A novel based on the Broadway musical “Suffs” is coming out next year. The book for young adults, fully titled “Suffs: A Novel Based on the Tony-Winning Broadway Musical,” will be published by Random House Children’s Books under the Random House Books for Young Readers imprint, and will be available beginning on Feb. 2, 2027. The audiobook imprint Listening Library will release an audio edition simultaneously.
The young adult novel was co-written by Shaina Taub, who penned the musical’s Tony Award-winning book and score, and Betsy Cornwell. Cornwell is the New York Times bestselling author of “Mechanica,” a feminist reimagining of Cinderella, along with other young adult novels “The Forest Queen,” “The Circus Rose” and “Reader, I Murdered Him” and her adult memoir “Ring of Salt.”
The “Suffs” novel will adapt the true story of the musical, with a focus on the efforts of suffragists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns to win American women the right to vote. It will also feature their fellow activists Ida B. Wells, Ruza Wenclawska and Inez Milholland, all of whom appear in the musical.
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“Bringing this story to young adult readers is especially meaningful to me because at its core, ‘Suffs’ has always belonged to the next generation,” said Taub in a statement. “I hope readers can see themselves in the suffs — in their ambition, their disagreements and their hunger for change. The opportunity to dig even deeper into these characters with the brilliant Betsy Cornwell has been so satisfying, and I’m really excited for people to experience this story not only on the stage, but now on the page.”
“I fell in love with ‘Suffs’ as soon as I heard its music: I was weeping and cheering for these women I’d never heard of who fought so hard for the right to vote,” added Cornwell. “Getting to work with the wonderful Shaina Taub on adapting her brilliant, vibrant show into a novel has been an absolute dream come true. I hope that this book, like the musical, will inspire a new audience to learn more about the suffs, and to take up their fight for justice and carry it into the future.”
Caroline Abbey, editorial director at large of Random House Books for Young Readers, acquired the North American rights to the novel from Dara Kaye at the William Morris Endeavor talent agency. Abbey is also set to edit the adaptation.
“After I saw ‘Suffs’ on Broadway, I immediately wanted to learn everything I could about the courageous women featured in the show, their activism, persistence and the complicated work of their progress,” said Abbey in a statement. “I am so thrilled to bring these characters to life on the page, where many more young people can meet them, be inspired and learn that while the work is never done, it is up to them to pick up the picket sign and keep marching in the long fight for the causes they believe in.”
Following a debut at Off-Broadway’s Public Theater, “Suffs” opened at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre on April 18, 2024, where it ran through Jan. 5, 2025. The musical was nominated for six Tonys, including Best Musical, and won the aforementioned two for Taub’s book and score.
“Suffs” was produced on Broadway by Jill Furman, Rachel Sussman, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Malala Yousafzai.
