Home › Kids Books › Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All

by Laura Ruby

Orphanhood and survival in wartime Chicago

Regular price $12.14 USD
Regular price $20.24 USD Sale price $12.14 USD
Save 40%

Paperback New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

Orphanhood and survival in wartime Chicago

Set in Chicago as the Great Depression gives way to World War II, the novel centers on Frankie and her sister Toni after their father leaves them in an orphanage. The description frames their struggle for survival against a wider landscape of poverty, injustice, and loss, while also introducing a second young woman who is dead. That living-and-dead perspective connects the sisters’ immediate circumstances to questions about desire, grief, and the uncertain promise of the American dream. The result is a historical young adult story grounded in family abandonment and the search for something to hold on to amid social upheaval.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teens and young adults interested in historical fiction set during World War II.
  • Readers drawn to stories about siblings, orphanhood, and survival.
  • Readers interested in novels that bring a ghostly perspective to themes of loss and social injustice.

Themes

Family abandonmentOrphanhood and survivalPoverty and injusticeGrief and lossThe American dream

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

National Book Award 2019 Finalist!

From the author of Printz Medal winner Bone Gap comes the unforgettable story of two young women--one living, one dead--dealing with loss, desire, and the fragility of the American dream during WWII.

When Frankie's mother died and her father left her and her siblings at an orphanage in Chicago, it was supposed to be only temporary--just long enough for him to get back on his feet and be able to provide for them once again. That's why Frankie's not prepared for the day that he arrives for his weekend visit with a new woman on his arm and out-of-state train tickets in his pocket.

Now Frankie and her sister, Toni, are abandoned alongside so many other orphans--two young, unwanted women doing everything they can to survive.

And as the embers of the Great Depression are kindled into the fires of World War II, and the shadows of injustice, poverty, and death walk the streets in broad daylight, it will be up to Frankie to find something worth holding on to in the ruins of this shattered America--every minute of every day spent wondering if the life she's able to carve out will be enough.

I will admit I do not know the answer. But I will be watching, waiting to find out.

That's what ghosts do.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews