Sarah Mlynowski

Sarah Mlynowski is a New York Times bestselling author known primarily for writing middle-grade fantasy and young adult fiction. Her most successful series include Whatever After, a middle-grade fantasy retelling of fairy tales, and Magic in Manhattan, a young adult series about teenage witches. Prior to her success in children's literature, Mlynowski worked as an editor at Harlequin Enterprises and wrote several romantic comedy novels for adults. Her transition to children's and young adult literature began in the early 2000s, leading to over thirty published books across multiple age categories. Mlynowski's work frequently incorporates elements of magic, humor, and contemporary social themes. The Whatever After series, which began publication in 2012, has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into multiple languages. Her collaborative works include How to Be Bad, co-written with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, and the Upside-Down Magic series, created with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins. She currently resides in New York City and continues to produce new entries in her ongoing series while developing new projects.

Readers praise Mlynowski's ability to blend humor with relatable characters, particularly in her middle-grade works. Parents and teachers note that the Whatever After series engages reluctant readers and provides modern perspectives on classic fairy tales. One reader on Goodreads wrote: "My daughter went from hating reading to devouring these books." Readers appreciate her incorporation of family dynamics and sibling relationships. The Magic in Manhattan series draws praise for its realistic portrayal of teenage life alongside fantasy elements. Common criticisms include predictable plots and repetitive story structures, especially in longer series. Some adult readers find the writing style too simplistic. A frequent comment on Amazon reviews mentions that later books in series feel "formulaic." Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Whatever After series averages 4.2/5 from 50,000+ ratings - Amazon: Magic in Manhattan series averages 4.4/5 from 2,000+ reviews - Barnes & Noble: Upside-Down Magic series averages 4.3/5 from 1,500+ reviews Most negative reviews focus on later series entries rather than earlier works.

Whatever After Series Whatever After: Fairest of All - A 10-year-old girl and her brother fall through a magic mirror and accidentally mess up the Snow White fairy tale.

Upside-Down Magic Series (co-written with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins) Upside-Down Magic - A young girl discovers her magical powers don't work quite right at her new school for magical students.

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) - Two sixteen-year-old girls secretly live alone in a house while their parents are away.

Don't Even Think About It - A group of high school students develop telepathic abilities after receiving flu shots.

Gimme a Call - A high school senior finds she can talk to her freshman self through her cell phone.

Magic in Manhattan Series Bras & Broomsticks - A teenager discovers her younger sister is a witch while she remains completely ordinary.

See Jane Write - A guide for aspiring writers to create chick-lit novels.

Milkrun - A young woman navigates dating life in Boston after a difficult breakup.

Fishbowl - Three roommates in Manhattan deal with relationship and career challenges.

As Seen on TV - A young woman moves to a small town hoping to find the romantic charm portrayed in her favorite TV shows.

Meg Cabot writes young adult contemporary fiction focused on female protagonists navigating high school, romance, and self-discovery. Her books feature similar humor and lighthearted tone to Mlynowski's work.

Rachel Hawkins creates stories blending magic and everyday teen life in contemporary settings. Her writing includes witches and supernatural elements while maintaining focus on friendship and romance themes.

Lauren Myracle specializes in books about teenage girls dealing with relationships and coming-of-age experiences. She incorporates text messages and digital communication in her storytelling like Mlynowski's Whatever After series.

E. Lockhart writes contemporary young adult novels exploring female friendships and identity. Her books combine humor with deeper themes about growing up and finding one's place.

Jenny Han focuses on sister relationships and first love stories in her young adult novels. Her writing style features relatable main characters experiencing family dynamics and romance in ways similar to Mlynowski's work.