Stranger Things Is Releasing A Junior Novelization For Season 1, And I Have So Many Questions Ahead Of The Final Season

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The anticipation for Season 5 of Stranger Things lingers on, and it’s understandable that fans might feel annoyed due to Netflix confirming its release in the 2025 lineup with the series finale airing on New Year’s Eve, 2025. However, there’s still plenty of enjoyment to be found before then – such as rewatching the entire series using a Netflix subscription. Additionally, an intriguing prospect arises in the form of a Season 1 novelization targeted at children, which leaves me with numerous questions.

The first season of Stranger Things, adapted into a junior novel, will be published by Random House Books for Young Readers on Tuesday, July 8. Surprisingly, it’s a 320-page book, which seems quite extensive for a children’s book, considering the recommended age range is between 7 and 10 years old, as per Random House.

Matthew J. Gilbert has a knack for making popular franchises appealing to younger audiences. Previously, he authored books such as “Hawkins Horrors” (for ages 8-12), “Will Byers: Secret Files” (young adult), “How to Survive in a Stranger Things World” (suitable for ages 12 and up), and the forthcoming “Stranger Things, Season Two: The Junior Novelization” (intended for ages 7-10).

In my perspective as a film critic, this lengthy tome clocks in at an impressive 300-plus pages, but it seems to follow the predictable trajectory of a young adult novel, complete with eight visuals drawn from the series. I suspect that the text might be larger than what you’d find in a typical adult book. However, my curiosity upon hearing the news wasn’t piqued by font size or image selection. Instead, it was sparked by the intriguing narrative and characters that lay hidden within these pages, eagerly waiting to unfold their stories.

As a film enthusiast, my first thoughts delved into the adaptation of the gripping first season of Stranger Things, a show that Netflix rates TV-14 due to its mature content: disturbing images, fear, gore, language, smoking. I pondered, how much of Eleven’s haunting past with Dr. Brenner would be conveyed in this junior novelization aimed at the 7-10 age range? Would the crucial elements of Nancy’s storyline with Steve and Jonathan be successfully adapted for young readers without compromising their emotional resonance?

How much of Hopper’s struggle (including his later, Lando Calrissian-like betrayal) will be included in the storyline, and how graphic will the scene where Will is saved from the Upside Down be? I can still recall the disturbing image of Will being connected to the Upside Down with a revolting tendril down his throat, and I was certainly older than 14 when I first watched the series. Even Eleven’s self-sacrificing act at the end is quite intense. Is it worth reading for adults who might find Easter eggs hinting at Season 5?

The previous query, while somewhat far-fetched, does offer an insight into the book’s unique handling of a rather grim sequence spanning eight episodes. As for Will’s vanishing, it provides some clarification on the book’s portrayal.

Trace the journey of Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, their companions, as they pursue their missing friend and unearth a hidden realm brimming with clandestine scientific endeavors and chilling supernatural entities. Could Eleven, a girl boasting remarkable mental abilities, hold the key to unlocking this enigma?

This book appears to indicate that it won’t delve deeply into the darker adult and teen narratives from Season 1, instead opting for a more childlike tale… however, it’s likely that some explicit language will be removed and potentially scenes like Eleven killing soldiers with her telekinetic powers might be omitted.

It’s important to note that having mature themes in a junior novelization isn’t necessarily a negative thing. In fact, I would have been very interested in such a book when I was part of the target age group. However, I can’t help but wonder how closely this adaptation will mirror the television show. With Matthew J. Gilbert’s junior novelization for Season 2 set to be released on Amazon on September 9, 2025, it makes me ponder if they plan to publish children’s versions of all four seasons before Season 5 even premieres.

Considering that only about two months separate the release dates for Season 2 and Season 1, and Netflix has already put out the initial episodes of Season 5 just three months after the second season’s adaptation by Gilbert, it seems quite a challenge to produce a kids’ version of Season 4’s climax. I wish you the best of luck in adapting that for 7-year-olds!

Starting from July 8, you can grab the junior adaptation of our first season’s novel – perfect if you have a child or simply want to relive the experience. Alternatively, you can always catch up with the series on Netflix.

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2025-07-01 01:38