Books+to+Movies

=Read the book then watch the film =

This month we are bending the rules a little to include books written before 2012. Usually we want you to read something very current so that you'll be aware of what new and awesome things your students are reading. This month, though, we are focusing on children's books that have been made into movies. And because we are realistic, we are also including some Young Adult novels that our older middle readers are reading (whether they ought to be or not). To make the list long enough that everyone can find plenty to read, we are including books that are older, and movies that are a little older, too.

If you want to be current with what your students are talking about, though, these first three might be it. In the past year, we have seen several young adult dystopian novels be made into hugely popular movies. Most recently, //Insurgent//, //The Maze Runner//, and //Mockingjay// Part 1 have been released. These are meant for an older crowd, but any teacher worth her salt knows that the books are being devoured by our stronger readers in grades four and five. And rightfully so: They are exciting, interesting, suspenseful books. The premises of some of these books are disturbing, but as far as YA books go (many of which can be highly controversial), these books are pretty clean. If you haven't read or watched these, I definitely recommend starting with book one in the installment rather than whichever movie came out most recently. For those of you who don't want to try one of those, there are books and movies that appeal to all ages on the list.

Assignment: Read two of the books below AND watch the movies for them if at all possible. Post in goodreads about the book and movie and how they differed or which you liked better, etc. (Two posts).

Tech Tool: Common Sense Media is a helpful website for parents and teachers which reviews books, movies, apps, games, etc. and gives helpful advice about what is appropriate for children and why. Explore the website www.commonsensemedia.org. Post your thoughts in the discussion thread in goodreads. (We explored this site last year; try to find something new about it if you've looked at it before.)


 * ==**Book Title**== || ==**Movie Title**== ||
 * How to Train Your Dragon || How to Train Your Dragon ||
 * Divergent || Divergent ||
 * Insurgent || Insurgent ||
 * The Hunger Games || The Hunger Games ||
 * Catching Fire || Catching Fire ||
 * Mockingjay || Mockingjay Part 1 (Part 2 coming Nov. 20, 2015) ||
 * The Maze Runner || The Maze Runner ||
 * The Scorch Trials || The Scorch Trials (coming Sept. 18, 2015) ||
 * Peter Pan || Pan (coming July 24, 2015) - could watch Finding Neverland - the story behind Peter Pan ||
 * Goosebumps (any title) || Goosebumps (coming Aug. 7, 2015) ||
 * The Fault in Our Stars (YA) || The Fault in Our Stars (this book/movie is popular, but has mature themes & language) ||
 * The Book Thief || The Book Thief ||
 * The Hobbit || The Hobbit (various titles & also Lord of the Rings) ||
 * Harry Potter (various titles) || Harry Potter (various titles) ||
 * A Series of Unfortunate Events || A Series of Unfortunate Events ||
 * The Spiderwick Chronicles || The Spiderwick Chronicles ||
 * Because of Winn Dixie || Because of Winn Dixie ||
 * The Tale of Despereaux || The Tale of Despereaux ||
 * The Boy in the Striped Pajamas || The Boy in the Striped Pajamas ||
 * The Giver || The Giver ||
 * Ender's Game || Ender's Game ||
 * If I Stay (YA) || If I Stay (mature themes) ||
 * War Horse || War Horse ||
 * Where the Red Fern Grows || Where the Red Fern Grows ||
 * Ramona Quinby Age 8 || Ramona Quinby Age 8 ||
 * Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children || Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (coming March 4, 2016) ||
 * Paddington || Paddington ||
 * Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day || Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day ||
 * Bridge to Terabithia || Bridge to Terabithia ||
 * The Chronicles of Narnia || The Chronicles of Narnia ||
 * The Guardians of Ga'Hoole || The Guardians of Ga'Hoole ||
 * Holes || Holes ||
 * Hoot || Hoot ||
 * The Invention of Hugo Cabret || The Invetion of Hugo Cabret ||
 * Mr. Popper's Penguins || Mr. Popper's Penguins ||
 * The Lightning Thief || The Lightning Thief ||
 * Sea of Monsters || Sea of Monsters ||
 * The True Meaning of Smek Day || Home ||
 * Twilight (all four books) || Twilight (all five movies) ||
 * Alice in Wonderland || Alice in Wonderland (with Johnny Depp) ||
 * Diary of a Wimpy Kid || Diary of a Wimpy Kid ||
 * Diary of a Wimpy Kid Rodrick Rules || Diary of a Wimpy Kid Roderick Rules ||
 * Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days || Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days ||
 * Fantastic Mr. Fox || Fantastic Mr. Fox ||
 * Charlie and the Chocolate Factory || Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (with Johnny Depp) ||