Children's Books Adapted to Film
Dive into our curated collection of vocabulary lists designed to help you effortlessly navigate the rich language of young adult books that have been adapted into TV shows and series. Enhance your understanding and enjoyment by mastering key terms and phrases unique to each story.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the SeaBoard the Nautilus and travel under the sea with the mysterious Captain Nemo as you learn these words from the science fiction novel by Jules Verne. Read the full text, translated from the original French by F.P. Walter, here.
A Christmas CarolOn Christmas Eve, cruel penny-pincher Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits who show him visions of his past, present, and future.
A Little PrincessTen-year-old Sara Crewe is treated like a princess at her boarding school. When her father dies unexpectedly in India, Sara must live in the attic and work as a maid and errand girl. With the help of her vivid imagination — and a mysterious benefactor — she learns to survive and thrive.
A Night to RememberIn this non-fiction book, Walter Lord provides a detailed account of the Titanic's fatal collision with an iceberg and the behavior of the passengers and crew in the aftermath.
The Bad BeginningFollowing the death of their parents, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to live with Count Olaf, who plots to steal their inheritance.
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandAlice falls asleep in a meadow and wakes in a surreal world inhabited by characters such as the White Rabbit, the Red Queen, and the Cheshire Cat. Learn these words from Lewis Carroll's delightful and witty novel.
Anne of AvonleaThis sequel to Anne of Green Gables focuses on Anne's life as a teacher in Avonlea. Read the full text here.
Anne of Green GablesIn L.M. Montgomery's classic novel, imaginative and outspoken orphan Anne Shirley comes to the town of Avonlea to live with her new guardians.
Around the World in Eighty DaysIn order to win a bet, Phileas Fogg attempts to complete a journey around the world. Learn these words from the translation be George M. Towle.
Artemis FowlIn the first installment of this popular series, master criminal Artemis Fowl kidnaps a fairy and holds her for ransom.
Kristy's Great IdeaIn this first book of The Baby-Sitters Club series, twelve-year-old Kristin Amanda Thomas comes up with the idea to team up with other baby-sitters to advertise and make appointments for individual services in their small Connecticut town.
Because of Winn-DixieWhile shopping for groceries, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni finds a dog that will change her life.
Better Nate Than EverIn this hilarious novel, 13-year-old Nate sneaks off to New York City to audition for a role in a Broadway play. Learn this list in which the vocabulary from the novel takes center stage. Break a leg!
Black BeautyAnna Sewell's classic novel tells the life story of a horse who experiences both hardship and kindness.
The City of EmberA city built to save humanity now faces dark times.
Bridge to TerabithiaJess and Leslie spend their free time playing in the fantasy land of Terabithia; but when tragedy strikes, one of them will have to learn to cope with loss in the real world.
BunniculaIn this classic novel, Chester the cat is convinced that his family's new pet rabbit is a vampire.
Call It CourageWith a name that translates into Stout Heart, fifteen-year-old Mafatu, the son of the Great Chief of the Polynesian island of Hikueru, is determined to conquer his fear of the sea.
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryWhen Charlie Bucket and four other children find golden tickets in their chocolate bars, they are invited to tour Willy Wonka's famous candy factory.
Charlotte's WebIn this classic novel, a pig named Wilbur befriends a spider, who attempts to save his life.
Cheaper by the DozenIn this memoir, Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey recount growing up in a family with a dozen children and two "efficiency experts" for parents.
The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeWhile exploring an unfamiliar house, four siblings discover a portal to the mystical kingdom of Narnia, a perpetually frozen land under the control of a powerful witch.
Prince CaspianThe Return to NarniaA year after their last visit, the Pevensie children return to find that centuries have passed in Narnia. While there, they help a young prince fight for his rightful place on the throne.
The Voyage of the Dawn TreaderIn the kingdom of Narnia, King Caspian builds a ship called the Dawn Treader and sets out to find seven men banished by his wicked uncle.
The Black CauldronThe Chronicles of Prydain, Book 2In the second book in the Chronicles of Prydain series, Taran continues his quest to destroy the Black Cauldron that can bring the dead back to life.
CoralineIn this dark and creepy novel, a young girl finds a door to another world that is strangely like her own — but filled with danger.
Diary of a Wimpy KidIn the first book of Jeff Kinney's popular series, Greg Heffley deals with the trials and tribulations of middle school.
Ella EnchantedIn this reimagining of the Cinderella story, Ella tries to escape a curse that prevents her from disobeying orders.
Fantastic Mr. FoxA clever fox tries to outwit three beastly farmers.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. FrankweilerWhen Claudia Kincaid and her brother run away from home, they find themselves caught up in a mystery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Learn these words from E. L. Konigsburg's award-winning novel.
Harriet the SpyEleven-year-old Harriet faces difficulties when her personal notebook — full of detailed observations about her friends, classmates, and neighbors — ends up in the wrong hands.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneOn his eleventh birthday, orphan Harry Potter learns the shocking truth: he's a wizard about to begin his education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsHarry can't wait to return for his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, until a house elf named Dobby warns him of terrible danger ahead. When students start turning to stone — and Harry is a prime suspect — the boy wizard must figure out what's really going on at Hogwarts.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanAs he begins his third year at Hogwarts, Harry learns that the notorious Sirius Black has escaped from prison — and might be after Harry. Learn these words from the third novel in J.K. Rowling's wildly popular fantasy series.
HeidiIn this classic novel, an orphaned girl goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Learn these words from the translation by Elisabeth P. Stork.
HolesIn this comic adventure, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a juvenile detention center where the inmates spend their days digging mysterious holes. But what on earth are they looking for?
HootTwelve-year-old Roy Ebehardt takes an unexpected interest in the plight of a group of owls endangered by a local pancake house.
Howl's Moving CastleIn this fantasy novel, Sophie must go on a quest to find a wizard in order to break a spell that has been cast on her.
I Am DavidThis novel chronicles a young boy's escape from an Eastern European prison camp.
InkheartMo has the power to bring characters from books into the real world; but when one of those characters kidnaps Mo, his daughter Meggie must embrace her own magical powers in order to rescue her father.
Island of the Blue DolphinsKarana's people have left her behind on the island where she was born. Now she must learn to survive while contending with fearsome wild dogs, an unforgiving landscape, and her own loneliness.
James and the Giant PeachIn this beloved novel, James Henry Trotter goes on an adventure in a giant peach accompanied by a group of oversized insects.
Johnny TremainThe year is 1773, and fourteen-year-old Johnny is an apprentice silversmith in Boston. When a terrible accident threatens his future, Johnny must quickly adapt — just as the American colonists join forces to break free from British rule.
Justin Morgan Had a HorseAfter Justin Morgan brings home a small colt named Little Bubb, his student Joel Goss trains the horse to become a world-famous breeding stallion.
Little House in the Big WoodsThe first book of the Little House series introduces the Ingalls family, pioneers living in Wisconsin in 1871.
Little MenIn this sequel to Little Women, Jo and Friedrich Bhaer run a school at Plumfield Estate. Read the full text here.
Little WomenMeg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March are sisters whose personalities couldn't be more different. They share joy and heartbreak growing up in the shadow of the Civil War.
Mary PoppinsIn this beloved novel, a magical nanny arrives at the Banks's home to care for two children, Jane and Michael.
MatildaBrilliant Matilda Wormwood finds clever ways to get the best of her ignorant parents and the cruel headmistress of her school.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's LibraryKyle and eleven other kids get the chance to stay overnight in Mr. Lemoncello's new, high-tech library. The children must solve a series of puzzles in order to find a way out of the library and win an amazing prize.
Mr. Popper’s PenguinsMr. Popper, who dreams of exploring the polar regions, receives a penguin as a gift — and soon he training an entire penguin family to be part of Popper's Performing Penguins.
My Side of the MountainCrowded by his parents and eight siblings in a New York City apartment, twelve-year-old Sam Gribley runs away to live by himself on his great-grandfather's abandoned farm in the Catskill Mountains.
Old YellerWhen their father goes off on a cattle drive, a family survives with a little help from a beloved pet dog. Learn these words from the classic novel by Fred Gipson.
On the Banks of Plum CreekIn this volume of the Little House series, the Ingalls family settles in Minnesota and overcomes many obstacles to survival.
Percy Jackson & The OlympiansIn this bestselling pentalogy, demigod Percy Jackson and his friends must battle mythological creatures and fulfill a prophecy. Book set image courtesy of Juniper Books
The Lightning ThiefPercy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1Percy Jackson's normal life is turned upside down when gods from Greek mythology accuse him of stealing a supernatural weapon. Percy must find the real thief — and figure out his connection to the gods.
The Titan's CursePercy and his demigod friends embark on a quest to find the missing goddess Artemis in the third book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.
Peter PanIn this classic novel, Peter Pan brings three children — Wendy, Michael, and John — to Neverland and tries to outwit his nemesis, Captain Hook.
PollyannaA classic of children's literature, this book tells the story of an orphan with a persistent, infectious sense of optimism. Read the full text here.
RedwallMatthias and the other mice of Redwall Abbey must fight off a horde of rat invaders led by the evil Cluny.
Rickshaw GirlIn a small Bangladeshi village where only boys are expected to earn money, ten-year-old Naimi disguises herself as a boy so she can get a job to help her struggling family.
Sarah, Plain and TallIn this award-winning book set in the late 1800s, a young woman answers an ad placed by a Midwestern man seeking a wife.
ShilohThis Newbery Medal-winning novel tells the story of a boy's efforts to protect a beloved dog from abuse.
SkelligMichael's world is in flux: he's just moved into a new house, and his baby sister is suffering from a terrible illness. When he discovers a mysterious creature named Skellig near death in his garage, things only get stranger.
SounderIn this powerful and heart-wrenching book, a sharecropper's family, including devoted dog Sounder, struggles to survive.
StormbreakerAfter being recruited by the Secret Intelligence Service, 14-year-old Alex Rider investigates a suspicious businessman.
Stuart LittleStuart Little may be a mouse, but he grows up with a human family and embarks on many bold adventures.
SwindleEleven-year-old Griffin hatches a plan to retrieve his prized baseball card from a swindler.
The BFGWhen Sophie meets the BFG — the Big Friendly Giant — they concoct a plan to prevent the other giants from eating humans.
The Black StallionStranded together on a deserted island after a shipwreck, a boy and a horse forge a close bond.
The BorrowersThis classic tale tells the story of the Clock family, a group of tiny people who live under the floorboards of a grandfather clock, and survive by sneakily "borrowing" food and small items from the humans who live in the house.
The Boxcar ChildrenThis first book of the series introduces the orphaned siblings Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden, who try to make a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar.
The Boy Who Harnessed the WindCreating Currents of Electricity and HopeThis memoir describes how Kamkwamba, who grew up in a small Malawian village, built a windmill to bring electricity to his family's home.
The CayShipwrecked and blinded from a torpedo attack, Phillip must conquer his prejudices when his only companion is an elderly West Indian man named Timothy.
The Incredible JourneyThis classic novel tells the story of three pets who go on a quest through the wilderness to reunite with their owner.
The Jungle BookIn this collection of stories set in India, Rudyard Kipling introduces beloved characters such as Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves, and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the courageous mongoose.
The Magician's ElephantIn the city of Baltese, a magician conjures an elephant out thin air and forever changes the lives of many people, including orphans Peter and Adele.
The Mysterious Benedict SocietyAfter taking a strange exam, four children are admitted to a secret society and tasked with infiltrating the sinister Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened.
The Phantom TollboothIn this novel filled with wordplay, the eternally bored Milo travels to the Lands Beyond and embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Learn these words from Norton Juster's beloved classic.
The Secret GardenWhen her parents die from an infectious outbreak in colonial India, ten-year-old Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle in England, where she discovers a garden that seems to make magical things happen. Read the full text here.
The Field GuideThe Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1Siblings Jared, Simon, and Mallory discover a guidebook to a magical world.
The Tale of DespereauxFor falling in love with a human princess, a mouse named Despereaux Tilling is sentenced to death in a rat-filled dungeon.
The Thief LordTranslated from German by Oliver Latsch, this story follows two brothers who run away to Venice and get mixed up in a plot to steal a piece of a magical merry-go-round.
The Trumpet of the SwanBorn mute, Louis the swan learns to read, write, and play the trumpet in the hopes of communicating with another swan named Serena.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham1963When the Watson family pays Grandma a visit in Alabama, they find themselves caught up in the battle for civil rights.
The Westing GameWhere there's a will, there's a motive to solve a murder. When eccentric millionaire Sam Westing dies, he leaves instructions for sixteen people to come to the reading of his will. With a fortune on the line, Westing's death becomes a puzzle they'll race to solve.
The Whipping BoyEvery time Prince Horace misbehaves, a poor boy named Jemmy suffers the consequences. When the prince and the whipping boy run away together, they are kidnapped by highwaymen — and they must plan a daring escape that will change both of their lives.
The Wind in the WillowsKenneth Grahame's classic novel recounts the adventures of four woodland friends: Mole, Rat, Badger, and the irrepressible Mr. Toad. Read the full text here.
The WitchesAfter learning about witches from his grandmother, a young boy accidentally stumbles into the witches' annual gathering — and decides to take on the Grand High Witch herself.
The Wonderful Wizard of OzDuring a cyclone, Dorothy Gale and her dog are transported from Kansas to a strange land where she seeks a wizard to help them get home.
Through the Looking-GlassIn this sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice climbs through a mirror (or looking-glass) into a fantastical land where she encounters the Red Queen, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty, and other whimsical characters.
HomecomingThe Tillerman Cycle, Book 1After they are abandoned by their mother, the four Tillerman children undertake a difficult journey to find a new home.
A Wrinkle in TimeMadeleine L'Engle's classic novel details the adventures of the precocious Murry children as they travel across space and time to track down their missing father.
Treasure IslandIn this tale of pirates and plunder, Jim Hawkins sets out for Skeleton Island to find buried treasure.
Tuck EverlastingAfter meeting the Tucks, a family that is able to live forever after drinking from a magical spring, Winnie Foster questions whether immortality is a blessing or a curse.
Watership DownA NovelIn this classic novel, a group of rabbits makes a perilous journey to find a new home.
When Zachary Beaver Came to TownIn this coming-of-age story, a thirteen-year-old boy learns about loss and friendship over the course of one eventful summer.
Where the Red Fern GrowsBilly saves enough money to buy two pups, Old Dan and Little Ann. Together they become one of the best hunting teams in the Ozarks—and devoted friends as well. But when the unthinkable happens, Billy must learn how to nurture hope in a time of tragedy.
The Dragonet ProphecyWings of Fire, Book 1Five young dragons are trained to fulfill a prophecy and end the wars among the dragon tribes.
WonderIn this novel, a boy with facial anomalies tries to navigate the sometimes treacherous world of public school.
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