Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptions

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday.  The topic is Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptations.  Check out other lists at the Broke and the Bookish.  Here is my list. 

1.     Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)

As a teen and early adult, I watched this movie religiously.  I wanted to be Anne.  I wanted to find my Gilbert.  Most of all, I wanted to be an inspiring teacher like Miss Stacy.   I love “The Highwayman” and “The Lady of Shalott.”  Yea, this movie inspired me J

2.    Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson)

This book was one of my favorites from my children’s literature class in college.  The movie is beautiful.  I weep every time I watch it, despite knowing what is going to happen. 

3.    Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney)

Even though the movie is not 100% true to the book, it does capture the characters well.  I have watched this movie several times, and each time I laugh hysterically. 

4.    Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince (J.K. Rowling)

This movie is the best in the series.  I can watch it over and over.  I know the Harry Potter books always have a lot more detail which often makes for choppy movies, lacking clear reasons for character motivation.  This movie had the smoothest flow and depth.

5.    Holes (Louis Sachar)

This movie stayed pretty faithful to the book.  Like A Little Princess, I love the story within the story.   It is a wonderful illustration of redemption and friendship.

6.    A Little Princess (Frances Hodgson Burnett)

I adore the 1995 version of this movie.  The visuals are beautiful.  They do an excellent job contrasting Sara’s drab world with the vivid world of her stories.   The world of her stories though parallels her real world.   It is an excellent film. 

7.    Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)

My favorite movie version of this book is the one with Winona Ryder and Christian Bale.  Every one of the characters is remarkably played.   My favorite is Jo.  I love her spirit and passion. 

8.    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)

I have enjoyed the recent succession of movies based on the Chronicles of Narnia series.  The sacrifice of one for the good of all (i.e. Christ’s death) is depicted beautifully.  The visuals and acting are memorable. 

9.    The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)

Beautiful book.  Beautiful movie.  Love the cast.  Glad they kept true to the book. 

10.  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)

This movie stays true to the book and characters.   I love their individual stories and the metaphor of the pants as a symbol of their bond. 

The book I most want to see made into a great movie is Walk Two Moons.  I have enjoyed all of Sharon Creech’s novels, but this one is the best of all of her stories and one of the best in all children’s literature.