This expanded junior novelization retells the first season of Netflix’s iconic series Stranger Things.
Hawkins is a quiet town where nothing exciting seems to happen—until one night when a boy named Will Byers vanishes. Follow his friends Mike, Lucas, and Dustin as they search for him and uncover a world of secret experiments and terrifying supernatural forces. Is Eleven, a girl with incredible psychic powers, the secret to the mystery? This retelling of the landmark first season of Stranger Things is sure to thrill kids ages 7 to 10 as well as fans of all ages.
Stranger Things: Season One is a junior novelization of the first season of the popular Netflix series—it’s written for MG/YA readers but can be fully enjoyed by adults! In just over 300 pages (and under 7 hours on audio), it’s a retelling in book form that keeps the main plot, characters, and suspenseful events intact, but it’s written in an exciting, age-appropriate way that’s perfect for those who haven’t seen the series yet!
The story follows the disappearance of Will Byers, a 12-year-old boy in Hawkins, Indiana, who vanishes without a trace. As his friends—Mike, Dustin, and Lucas—band together, they meet Eleven, a mysterious girl with extraordinary abilities, and slowly uncover terrifying secrets about the Upside Down, an alternate reality where darkness and monsters reign—and where Will may be in danger!
The characters are the heart of the story, and the author does a great job bringing out their individual personalities. Will’s friends are loyal and fully committed to finding him. Their heartfelt, close bond will tug at readers’s heartstrings—reminiscent of the boys’s friendship in the classic film “Stand By Me.” Mike’s determination and Dustin and Lucas’s humour all shine through, and they’re all very likeable! The main adult characters, Hopper (a police officer) and Joyce (Will’s mother), are fully immersed in the mysterious events, and they both show bravery and determination, especially when facing dark forces—evil humans and the monster (the Demogorgon) from the Upside Down. Eleven, whose backstory and supernatural powers are shadowed in mystery, has the biggest growth. With the odds stacked against her and seen as highly suspicious, she defies the odds and quickly evolves from a terrified, isolated girl to a loyal and courageous friend—and even a potential future love interest to one of the boys! What this novelization really has going for it over the TV show is how it captures the small moments between the characters—but it’s great to read/listen and then watch and compare the two for yourself!
The pacing is relentless and will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Once the search for Will begins, more mysterious events occur in Hawkins, and the growing danger from the Upside Down becomes so real. The tension then increases, and the scenes with the Demogorgon are both thrilling and terrifying! The ending mirrors the tension, resolution, and unanswered questions of the TV season one finale—and feels just as cinematic! Readers will be eager to read/listen to the next books—one for each season. The junior novelization for season 2 is already released, with seasons three and four already slated as 2026 releases—and a book for the fifth season is expected!
Overall, Stranger Things Season One is a must-read for megafans of the show or MG/YA readers who love thrilling stories with highly memorable characters! Whether you’re returning to Hawkins, Indiana, or stepping into it for the very first time, this junior novelization delivers all the heart and excitement of the Netflix series!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Stranger Things: Season One is a thrilling, immersive listen narrated by the incredibly talented Michael Crouch, who’s renowned for his narration of middle grade and young adult audiobooks!
This book has a lot of characters, and Crouch really brings his A-game in differentiating them using differences in tone, pacing, and impressive acting skills! It’s a cinematic performance that has the feel of a full-cast production—listeners will feel fully immersed in the story and feel like they’re watching a movie in their mind with different actors!
For the trio of friends (Mike, Dustin, and Lucas), Crouch uses upbeat, youthful voices that capture their innocence and determination in solving the mystery of Will’s disappearance. The narration of their dialogue is a highlight, and listeners will tangibly feel their camaraderie and loyalty to each other! When voicing Eleven, the mysterious girl with powers, Crouch uses a quieter, softer voice that sounds tentative at first, perfectly capturing her vulnerability and fear. As the story unfolds and her confidence grows, Crouch shifts his performance to give her a voice that grows in strength and resolve—and her character development comes across as the most pronounced and powerful—perfectly mirroring the TV show!
Crouch also gives great performances of the adult characters—Joyce (Will’s mother) is given a voice full of desperation and emotion that makes her easy to empathize with. Meanwhile, Hopper (the police officer) is given a fearless, grounded voice that suits his protective, determined nature. The contrast in all the voices not only helps to separate the kids from the adults in listeners’ minds but also adds to the excitement and immersion of the audiobook!
Overall, Michael Crouch’s narration elevates this junior novelization into an immersive, cinematic listening experience that listeners will find difficult to put down! This audiobook is a must-listen for fans of the Netflix series who’d like a fresh take on the story in audio form, or those who love stories about adventure, friendship, and supernatural mystery! And anyone who appreciates single-narrator performances with strong character portrayals and differentiation will find a lot of love in this one!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Stranger Things: Season One is a thrilling, immersive listen narrated by the incredibly talented Michael Crouch, who’s renowned for his narration of middle grade and young adult audiobooks!
This book has a lot of characters, and Crouch really brings his A-game in differentiating them using differences in tone, pacing, and impressive acting skills! It’s a cinematic performance that has the feel of a full-cast production—listeners will feel fully immersed in the story and feel like they’re watching a movie in their mind with different actors!
For the trio of friends (Mike, Dustin, and Lucas), Crouch uses upbeat, youthful voices that capture their innocence and determination in solving the mystery of Will’s disappearance. The narration of their dialogue is a highlight, and listeners will tangibly feel their camaraderie and loyalty to each other! When voicing Eleven, the mysterious girl with powers, Crouch uses a quieter, softer voice that sounds tentative at first, perfectly capturing her vulnerability and fear. As the story unfolds and her confidence grows, Crouch shifts his performance to give her a voice that grows in strength and resolve—and her character development comes across as the most pronounced and powerful—perfectly mirroring the TV show!
Crouch also gives great performances of the adult characters—Joyce (Will’s mother) is given a voice full of desperation and emotion that makes her easy to empathize with. Meanwhile, Hopper (the police officer) is given a fearless, grounded voice that suits his protective, determined nature. The contrast in all the voices not only helps to separate the kids from the adults in listeners’ minds but also adds to the excitement and immersion of the audiobook!
Overall, Michael Crouch’s narration elevates this junior novelization into an immersive, cinematic listening experience that listeners will find difficult to put down! This audiobook is a must-listen for fans of the Netflix series who’d like a fresh take on the story in audio form, or those who love stories about adventure, friendship, and supernatural mystery! And anyone who appreciates single-narrator performances with strong character portrayals and differentiation will find a lot of love in this one!
The audiobook of Stranger Things: Season One is a thrilling, immersive listen narrated by the incredibly talented Michael Crouch, who’s renowned for his narration of middle grade and young adult audiobooks!
This book has a lot of characters, and Crouch really brings his A-game in differentiating them using differences in tone, pacing, and impressive acting skills! It’s a cinematic performance that has the feel of a full-cast production—listeners will feel fully immersed in the story and feel like they’re watching a movie in their mind with different actors!
For the trio of friends (Mike, Dustin, and Lucas), Crouch uses upbeat, youthful voices that capture their innocence and determination in solving the mystery of Will’s disappearance. The narration of their dialogue is a highlight, and listeners will tangibly feel their camaraderie and loyalty to each other! When voicing Eleven, the mysterious girl with powers, Crouch uses a quieter, softer voice that sounds tentative at first, perfectly capturing her vulnerability and fear. As the story unfolds and her confidence grows, Crouch shifts his performance to give her a voice that grows in strength and resolve—and her character development comes across as the most pronounced and powerful—perfectly mirroring the TV show!
Crouch also gives great performances of the adult characters—Joyce (Will’s mother) is given a voice full of desperation and emotion that makes her easy to empathize with. Meanwhile, Hopper (the police officer) is given a fearless, grounded voice that suits his protective, determined nature. The contrast in all the voices not only helps to separate the kids from the adults in listeners’ minds but also adds to the excitement and immersion of the audiobook!
Overall, Michael Crouch’s narration elevates this junior novelization into an immersive, cinematic listening experience that listeners will find difficult to put down! This audiobook is a must-listen for fans of the Netflix series who’d like a fresh take on the story in audio form, or those who love stories about adventure, friendship, and supernatural mystery! And anyone who appreciates single-narrator performances with strong character portrayals and differentiation will find a lot of love in this one!
