Young Adult Book Presentation

Books We Know From Movies(but are still worth reading)

Alissa WarrenLAE4464

Dr. Kaplan

Books We Know From Movies(but are still worth reading)

A great way to incorporate different elements into the classroom is by including movies. Many movies started off as even better books and this is a list of some of the best adaptations. When do students ever turn down the opportunity to watch a movie in class? Using books that have been made into movies allows for students to compare the book to the movie and gives them a chance to see the story versus just reading it—a great alternative for students that struggle with reading (ELLs or otherwise) or are convinced that they don’t like to read.

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride tells the story of William Goldman telling the story of “The Princess Bride.” A hilarious and quite unusual telling of the love story between Buttercup and Wesley who, through several turn of events end up as Princess Buttercup and the man in black, respectively. Their love is thrown off course by several different characters and some strange events, but in the end they might have ended up together, you’re never really sure. Best suited for 8th-10th grade.

Holes

Stanley Yelnats’ family is cursed and his life is no different. When he gets blamed for a crime he didn’t commit Stanley gets sent to a boys camp where he is forced to dig holes all day. Stanley and the other boys at the camp soon find out that they’re not just digging hole to build character—they’re looking for something. With the help of his new friends Stanley managed to clear his name, and turn back the family curse. Best suited for 6th-7th grade.

Fight Club

Fight Club is centered around the experiences of the unnamed narrator who is battling insomnia. When his doctor refuses to give him any medications the narrator takes to attending support group meetings while pretending to be seriously ill. The narrators skewed behavior continues when the reader is introduced to Tyler Durden, and the two create an underground fight club. Best suited for 11th-12th grade.

About a Boy

Set in London, About a Boy follows Will and Marcus. Will is an emotionally stunted man who attends single parent groups in the hopes to pick up women. Marcus is a slightly awkward schoolboy that doesn’t quite enjoy his life the way a boy should. A coming of age novel, About a Boy highlights the friendship between these two protagonists and how they help each other grow. Best suited for 9th-12th grade.

Watchmen

Watchmen is a graphic novel that puts a new perspective on the superhero while also giving commentary on American culture and war. Although it is set in an alternate version of America, with obviously unrealistic elements the content really brings up questions about morality and the influence of the government as well as the effects of war. Best suited for 11th-12th grade.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The first in a series of five books, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy follows the story of Arthur Dent who is forced to leave Earth with his friend Ford because and alien race is planning on destroying the planet to make room for a galactical highway. They spend the rest of the novel hitchhiking through space from planet to planet. Best suited for 8th-10th grade.

The Outsiders

Set in Oklahoma in 1965, The Outsiders is another coming of age story that resonates well with boys. The novel is told from the perspective of a young Greaser named Ponyboy. After a fight between the Greasers and Socs ends with somone dead, Ponyboy runs away with his best friend Johnny. Throughout the novel the boys learn what it means to care about each other. Best suited for 6th-7th grade.

The Lovely Bones

A fairly intense novel, The Lovely Bones is told from the perspective of Susie Salmon, who is raped and killed early on into the novel. The rest of the story is told as she watches her family from heaven and they try to figure out what happened to her. Although an emotional novel, it presents the ideas of love, hope, and forgiveness. Best suited for 10th-12th grade.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Told entirely by Charlie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is made up of a series of letters written by him to an anonymous stranger. He writes about his experiences, and the experiences of his friends. There are various elements that Charlie discusses, which makes this novel relatable to a wide audience. Best suited for 10th-12th grade.

The Great Gatsby

Although set in 1922, The Great Gatsby is an exciting novel that tells the story of Jay Gatsby as narrated by Nick Carraway. Gatsby befriends Nick as it turns out because Nick is cousins with Daisy Buchanan, a now married woman whom Gatsby has been in love with for years. Filled with parties, affairs, murders, and the idea of the American Dream, this novel is a thrilling way to introduce students to a more classic piece of literature. Best suited for 9th-10th grade.