Book-to-film adaptations aren’t only godsends to bookworms and cinephiles, they are necessities for any library to develop its film collection. Avid high school readers especially get excited about film releases based on their favorite books. Here are five Young Adult (YA) book-to-film adaptations we love and we think your high school patrons will too!
The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
Based on the YA book by Emily M. Danforth, The Miseducation of Cameron Post chronicles the experiences of the titular character Cameron (Chloë Grace Moretz) as she’s outed to her aunt as a lesbian and sent to a Christian camp that practices gay conversion therapy.
The film covers mature topics like sex, LGBTQ identity, and suffocating religious beliefs—but it ultimately promotes a wholesome message any teen should resonate with: embracing and loving yourself for who you are.
Purchase The Miseducation of Cameron Post DVD for your library collection.
Purchase The Miseducation of Cameron Post book for your library collection.
The Hate U Give (2018)
Starring Amandla Stenberg, The Hate U Give brings to life Angie Thomas’ YA book about Starr Carter, a Black girl from a poor neighborhood who attends a predominantly White preparatory school. Starr’s world is turned upside down when she witnesses the police shoot and kill her friend Khalil. Navigating the two worlds she’s a part of was already difficult; it’s even more so when she decides to speak against racial injustice.
Purchase The Hate U Give DVD for your library collection.
Purchase The Hate U Give book for your library collection.
Anne Frank Remembered (1995)
Everyone knows the name of Holocaust victim Anne Frank, and many high school students have probably had to read her diary. But not everyone has seen the award-winning documentary by director Jon Blair, Anne Frank Remembered.
The educational documentary utilizes excerpts from The Diary of a Young Girl, as well as interviews with those who knew the Frank family, to create one of the most comprehensive pictures we have of Anne Frank. Blair’s film is a heavy but powerful watch. It would be an excellent viewing experience for high school students reading through Anne’s diary or learning about the Holocaust.
Purchase Anne Frank Remembered book for your library collection.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Based on a true story penned by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind celebrates the innovation of a young boy in Malawi. When William (Maxwell Simba) is kicked out of school, he doesn’t stop learning. Rather, he teaches himself how to build a windmill in order to protect his home from famine.
Purchase The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind book for your library collection.
Little Women (2019)
One of the most famous stories to be adapted into film (several times), one of the most beloved Little Women adaptations from director Greta Gerwig in 2019.
Gerwig takes a non-linear approach to the classic historical drama by following Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) and her family during the Civil War era.
Purchase the Little Women DVD for your library collection.
Purchase the Little Women book for your library collection.
Books and movies are staples of a quality library, so why not combine the best of both worlds with movies and documentaries that are based on books? Make sure to check out more of our articles to learn about collection development and the best book-to-movie adaptations.