Fairy tales retold for Young Adult (YA) readers
As the new year rings in, we can only look forward to the coming months ahead filled with so much potential. It makes us reflect back on the past and contemplate how much we (or our little ones) have grown up. Perhaps this year, your little ones will strap on a backpack for the first time, or your not-so-littles ones may be starting their GCSEs. Whatever age your children are, they’ll always be the little ones that you’d tuck in and read a fairytale or two to before bedtime. Or perhaps you cherish those moments sitting together and watching a feel-good Disney movie? The truth is, the magic never really disappears as they grow older. Whether they’re your little ones or your not-so-little ones, at Books2Door, we have put together a list of fantastical fairytales that have been retold for Young Adult (YA) readers.
Why keep reading tales that are as old as time?
Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk. Fairytales and fables seem to be a staple part of everyone’s childhood, made to teach us valuable life lessons through their morals and values: always trust your instinct, don’t judge a person by their appearance, and the easy way isn’t always the best way. Fairytales have been told to children for generations for a good reason- they really are tales as old as time!
By the time we grow older into teens and young adults, the novelty of the magic and mystical seems to wear off, bringing us back to reality. But, dear reader, that’s not necessarily true! Fairytales are not only timeless tales but they can be enjoyed by people of all ages (not just for the little ones!) and can even provide useful life lessons and a nostalgic acknowledgement of the tales we read as children.
The Young Adult Fiction genre bridges the boundary between children’s books and adult fiction books. Primarily targeting readers aged 14-18, typically the ages of the main characters in YA books, common young adult fiction themes surround the emotional situations that the target audience relates to. These coming-of-age stories can range from establishing identity to forming relationships and expanding their worldviews on topical issues. Keep reading to find out our top picks of fairytale re-tellings that have that little twist for older readers.
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
Think you know the story of Cinderella? Well, the Kalynn Bayron Collection 3 Books Set will make you think again. This TikTok sensation hit the internet by storm as one of the most well-loved classic fairytale retellings for Young Adult readers. Think you know the story of Cinderella? Think again! Sophia Grimmins takes readers on a new dystopic fantasy adventure in this subverted fairytale laced with feminist themes.
It’s been 200 years since Cinderella found her prince charming. Everyone knows the age-old story. Queer teenager Sophia despises the coming-of-age ball where girls are chosen as wives of men they’ve never met. Instead, she’d rather spend the rest of her life with her best friend, Erin, than with any man in the entire kingdom. In a whirlwind turn of events, she finds herself in Cinderella’s tomb on the night of the ball. Can she turn her fate around, or will she be stuck in oppression for the rest of her life?
Read the thrilling sequels This Poison Heart and This Wicked Fate which follows Briseis, who possesses chlorokinetic powers- her control over flowers and plants starts to develop dangerous consequences as she discovers long-buried secrets in the garden of her rambling home.
Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer
Fairytales are deep-rooted in the past, but what if they were set in the future?
The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer are futuristic retellings of all your favourite fairytale classics, perfect for a YA audience. The four books in this collection include Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter. Each of these books encompasses a new twist on all of your favourite classic fairytales, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White. The books are set in a futuristic world inhabited by countless species and creatures where tensions are rising between Earth and its former colony Luna. If that wasn’t enough o deal with, they are also attempting to manage an ongoing pandemic.
The first book in this spell-binding series is about Cinder, a cyborg, who is discriminated against despite building up her reputation as the best mechanic in New Beijing. American author Marissa Meyer brings a contemporary retelling of this childhood classic, with more action and futuristic adventure, perfect for the YA audience that loves a neat sci-fi twist.
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Currently a Netflix sensation, check out the magical books that started it all with our collection of The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. This dark and enchanting fantasy fairytale adventure is perfect for those teens that haven’t outgrown their love of Disney fairytales but want something with an ominous twist. There are six books in this captivating series: The School for Good and Evil, A World Without Princes, The Last Ever After, Quests for Glory, A Crystal of Time and One True King.
Every four years, two girls are kidnapped from the small village located in the Endless Wood to attend either the School of Goof or the School of Evil. This year’s victims are Sophie, a fairytale-obsessed girl who wants nothing more than to willingly attend the School for Good to live out her life with her Prince Charming. Meanwhile, her best friend Agatha, a gloomy and sullen-looking girl, is tormented by the townsfolk for being a villainous witch. In an unfortunate turn of events, both girls are kidnapped, and their destinies take a surprising twist as Agatha is put into the School for Good and Sophie is dumped into the School of Evil. With an intense rivalry between the two schools, can they convince the school’s headmaster and their teachers that they are in the wrong school? Or will they accept their fates and fulfil their newfound destiny to become who they were always meant to become?
At Books2Door, we pride ourselves on our mission to make books more affordable and accessible for kids. Each book is hand-selected by our amazing team before we bring it to our customers to ensure they can be loved by all. We take extra-special care to make sure our books inspire you and your children to pick up a book and put us at the forefront of your next best read. No matter the age, budget, or interest, rest assured our books cater for anyone and everyone.