A guide to Netflix’s young-adult book adaptations

The past one year has inclined our lives towards a virtual medium as we work from home and attend classes online. Subsequently, binge-watching shows and films has become the premier mode of relaxing for many. For readers who cannot take out the time to sit with a book, their adaptations—particularly of young adult stories—can be a welcome solution.    

The To All The Boys trilogy 

Based on Jenny Han's books of the same name (Simon & Schuster, 2014-2017), this trilogy revolves around the life of Lara Jean. When her secret love letters are posted, her imaginary love life turns into a complicated mess which leaves her and the recipients confused. Following a fake-dating trope, the first film, To All The Boys Loved Before (2018) is just an introduction to Lara's world. The second, P.S. I Still Love You (2020), features a love-triangle, and Always and Forever (2021), the final one, reflects on the selfless nature of true love. The adaptations do absolute justice to the books and they are excellent mood-lifters. 

Photo: NETFLIX

Shadow and Bone

The show is based on two book series set in the Grishaverse by American author Leigh Bardugo—her trilogy, the first of which is Shadow and Bone (Macmillan, 2012); and the duology that begins with Six of Crows (Henry Holt and Co, 2015). In a world conquered by dark forces, an orphan mapmaker, Alina, uncovers a power that might finally save her wartorn country. As she struggles to sharpen her skills, dangerous forces plot against her. The series is absolutely worth the hype and is a must-watch for fantasy readers. 

Moxie 

This comedy-drama film is adapted from Jennifer Mathieu's eponymous novel published in 2015. The story focuses on the life of Vivian, a high schooler who comes across sexist practices in her school and decides to revolt. Inspired by her mother's rebellious past, she starts a feminist movement by publishing an anonymous underground zine. She talks about the changes she wishes to bring and highlights the wrongdoings at her school. 

The Fear Street trilogy

The 2021 horror film series is based on R.L. Stine's book series of the same. The three films, released a week apart, explored three different stories set in the fictional town of Shadyside. The trilogy begins in 1994 with a group of friends exploring the notorious events that have haunted their town for several years. Similarly, the second and third installments, set in 1978 and 1666, continue to traverse the gruesome truth behind the town's past. The spine-chilling movies are a brilliant way to relive childhood by going through similar tales of horror and fear. 

Photo: NETFLIX

Dash and Lily

This Christmas romance is based on the Dash and Lily series of books by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn (Knopf Books for Young Reader, 2010-2020). The story begins with Dash coming across a red notebook of dares placed in the wrong shelf of a bookstore. These protagonists are poles apart and, despite that, they start falling in love while trading dares and messages across various locations. The series, consisting of eight episodes, brings Dash and Lily's notebook of dares to life, presenting a rom-com intertwined with emotions of estrangement, growth, and familial duty. 

Five Feet Apart 

Based on Rachael Lippincott and Mikki Daughtry's book of the same name (Simon & Schuster, 2018), this film explores the lives of Will and Stella, two young patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. While Stella is determined to finish her medical regimen and lead a normal life, Will is careless about his medications. This forces Will to become more responsible, and they start caring for each other but are always separated by a distance of six feet to avoid cross-infection. The film is an emotional rollercoaster and quite relevant to the present circumstances.

Photo: NETFLIX

Mismatched

Mismatched (2020) is a series adaptation of Sandhya Menon's popular book, When Dimple Met Rishi (Simon & Schuster, 2017). Rishi believes in the traditional ways of love and is eager to meet his future wife at a tech program. On the other hand, Dimple is a tech wizard and gamer at heart who is not interested in a marriage proposal. The interactions between two clearly opposite protagonists, followed by a larger cast of young people in search of their dreams, is what makes this series an ideal show to binge-watch with friends. 

Maisha Islam Monamee is a freelance journalist who likes reading, planning, and scribbling. Follow @monameereads on Instagram.