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Half His Age

Half His Age is a 2026 novel by Jennette McCurdy and her first work of fiction.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Half His Age is a 2026 novel by Jennette McCurdy and her first work of fiction. The novel follows a 17-year-old student, Waldo, who becomes involved with her teacher, Mr. Korgy. It explores themes of female rage, power, desire, and exploitation.

Background

Half His Age is McCurdy’s debut novel following her memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died. It was published in the United States in January 2026 by Ballantine Books.

Plot

The novel follows Waldo, a 17-year-old student, and her relationship with her teacher, Mr. Korgy. The relationship is portrayed as emotionally and sexually charged.

Themes

Coverage of the novel identifies themes including female anger, power imbalance, desire, loneliness, and exploitation. McCurdy has described the book as drawing on her own experiences.

Reception

The novel received extensive pre-publication and post-publication attention because of its taboo subject matter and its connection to McCurdy’s earlier memoir and public profile.

Key facts

  • It is Jennette McCurdy’s first novel and second book overall.
  • The book was published by Ballantine Books on January 20, 2026.
  • The story centres on Waldo, a 17-year-old high school student.
  • Waldo becomes involved in a relationship with her teacher, Mr. Korgy.
  • McCurdy has said the novel draws on her own experiences and examines female rage, power, and desire.
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Canadian context

The book has relevance for Canadian readers as an English-language literary release by a well-known North American author, and it has been covered in Canadian-facing book and culture commentary.

Frequently asked questions

What is Half His Age?
Half His Age is a 2026 novel by Jennette McCurdy and her first work of fiction.
Who wrote Half His Age?
It was written by Jennette McCurdy.
When was Half His Age published?
It was published on January 20, 2026.
What is the novel about?
It follows a 17-year-old student named Waldo and her relationship with her teacher, Mr. Korgy.
What themes does the book explore?
Reported themes include female rage, power, desire, loneliness, and exploitation.
Is Half His Age based on a true story?
McCurdy has said the novel draws from her own experiences, but it is published as fiction.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_His_Age
    Supports: Author, publication date, publisher, ISBN, and basic plot details.
  2. The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/half-his-age-jennette-mccurdys-novel-is-an-uncomfortable-take-on-a-new-genre-literary-abuse-274748
    Supports: Plot summary, relationship dynamic, and thematic interpretation.
  3. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/books/review/jennette-mccurdy-interview-half-his-age.html
    Supports: Publication timing, novel description, and author commentary.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/podcasts/the-real-story-behind-jennette-mccurdys-novel-half-his-age.html
    Supports: Themes, character details, and McCurdy’s statements about inspiration.
  5. The Independent — https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/books/fiction-books/jennette-mccurdy-novel-book-half-his-age-b2898997.html
    Supports: First novel status, plot premise, and thematic framing.