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Stranger Things, Season Three: The Junior Novelization
This expanded junior novelization retells the third season of Netflix’s iconic series Stranger Things—and includes 8 pages of full-color images from the show!
It's 1984 in Hawkins, Indiana, and Dustin, Mike, Eleven and their friends are investigating supernatural forces and uncovering government plots. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries that lead to the local Starcourt Mall and reveal a terrifying Soviet experiment. This 320-page junior novelization, which includes eight pages of full-color images from the show, retells the thrilling third season of Stranger Things and is sure to thrill kids ages 7 to 10 as well as fans of all ages.
Welcome to the thrilling world of Netflix's hit series Stranger Things. Follow Eleven, Dustin, Max, Lucas, and their friends for mystery, suspense, and supernatural adventures in 1980s Hawkins.
It's 1984 in Hawkins, Indiana, and Dustin, Mike, Eleven and their friends are investigating supernatural forces and uncovering government plots. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries that lead to the local Starcourt Mall and reveal a terrifying Soviet experiment. This 320-page junior novelization, which includes eight pages of full-color images from the show, retells the thrilling third season of Stranger Things and is sure to thrill kids ages 7 to 10 as well as fans of all ages.
Welcome to the thrilling world of Netflix's hit series Stranger Things. Follow Eleven, Dustin, Max, Lucas, and their friends for mystery, suspense, and supernatural adventures in 1980s Hawkins.
320 pages, Paperback
Published January 6, 2026
19 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Matthew J. Gilbert
50 books24 followersRecently named a New York Times Bestselling Author, Matthew J. Gilbert has written several licensed books for some of the world’s biggest franchises, including Stranger Things, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Some of his most notable titles are: the best-selling Little Golden Book, “I Am Jack Skellington,” “Hawkins Horrors: A Collection of Terrifying Tales,” and the official junior novelizations for Netflix's Stranger Things. He is also the co-author of the popular “Classroom 13” chapter book series. In addition to his author life, he’s a former Nickelodeon staff writer, an amateur screenwriter, and a poet when the mood strikes him. He currently lives in far-too-sunny California with his wife, and his loyal cat sidekick, Pepe.
You can follow him on Instagram at @mattgilbertwrites and find him on YouTube as well.
Some of his most notable titles are: the best-selling Little Golden Book, “I Am Jack Skellington,” “Hawkins Horrors: A Collection of Terrifying Tales,” and the official junior novelizations for Netflix's Stranger Things. He is also the co-author of the popular “Classroom 13” chapter book series. In addition to his author life, he’s a former Nickelodeon staff writer, an amateur screenwriter, and a poet when the mood strikes him. He currently lives in far-too-sunny California with his wife, and his loyal cat sidekick, Pepe.
You can follow him on Instagram at @mattgilbertwrites and find him on YouTube as well.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 2, 2026
Season 3 is what got me hooked to the show so of course I would give it five stars.
Had to order Season 2 novelization online but I found the other two books in-store and as of 2026, Season 4 has yet to have a junior novelization. I heard around July so kind of going out of order so there might be spoilers.
The vibe is very drenched in the 1980s with the invention of the mall for teens to secure jobs and just hang out. Where Season 1 was dark and drenched in the sci-fi palette, this season had just a little more comedy and bright as neon. To be fair, this is also where horror is front and center with body horror, alien invasion/pod people allusions and a dash of Red Dawn.
The Season 3 novelization also gives us insight into the minds of Will, Hopper, Steve and El going through their emotions. We also got introduced to Robin who is one of my favorite characters and wish the chemistry between her and Steve was expanded on more like in the show.
Since this is for tween readers, we get that little side plot involving Mrs. Wheeler chucked out the window. We are focused more on the teens so most of the Joyce, Hopper and Murray plot is dropped to only the most important parts. Nancy and Jonathan's relationship is kept very PG-13 so even their fight of judging each other is toned down.
The ending would be perfect if you didn't know the show was meant to go on at least two more seasons. If it had ended here on the third season, it would show how the characters have all learned to grow and carry on with the right sacrifices made for the greater good. That said, I am glad there was season 4 and I hope to read to see if its epic scope translates well to the written word.
Had to order Season 2 novelization online but I found the other two books in-store and as of 2026, Season 4 has yet to have a junior novelization. I heard around July so kind of going out of order so there might be spoilers.
The vibe is very drenched in the 1980s with the invention of the mall for teens to secure jobs and just hang out. Where Season 1 was dark and drenched in the sci-fi palette, this season had just a little more comedy and bright as neon. To be fair, this is also where horror is front and center with body horror, alien invasion/pod people allusions and a dash of Red Dawn.
The Season 3 novelization also gives us insight into the minds of Will, Hopper, Steve and El going through their emotions. We also got introduced to Robin who is one of my favorite characters and wish the chemistry between her and Steve was expanded on more like in the show.
Since this is for tween readers, we get that little side plot involving Mrs. Wheeler chucked out the window. We are focused more on the teens so most of the Joyce, Hopper and Murray plot is dropped to only the most important parts. Nancy and Jonathan's relationship is kept very PG-13 so even their fight of judging each other is toned down.
The ending would be perfect if you didn't know the show was meant to go on at least two more seasons. If it had ended here on the third season, it would show how the characters have all learned to grow and carry on with the right sacrifices made for the greater good. That said, I am glad there was season 4 and I hope to read to see if its epic scope translates well to the written word.
January 12, 2026
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January 16, 2026
Really enjoyed it! I LOVE the series, and I had so much fun reading this one 💗✨🎆
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews