Ruby Laura Ruby is an American author of twelve books, including '' Bone Gap'' (2015), winner of the 2016 Michael L. Printz Award and finalist for the 2015 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She is also a professor at Hamline Universit ...

, published October 1, 2019, by

Balzer + Bray Balzer is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Arthur J. Balzer (1895–1962), American merchant * Falk Balzer (born 1973), German athlete * Félix Balzer (1849–1929), French physician * George Balzer (1915–2006), American scree ...

Plot

Critical reception

''Thirteen Doors, Wolves Behind Them All'' received starred reviews from ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, wi ...

'' and ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is ...

''. ''School Library Journal'''s Liz Overber wrote that "powerful plotting, masterful character development, and a unique narrative device set this work apart." She compared the novel to ''

Code Name Verity ''Code Name Verity'' is a young adult historical fiction novel by Elizabeth Wein published in 2012. It focuses on the friendship between two young British women in World War II: a spy captured by Nazis in German-occupied France and the pilot wh ...

'' and ''

The Book Thief ''The Book Thief'' is a historical fiction novel by the Australian author Markus Zusak, set in Nazi Germany during World War II. Published in 2005, ''The Book Thief'' became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and s ...

''. ''Booklist'''s Sarah Hunter highlighted how "Ruby’s delicate, powerful storytelling—it’s as if each word carries deliberate weight—draws out potent connections among women living in different eras, and the places where their stories overlap captivatingly demonstrate the varied ways anger, love, strength, vengeance, and forgiveness appear. If that sounds esoteric, never fear: Ruby’s well-wrought, multifaceted characters, both living and dead, are front and center of this moving novel. But the constellation collectively shaped by those characters’ stories reveals profound, bewitching truths about the vast, sometimes cruel, sometimes loving, possibilities of human nature."

Common Sense Media Common Sense Media (CSM) is an American nonprofit organization that reviews and provides ratings for media and technology with the goal of providing information on their suitability for children.

gave the novel five stars, calling it a "haunting and unforgettable novel of love, loss, and hope." ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine's publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, no ...

'' referred to the novel as "A layered, empathetic examination of the ghosts inside all girls’ lives, full of historical realism and timeless feeling." ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'' called it "evocative" and stated, "Though a slow unspooling may frustrate some, the women’s resonant journeys, marked by desire and betrayal, thoughtfully illuminate the deep harm that women and girls suffer at the hands of a patriarchal society as well as the importance of living fully." ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' also provided a positive review''.'' The audiobook, narrated by Lisa Flanagan, also received a positive review from ''

'', who highlighted how Flanagan's voice mirrored the tone of the work. They further noted that "Flanagan’s voice manifesting burgeoning gravitas ... will propel both teens to open the doorways and confront the necessary challenges to move forward toward freedom."

Awards and honors

Both the book and audiobook editions of ''Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All'' are

Junior Library Guild Junior Library Guild, formerly the Junior Literary Guild, is a commercial Book sales club, book club devoted to juvenile literature. It was created in 1929 as one of the enterprises of the Literary Guild, an adult book club created in 1927 by Samue ...

books.

References

2019 American novels Balzer + Bray books {{2010s-ya-novel-stub