Every Heart a Doorway

Reach for this book when your teenager feels like a misfit in their own life, or when they are grieving the loss of a place or community where they finally felt seen. It is a profound choice for kids who feel they were born in the wrong world and are struggling to reconnect with reality after a period of intense change or discovery. The story follows Nancy, a girl who has returned from a magical realm only to find her parents want her to be 'normal' again. At Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, she finds others who have also tumbled through doorways into lands of nonsense, logic, or shadows. Through a dark mystery involving a series of tragic events at the school, the book explores themes of identity, finding one's tribe, and the validity of a child's inner experience. It is a sophisticated, somber, and ultimately validating read for older teens (14+) who appreciate atmospheric storytelling and diverse representation.