Since Wednesday arrived on Netflix, my two oldest kids have repeatedly binge-watched the show. Once they finish the last episode, they go back to the beginning and watch the entire series again. Whenever my kids get obsessed with a show, they also want to read books with a similar vibe. They’re craving stories with boarding schools, dark humor, magic, and mystery.
If your kid is also watching Wednesday on repeat, these books for tweens and teens will be right up their alley.
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Pennyroyal Academy
Available from:I bought this book for my oldest daughter a few years ago, and she read it several times over, including after watching Wednesday. It has many of the same themes — a magical boarding school, humor, and breathtaking suspense. As a bonus, the series is already complete, so young bookworms can devour all three books without waiting for the next installment to release.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
The Midnighters
Available from:Ema is a grim girl with a supernatural ability that prevents her from fitting in. When her best friend disappears, it’s up to Ema to use her skills as a psychic to find her. With its creepy atmosphere, head-scratching mystery, and bone-chilling omens, it’s an excellent next-read for fans of Wednesday.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Witches of Brooklyn
Available from:Tweens and graphic novel lovers will enjoy reading this series about a young witch growing up in Brooklyn. Each book contains a story brimming with off-kilter humor, magical abilities, and friendship. It’s an excellent choice for enthusiastic and reluctant readers alike.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
The Hidden Knife
Available from:Secrets, revenge, and a magical boarding school combine into an action-packed fantasy novel perfect for fans of Wednesday. When tragedy strikes her family, Vicky enrolls in a school that will help her harness her magical abilities and seek revenge on the people responsible. Kids who love immersive fantasy worlds will waste no time jumping into this one.
(Ages 10+)Also available from: -
The Pack
Available from:Readers who love fast-paced stories about boarding school, friendship, first crushes, and superpowers will obsess over this series from the bestselling author of The Clique. A group of friends with animal-inspired superpowers must stay out of trouble (which isn’t as easy as it sounds) and find out who is trying to sabotage their school. It’s jam-packed with action and humor and will keep your tween glued to the page.
(Ages 10+)Also available from: -
Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children Boxed Set
Available from:Take a trip to a dilapidated orphanage on a secluded island near Wales in this New York Times bestselling series. Readers will meet 16-year-old Jacob, who discovers a collection of eerie photographs among the orphanage ruins and sets out to unravel the mystery surrounding the previous residents. The chilling atmosphere, unusual characters, and bizarre mystery will appeal to Wednesday fans.
(YA)Also available from: -
The Ivies
Available from:I love any murder mystery in a boarding school setting, and this one hit all the right chords. It’s about a group of overachieving friends who go to extreme lengths to secure their spots in Ivy League colleges — including murder. This hair-raising book will keep you reading well past your bedtime.
(YA)Also available from: -
Undead Girl Gang
Available from:A misfit teen who brings her dead classmates back to life — it sounds like something Wednesday Addams would do. In this case, it’s something Mila Flores does to find out who killed her friends. But the newly resurrected girls have their own ideas on how to spend their second chance at life. Mila must wrangle the zombies and find their killer before the grave claims them again.
(YA)Also available from: -
Akata Witch
Available from:Magic, adventure, and mystery combine into an unputdownable novel that will pull you along for a heart-pounding thrill ride. Sunny is a misfit in every sense of the word, but discovering she has supernatural abilities turns her world upside down. Now, with a magical criminal on the loose, Sunny and three other teens get tasked with apprehending them. They must harness their powers and work together to succeed.
(YA)Also available from: -
Vampire Academy
Available from:If you or your teen is looking for a book series with a television adaptation to watch after reading, add this internationally bestselling series to your reading list. Head to St. Vladimir’s Academy with best friends Rose and Lissa as they navigate first love, secret societies, and the sort of drama only found at elite boarding schools for vampires.
(YA)Also available from:
