Teen

11 Drama-Filled Teen Novels Inspired by Shakespeare’s Plays

by Iva-Marie Palmer

Long before there was John Hughes, Judy Blume, or any other recent chronicler of the teen experience and the sundry joys and pains that go with it, there was William Shakespeare. In his plays, he tackled young adult angst, love, and lust as it played out in tragic relationships, parental power struggles, and plain old frothy flirtation. So, of course, the Bard’s stories are ripe for reenactment on the pages of teen novels, and these 11 books prove the timelessness of his genius.

Enter the Body

Enter the Body

by Joy McCullough

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What better way to read about the Bard than with a novel-in-verse? Joy McCullough’s extraordinary YA novel gives four dead teenage girls from Shakespeare’s plays the chance to compare notes. Juliet, Ophelia, Cordelia, and Lavinia tell their stories in their own words, sharing their lives, loves, and tragic endings. This book is a must-read for any Shakespeare fan!

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Verona Comics

Verona Comics

by Jennifer Dugan

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Romeo and Juliet get their geek on in this adorable retelling of the classic story. Two teens from rival comic book stores meet and fall in love despite their parents’ long-time feud. With themes of sexual identity, first love, and mental health, this is the perfect book for modern Shakespeare lovers.

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William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Clueless

William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Clueless

by Ian Doescher, illustrated by Kent Barton

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“Behold what challenges to Cher arrive — The romance of a virgin who can’t drive.”
Cher and the Bard collide in the best way possible in this hilarious retelling of Clueless in iambic pentameter. Inside jokes, Easter eggs, and illustrations throughout make it a feast for fans of the iconic 90s movie. If this retelling leaves you clutching your sides with laughter, you should also check out William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Mean Girls by the same author.

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Exit, Pursued by a Bear

Exit, Pursued by a Bear

by E.K. Johnston

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Hermione Winters, whose story arc draws comparison with that of Queen Hermione in A Winter’s Tale, is at the top of her game as a competitive cheerleader at her high school. But when she attends a party at summer camp and someone slips a drug into her drink when she’s not looking, everything changes. After that night, she must cope with what comes in the wake of her sexual assault, including an unexpected pregnancy. Powerful, heartbreaking, beautiful, and inspiring, Exit, Pursued by a Bear is best suited for mature teen readers.

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Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

by Gareth Hinds

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Gareth Hinds combines Shakespeare’s classic play with a diverse cast in this bestselling graphic novel retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Readers will love the vibrant, full-color artwork that brings the play’s drama, action, and romance to modern YA readers.

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Henry Hamlet's Heart

Henry Hamlet's Heart

by Rhiannon Wilde

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Henry Hamlet sees himself as a sort of tragic Shakespearian character doomed to a life of awkwardness. His entire world gets turned upside down when he falls in love with his best friend and must navigate the transition from friends to lovers. The two boys secretly date, overthink everything, and learn who they are in this sweet romance novel set in Australia.

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Prince of Shadows

Prince of Shadows

by Rachel Caine

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This heart-pounding novel retells Romeo and Juliet from Benvolio’s point of view as he grapples with his own romance. Every night, Benvolio slips into the shadows of Verona and steals valuables from wealthy families all over the city. When he meets and falls in love with Rosaline, he puts himself, his house, and his future at risk.

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Under a Dancing Star

Under a Dancing Star

by Laura Wood

You’ll love this cute and modern retelling of Much Ado About Nothing! Bea goes to Italy to spend the summer with her artist uncle and meets an irresistible boy named Ben. She happily accepts a dare to create the perfect summer romance with him. But fake dating has real-world consequences for her heart.

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If I'm Being Honest

If I'm Being Honest

by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

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YA readers everywhere love this fresh and funny rom-com inspired by The Taming of the Shrew! Cameron’s brutal honesty causes her crush to lose interest in her, so she decides to change her ways and make amends with the people she has offended. However, an unexpected romance with a boy who appreciates her directness makes her think twice about changing her personality.

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Juliet Immortal

Juliet Immortal

by Stacey Jay

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After they died, Romeo and Juliet were both granted immortality and, for the last 700 years, have fought over the souls of mortal lovers. Now, Juliet has a second chance at love. But first, she’ll have to defeat her immortal enemy, Romeo. Keep the fun and romance going with the sequel, Romeo Redeemed!

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Shakespeare Bats Cleanup

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup

by Ron Koertge

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Baseball and poetry come together in this humorous novel about a boy recovering from mono. Kevin finds writing poetry helps him make sense of his thoughts, so he writes about everything from girls and crushes to school and baseball. When you need an excellent sick day read, this novel-in-verse is just the thing. The story continues in the sequel, Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2023.