In which Sam rants
about existing adaptations, raves about some of her favorite novels, and tries
to convince Hollywood that the time is now for that Harriet Tubman biopic
already.
 |
| As always, this feature courtesy of The Broke and The Bookish! |
Seriously, I have been trying to convince people for years.
Why isn’t there an amazing, visceral, Oscar-winning Harriet Tubman biopic? Her
story is incredible. To be fair to Hollywood, they are bringing Twelve Years a Slave to theaters this
fall. Still, Harriet’s heroism cries out for recognition!
 |
| Harriet Tubman. A boss. |
In honor of Harriet, let’s look at ten other candidates due
for recognition in Tinseltown. (This task is notably more difficult than I
thought it would be due to the number of upcoming YA novel adaptations in film - Divergent! Ender's Game! Gah! Still, that’s something to be excited about as a YA blogger!)
10. Anita Diamant, The Red Tent
Lush, rich, graphic retelling of a famous Biblical story –
this time, from a woman’s perspective. It’s such an intimate immersion into the
life of a woman in early human history. I would love to see it translated to
screen!
9. Meg Cabot, Size 12
Is Not Fat, Size 14 Is Not Fat Either,
Big Boned
 |
| All three novels. Plus...Meg Cabot swag? |
Let me be clear: this is another wacky Meg Cabot heroine who
is clearly blessed and refuses to see it. That being said, this is the perfect
concept for a television series: former pop star turned assistant dorm director
deals with murder mysteries at her building. C’mon, the pilot is writing
itself! I see this adaptation as an investment vehicle.
8. Sophie Kinsella, The
Undomestic Goddess
Primarily for the greenhouse scene (just read it) and
fingers crossed for my favorite British star Idris Elba cast as the male lead!
 |
| Full disclosure: I would recommend Idris Elba as every male lead. |
7. Carolyn Keene, Nancy
Drew Mystery Stories
 |
| Look at that smart lime green sheath dress! |
Such an underrated female heroine. She deserves a proper
film, not a strange tween twist that treated her as kitsch! (Okay…she may be a
bit kitschy at this point.) Bring on the sensible twinsets and clever quips!
6. Rick Riordan, The
Kane Chronicles
 |
| Some of my favorite YA covers, too! |
The Percy Jackson
films are beyond salvageable in my mind at this point, but Riordan’s clever and
thoughtful take on Egyptian mythology I’m willing to cross my fingers for, and
hope for a better silver screen adaptation.
 |
| In the interim, check out the graphic novel! |
5. Gary Paulsen, Hatchet
 |
| The original cover, which I always thought placed the hatchet in a rather odd place... |
I see it as a film with stunning cinematography of the
Canadian wilderness in summertime, lots of silence, startling visuals – a sort
of Life of Pi for the survivalist
crowd.
 |
| The whole movie...just THIS. |
4. Scott O'Dell, Island of the
Blue Dolphins
 |
| I want an island with my canine friend! |
Similar to Hatchet,
it’s easy to picture this island in my mind’s eye – the hut she builds, the
fence, her dogs – it’s a quiet film, but it’s a place you want to see and
visit. I think a movie is the perfect device to transport people to her world.
3. Rae Carson, Girl of
Fire and Thorns, Crown of Embers,
and The Bitter Kingdom
| Image credit to Carina Olsen! Thanks for the collage :) |
Can’t stop, won’t stop raving about this trilogy. Still
working my way through Bitter Kingdom
– that promised review is coming down the pipeline – but such an epic story,
with big, powerful landscapes, three-dimensional characters, and a flawed but
lovable heroine!
2. Garth Nix, Sabriel,
Lirael, and Abhorsen; as well as the short story in Across the Wall compilation
 |
| Image courtesy of Airiz at Cinderella in Rubber Shoes! |
 |
| Awesome fan-made bell bandolier by Elentari-Liv at DeviantArt! |
Yes, basically, I just want my own bell-bandolier.
1. Tamora Pierce, Song
of the Lioness and Protector of the
Small
 |
| A Song of the Lioness series cover |
 |
| One of my favorite covers from the Protector of the Small quartet |
You want it. I want it. We all want it. Tamora Pierce hastried to gently break the news that it may never happen. But the dream lives
on!
Also, I’m now up to 3 mentions of Protector of the Small. Your move, Meg.
Also, I’m now up to 3 mentions of Protector of the Small. Your move, Meg.
-sam
Lol! I love the Tamora Pierce competitions hahaha. And I never even thought of Abhorsen merch. NOW I TOTALLY WANT SOME. I can't believe I didn't think of Island of the Blue Dolphins! The Red Tent could be so beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteDo you watch Luther?
And you may be shocked to hear this...but I HATED reading Gary Paulsen as a kid! There were so few books I really disliked, but I thought Hatchet was the most boring stupid thing I'd read other than 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (and that one was influenced by outside reasons. Like my mother not letting me ride the elevator to the top floor of the hotel til I finished that blasted book)
Haha, I love all of your comments with the books!
ReplyDeleteGreat post :)