Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis

There is nothing about football Aiden doesn’t love, and he knows he could be a fantastic player. Though his summer tryout results in a sensory overload meltdown, his star brother gets him a second chance and spot on the team. But when other teammates are less welcoming to Aiden, who is autistic, tensions between players rise to the point of a physical fight – during which Aiden’s brother, Brandon, is arrested and falsely accused of assaulting a police officer. The accusation and resulting court case means Brandon’s football future may be in question. Full of guilt over his brother’s arrest, Aiden is determined to discover what really happened and clear Brandon’s name.

All the Noise at Once is a beautiful, engrossing look at how one teen navigates the world as a neurodiverse, Black male. This powerful story explores social justice, race, class, and ability in an appealing, relatable, and engaging manner that does not shy away from laying bare the reality of systemic racism and bias. Aiden’s relationships with his family, friends, and self are rendered with sensitivity and nuance, and even secondary characters feel real for the reader. Aiden’s emotional journey will resonate with readers.

Teens who have an interest in social justice will appreciate All the Noise at Once, as will readers who enjoy contemporary realistic stories. All the Noise at Once is an excellent readalike for any fan of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed or Kneel by Candace Buford.

– Erica Schimmel

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026