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Will Byers: Secret Files
Will Byers' top-secret binder--based on the Netflix series Stranger Things!Read notes from the Upside Down and uncover secrets from the Hawkins National Laboratory in Will Byers's personal files. Based on Netflix's Stranger Things, this book is designed to look like a vintage school binder from the '80s. Filled with photos, notes, sketches, and diary entries, this book is sure to amaze and entertain fans of all ages.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2019
About the author
Matthew J. Gilbert
61 books25 followersRecently named a New York Times Bestselling Author, Matthew J. Gilbert has written several licensed books for some of the world’s biggest franchises, including Stranger Things, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Some of his most notable titles are: the best-selling Little Golden Book, “I Am Jack Skellington,” “Hawkins Horrors: A Collection of Terrifying Tales,” and the official junior novelizations for Netflix's Stranger Things. He is also the co-author of the popular “Classroom 13” chapter book series. In addition to his author life, he’s a former Nickelodeon staff writer, an amateur screenwriter, and a poet when the mood strikes him. He currently lives in far-too-sunny California with his wife, and his loyal cat sidekick, Pepe.
You can follow him on Instagram at @mattgilbertwrites and find him on YouTube as well.
Some of his most notable titles are: the best-selling Little Golden Book, “I Am Jack Skellington,” “Hawkins Horrors: A Collection of Terrifying Tales,” and the official junior novelizations for Netflix's Stranger Things. He is also the co-author of the popular “Classroom 13” chapter book series. In addition to his author life, he’s a former Nickelodeon staff writer, an amateur screenwriter, and a poet when the mood strikes him. He currently lives in far-too-sunny California with his wife, and his loyal cat sidekick, Pepe.
You can follow him on Instagram at @mattgilbertwrites and find him on YouTube as well.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 22, 2019
This is the kind of book that you can enjoy and read in one sitting but it will be the book that you will always reach out when you need more doses of Stranger Things in your everyday. Its the perfect book to go into once in awhile for fans of all ages of the hit Netflix tv show, Stranger Things.
This book seems really personal and so interactive, with all the added in details of stickers, doodles, newspaper clippings, Polaroid pictures and so much more packed inside this scrapbook of Will Byers's life. I felt nothing but overjoyed to get even more out of this amazing tv show. The moment I read the first page and slowly make my way towards the end, I am constantly reminded of how much I love this show and how great it is.
I really love how this book really seems like the actual thing, the real deal of how a middle grade boy would make of writing the events that happened to him. To take note and to jot down all the details of his friends, family and especially the things that personally happened to him while dealing with the things that he encountered of the upside down.
I know that I wouldn't be able to buy this book if I were to stumble upon it in a bookstore but I'm so glad that I have this chance to own this book, read it and cherish it. So, for fans of Stranger Things and if you can afford to buy this book, I cannot recommend you this book enough. Its the perfect read to cure your obsession and love towards such a great show.
This book seems really personal and so interactive, with all the added in details of stickers, doodles, newspaper clippings, Polaroid pictures and so much more packed inside this scrapbook of Will Byers's life. I felt nothing but overjoyed to get even more out of this amazing tv show. The moment I read the first page and slowly make my way towards the end, I am constantly reminded of how much I love this show and how great it is.
I really love how this book really seems like the actual thing, the real deal of how a middle grade boy would make of writing the events that happened to him. To take note and to jot down all the details of his friends, family and especially the things that personally happened to him while dealing with the things that he encountered of the upside down.
I know that I wouldn't be able to buy this book if I were to stumble upon it in a bookstore but I'm so glad that I have this chance to own this book, read it and cherish it. So, for fans of Stranger Things and if you can afford to buy this book, I cannot recommend you this book enough. Its the perfect read to cure your obsession and love towards such a great show.
March 11, 2020
La razón por la que no le pongo las 5 estrellas es porque esa calificación se la reservo a los libros que prácticamente me volvieron loco (en un buen sentido), por lo menos desde hace un tiempo para acá. Y lo aclaro porque me gustó mucho este libro, que es como el diario de Will, en el que nos cuenta lo que piensa o pensó sobre lo que pasó en la primera temporada, todo endulzado con muchos detalles muy interesantes y llamativos visualmente. Sin duda el contenido en este tipo de libros es importante, y el creador cumplió muy bien con esta parte, pero de igual manera la perfecta edición por parte de Océano permite que el libro sea un detalle excelente para nuestra colección, ya sea de libros o de productos de Stranger Things, así que como ya se han de imaginar, ¡lo recomiendo totalmente para los fanáticos de la serie! de los que he tenido el gusto de conocer, este me ha parecido el mejor, con mayor contenido y calidad.
Hay hasta un cuento escrito por Will que me entretuvo en sus pocas páginas, ¡pero lo hizo! me entretuvo y me gustó.
¿Quieres conocer más a Will? ¡Este es el libro indicado!
Hay hasta un cuento escrito por Will que me entretuvo en sus pocas páginas, ¡pero lo hizo! me entretuvo y me gustó.
¿Quieres conocer más a Will? ¡Este es el libro indicado!
October 22, 2019
Pretty cool ephemera for fans of "Stranger Things." It has the feel of a Trapper Keeper and content of a scrapbook -all things collected by Will Byers, the kid who puked up a snail and visited the Upside Down world. It includes everything from report cards to drawings of wizards to newspaper clippings to letters and post-it notes from friends and family (including Bob - man, I really loved Bob.)
My only complaint is that some of the writing looked handwritten while some (that was SUPPOSED to look handwritten) looked typed. It would have had a more authentic feel if it had been consistent throughout. Still - a fun read.
My only complaint is that some of the writing looked handwritten while some (that was SUPPOSED to look handwritten) looked typed. It would have had a more authentic feel if it had been consistent throughout. Still - a fun read.
June 11, 2024
Essential research for my PhD in Will Byers Studies
Also Hopper is going to be the best step dad for Will and Jonathan 😽
Also Hopper is going to be the best step dad for Will and Jonathan 😽
December 25, 2025
Hace años que buscaba estos libros y me los regalaron por Navidad antes del volumen 2 😭😭😭
te amo Will Byers, quiero que seas muy feliz
te amo Will Byers, quiero que seas muy feliz
October 20, 2019
The best thing about this book is the artwork that Will's character creates on the show, and the tiny details that combine to make the show so great. I don't know if it's a must-have, but I'll happily keep it on my shelf with all my other Stranger Things-related books!
September 4, 2025
Will Byers my baby.
February 8, 2026
guys i have to tell you my stranger things obsession from back in 2022 (and all the previous years a new season released) is back in full force. will byers has been my favourite character since 2017 and i know i don't talk about it but he has suffered a Lot and i am not very happy with how the duffer brothers tied up his arc in season 5 but that's for another time. point is, that's my oshi and i see a lot of myself in his fear, his loyalty and ultimately his self-acceptance.
(for my reference: this takes place during season 2 and early season 3 when starcourt mall opens)
so it's no question that i absolutely loved this!! i wish i could have read a physical copy because this is supposed to be in a binder format and i think that is so cool. i loved the post-its and letters from the party and jonathan and joyce that really shed a lot of light on their relationships outside the show, especially the bond between will and jonathan and how jonathan clearly dotes on him.
the party content was cool too, with lucas and dustin's letters to will and the halloween outfits and the top 3 desert island movies!! i loved evil dead too. max liking sixteen candles though.
i'm biased but i loved will's writing too, be it the living maze story of the dnd characters or just him talking about his experiences after coming back as the zombie boy. will doesn't get the most character screentime, lot of it plot driven so this insight into his thoughts makes this so worth it. and of course his drawings throughout!! boy is truly an artist!!
the newspaper clippings of hawkins higher ups covering up some upside down incidents like the pumpkin or el's van flip were interesting to read too. and the ticket stubs!! as someone who collects ticket stubs it was so cool, especially to see what kind of movies there are.
lastly. i am a byler shipper and i swear i'm not weird but it but that one post it mike left for him.
"Whenever you get that View-Master feeling, and you feel stuck between the slider... Remember, you're not alone. Crazy together.
- Mike"
reference to the 'crazy together' scene!! this is the scene that started it all for me. i don't believe mike is will's tammy, but this is his best friend and becoming friends with will was the best thing he ever did. i'm crying.
what i wouldn't give to own a physical copy!! honestly so happy will got this 'book'. manifesting a novel for him next.
(for my reference: this takes place during season 2 and early season 3 when starcourt mall opens)
so it's no question that i absolutely loved this!! i wish i could have read a physical copy because this is supposed to be in a binder format and i think that is so cool. i loved the post-its and letters from the party and jonathan and joyce that really shed a lot of light on their relationships outside the show, especially the bond between will and jonathan and how jonathan clearly dotes on him.
the party content was cool too, with lucas and dustin's letters to will and the halloween outfits and the top 3 desert island movies!! i loved evil dead too. max liking sixteen candles though.
i'm biased but i loved will's writing too, be it the living maze story of the dnd characters or just him talking about his experiences after coming back as the zombie boy. will doesn't get the most character screentime, lot of it plot driven so this insight into his thoughts makes this so worth it. and of course his drawings throughout!! boy is truly an artist!!
the newspaper clippings of hawkins higher ups covering up some upside down incidents like the pumpkin or el's van flip were interesting to read too. and the ticket stubs!! as someone who collects ticket stubs it was so cool, especially to see what kind of movies there are.
lastly. i am a byler shipper and i swear i'm not weird but it but that one post it mike left for him.
"Whenever you get that View-Master feeling, and you feel stuck between the slider... Remember, you're not alone. Crazy together.
- Mike"
reference to the 'crazy together' scene!! this is the scene that started it all for me. i don't believe mike is will's tammy, but this is his best friend and becoming friends with will was the best thing he ever did. i'm crying.
what i wouldn't give to own a physical copy!! honestly so happy will got this 'book'. manifesting a novel for him next.
November 16, 2019
I have read this so many times since I received the copy. But only have time to finally review it.
This book contains more about Will. Stuffs he wrote and collected. People in his school call him the Zombie Boy. Everything about Will is in there. Well I meant not literally everything but things that happened to him are in there. Especially the event when he was in Upside Down world.
I like the creativity of this book from the stickers and drawings to the short story Will wrote about the wizard and the bloodseekers. The title of this short story is The Living Maze. The freaks love his story and wanted to make into a show. LOL.
Apart from it, Will also included the favorite movies of his friends, Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Max. The best part to know is the playlist by his brother, Jonathan. There are some notes from his friends too when he was in the Upside Down world. Reading that took me back to the time when I was watching the show and it was so heartbreaking seeing Will's mom and his friends do whatever it takes to find Will and get him back.
Such a great book and creative! This book is really suitable for light reading and you can finish it in one sitting.
I would like to thank Times Reads for sending me a copy of Will Byers: Secret Files in return for an honest review. This book is available in all good bookstores.
This book contains more about Will. Stuffs he wrote and collected. People in his school call him the Zombie Boy. Everything about Will is in there. Well I meant not literally everything but things that happened to him are in there. Especially the event when he was in Upside Down world.
I like the creativity of this book from the stickers and drawings to the short story Will wrote about the wizard and the bloodseekers. The title of this short story is The Living Maze. The freaks love his story and wanted to make into a show. LOL.
Apart from it, Will also included the favorite movies of his friends, Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Max. The best part to know is the playlist by his brother, Jonathan. There are some notes from his friends too when he was in the Upside Down world. Reading that took me back to the time when I was watching the show and it was so heartbreaking seeing Will's mom and his friends do whatever it takes to find Will and get him back.
Such a great book and creative! This book is really suitable for light reading and you can finish it in one sitting.
I would like to thank Times Reads for sending me a copy of Will Byers: Secret Files in return for an honest review. This book is available in all good bookstores.
July 19, 2022
never getting enough of that will byers content
February 12, 2023
never get enough content about will byers
March 14, 2026
TE AMO WILL BYERS MEU FILHO AMADO QUERIDO PRA SEMPRE
August 29, 2022
this counts as reading right?
5 stars for my son
also why did part of this support one of my biggest season 5 theories
5 stars for my son
also why did part of this support one of my biggest season 5 theories
September 28, 2019
a great little insight into Will's character and another enjoyable stranger things tie in book
July 25, 2022
I love Will Byers.
For a show in which he’s one of the main characters, Will is sidelined for both season three and four. I am so happy for more Will content.
I love the extra photos and stories this gives us, especially the bond it shows between characters like El and Will and Will and Hopper.
I only wish it was longer and the polaroids were actually remove-able.
4.9/5, I love my gay boy
For a show in which he’s one of the main characters, Will is sidelined for both season three and four. I am so happy for more Will content.
I love the extra photos and stories this gives us, especially the bond it shows between characters like El and Will and Will and Hopper.
I only wish it was longer and the polaroids were actually remove-able.
4.9/5, I love my gay boy
March 1, 2024
4.5 stars - This was so cute!!
(FYI, rating this book for my love of Will Byers as a character, not Noah)
(FYI, rating this book for my love of Will Byers as a character, not Noah)
August 12, 2024
Reseña N°85 del 2024
PRODUCTO EXTRA DENTRO DEL UNIVERSO DE STRANGER THINGS
Si bien la idea es simular una especie de diario íntimo del personaje de Will Byers, acá hay info que sirvió para la serie tanto en la construcción actoral como en la atmósfera de Hawkins. Acompañado de imágenes y fotogramas, incluye un cuento inédito.
De los tres extras que leí, es el que mejor cumple con su objetivo principal: entretener al seguidor y ampliar el conocimiento sobre lo visto en la serie de Netflix.
FRASE DESTACADA: Nunca me ha dado tanto gusto que se acabe un año escolar. Fue un año terrible, y (...) quiero olvidar lo malo y recordar lo bueno.
Pero el pasado no siempre quiere quedarse atrás.
A veces se te pega. Te persigue.
Y las cosas no mejoran solo porque uno quiera. La vida no siempre es pan comido.
(...) Estoy listo para una historia nueva.
(...) Por primera vez sé exactamente lo que me espera (...).
Solo necesito esperanza (...) y a mi familia.
PRODUCTO EXTRA DENTRO DEL UNIVERSO DE STRANGER THINGS
Si bien la idea es simular una especie de diario íntimo del personaje de Will Byers, acá hay info que sirvió para la serie tanto en la construcción actoral como en la atmósfera de Hawkins. Acompañado de imágenes y fotogramas, incluye un cuento inédito.
De los tres extras que leí, es el que mejor cumple con su objetivo principal: entretener al seguidor y ampliar el conocimiento sobre lo visto en la serie de Netflix.
FRASE DESTACADA: Nunca me ha dado tanto gusto que se acabe un año escolar. Fue un año terrible, y (...) quiero olvidar lo malo y recordar lo bueno.
Pero el pasado no siempre quiere quedarse atrás.
A veces se te pega. Te persigue.
Y las cosas no mejoran solo porque uno quiera. La vida no siempre es pan comido.
(...) Estoy listo para una historia nueva.
(...) Por primera vez sé exactamente lo que me espera (...).
Solo necesito esperanza (...) y a mi familia.
July 30, 2022
Just a word of advice: if you purchase this, i wouldn't recommend reading it on the mobile Kindle app. The text was very small and wouldn't zoom in. I tried reading it on the Kindle for PC, and it was a little better, but some of the text was just small. It might be better on an actual Kindle reader, I don't know.
February 11, 2026
Me encanta el personaje de Will y AMO ESTE LIBROO, me encanta siempre ver a los personajes de Stranger Things como adolescentes normales y en la serie eso no se puede ver mucho, y con este libro puedes ver los pensamientos de Will sobre lo que sucede en la serie y es divertido, al menos, para un fan del personaje 💓💓
January 19, 2023
ES UNA TERNURITA HECHA LIBRO
Imagenes, notitas, dibujos, todo hecho por el Will
No hay mucho para decir, no es un libro en sí, pero si sos fan de ST y querés "leer" algo mas visual que otra cosa, esto es para vos.
Imagenes, notitas, dibujos, todo hecho por el Will
No hay mucho para decir, no es un libro en sí, pero si sos fan de ST y querés "leer" algo mas visual que otra cosa, esto es para vos.
October 6, 2019
Shaped like a trapper keeper, Will Byers’ Secret Files gives you a few tidbits within his mind. Nothing new or astonishing here but fun for collectors!
October 10, 2019
At this point these books are being made simply because they’ll see.
November 12, 2019
So cute to flip through and a great addition to the Stranger Things world.
December 2, 2019
Background information on the show, from Will's perspective. Might feel childish to some adults, I thought it was well-done.
January 10, 2020
it was ok the art was great but it didn't really have any lore bits that I could tell. but you do get to read some of the news articles that are in the show. so thats cool.
January 25, 2020
Me encantó! Un muy buen artículo de colección
February 1, 2020
Wonderful for stranger things fans. The best.
February 5, 2020
Los datos curiosos y chismosos de Will el Sabio. Si está chido
March 10, 2020
So the design of the book is really cool—it looks like a trapper keeper and the art in it is great. But that’s really all there is to it.
March 12, 2020
Wow I love stranger things and this is just simply amazing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews