Hi5 - Favourite MG/YA Books to Movies

A meme hosted by Cara @Chasing Words, Anne @Potter, Percy and I and me...

The topic for this weeks Hi5 was chosen by Anne and I love it - but it was HARD. I brainstormed a short list of faves (ah, slashed it down to 32 choices...)

So here's my top 5 picks for MG/YA books made into movies:

#5 The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
(2007 adaption)


I showed this in class and almost every student cried.
Even the eleven year old boys (which the girls thought was totally sweet)
It's a powerful adaption that brings the book to life.
The scenes of Terabithia are stunning and the acting is convincing in a way that will make you remember the magic of make believe and also make your heart ache.

#4 Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
(Disney 1960 adaption)


Has it all: shipwreck, pirates, wild animals, a girl disguised as a boy and brothers in love with the same girl and the coolest tree house you always wanted to live in, plus how funny is Francis? I like the movie better than the book (it's a very boyish-type book, I think).

It also has Fritz... (dude in the middle)

#3 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
(1988 US film adaption: The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking)

The books rock hard and the movie rocks even harder.
One of my fave literary characters ever.
I wanted to be her.
Well, who didn't? :)




#2 Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
(film released in 2000)

Melina wrote the screen play (so, you know, it's beautiful and funny) and Pia Miranda (as Josie) is spirited and generally awesome and Anthony Lapaglia is a fave actor of mine. It's full of energy and emotion and you can't help but root for Josie and her complicated life. Plus, its shot around Sydney in places I have haunted and it feels so Australian that me & my mates just connected with it. It's ten years old now, so it feels a touch dated, but I've chucked up the trailer if you're interested :) Has anyone seen it?


#1 Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
(1985 Television movie and sequel)
No contest for my number one pick.

"Carrots!"

Gilbert and Anne FTW

I don't even know what to say. First off, Anne is just awesome, literary and day-dreamy and wild and stubborn with such a huge heart. And Gil <3 One of my top literary couples ever soo perfectly cast. Anne is just brilliant and Prince Edward Island is stunning. Perfect rainy day comfort viewing and no matter how many times I watch it, I still swoon :) I want Diana Barry as my BFF and still get teary when you-know-who dies... Plus, it's funny, clever, touching, charming, full of soul and have you heard Gil say: "I'm sorry"? LOL!

Some of my Runner-ups:

• I Capture the Castle - I blogged about the book verse the movie earlier Also Henry Cavill is in the movie...
• Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers - the 1960 adaption starring Jodie Foster - just a whole heap of fun (and the screen play was written by the author)
• Nim's Island - so so good (and the book's written by an Australian author)
• Girl, Interrupted - loved this hard when it came out, also love the book (which is a memoir) 
• Whip It  - it's pretty cool, but I haven't read the book...
• Bend It Like Beckham - actually just thought of this and could probably rearrange things, but cant be bothered. Love the book, love the movie
• The Narnia movies. Love Prince Caspian, but not a fan of how Peter got treated in the movie. He is not like that in the book! Disturbed me a little b/c Pete's a good guy :)
• and yeah, I liked Romeo and Juliet with DiCaprio and Danes when it came out - 1997. Is that uncool? Who cares :)

Also, fairytale retellings: I love Ever After with Drew Barrymore and Amanda Bynes in Sydney White, but they're not really based on a book so I didn't include them in my options.

And I bet there's heaps I haven't thought of, so these are just my picks for now.

Okay, I'm stopping before I get carried away...

Have you got favourite book to movie adaptions? You can do your own post any time this weekend, link it up using Mister Linky and we'll come and check it out.

Also, so many of my mates haven't watched Anne of Green Gables (!) Tell me you have and that you love the movies hard.