Our Favorite Page-to-Screen Adaptations of Middle Grade Books
The first rule of book-to-movie adaptations: The book is almost always better than the movie. Even if the flick is awesome on its own, it will likely look different on screen than it did in your head while you were reading the book. You pictured the main character as being a brunette with glasses, but the filmmakers made him a redhead sans spectacles. And how could they have left out that one part?! Or changed the ending? If you can go into the theater accepting that your imagination trumps Hollywood’s interpretation, you’ll be much happier when you settle in with your bowl of popcorn and soda to see the latest page-to-screener. Still, there are some really fantastic books-turned-movies that hold a special spot on the DVD shelf in our hearts. Check out our picks below.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)
“Let me just say for the record that I think middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. You got kids like me who haven’t hit their growth spurt yet mixed in with gorillas who need to shave twice a day,” writes fictional sixth-grader Greg Heffley. Middle school can be traumatic, and author and illustrator Jeff Kinney’s popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series did an amazing job of capturing what it means to be a tween in a hilarious yet believable way. And Diary’s film adaptation in 2010 didn’t disappoint, even introducing a new character, Angie Steadman, played by Chloë Grace Moretz.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)
“Let me just say for the record that I think middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. You got kids like me who haven’t hit their growth spurt yet mixed in with gorillas who need to shave twice a day,” writes fictional sixth-grader Greg Heffley. Middle school can be traumatic, and author and illustrator Jeff Kinney’s popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series did an amazing job of capturing what it means to be a tween in a hilarious yet believable way. And Diary’s film adaptation in 2010 didn’t disappoint, even introducing a new character, Angie Steadman, played by Chloë Grace Moretz.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, and William Defoe, and directed by Wes Anderson—that lineup certainly doesn’t sound like what one might expect for an animated movie, but that was the treatment Roald Dahl’s beloved book received and deserved. And the critics—and movie audiences—loved it. The Fox family dynamics were altered a bit, and characters were added here and there (Mr. Fox’s best possum pal, Kylie, among them). But the spirit of Dahl’s book and Mr. Fox’s wily ways remained intact in this charming film adaptation.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, and William Defoe, and directed by Wes Anderson—that lineup certainly doesn’t sound like what one might expect for an animated movie, but that was the treatment Roald Dahl’s beloved book received and deserved. And the critics—and movie audiences—loved it. The Fox family dynamics were altered a bit, and characters were added here and there (Mr. Fox’s best possum pal, Kylie, among them). But the spirit of Dahl’s book and Mr. Fox’s wily ways remained intact in this charming film adaptation.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Despite the differences in title, the heart from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory beat strongly in the 1971 film adaptation. There are small differences, naturally: For instance, the snotty Veruca salt is tossed from the factory for being a “bad nut” in the book and a “bad egg” in the movie, and Wonka’s looks and general demeanor are quite different in the book’s description. At their cores, though, both the book and original film (another remake was done in 2005) are about young Charlie Bucket’s discovery of the truly sweeter things in life.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Despite the differences in title, the heart from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory beat strongly in the 1971 film adaptation. There are small differences, naturally: For instance, the snotty Veruca salt is tossed from the factory for being a “bad nut” in the book and a “bad egg” in the movie, and Wonka’s looks and general demeanor are quite different in the book’s description. At their cores, though, both the book and original film (another remake was done in 2005) are about young Charlie Bucket’s discovery of the truly sweeter things in life.
Harry Potter saga (2001–2011)
There are a total of 4,224 pages in J.K. Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books, and nearly 20 hours of film in the eight movies in the series. It’s a hefty time investment for even the most devoted Potterhead, but both Rowling and the filmmakers make it well worth your while: It’s like everyone, from the screenplay writers to the casting directors, was reading readers’ minds while making the adaptations of these magical novels. From the intricacies of locations like Diagon Alley and Hogwarts, to characters’ physical attributes, like Harry’s scar and Ron’s freckles, no detail was overlooked. OK, yes, they did have to leave out some things—lots of Quidditch (Hello! Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup?!), Peeves the poltergeist, the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, and more—but all in all, the films did an outstanding job of portraying Rowling’s wizarding world on screen.
Harry Potter saga (2001–2011)
There are a total of 4,224 pages in J.K. Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books, and nearly 20 hours of film in the eight movies in the series. It’s a hefty time investment for even the most devoted Potterhead, but both Rowling and the filmmakers make it well worth your while: It’s like everyone, from the screenplay writers to the casting directors, was reading readers’ minds while making the adaptations of these magical novels. From the intricacies of locations like Diagon Alley and Hogwarts, to characters’ physical attributes, like Harry’s scar and Ron’s freckles, no detail was overlooked. OK, yes, they did have to leave out some things—lots of Quidditch (Hello! Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup?!), Peeves the poltergeist, the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, and more—but all in all, the films did an outstanding job of portraying Rowling’s wizarding world on screen.
The Tale of Despereaux (2008)
Unless your name is Mickey, you generally don’t get a lot of onscreen respect as a mouse. Enter Despereaux. Both in Kate DiCamillo’s book and the 2008 animated film adaptation, Despereaux is a unique little mouse who sees the world differently than others of his ilk. But the book and movie diverge in an important way: In the book, Despereaux is quite fearful and is forced to overcome his timidity in the name of love. In the movie, however, our big-eared mouse is brave from the start. The movie is still very sweet and fun, though, and in some ways less dark than the book. Regardless, readers and moviegoers alike are left rooting for the furry little guy to come out on top.
What’s your favorite middle-grade book-to-movie adaptation?
The Tale of Despereaux (2008)
Unless your name is Mickey, you generally don’t get a lot of onscreen respect as a mouse. Enter Despereaux. Both in Kate DiCamillo’s book and the 2008 animated film adaptation, Despereaux is a unique little mouse who sees the world differently than others of his ilk. But the book and movie diverge in an important way: In the book, Despereaux is quite fearful and is forced to overcome his timidity in the name of love. In the movie, however, our big-eared mouse is brave from the start. The movie is still very sweet and fun, though, and in some ways less dark than the book. Regardless, readers and moviegoers alike are left rooting for the furry little guy to come out on top.
What’s your favorite middle-grade book-to-movie adaptation?