The Naturals

The Naturals

book

2023, Teen & Young Adult, Literature & Fiction

WISE
82%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

Criminal Minds meets high school, where the SATs are replaced by tracking serial killers and the stakes are actually life or death.

Amazon4.4
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

The Naturals is a top-tier YA thriller. It’s fast, it’s clever, and it doesn’t talk down to its audience. Jennifer Lynn Barnes knows how to hook a reader and keep them there.

While the 2023 surge in popularity (thanks, BookTok) makes it feel new, the content remains gritty. It’s essentially a procedural drama in book form. If your kid is into 'Criminal Minds' or 'Mindhunter,' this is the safest, most age-appropriate entry point into that genre without it being totally sanitized and boring.

It’s not 'wholesome' in the traditional sense, but it’s high-quality storytelling that encourages kids to use their heads.

Age Fit

Best for 13 or 14 and up. If they've already read 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' or 'The Inheritance Games,' they are the target audience. It’s too dark for the middle-school crowd but perfect for high schoolers who want a 'smart' thriller.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
62

While the subject matter is literally serial killers, the core of the book is about a 'found family' of misfits supporting each other. It’s emotionally heavy but grounded in loyalty rather than just shock value.

Imaginative
88

The 'profiling as a superpower' angle is executed brilliantly. It pushes readers to think about human behavior, patterns, and logic in a way that feels like a mental workout.

Safe
55

It's a book about the FBI and cold cases, so expect descriptions of crime scenes, blood, and the twisted psychology of killers. Not 'unsafe' in a toxic way, but definitely too intense for younger kids or sensitive readers.

Enriching
84

It encourages high-level critical thinking and deductive reasoning. It’s the opposite of brain rot; you actually have to pay attention to the details to keep up with the mystery.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • It’s a high-octane page-turner that respects the reader's intelligence with complex puzzles.
  • The 'found family' dynamic between the five teens is genuinely compelling and avoids the usual 'everyone hates everyone' YA tropes.
  • Great for kids who love true crime or procedural shows but want something written specifically for their age group.
  • Cassie is a sharp, capable protagonist who uses her brain to solve problems rather than just waiting for things to happen to her.
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What to Watch For

  • The descriptions of the murders and the 'trophies' killers take can be pretty clinical and creepy.
  • There is a love triangle, because it’s a YA book from the 2010s/2020s, so be prepared for some teenage relationship angst.
  • Heavy themes regarding Cassie’s mother’s disappearance and past trauma might be a lot for some readers.

Conversation Starters

  • "If you had to have one 'Natural' talent—reading people, spotting lies, or statistics—which would you pick?"
  • "Do you think the FBI should actually use teenagers for stuff like this, or is the whole program a terrible idea?"
  • "How does Cassie's past affect the way she sees the world compared to the other kids in the house?"
  • "What’s the difference between being 'observant' and being a 'profiler'?"

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