With so many films based on an original book, there is plenty of opportunity to get reluctant readers involved. Books can be bought or borrowed from the library, and are often one in a series of novels, for example the James Bond novels from Ian Fleming.

Below is a list of upcoming films that are based on books (for both children and adults), please note that production schedules mean that often release dates are subject to change. 2008 will also see the return of films based on the famous comic book characters the Hulk, Batman and Hellboy.

Please note that this list is intended as a basis for suggestions of reads using the film as an incentive, and are not endorsed by the NLT. For an online database of books that have been made into films, visit www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/readers/movies For more information on teaching resources based on films and film-making, visit www.filmeducation.org/

December 2007

The Golden Compass is based on the novel by Philip Pullman, which is called Northern Lights in the UK. It is the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy. The story follows Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon, who embark on adventures which take her from Oxford, to London and on to the frozen Arctic, where witch-clans and ice bears fight.

February 2008

Jumper based on the science fiction novel of the same name by Steven Gould. "A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between 'Jumpers' and those who have sworn to kill them."

March 2008

Horton Hears a Who! Is based on the 1954 book by Dr. Seuss. One day, Horton the elephant (Jim Carrey supplies the voice) hears a cry for help coming from a speck of dust. Even though he can't see anyone on the speck, he decides to help it. As it turns out, the speck of dust is home to the Whos, who live in their city of Whoville. Horton agrees to help protect the Whos and their home.

Meet the Browns is based on the play Meet the Browns written by Tyler Perry. A single mother living in inner city Chicago, Brenda has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. But when she's laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time -- until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she's never met.

Wanted is loosley based on the comic book miniseries of the same name by Mark Millar. Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is offered the opportunity to seek revenge in the murder of his father, who was an assassin. Gibson is invited by his father's partner, Sloan (Morgan Freeman), to follow in his father's footsteps. Sloan's second-in-command (Angelina Jolie) mentors Gibson. Wesley Gibson follows the death orders issued by the Fates, weavers who read individuals' destinies in fabrics produced by mystical looms.

Inkheart (PG) is a fantasy novel based on the novel of the same name by Cornelia Funke. It is the first in the Inkworld Trilogy of books. Meggie's father, Mo (Brendan Fraser), has a wonderful and sometimes terrible ability. When he reads aloud from books, he brings the characters to life--literally.

21 is based on the on Bringing down the house by Ben Mezrich. The film revolves around Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), who joins the MIT Blackjack Team in 1993. Guided by his mentor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey), the Blackjack Team becomes MIT's most profitable.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG) is based on the series of children’s books of the same name by Holly Black and Tony Diterlizzi. The story is about three children who battle goblins and other magical creatures who are after Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide.

April 2008

Nim's Island is based on the fantasy adventure book of the same name by Wendy Orr. Nim is a young girl who imagines an island to be magical, basing its mystic nature on the experiences of her favorite fictional character, Alex Rover. When Nim's father goes missing on the island, Nim teams up with Alexandra , the author of the Alex Rover books and Rover himself. Stars Jodie Foster and Gerard Butler.

The Ruins is an adult horror-thriller film based on the novel of the same name by Scott Smith. It follows a group of friends who become entangled in a brutal struggle for survival after visiting a remote archaeological dig in the Mexican jungle, where they discover something deadly living among the ruins.

May 2008

Iron Man is the first film independently produced by Marvel Studios and based around the fictional Iron Man character from the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. A billionaire industrialist, Stark, is captured by terrorists in Afghanistan. Ordered to build a missile, Stark uses his resources instead to build a suit of power armor and make his escape. Returning to America, Stark improves his armor and becomes the technologically advanced superhero Iron Man. Stars Robert Downey Jr, Gweneth Paltrow, Terrance Howard and Jeff Bridges.

Midnight Meat Train is an adult horror film based on Clive Barker's 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of Barker's Books of Blood. The film will follow an NYC photographer who attempts to track down a serial killer dubbed the "Subway Butcher" and discovers more than he bargained for under the city streets. Stars Vinnie Jones adn Brooke Shields.

June 2008

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is based on the second in the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. The four Pevensie children return to Narnia to aid a young prince in his struggle for the throne against his corrupt uncle King Miraz.

August 2008

Journey 3-D is a 3-D adaptation of Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The film will be set in the modern day and with the landscape and creatures computer generated. Stars Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson.

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 is based on the fourth novel, Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood in the series of the same name by Ann Brashares. Stars America Ferrera.

September – December 2008 (the schedules on these films are subject to change)

Nights in Rodanthe is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Adrienne Willis (Diane Lane), a woman with her life in chaos, retreats to the tiny coastal town of Rodanthe, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, to tend to a friend's inn for the weekend. Almost as soon as Adrienne arrives, a major storm is forecast and a guest named Dr. Paul Flanner (Richard Gere) arrives.

Blindness is based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Jose Saramago about an epidemic causes blindness in a modern city, resulting in the collapse of society.

Babylon A.D. is a science fiction film based on the novel Babylon Babies by Maurice Georges Dantec. A young woman (Mélanie Thierry) has been genetically tampered with, possessing a virus that could kill the human race. A mercenary (Vin Diesel) is hired to escort the woman, and they are accompanied by a nun (Michelle Yeoh).

Body of Lies is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by David Ignatius. It is about a CIA operative who goes to Jordan to track a high-ranking terrorist. Stars Leanardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.

Where the Wild Things Are is based on the children’s picture book of the same name. The film concerns the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max, who is angry after being sent to his room without supper. He then creates a forest inhabited by many large imaginary monsters, who crown him their ruler.

City of Ember is based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Jeanne Duprau. Stars Bill Murray.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is based on the sixth novel in the Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling. This film will be released in two parts.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A 50-year-old man (Brad Pitt) begins aging backwards, causing complications when he falls in love with a 30 year old woman (Cate Blanchett).

Angels and Demons is based on the novel of the same name by Dan Brown.

Revolutionary Road is based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Richard Yates. In Connecticut in the 1950s, Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet) purchase a new home from Mrs. Givings (Kathy Bates), who introduces them to the town. During the couple's stay, their relationship begins to fall apart due to arguing and jealousy.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread is a fantasy book written by Kate DiCamillo that won the Newbery Medal in 2004. The hero of the story is Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with large ears, who falls hopelessly in love with the beautiful human Princess Pea. Despereaux was dubbed unusual by the other mice immediately after his birth because he was born with his eyes open, a rather large pair of ears, and a tiny body.