
World TV Day on November 21st recognizes books adapted to film. Anti-bias literature and anti-bias film depictions are both extremely important in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood to highlight equality and equity. The words in literature can depict an image, but film can visually show the audience what diversity and equity looks like.
In addition, comparing book and film adaptations of a narrative can also provide an opportunity for further analysis, critical thinking, and engagement of young people in processes of understanding and even advocating for true anti-bias depictions.
In this curated book list for World TV Day, you can find middle school to young adult books that have been adapted to films that highlight social disparity, cultural and racial diversity, and historical events. There are also two books that are in the process of being adapted to film, so be on the look out for those movies!
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Reading Level: Young Adult
Film Version: Made into film in 2008
Combines Beautiful Boy by David Sheff and Tweak by Nic Sheff
Reading Level: Young Adult
Film Version: Made into film in 2018
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Reading Level: Young Adult
Additional Reviews:
Film Version: Made into film in 2013
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Reading Level: Appropriate for grades 6-8
Film Version: Made into film in 2017
Reading Level:Young Adult
Film Version: Made into film in 1993
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reading Level:Young Adult
Film Version: Made into film in 2018
Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter by James S. Hirsch
Reading Level: Young Adult
Film Version: Made into film in 1999
John Henry by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney
Reading Level: Children’s book
Film Versions: Disney film in 2000, Upcoming Netflix film in January 2020
Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman's Firsthand Account of World War II by Philip Handleman
Reading Level: Young Adult
Film Version: Made into film in 1995
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Reading Level: Young Adult
Film Version:Upcoming film- produced by Universal
Darius the Great is not Okay by Abid Khorram
Reading Level:
Grades 6-8, High School
Film Version: Upcoming film