Have you ever seen a movie that inspired you to do something you never thought you wanted to do? Maybe you wanted to learn how to surf after watching Soul Surfer or want to excel in academics when you finished Good Will Hunting. But, if you’re the type of kid who dreads reading whenever your teacher introduces a new book, this film collection will change your mind.
If you are a teacher, consider hosting a public screening of these films to encourage your students to read. When students watch these films, they'll see the excitement these young protagonists have with every page they turn. This film collection will inspire students to read books outside of school and turn them into bibliophiles.
The Harry Potter Movies
Harry Potter’s best friend Hermione Granger is a very studious witch. Despite not being raised in the Wizarding World, she’s more knowledgeable about the magic world they live in than her peers. Hermione uses books to get her friends out of dangerous situations. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, she did her research on Nicolas Flamel and discovered he made a stone that makes you immortal. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, she researched that the monster causing havoc at Hogwarts was a basilisk.
Even at the end of the series when she, Harry, and Ron were on the run, she brought a stash of books with her knowing they would help on their journey to horcrux hunting. Hermione’s a good example of how important it is to read to ensure what you learned from books can help you solve real-world problems.
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Matilda
Based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book, Matilda shows a precocious little girl emotionally abandoned by her parents living in the comfort of books. Because her parents paid little attention to her and hardly understood her, Matilda had to learn to take care of herself. She would often walk to her public library and browse through library shelves. After receiving a library education on the ins and outs of how the system works, she would read anything she could grab her hands on in both the children’s and adult sections. It’s because of this knowledge that Matilda could excel better than the other students in her class on her first day of school. She could even multiply large sums in her head. Matilda teaches viewers that through books, you are not alone.
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The Book Thief
Based on Markus Zusak’s historical fiction novel, The Book Thief the main character, Liesel, grows up during the worst times to have of childhood. When she loses her little brother on the train ride toward their new foster family, she steals The Gravedigger’s Handbook and is immediately fascinated with words even though she doesn’t know how to read. Because Hitler burned books, she feels the need to steal any book she can get her hands on.
Her foster father teaches Liesel how to read and the mayor’s wife introduces her to her library to borrow any book she wants. She used books in order to care for her new friend, Max, when he was ill. And Max encouraged Liesel with all the reading she did to write in a journal where she would eventually grow up to be an author. Books really do have the power to open doors to your life you never thought you could open.
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Freedom Writers
Inspired by a true story, Freedom Writers had English teacher Erin Gruwell introduce her students from underprivileged backgrounds to books they’ve never been exposed to before. She picked books that weren’t considered part of the school curriculum that her students could relate to. For example, the first book she showed the kids was Durango Street by Frank Bonham because it was about a kid’s gang life.
Then, Gruwell introduced The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. This book really resonated with the characters of Eva and Marcus who both knew what it was like to be hunted down by enemy forces. The book even presented Marcus with a new hero to look up who hid the Frank family: Miep Gies. He encouraged Marcus to take advantage of his school library resources.
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The Fault in Our Stars
The young adult book adaptation, The Fault in Our Stars presents us with Hazel Grace Lancaster who is a 17-year-old girl with stage four cancer. But, she takes comfort in reading her favorite book An Imperial Affliction on repeat. She feels like the book really resonates with her own experiences of cancer just like the book’s main character. This book helps bring her together with Augustus Waters, another teenager with cancer. Through their love of the book, they have an email exchange with the book’s author and are inspired to take a trip to Amsterdam to get answers about what happens after the book’s abrupt ending. When you are truly invested in a book, you can’t just put it down so easily.
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Why should teachers host public screenings of films about reading or based on a book for their classroom?
Hosting public screenings of films focused on the topic of reading or based on a book can be a valuable tool for teachers in the classroom. Films can provide a visual and auditory representation of the book, making it easier for students to understand and engage with the story. Additionally, films can provide a new perspective on the book, allowing students to explore themes and character development in new ways. Public screenings also create a shared experience for the class, encouraging discussions and critical thinking. Overall, using films in the classroom can enhance students' understanding and enjoyment of the book, and can be an effective teaching tool for educators.