The best YA books retelling the classics

Why this book?

This Poison Heart is one of the most beautiful examples of a retelling I’ve ever encountered. Drawing from The Secret Garden, it weaves plant magic, science, and Greek myth into an incredibly, refreshingly, inclusive vision of contemporary society. The freshest, and cleverest, take on an old classic you can possibly imagine, it makes fantasy reality for readers of any age.

(It also includes a nod to another much-loved classic – Little Shop of Horrors! Which is a huge plus for me!)

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Why this book?

The Madman’s Daughter is a gorgeous gothic mix of horror, mystery, and romance. Inspired by H.G Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau, it offers a glimpse of a classic often unfamiliar to many YA readers. As a former teacher, I loved finding new ways to introduce the classics to teens, and the fast-paced, secret-filled Madman’s Daughter is an absolute gift in this respect! Not only is it a delicious read in its own right, it shines a fresh and fascinating light on its inspiration, guiding many new readers back to Wells of their own accord and in their own time.

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Why this book?

Romeo & Juliet retellings are, in my opinion, the absolute hardest ones to bring anything new to, but Le’s own voices portrayal of Vietnamese culture smashed all my preconceptions and turned what’s often a dry, predictable format into something so insightful and compelling it genuinely took my breath away. With real, authentic teenage protags facing real, contemporary issues, we get an insight into the turmoil of the lives of ‘ordinary’ teens far removed from the ‘glossy’ veneers we’re often presented in YA fiction. A Pho Love Story speaks a unique, powerful truth – and brings a breath of fresh air not only to the original but also to the genre as a whole. (Caution: parts of this book will make you extremely hungry!)

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Why this book?

I wanted to include an unashamedly fun read for balance, and Of Curses and Kisses is absolute bucketloads of fun. A contemporary Beauty and the Beast retelling, it’s charmingly clever, funny, and vibrant, with its cast of diverse characters and its boarding school setting. If you’re ever looking for a hug in book form, look no further! 

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Why this book?

I’m one of those rare English teachers who was never much of a fan of Austen, but Pride is such an incredibly powerful YA read that it had me looking back at the original with fresh eyes when I finished it. A contemporary, diverse retelling of Pride and Prejudice, it tackles issues of race, culture, heritage, and gentrification head-on, all set against the familiar backdrop of first love. Brilliantly showcasing the power and importance of not only the YA genre, but also the original novel which inspired it, I found Pride to be a massively thought-provoking and hugely important twist on the classic. (If I had my way, I’d make it required reading alongside its predecessor!)

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