5 Spinoffs We Didn’t Know We Needed
Occasionally a book or series comes along that introduces a secondary or even tertiary character who is so inspired, so utterly compelling, that the need for a book or series dedicated to that specific character becomes screamingly obvious. And then, of course, there are other books in which a spinoff is not quite so inevitable—like the ones below. Here are 5 spinoffs of popular books that we didn’t know we didn’t really need:
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
What is the story behind the old lady who whispers, “Hush”? Is that all she ever says? Who let her into the nursery, anyway? And what’s with her and that bowl of mush—are they an item? These questions and more will be answered in the sassy new spinoff of America’s favorite children’s bedtime story, Goodnight Yourself!
The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins
For the many of us left wondering, “Whatever happened to Greasy Sae after Mockingjay ended?” comes the long-awaited spinoff novel, Greasy Sae’s Magical Kitchen of Questionable Hygiene, which follows the adventures of the tough, bony old cook as, with generous financial backing from Peeta and Katniss, she opens a gourmet cupcake shop in District 12. Spoiler alert: It fails.
The Peanuts series, by Charles M. Schulz
Most fans of Charles Schulz’s unforgettable comic strip were left with but one question: Did dedicated pianist Schroeder ever make it to the big time as a classical musician? At last we have the answer in spinoff Schroeder Steps Out. Fans will thrill as an adult Schroeder moves to Brooklyn, goes on a bunch of auditions, gets a few callbacks, and ignores the obvious flirtations of every single woman in New York City, most of whom find his total self-absorption and utter indifference to their attentions to be pretty typical.
The Nancy Drew series, by Carolyn Keene
Seriously, what did Ned Nickerson do all day while Nancy was out sleuthing, avoiding danger, and solving mysteries? The answer may surprise you: He was actually a top-level government agent! Just kidding. He really just did a lot of crossword puzzles, played some golf, and noodled around on the saxophone some. But anyway, there’s a spinoff book about it: Ned Nickerson: The Untold…Yawn…Story. Yes, the ‘Yawn’ is part of the title. No, it’s not doing very well.
Twilight series, by Stephenie Meyer
Am I the only one who wants to read about Bella’s taciturn yet compelling cop father, Charlie Swan, riding around solving a bunch of mysteries and doing routine police work in and around Forks? Clearly I’m not, since Meyer’s successful spinoff series, Charlie in Charge, features everyone’s favorite shy, awkward, and not-quite-overprotective-enough dad doing just that. He investigates crimes, he interviews suspects, he frequents diners. Swoon.
What other fictional characters need (or don’t) their own spinoffs?