There’s a special kind of magic in seeing a world you’ve imagined in your head come to life on a movie screen. For young readers, it’s a thrilling experience that can deepen their love for a story. A “read the book, then watch the movie” challenge is one of the best ways to encourage reading.
But not all adaptations are created equal. This list features four fantastic movies that not only do justice to the original book but stand as great films in their own right.
Read the Book First!
The best way to experience these stories is to read the book before you start the movie. We can help you get a copy of any of these titles delivered anywhere in Vietnam.
Holes by Louis Sachar
A story of curses, friendship, and digging holes in the desert.
Wrongfully sent to a juvenile detention camp in the middle of the desert, Stanley Yelnats is forced to dig a hole five feet deep every single day. He soon realizes they’re not just digging to build character; they’re looking for something. This Newbery Medal winner is a brilliantly clever story that weaves together past and present in a truly satisfying way.
- The Verdict: Both are amazing, but Read It First.
- Why: The movie is a fantastic and incredibly faithful adaptation. However, reading the book first allows you to experience the clever way the different storylines click into place like a perfect puzzle.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
A young woman is cursed by a witch and seeks refuge in a wizard’s magical, moving castle.
Sophie Hatter is transformed into an old woman by the Witch of the Waste and finds her way into the service of the flamboyant and mysterious Wizard Howl. This book is a charming, funny, and wonderfully chaotic fantasy adventure, different in many ways from the famous film.
- The Verdict: Read It, Even If You’ve Seen the Movie!
- Why: Studio Ghibli’s film is a breathtaking masterpiece of animation, but it tells a very different story. The book is quirkier, funnier, and focuses more on the characters’ relationships. Experiencing both gives you two completely different, wonderful stories.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A curious girl discovers a secret door that leads to a much more sinister version of her own life.
Coraline Jones is bored until she finds a door to another flat in her house. At first, this “Other World” seems perfect, with better food and parents who pay attention to her. But her Other Mother has black buttons for eyes, and she wants Coraline to stay with her… forever. It’s a wonderfully creepy and brave story.
- The Verdict: Read It First.
- Why: The stop-motion film is a visual marvel, but the book is genuinely terrifying in a quiet, psychological way that only prose can achieve. The book feels more like a dark fairytale, and it’s an experience every young reader should have.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In a dystopian future, 24 teens are forced to fight to the death on live television.
When her younger sister is chosen for the annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her place. It’s a gripping, high-stakes story of survival, rebellion, and the power of hope against a brutal regime. This is the series that defined the YA dystopian boom of the 2010s.
- The Verdict: Read It First.
- Why: The movies are great, but the book is told entirely from Katniss’s first-person perspective. Being inside her head—feeling her fear, her strategic thinking, and her internal conflicts—is a much more intense and personal experience.
Plan Your Next Family Book Club Night
These stories are perfect for readers moving from middle grade into more complex themes. For more ideas, check out our guides for readers aged 8-12 and for teens
Start a New Adventure
Pick a story, read the book, watch the movie, and let the debates begin!