6 Most Exciting Upcoming TV Shows Based On YA Books

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Lots of popular young adult novels are being turned into TV shows, and we’re especially excited about a few of them. Despite often being overlooked, young adult books have given us some truly fantastic on-screen adaptations.

As a huge fan of both books and movies, I’ve noticed something really cool: so many of the biggest franchises started as books for younger readers! And honestly, a lot of the movies and TV shows based on those young adult books are actually better than the original stories. It really makes you realize that YA fiction is just as powerful and well-written as anything aimed at adults.

Lots of books are becoming TV shows, but we’re especially looking forward to adaptations of these six young adult novels.

6. Firekeeper’s Daughter

Even before it hit bookstores, Angeline Boulley’s Firekeeper’s Daughter was picked up by Higher Ground Productions (the Obamas’ company) to be adapted into a Netflix series. After its release, the book became a New York Times bestseller and won the 2022 Edgar Award for Best New Young Adult novel.

The story centers on Daunis Fontaine, an 18-year-old girl who is both Ojibwe and White, and feels like she doesn’t fully belong in either world. When her best friend is murdered, Daunis finds herself unexpectedly working with the FBI on a drug investigation, forcing her to reconnect with her Native heritage and go undercover.

As a big mystery fan, I’m really excited about Firekeeper’s Daughter. The author described it as having a real “indigenous Nancy Drew” vibe, and honestly, that grabbed me immediately! It’s hitting shelves at a great time too, because young adult mysteries are super popular right now. But what really makes this book special is that it’s a Native story, written by a Native author, and it looks like she’s making sure Native voices are central to the upcoming adaptation too – both on screen and behind the scenes. That’s awesome to see!

5. The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice & Virtue

Fans are eagerly awaiting the movie adaptation of the popular young adult novel, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. This historical drama is set in 18th-century Europe and centers on Lord Henry Montague, a British nobleman who is also bisexual. He travels across Europe with his close friend, Percy, whom he has romantic feelings for. The story promises to be a fun, romantic, and exciting adventure.

It looks like the TV show is facing major development issues and may have been cancelled, as we haven’t received any updates in a long time. It was originally planned with Warner Bros.

We last heard that HBO Max was developing “The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice & Virtue” as a TV series, but plans changed and it’s now becoming a movie. Greg Berlanti is producing, and Matthew Barry is writing the script.

Honestly, that’s all I’ve got. As far as I know, it’s still up in the air if this project will even happen. And if it does, I have no idea whether it’ll be a film or a series, or who they’d get to work on it. It’s all a mystery!

4. Blue Bloods

Vampires were hugely popular in TV, movies, and books in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Though that trend has faded, a new show called Blue Bloods – unrelated to the police drama of the same name – could bring vampires back into the spotlight.

Melissa de la Cruz’s Blue Bloods takes place in New York City and centers around a secret society of wealthy, immortal vampires who control the city. Their world is disrupted when an ancient and dangerous group of vampires appears, and one of their own goes missing.

The story centers on Sky, a unique 17-year-old who is both human and vampire. After being exiled, she returns to the Dechusne Institute and tries to find her place among the powerful ‘Blue Bloods’ vampire society.

There’s a lot to be excited about with this series. It’s based on a nine-book series, plus additional stories, giving the creators plenty of material to draw from. Plus, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, who has experience with successful adaptations like The Spiderwick Chronicles and Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians, is an executive producer. And the author is directly involved as an executive producer, ensuring the adaptation stays true to the source material.

3. This Is My America

Kim Johnson’s impactful young adult novel, This Is My America, often faces challenges and bans due to its honest portrayal of racism, mass imprisonment, and flaws within the justice system. Despite this, the story is being adapted into a TV show, bringing it to a wider audience.

Tracy Beaumont, a 17-year-old, races against time to clear her father’s name after he’s wrongly convicted of a crime and sentenced to death. With only nine months left before his execution, Tracy’s efforts are complicated when her brother, Jamal, is accused of murder. To save both her family members, Tracy must uncover the hidden prejudices within her small Texas town.

This critically acclaimed novel is both beautifully written and continues to resonate with readers today. Adapting it for television will be a challenge, but the project is in good hands. Executive producers Schwartz and Savage are known for their work on popular teen shows like Gossip Girl and Nancy Drew. Writer and executive producer Jessica Watson also brings strong credentials, having worked on shows like Single Drunk Female and Harlem.

The project has unfortunately been delayed, but this could actually be a good thing. Given the current political situation in the U.S., a show tackling systemic racism and the problems with the prison system might not be well-received right now. It might be wise to hold off on production for a few years.

2. An Ember In The Ashes

Among the many book-to-screen projects in the works, the adaptation of Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes has been in development the longest. It’s been stuck in what feels like endless production delays – Paramount acquired the rights way back in 2014, and there haven’t been any significant updates since. Still, the book is so good that the project deserves to be mentioned.

Set in a world inspired by ancient Rome, An Ember in the Ashes is a thrilling young adult historical fantasy. The story centers on Laia, a slave, and her brother Elias, a soldier, as they struggle for freedom and to overthrow the oppressive Martial Empire. Despite being geared towards young adults, the book doesn’t shy away from depicting harsh realities and violence.

This book is perfectly suited for a TV adaptation. It boasts a richly imagined world, thrilling fight scenes that are easy to visualize, and a wealth of compelling storylines. Paramount should seriously consider turning it into a series if they still have the rights.

1. The Ring & The Crown

It’s not just Blue Bloods that’s becoming a TV show! Disney+ has also announced a series based on Melissa de la Cruz’s young adult novel, The Ring & The Crown. This isn’t the first time de la Cruz has worked with Disney – she previously wrote the prequel novel The Isle of the Lost for their Descendants franchise.

Though Blue Bloods centers around vampires, The Ring & The Crown explores ancient magic and the legends of King Arthur. The story follows several characters in various historical kingdoms, primarily focusing on Princess Marie-Victoria, the future ruler of a vast empire, and Aelwyn Myrddyn, a powerful mage born outside of marriage who is compelled to work as a servant.

The Ring & The Crown features all the drama you’d expect – arranged marriages, hidden love affairs, conflicts, and betrayals – set in a world brimming with magic. Because of these elements, it’s often compared to Game of Thrones, but geared towards young adults.

Fortunately, the series is in good hands with experienced showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen J. Berg. They’ve previously worked on popular shows like Revenge and Reign, which gives them a strong background for this historical fantasy with political elements. Although news has been slow, Disney’s history with the original source material suggests the show still has a good chance of being made.

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2025-12-05 05:40