Rueben's Ramblings

At the end of 2013, I posted the sixth part of an ongoing series of articles about books that are being made into films. Since that time, I have been collecting details on more books that will be adapted to the big screen; and given how long it has been since I posted a new part to this series, it only seemed right to revisit the list. There are no specific timelines on when any of these films will be seen at your local theatre, but they are being developed nonetheless:

They appear in alphabetical order:

The Atlantis Gene by A.G. Riddle

Atlantis (Trilogy) – CBS Films has secured the rights to the trilogy of sci-fi novels by A.G. Riddle (The Atlantis Gene, The Atlantis Plague and The Atlantis World). The first book in the series revolves around a brilliant geneticist and an international counterterrorism agent who team to thwart a global pandemic and solve the greatest mystery of all time: the truth behind the origins of humanity.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I’ll Give You The Sun – Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to the young adult novel by Jandy Nelson (that will be on bookshelves next month). The book is a coming-of-age drama about teenage twins, Noah and Jude, who are both budding artists torn apart in the wake of a family tragedy. They are later reunited as they put the pieces back together and begin to define themselves not just as artists but as human beings as they process first love, betrayal, family, and the power of personal expression through art.

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Love Letters to the Dead – Fox 2000 has optioned the debut novel by Ava Dellaira that follows Laurel, a high school student whose beloved older sister has died under mysterious circumstances. Emotionally frayed by the loss, she unexpectedly finds catharsis in an assignment from her English teacher: write a letter to a dead person. Instead of handing in the assignment, though, she begins an ongoing series of letters to an eclectic group of rock stars, poets, and popular icons such as Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Amelia Earhart, and Amy Winehouse. She writes to her epistolary confidants about navigating new and complicated friendships, learning to live with her splintering family and falling in love for the first time. Ultimately, the letters reveal the painful truth about her past.

Merlin: The Lost Years by T. A. Barron

Merlin: The Lost Years – Disney is working on an adaptation of the T. A. Barron young adult book series for the big screen. The books center on a teen who will one day be the powerful mage who sits at the right hand of King Arthur. But first he has many lessons to master, including how to temper his darker leanings and his pride. Much of the action takes place on the enchanted isle of Fincayra, where the teen wizard embarks on many a quest with female companion Rhia and wannabe jester Bumbelwy. The antagonist is Rhita Gawr, a spirit world warlord.

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not A Drop To Drink – Fickle Fish Films (the production company of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight franchise) have optioned the rights to the debut young adult novel by Mindy McGinnis. The story centers on Lynn, whose survival in the dystopian world means protecting her precious freshwater pond against drought, snowless winters, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand. But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers are coming.

The Finished by David Baldacci

The Finisher – Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights to the young adult novel by David Baldacci that centers on a regimented community named Wormwood that is surrounded by a forest filled with mysterious and dangerous beasts. When the 14-year old protagonist spies her mentor running into that forest, it sets the girl on a mystical adventure to find the truth about her town.

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

The Here and Now – Alcon Entertainment, Alloy Entertainment and 8:38 Productions have teamed to acquire the latest young adult novel by Ann Brashares (the woman behind The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book series). The novel is an epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

The Wonder of All Things by Jason Mott

The Wonder Of All Things – Lionsgate has acquired the rights to the sophomore novel by Jason Mott (who wrote The Returned on which the ABC series Resurrection is based). The stories follows what happens when a pilot loses control of his plane during an air show and crashes into the stands. Two 13-year-old best friends, Wash and Ava, are trapped beneath the rubble. They are found by rescuers, but Wash is seriously injured, a chunk of steel protruding from his belly. Ava tries to help him by pulling free the metal, but blood rushes out; he’s dying. She panics and puts her hands on the wound, crying. When she pulls her hands away, the wound is gone, healed without a scar. Rescuers captured the miracle on their cell phone cameras. It goes up on YouTube, and she becomes the center of attention from media, scientists and religious leaders.

Only Everything (True Love Trilogy) by Kieran Scott

True Love – Boardwalk Entertainment Group and Not My Father’s Company have acquired the rights to this young adult book trilogy by Kieran Scott; the first book “Only Everything” came out in May of this year. The book series follows a teenage female Cupid named Eros who is expelled from Olympus for defying Zeus after falling in love with Orion. She is banished to (of all places) New Jersey — what she believes to be hell — and must match three couples without the use of her powers to save the love of her life from the wrath of the gods.

Given the proliferation of young adult novels being made into films it will be interesting to see how these adaptations turn out; especially to learn if they will become box office smashes or disasters.

Do you have a book you would like to see made into a film? Or do any of the above strike your fancy? Or would you rather not see any of the books listed above be made into a film for whatever reason? Please share.