Children's Books as Feature Films

The three children's books that I have chosen to discuss that were made into feature films are Freak the Mighty, Hatchet, and Holes.

First, Freak the Mighty, a novel with a movie version called The Mighty, is a wonderful, heart-warming book that shows how friendship can overcome many of life's obstacles and teaches the moral lesson that people shouldn't be judged just by looks alone.  This is one of my favorite books, and I teach it to my seventh grade classes every year.  We also watch the movie and, usually, students enjoy both about the same.  While the book and the movie do have the basic plot and characters, some minor details are changed--how the boys meet, how exactly Kevin finds Max when Max is kidnapped by his father, etc.  Of course, these changes are more than likely included  for "dramatic effect," but I never understand why the book just can't be left alone and the movie follow it more precisely. Still, I guess that is why I am a middle-income teacher and not a multi-millionaire movie producer.  Go figure!

Again, another of my favorite children's books which is not very much like its feature-film version is Hatchet. The movie version is actually called A Cry in the Wild, which is why I had a difficult time finding it the very first time I taught this book.   While the plot is basically the same--Brian Robeson is the sole survivor of a plan crash in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, left to try to live on his own--many elements of the book are changed, especially with the inclusion of a mysterious white wolf who comes to Brian's aide in the movie but is never once mentioned in the book.  Probably, dramatic effect--again--is the reason for this, but I think that the novel has enough excitement and adventure that nothing else should be added. 

Finally, the book Holes is actually a book with a feature film version that actually follows the novel very well.  In fact, I really can't think of any major changes between the two.  How refreshing!  I can say that the only down-side to this would be the fact that a student could watch the movie, not really read the book, and still pass the AR test.  However, it is nice to know that the producers thought this book well-written enough that nothing had to be changed or dramatized. 

Sttill, I do always try to show a video version of a story, if possible.  I think this helps the students see if their visual interpretations of the characters, setting, and plot are like that of the movie producers.  However, sometimes, as I have found with the novel The Outsiders, watching the movie can corrupt one's  imagination into always seeing the actor's' face every time that character is mentioned.  For example, I always picture C. Thomas Howell each time I teach The Outsiders and start reading about Ponyboy.  Sometimes, I wish I didn't do that, but I don't seem to be able to stop myself.

The Lion and the Mouse/The Sunday Outing/The Old African Jerry Pinkney, illustrator

Jerry Pinkney, writer and illustrator

Jerry Pinkney is a fabulous illustrator who, not surprisingly, has won several awards for his art, but was, unfortunately, someone I had not heard about prior to taking this class.  However, I am very  impressed by his work and very glad that I have been exposed to him and his art.

The first book I picked up by Pinkney was his recent creation, The Lion and the Mouse.  I was stunned by this book's beauty as well as how Pinkney's art tells the story without ever using a word.  Sitting in Barnes and Nobel that day and glancing at all the Caldecott Winners, I just happened to pick up this book and realize it was by Pinkney.  I was immediately enthralled!  In fact, I loved it so much, I shared with my daughters, and, they, like me, were in awe.  Pinkney uses watercolors, making his images look almost dream-like but still real. 

I also read The Sunday Outing which is illustrated by Pinkney and written by his wife, Gloria Jean Pinkney.  This wonderful story of  how a little girl's dream to ride on a train in order to visit her relatives in North Carolina comes true is further enhanced by Pinkney's illustrations.  I really enjoy the colors Pinkey uses in this book as well as the detail he gives to the characters' facial features.  All of their expressions really come to life, especially the illustration depicting Ernestine's friends as she is telling them about her trip.  Their looks exhibit wonder, happiness, and even jealously. 

Also, Pinkney illustrated Julius Lester's book The Old African, which I discussed in a previous blog.  Again, the artwork is exquisite with a dream-like quality that still shows the realism and horror of the characters' situations.  However, my favorite illustration in this book are the ones which depict the people traveling underwater back to their homes in Africa. These scenes not only show the characters but also the sea life, swimming around them, guiding them home.  It is simply beautiful.

I never realized how beatiful artwork utilizing watercolors can be, and I am not surprised that Pinkney is an award-winning illustrator.  Most of the other children's illustrations I have seen are trite, simple, humorous pictures which don't really show anything about the characters's plights or their situations.  Pinkney's illustration are nothing like this.  He truly is a first-class artist with whom, I am sure, many writers would love to collaborate.  I am very glad I know about him now, and I will continue to follow him and his art.

The Old African by Julius Lester

The Old African   Julius Lester

Never have read anything by Julius Lester previously, I didn't really think I would enjoy his work; I was wrong.  His book, The Old African, not only brought tears to my eyes, but, undoubtedly, will be one that I will never forget. 

My first impressions of looking through the book were not good; I felt that this book would be depressing, depicting the horror and brutality of slavery.  However, while this book did discuss this, I did not anticipate the hope it would express, and that it would actually have a happy ending.  I loved it! I loved that, for once, the "good guys" did prevail; I loved that, for once, the "bad guy" was completely destroyed; and, I loved, for once, that justice was served.  I had to remember, of course, that this was a children's book, but I was having a bad day when I read this--feeling down and stressed out--so I guess that is why I expected the book to also be like this.  Luckily, I was wrong, and this book actually changed my mood, from gloom to triumph.  As I said before, I love it when the good guys win!

Although I haven't read anything else by Lester, after researching, I found that many of his books focus on slavery, including books which have received Newbery Honors as well as Coretta Scott King honors and Jewish Book Award finalists.  In fact, I found a website, http://members.authorsguild.net/juliuslester/works.htm, where Lester discusses not only his books, but his motivations for writing his books. 

The realism of this book, however, did surprise me.  Although it does have a happy ending and the good guys do prevail, the focus on the Old African's horrific journey to America and the brutalities he endured were quite graphic.  At first, I was surprised that this book would be part of children's literature, but sometimes, I don't realize how much children are exposed to at younger and younger ages.  They need to realize, at a young age, what really happened to so many Africans on their voyage to the New World, so when they do grow up, they can better appreciate what they have and be more tolerant and accepting of others around them..  Furthermore, by not "watering down" these horrors, both children and adults like can really visualize how awful these journeys were. 

Again, Lester is an author I plan to read again.  He is a spectular writer.