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As part of an ongoing series exploring the various facets, genres, and styles of YA literature, I’m thrilled to welcome author Diana Ma to talk today about something that doesn’t get quite the attention it deserves: the consistently popular franchise novel. Whether readers are fans of Stranger Things, Barbie, Star Wars, Five Nights at Freddie’s or a whole host of other film, television, or toy franchises, there’s likely a young adult novel set in those worlds and using those characters.
Franchise novels have been a long-standing part of YA since the era of the 90s paperbacks, and they’ve continued to be a staple within the category. One of the most exciting and interesting parts of these books is that they’re a space that allows for talented writers to play creatively in worlds that readers are already familiar with. They’re an opportunity, too, to expand those worlds and develop characters and situations further. In YA, this has also meant that these franchise novels have become more inclusive, inviting an array of diverse voices to grow these stories.
Diana Ma is among those authors bringing YA readers exciting franchise novels. She’s the author of Force of Chaos, the first in a Power Rangers series for YA readers. The second book in the series, Shatter the Universe, hits shelves next month, on May 19.
Without further ado, Diana shares her experiences–and some of her favorite YA franchise novels.
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Young Adult novels based on beloved franchises allow fans to explore intriguing possibilities that the original story might have only hinted at. Have you ever been curious about how a favorite franchise story would change if it were told from a different point of view? Or wanted to know more about a side character? Or wondered about a less-explored part of a character’s backstory?
I’ve certainly had all these questions!
That is why I was so excited to write Force of Chaos (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Book 1) and the upcoming sequel Shatter the Universe (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Book 2). Writing a Young Adult Power Rangers novel from the perspective of Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger from the Mighty Morphin team, was a dream come true for me. Growing up, I was a superhero-loving fangirl, but I didn’t see many Asian American superheroes. Trini Kwan was one of those very few. This was an important representation for me, so I knew at once that I wanted to write Trini’s origin story.
But I also wanted to tell a new story—what it meant for an Asian American teen to wrestle with racial stereotypes and come into her own, not only as the Yellow Ranger, but as a girl who learns to embrace her own cultural history and identity.
That is why franchise tie-in novels are so fun—they dive into the tantalizing gaps of the original franchise and unearth new tales. Here are four novels that tell those untold stories in unique and exciting ways.
Hex Girls: A Rogue Thorn (Scooby Doo and Friends) by Lily Meade
The Hex Girls: A Rogue Thorn centers on Thorn, the lead singer of The Hex Girls, an eco-goth girl band who have made guest appearances in the Scooby Doo franchise. And if an eco-goth girl band doesn’t draw you in, there’s also the fact that Velma (my favorite of the Scooby gang) is a potential love interest. Oh, and did I mention witchy magic, teenage drama, and of course, mystery! Thorn’s story of a biracial goth witchy teen trying to fit in at a new school while being potentially framed for supernatural destruction makes for a compelling and moving read.
Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas
Technically, Magnolia Sword isn’t a franchise tie-in novel since a franchise didn’t create the legend of Mulan. The story of Mulan is a ballad rooted in centuries of Chinese history and culture, and Sherry Thomas’s novel honors that legacy beautifully. Magnolia Sword is a riveting novel in the Wuxia tradition (Chinese martial arts fantasy). It made my heart happy to read this Mulan retelling, which is full of sweeping romance, epic swordfighting, and thrilling adventure. As someone who has a special love for the Mulan legend and who is a fan of Sherry Thomas’s work, I had high expectations for this book, and Magnolia Sword did not disappoint!
Avatar Legends: City of Echoes by Judy I. Lin
City of Echoes takes a small but notable incident in the “Tales of Ba Sing Se” anthology episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender and spins an entire story of friendship, family, romance, and political intrigue out of it. I loved the part in the “Tales of Ba Sing Se” episode where Zuko goes on a date with Jin, but I was sad that we never got to see Jin again. Fortunately, Judy Lin gave us an entire delightful story with Jin as the main character in City of Echoes!
Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past by Saadia Faruqi
I was an avid reader and watcher of the Ms. Marvel comics and the Ms. Marvel TV series, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a Ms. Marvel Young Adult novel by Saadia Faruqi. Remnants of the Past is not just an exciting superhero adventure but also depicts Kamala Khan’s Muslim identity in a thoughtful and nuanced way. I love how Kamala navigates faith, friendships, family, school, and a teenage maybe-crush—all while fighting crime and solving mysteries.
All of these novels enhance the worlds that they build upon, and the magic of these books is not just that they tell untold stories—but that they reveal why these stories must be told.
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Diana Ma is a Chinese American author of books that range from Middle Grade and Young Adult to educational nonfiction. Her debut novel Heiress Apparentlywas a 2021 Washington State Book Award finalist in Young Adult Literature. She was a 2019 We Need Diverse Books mentee and a 2021-2023 Highlights Foundation Muslim Storytellers Fellow. Diana teaches at a community college in Seattle. She believes that it’s important for all kids to recognize themselves as the heroes of the books they read. Her belief that diverse books help us create a better world is what drives her writing and teaching. More information can be found about Diana on her website.
Want to read more in this author series? You’re in luck! Explore Ryan Douglass’s take on YA retellings of classics, Carolina Ixta’s take on books that fight apathy with action and hope, and Stacey Lee’s take on Gothic fiction and how it forces readers to sit with discomfort.