The Naturals Paperback Boxed Set – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Naturals Paperback Boxed Set

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2023

87%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Criminal Minds meets high school. It’s smart, slightly dark, and perfect for the teen who’s already obsessed with true crime podcasts.

The Naturals Paperback Boxed Set

book

2023

87%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Criminal Minds meets high school. It’s smart, slightly dark, and perfect for the teen who’s already obsessed with true crime podcasts.

4.8

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4.8

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Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid is currently in their 'I want to be a forensic pathologist' phase, just buy the box set. It’s significantly better than them scrolling through unregulated, often-exploitative true crime TikToks all night.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who also wrote The Inheritance Games) is a master at the 'smart kid thriller.' These books are fast, they’re clever, and they actually require the reader to pay attention to the clues.

Yes, it’s about serial killers, so expect some dark moments, but it’s handled with a level of respect for the characters' mental health that you don't always see in the genre. It’s a solid win for any teen who likes a good puzzle.

Age Fit

This is the 'sweet spot' for 13 to 16-year-olds. It’s sophisticated enough that they won't feel like they're reading a 'kid' book, but it avoids the explicit content found in adult thrillers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While the subject matter is dark (serial killers), the core of the story is about a 'found family' of misfits who look out for each other. It models deep loyalty and the idea that your 'weird' traits can be your greatest strengths.

Imaginative

It takes the 'teen with powers' trope and grounds it in actual psychology and statistics. It encourages readers to look at the world like a puzzle and notice the tiny details in human behavior.

Safe

It's a book about the FBI and serial killers. There are descriptions of crime scenes and some psychological intensity. It's totally appropriate for the 13+ crowd, but it’s not exactly 'light' reading.

Enriching

This is basically a logic and psychology course disguised as a thriller. It teaches pattern recognition, the nuances of body language, and how to think several steps ahead.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The main characters are celebrated for being hyper-observant and analytical, making 'brainy' traits seem incredibly cool.
The mysteries are genuinely difficult to solve; the author doesn't talk down to her audience.
It explores 'found family' themes—the idea that the people who understand your trauma are your real home.
Fast-paced writing that actually stands a chance of competing with a smartphone for a teenager's attention.

⚠

What to Watch For

The books deal with serial killers and cold cases, so there are descriptions of murders and crime scenes.
The protagonist’s own mother was a victim of a violent crime, which is a recurring emotional thread.
There’s a love triangle and some teen romance—mostly tension and kissing, but it's a major part of the plot.

Conversation Starters

"If you had to be a 'Natural,' would you rather be a profiler, a human lie detector, or a walking calculator?"
"Cassie’s mom went missing years ago. How does that trauma change the way she sees the world?"
"Do you think it's okay for the government to use teenagers for dangerous work if they're the only ones who can do it?"
"How much can you actually tell about a person just by looking at their shoes or the way they stand?"

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