30+ Children’s and Teen Books Adapted into Movies

Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark look scary, and they have a reputation for being bad guys, but Mr. Wolf has a plan to rebrand their reputation by doing some good deeds such as rescuing a cat stuck in a tree and breaking two hundred dogs out of a Dog Pound. He just needs to make sure Mr. Snake doesn’t swallow Mr. Piranha. This hilarious chapter book breaks the fourth wall often and will crack up young readers ages 5-8. GET THE BOOK.

This inspiring story about a boy with a congenital facial deformity is a crowd pleaser and popular classroom pick. I’ve never read the book, but I loved the movie. Ages 7+

Kids love this beloved classic inspired by a true story. It’s about a gorilla who lives in an enclosed glass cage in a mall. At first, Ivan is content with his quarters — for over 20 years. But when a baby elephant is brought into the enclosure, Ivan starts to remember his home and sees his current home as the captivity that it is. This is a sweet and moving verse novel for young readers. Grades 3+

Lina and Doon are 12 years old, the age when children of Ember become adults and are assigned jobs to help keep the city running. But when terrifying blackouts sweep the city, the kids know that Ember is in serious trouble. When they discover clues that could lead to a brighter future, Doon and Lina must race to solve the mystery before Ember goes dark for good. Ages 9+

This is a beloved classic brought to life in Netflix’s Anne with an E series, with just as much heart as the original. Ages 9+

I adore this series and I think the Netflix adaptation mostly stays true to the books. I hate that it got canceled after the second season, but the episodes available are worth watching. Ages 7+

This book series is adorable, and while the TV series, Eva the Owlet, bears little resemblance to the books, it’s definitely inspired by the main character and will appeal to fans of the books or spark interest in the books among curious TV watchers. Ages 6+

If your kids love the Dog Man books, they won’t be able to get enough of the movie adaptation. It’s just as kooky and adventurous. GET THE BOOK. Ages 7+

I can’t remember whether I read the book or watched the movie first, but the movie was SO GOOD. Moving and heartwarming. Some scenes might be scary or too violent for younger, sensitive viewers. Ages 8+

I loved this movie even before I knew the book existed. It’s a sweet, wholesome sibling story with plenty of antics. Ages 7+

What happens when a spider and a pig become friends? This classic is brilliantly illustrated, and there are great lessons about selflessness and what it means to be a good friend. Charlotte is wise, decisive, and so good with words. Definitely one of those sweet books that more people should experience. Ages 7+

I’ve heard only good things about this book and it’s on my summer to-read and to-watch list! Ages 7+

I’ve never read this book but I loved the movie with Anne Hathaway. Perfect for fans of Disney fairy tales. Ages 9+

A teen boy gets sent to a teen detention facility and uncovers a conspiracy in this award-winning classic. The movie is readily available on nearly all streaming platforms, from Disney+ to Apple TV.

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she’s just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a menacing, kid-hating headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It’ll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it! Now available as a musical and a film!

This Newbery Honor winner and #1 New York Times bestseller is a beloved modern classic. Hoot features a new kid and his new bully, alligators, some burrowing owls, a renegade eco-avenger, and several extremely poisonous snakes.

For a book published over 50 years ago, this story is timeless and the movie adaptation really shines! Ages 10+

What if you couldn’t touch anything in the outside world? Never breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun warm your face . . . or kiss the boy next door? In Everything, Everything, Maddy is a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world, and Olly is the boy who moves in next door . . . and becomes the greatest risk she’s ever taken. This is a good choice for fans of star-crossed romances. Ages 12+

I enjoyed every single moment of this book. Totally gripping, engrossing, and un-putdownable! I hear the movie, with Amandla Stenberg, is just as powerful. Good for ages 14+

I loved following Katniss, Peeta, and Gale through all three books in this series. It’s set in a dystopian world ruled by The Capitol. Each year, The Hunger Games are held where one raffle-drawn contestant from each of the surrounding poorer districts competes (fights through life-threatening challenges) to win a prize. The only problem is: losing means death. Book one kicks off with 16-year-old Katniss volunteering to take her little sister’s place in the Games. I was HOOKED to this book and the other two in the series when I read it. The movies are just as addictive! Ages 12+

Cadence Sinclair Easton is back on her family’s island after a traumatic incident some years before. The only problem is that she can’t remember what happened, and no one seems to want to tell her. As readers follow Cadence, we’ll see her piece together the shocking events of that summer when class, youthful impulse, and family disagreements changed four lives forever. I found this mystery intriguing and poignant. I think teens will eat it up. I can’t speak to how good the series is but the trailer looks good. The book is good for ages 13+ but the series is rated 14+

I watched the movie before I read this, and while I recognize that that might not have been the best order, it makes for an interesting perspective. The book and the movie feel like two different things, in a good way. It was nice to get in the minds of LJ and Peter, and I definitely feel like I understand the cast of characters better after this. Sweet, compulsively readable book, this one! Ages 12+

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s welcomed to his new home, the Glade, by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone. Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive. The movie is so suspenseful and action packed! Ages 12+

Two teens with cystic fibrosis who can’t get closer than five feet apart begin to fall for each other in this heartbreaking romance for fans of Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. Ages 12+

Two teens with cancer fall in love in this masterpiece by John Green. I bawled my eyes out both while reading the book and later while watching the movie. Ages 11+

Belly loves spending summers with her mom’s best friend, Susannah, and her two sons, Jeremiah and Conrad. But this summer, everything is different. Susannah is keeping a secret, and suddenly, both Jeremiah and Conrad (whom Belly has had a crush on forever) are noticing Belly. Follow all three teens through the summer rollercoaster of emotions and watch the Amazon Prime TV adaptation when you’re done. This is a very angsty teen series that continues to be a favorite for teens and adults alike. I even made a list of readalikes if all your 8th graders have already torn through this one. Ages 14+

This book was so heartbreaking that I didn’t want to watch the movie and risk breaking my heart twice. But if you love stories about WWII and Anne Frank’s Diary, this is a great choice for you. Ages 12+