The most frequently challenged (banned) books in the US, that have a screen adaption, 2010-2019

This is a companion piece to The most frequently challenged (banned) books, that have a screen adaption. 1990-2009, and Frequently Challenged (banned) books in Canada that have a Screen Adaption.

Every 10 years The American Library Association releases a top 100 list of books that are most challenged/requested by people and organizations to be banned from libraries and schools.

"A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice." - ALA Website. - 2017 

The full lists are at ALA.org. 

At the time of writing this 40 of the 100 titles have a screen adaption. 

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher; [First Published in 2007]: 13 Reasons Why (2017-2020)            
Hannah Baker committed suicide before her death she sends 13 tapes of the 13 people/ reasons why and sent it to a classmate to listen and to give a copy of the tape to each person she talks about. The TV series continues the story after the events of the book.

1984 by George Orwell; [First Published in 1949]: 1984 (1956/1984)                                                     In a future the Earth has been split into Empires. In Oceania one of these three Empires, Winston Smith a man that works for the Ministry of Truth rewriting history, and news to fit the government narrative. One day he meets Julia a woman and falls in love an act of rebellion in itself.  This leads him to become an enemy of the State. 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain; [First published in 1884]: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939/1955/1960), The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993), Huckleberry Finn (1974/1975) 
 The sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain [First Published in 1875].  Huckleberry Finn runs away from home and joins a runaway slave traveling on the Mississippi River having many adventures along the way. 

Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; [First Published in 1985]: Alice Upside Down (2007) 
The series has 25 books, and 3 prequels Alice McKinley is entering her teenage years and has various misadventures with growing up, dating/relationships, friendships, finding role models and family issues.  

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank; [First Published in 1947] Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (1959); The Diary of Anne Frank (1980); The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank (1988); Anne Frank the Whole Story (2001); The Diary of Anne Frank (2009)                
 The Diary of Anne Frank a young Jewish girl hiding with her family from the Nazi’s during WWII. 

Beloved, by Toni Morrison; [First published in 1987]: Beloved (1998)
Set during and after the American Civil War a runaway slave escapes from Kentucky to the free state of Ohio. After escaping she does the best for her family while dealing with the ghosts of the past.

Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo A. Anaya; [First published in 1972]: Bless Me, Ultima (2013) 
A coming-of-age story about a young Chicano, that is growing up in New Mexico and being mentored by a curandera that he is related to.

(A curandera is a female healer that uses folk medicine and mysticism for healing). 

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley; [First Published in 1932] Brave New World (1980/1998) Brave New World Series (2020)
Set in the future a totalitarian utopia exists through genetic engineering, drugs, sex and brain washing. However, one-man longs to be free.

Burned by Ellen Hopkins; [First Published in 2006] Burned (2019)                                                
Pattyn is a 17-year-old girl that is struggling with Mormon teachings and lifestyle. After getting into trouble, she goes to live with her Aunt Jeanette that gives her a new perspective on the world and religion. 

Captain Underpants (series), by Author & Illustrator Dav Pilkey; [First Published in 1997]: Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018-?) 
A 12-book series about a 2 fourth grade boys who hypnotize their principle into becoming a superhero called Captain Underpants. 

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; [First Published in 1951]                                                    
After getting expelled from Holden Caulfield spends a few days in New York dealing with depression, looking for love and or sex and reflecting on his view of the world.                         

While there is no adaption to the book by J.D. Salinger however there is a Biopic about the author’s life titled Rebel In The Rye (2017)

A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess;[First published in 1962]: A Clockwork Orange (1971) 
Set in a future England a sociopathic gang leader Alex is caught for attempted robbery and murder. Once in prison Alex is chosen for an experimental behavior-modification treatment that makes him severely ill at the mere thought of violence. After treatment and being released from prison society takes advantage of his conditioned state. 

The Color Purple, by Alice Walker; [First published in 1982]: The Color Purple (1985)                    
Set in Georgia during the 1930’s the story is about a black woman of low social status, suffers abuse from her father and other people in her life over four decades. 

CRANK, by Ellen Hopkins; [First Published in 2004] CRANK: Flirting with the Monster (2015)  Kristina Snow a well-behaved nice girl goes to New Mexico to visit her Father. While on the trip she tries crystal meth aka crank and enjoys it. Kristina soon becomes addicted getting her into trouble and struggles with her addiction. 

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card; [First Published in 1985]: Enders Game (2013) 
After barley defeat the Formics an alien race that want to take over the Earth. The Earth government starts training children to be future military leaders. The protagonist Ender Wiggin is a genius at tactics, games, and strategy quickly rises in the ranks to the point of being the perfect General. 

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer; [First Published in 2005] Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) 
Oskar is a 9-year-old boy that lost his father during the 9/11 attacks on 9/11/2001. One day he finds a key in his father’s belongs and sets out to find the lock it goes to helping the boy learn about himself and to find closure.

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James; [First Published in 2011]:  Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) 
A literature student meets billionaire Christian Grey a man with specific sexual and romantic tastes. Together they pursue a relationship.

The Glass Castle by Janet Wells; [First Published in 2005]: The Glass Castle (2017)                        
The Glass Castle is a memoir about unconventional parents with issues that create a difficult childhood for the author and her siblings. The siblings eventually leave home and become successful. 

The Giver, by Lois Lowry: [First published in 1993]: The Giver (2014)                                               
Set in the future a boy is given starts training for a special position with his society and government. This helps him to realize that his utopian society is really a highly controlled dystopia.

Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine: [First Published in 1992] Goosebumps (TV Series) (1995-1998), Goosebumps (2015), Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)                                  
Goosebumps is a series of horror novellas that follow child characters, who find themselves dealing with unusual situations; that usually involve the supernatural and or science fiction. There are 62 book are printed under the original umbrella title. With several spin offs. 

Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar: [First Published in 2002] Gossip Girl (2007-2012) 
A book series that follow the lives, and romances of privileged elite teens from the Upper East Side Manhattan.  

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood: [First published in 1985]: The Handmaid’s Tale (1990) TV Series (2017-2022) 
Set in a dystopian future a totalitarian government runs a country called Gilead where all fertile women are stripped of rights and must serve as surrogates for infertile wives of the rich and powerful.

 The Hate U Give by Angie Tomas; [First Published in 2017] The Hate U Give (2018)                    
Star Carter is a 16-year-old black girl in a poor part of town. One night Star leaves a party with Khalil a childhood friend. They are pulled over for a traffic violation. The situation becomes tense, and Star witnesses the officer shooting Kahlil. After that night Star testifies in court and becomes activist. She and her family face the challenges of her activism. 

 The Holy Bible by GOD, [First Published Unknown]                                                                        
There are many screen adoptions of the Bible in whole or part for various ages, and dominations. 

The House of Spirits, by Isabel Allende: [First published in1982]: The House of Spirits (1993)   
Three generations of the Trueba family are chronicle through personal and political upheaval in Latin America during the 20^th Century. 

The Hunger Games by, Suzanne Collins; [First Published in 2008] The Hunger Games (2012)
Set in a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s spot in the annual death game that sets 24 young people (between the ages of 12 -18) against each other for entertainment for the elite and to exert control over the lower castes. 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou: [First published in 1969]: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979)
The autobiography is about the early years of poet, writer, singer, and activist Maya Angelou 1928 - 2014. 

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini: [First published in 2003]: The Kite Runner (2007)             
Tells the story of a friendship between two boys beginning in the final days of the Afghanistan Monarchy and into the rise of the Taliban Regime. 

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; [First Published in 1955]: Lolita (1962/1997) 
A man marries his landlady so he can be close to her underage daughter that he secretly desires.

Looking For Alaska by John Green; [First Published in 2005] Looking For Alaska (2019) 
Miles Halter goes to Culver Creek Preparatory High School in Alabama where he forms friendships with three other students. When one of the friends ends up dead the group looks for answers and grow as people. 

Madeline and the Gypsies by Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline; [First Published in 1958]: Madline (1998) Madeline TV Series (1989-2001) 
Madeline and her friend Pepito visit a traveling Gypsie Carnival become lost and temporally join the carnival as performers. The Movie is about Madeline trying to save her beloved school and the TV series covers the series. 

Monster by Walter Dean Myers; [First Published in 1999]: All Rise (2018)                                      
Steve Harmon is a 17-year-old student that has been arrested for a robbery that resulted in a murder in the State New York. The rest of the story is legal battle he must go through to prove his guilt or innocence. 

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck: [First published in 1937]: Of Mice and Men (1939, 1968, 1981, 1992)  
Two drifters working the fields during The Great Depression George and Lennie work to achieve their dream of having their own land. Until an accidental murder kills the shared dream they have about a better life. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky: [First published in 1999]: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)                                                                                                                                  
A coming-of-age novel set in the early 1990’s about an introvert starting high school, dealing with death, drugs, sex, abortion and family and coming to terms with being molested as a child. 

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi; [First Published in 2000]: Persepolis (2007)                              
Memoir told by Marjane and her childhood during the Islamic Revolution in Iran beginning in the 1970’s. Marjane tells her story about growing up and witnessing the world changing. 

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (series) by Alvin Schwartz, Illustrator Stephen Gammell; [First Published in 1981]: Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (2019) Scary Stories (2018)                       
The books series is a collection of short scary stories based on folklore, urban legends, and history. The 2019 film is set in the 1968 about a group of teens that experience several of their stories because of a ghostly curse. 

The Documentary Scary Stories (2018) is about the books, the author, becoming one of the most banned book series and the art it has inspired.

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson: [First published in 1999]: Speak (2004) 
At the final party of the summer a high school freshman calls the police ending the party. Unable to say why she called the police due to a trauma that happened during the party she becomes a loner. Through art she is able to overcome what happened and speak up.

The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien; [First published in 1990]: A Soldier’s Sweetheart (1998)  
A set of connected short stories about US soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War. 

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee: [First published in 1960]: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)        Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the depression era Deep South defends a black man accused of raping a white woman in a court of law. While teaching his children about predigest people have.

The Walking Dead (series) by Robert Kirkman & Illustrator Tony Moore; [First Published in 2004]:The Walking Dead (2010-2022); Fear The Walking Dead (2015-2023); The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020) 
Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes is injured in the line of duty and falls into a coma. When he wakes up, he finds the hospital deserted and the world changed by the walking dead. Rick and other survivors fight to stay alive.

 

Frequently Challenged (banned) books in Canada that have a Screen Adaption

After the success of the banned challenged books with screen adaption; I wanted to make another one, so I looked up the challenged (banned) books in Canada. Freedomtoread.ca; this site is a part of Canada’s Freedom To Read Week; Similar to the US Banned Books Week. On this site I found that they have a list of challenged (banned) works.  I searched through the list and found everything with a screen adaption. 

On 12/20/2018 I added a brief synopsis. On 01/2023 This was updated with additional challenged (banned) books from the freedomtoread.ca/challenged-works. 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain: [First published in 1884]: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939/1955/1960), The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993), Huckleberry Finn (1974/1975)

A sequel to Tom Sawyer it is the adventures of a runaway slave and a white boy in the Mississippi Valley. 

Antigone by Sophocles; [First published in 441 B.C.]:  Antigone (1961/2011), Antigone at Barbican (2015)

A play that picks up after and expands on the Theban Legend of Seven Against Thebes. The myth has the Adrastus the King of Argos recruiting seven heroes to lead an army to restore Polynices the son of Oedipus to the throne of Thebes. Each hero was to lead his men in attacking one of the seven gates of Thebes.

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, by Mordecai Richler; [First Published in 1959]: The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974)

The younger son in a third-generation Jewish immigrant family living in Montreal, Canada becomes obsessed with money, success, and high society. The story is about his short and dubious rise, as well as his changing relationships with his family. 

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson; [First Published in 1977]: Bridge To Terabithia (1985/2007)

A boy befriends a new girl and together they create Terabithia a magical fantasy world where they rule as king and queen.

A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess; [First published in 1962]: A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Set in a future England a sociopathic gang leader Alex is caught for attempted robbery and murder. Once in prison Alex is chosen for an experimental behavior-modification treatment that makes him severely ill at the mere thought of violence. After treatment and being released from prison society takes advantage of his conditioned state. 

Deliverance, by James Dickey; [First Published in 1970]: Deliverance (1972)

4 men go on a multiday canoe trip in the Georgia wilderness. While on the trip they run into a pair of mountain people that proceed to rape and kill members of their party. This results in a kill or be killed fight for survival. 

Different Seasons, by Steven King; [First Published in 1982]: The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Apt Pupil (1998), Stand By Me (1986)

A collection of four novellas by Steven King that relate to each of the four seasons. The Four stories are Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption; Apt Pupil; The Body; and The Breathing Method.

Fear Street(series) by R.L. Stein [First Published in 1989] Fear Street: Part One -1994 (2021), Fear Street: Part Two - 1978 (2021), Fear Street: Part Three - 1666 (2021)
The book series is about the fictional town of Shadyside with a residential street named Fear Street and a wealthy family that settled in the area. Various teens in the town face and survive curses, ghosts, cults, supernatural events, murderers, and all manner of horror situations as well as high school. The film trilogy is about a reoccurring curse that puts a group of teens in danger. The teens investigate the history of the curse as they try to survive.

 

Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang, by Joyce Carol Oates; [First Published in 1993]: Foxfire (1996/2012)

Set in the 1950’s in upstate New York five girls create a gang called Foxfire. At first the gang performs petty crimes and activism. In time the gang and activities grow in scope until the gang implodes. 

The Giver, by Lois Lowry; [First published in 1993]: The Giver (2014)

Set in the future a boy sees realizes that his utopian society is really a controlled dystopia. 

Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous: [First published in 1971]: Go Ask Alice (1973/2009)

Taking place from 1968 – 1970 a 14 young girl develops a drug habit and begins a downward spiral to rock bottom.

Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine: [First Published in 1992] Goosebumps (1995-1998), Goosebumps (2015), Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)

Goosebumps is a series of horror novellas that follow child characters, who find themselves dealing with situations; that usually involve supernatural elements. There are 62 books are printed under the original umbrella title. With several spin offs. 

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood: [First published in 1985]: The Handmaid’s Tale (1990) TV Series (2017-?)

Set in a dystopian future a totalitarian government runs a country called Gilead where all fertile women are stripped of rights and must serve as surrogates for infertile wives of the rich and powerful.  

Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling: [First Published in 1997] Harry Potter (series) (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011)

Several novels chronicling the adventures of Harry Potter at his friends at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  

His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman [First Published in 1995]: The Golden Compass (2007), His Dark Materials (2019-?)

A trilogy about a girl that travels between worlds to save a multiverse from being destroyed.

Hold Fast, by Kevin Major; [First Published in 1978]: Hold Fast (2013)

A 14-year-old boy named Michael recently orphaned and sent to live with an Uncle. Unable to live with his controlling Uncle he runs away with his cousin to live the Canadian wilderness.

The Holy Bible by GOD, [First Published Unknown]

There are many screen adoptions of the Bible in whole or part for various ages, and dominations. 

I Don't Like You at All, Big Brother!!;  Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne—!!  By Kouichi Kusano; I Don't Like You at All, Big Brother!!;  Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne—!!  (2011)

 A manga series about a boy has three girls fighting over him including his adopted younger sister.  (Who is the most determined of the three girls). 

The Indian In the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks; [First Published in 1980]: The Indian In the Cupboard (1995)

A boy uses a magic key to bring a plastic Indian (and other toys to life). It is followed by four additional books. 

A Jest of God, by Margaret Laurence; [First Published in 1966]: Rachel, Rachel (1968)

A Canadian school teacher has a summer affair and deals with the consequences on her life and career. 

Lives of Girls and Women, by Alice Munro; [First Published in 1971]: Lives of Girls and Women (1994)

Set in rural Ontario during the 1940’s a coming-of-age tale about a girl growing up and dealing with mother, daughter issues. 

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck: [First published in 1937]: Of Mice and Men (1939, 1968, 1981, 1992)

Two drifters working the fields during The Great Depression George and Lennie work to achieve their dream of having their own land. Until an accidental murder kills the dream they have. 

On the Banks of Plum Creek, by Laura Ingalls Wilder; [First Published in 1937] (The First Little House book was published in 1932). Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983)/(2005)  Beyond The Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder (1999), Beyond The Prairie Part 2: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder (2002)

On the Banks of Plum Creek is the fourth book in the Little House on the Prairie series. After leaving the little house on the Kansas Prairie, the Ingalls family moves to Plum Creek, Minnesota. It covers the Laura’s first-time in public school for the first time and deal with hardship because of grasshoppers. 

Outrageously Alice, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; First [Published in 1997] (The first Alice Book was Published in 1985) Alice Upside Down (2007)
This is book 9 of 25 (not including the 3 prequels) from the Alice Series. Alice enters 8^th Grade and tries to be more exciting and outrageous. It backfires and puts herself in situations that are embarrassing rather than exciting. 

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi [First Published in 2000] Persepolis (2007)                   

Memoir told by Marjane and her childhood during the Islamic Revolution in Iran beginning in the 1970’s. Marjane tells her story about growing up and witnessing the world changing. 

Silent Witness, by Richard North Patterson; [First Published in 1991]: Silent Witness (2011)
The second book in the Tony Lord mysteries. Tony Lord is investigating the murder of a 16-year-old Salt Lake City high school track star. 

Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson; [First published in 1994]: Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)

Set in the 1950’s in the Pacific Northwest a white fisher man is found dead, and a Japanese American is accused of murder and put on trial.  

The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas; [First Published in 1844]: The Three Musketeers (1921. 1933, 1935, 1939, 1942, 1948, 1973, 1993, 2011) The Musketeer (2001), The Musketeers (2014-2016) There are a lot more screen adaptions than what is listed.

Set in 1625 D'Artagnan sets out to join the Musketeers. Unable to become an official member he befriends the top three musketeers and helps them to defend the kingdom.  

Tintin in America, by Herge; [First published 1932] (The first TinTin book was Published in 1930): The Adventures of Tintin (1991-1992)/(2011) 

This is volume 3 of 24 volumes of the Tintin Series.  TinTin goes to Chicago to report on organized crime. Chasing a gangster into the west he encounters a tribe of Blackfoot and learns from them before taking down the Chicago crime syndicate. 

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee: [First published in 1960]: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the depression era Deep South defends a black man accused of raping a white woman in a court of law. While teaching his children about predigest. 

The Valour and the Horror; The Untold story of Canadians in The Second World War, by Merily Weisbord and Merilyn Simonds Mohr; The Valour and the Horror (1992)

It is about significant Canadian battles from the Second World War. 

The Wars, by Timothy Findley; [First Published in 1977]: The Wars (1983)

A 19-year-old Canadian joins the Army and fights in WWI then deals with the things he did as a solider during the war. 

Get the full list here http://www.freedomtoread.ca/challenged-works/

The most frequently challenged (banned) books in the US, that have a film adaption 1990-2009

The most frequently challenged (banned) books, In the US that have a screen adaption. 1990-2009 

Every 10 years The American Library Association releases a top 100 list of books that are most challenged/requested by people and organizations to be banned from libraries and schools.

"A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice." - ALA Website.

I took the lists from 1990-1999 and 2000-2009. For various reasons several books are on both lists making the combined list 100 plus over those 20 years. This blog being what it is I focused on the books that have been adapted to the screen. 69 books of the 100 plus have an adaption. 

The full lists are at ALA.org.


On 12/20/2018 I updated and added a I added a brief synopsis.

A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving [First published in 1989]: Simon Birch (1998)

Set in the 1960’s Owen a disabled boy believes that he is an instrument of God and embarks on a mission to fulfill his fate.

A Time to Kill, by John Grisham [First published in 1989]: A Time to Kill (1996)

A 10-year-old girl is raped and beaten by 2 white supremacists. Her Father gets an assault rifle and kills the men. A capital murder trail follows the killing.  

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle [First published in 1962]: A Wrinkle in Time (2003/2018)

The story is about a brother, sister and their friend travel to another planet to save their father and stop a great evil from taking over the universe.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain [First published in 1884]: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939/1955/1960), The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993), and Huckleberry Finn (1974/1975)

A sequel to Tom Sawyer it is the adventures of a runaway slave and a white boy in the Mississippi Valley. 

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain [First Published in 1876]: Tom Sawyer (1917, 1930, 1938, 1973) Tom and Huck (1995)

Set in the 1840’s a young boy’s life and adventures in a small town in Missouri along the Mississippi River.

America: A Novel, by E.R. Frank [First Published in 2002]: America: A Novel (2009)

Story of a biracial boy named America from birth to 18 as he gets lost in the foster care system.  

American Psycho, by Bret Easton Ellis [First Published 1991]: American Psycho (2000)

Set in the Wall Street boom in the late 1980’s Patrick Bateman is a psychotic investment banker that may or may not be a serial killer.

Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, by Louise Rennison [First Published in 1999]: Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging (2008)

The first story in a series of 10 books. The series and the first book is a coming-of-age tale about a 15-year-old girl and her quest for popularity, and romance/love. 

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Bloom [First Published in 1970] Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023)
Margaret Simon is an 11-year-old girl that is in an interfaith family that is moving from the suburbs of New Jersey to New York City. In the city she makes friends, deals with puberty education, and religious questions and growing up. 

Beloved, by Toni Morrison [First published in 1987]: Beloved (1998)

Set during and after the American Civil War a runaway slave escapes from Kentucky to the free state of Ohio. All the while doing the best for her family while dealing with the ghosts of the past. 

Black Boy, by Richard Wright [First Published in 1945]: Black Boy (1995)

A memoir of Richard Wright’s youth in the US South and his early years in Chicago Illinois. 

Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo A. Anaya [First published in 1972]: Bless Me, Ultima (2013)

A coming-of-age story about a young Chicano, growing up in New Mexico and his mentorship with his curandera. 

(A curandera is a female healer that uses folk medicine and mysticism for healing). 

Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause [First published in 1997]: Blood and Chocolate (2007)

A young werewolf girl longs for a normal life, but can she have that? 

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley [First Published in 1932]: Brave New World (1980/1998) TV Series (2020)

Set in the future a totalitarian utopia exists through genetic engineering, drugs, sex and brain washing. However, one-man longs to be free. 

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson [First Published in 1977]: Bridge To Terabithia (1985/2007)

A boy befriends a new girl and together they create Terabithia a fantasy world where they rule as king and queen. 

Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey [First Published in 1997]: Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018-?)

A 12-book series about a 2 fourth grade boys who hypnotize their principle into becoming a superhero called Captain Underpants. 

Carrie, by Stephen King [First published in 1974]: Carrie (1976/2002/2013)

Carrie White a bullied high school girl develops telekinetic powers and gets revenge at the prom. 

The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier [First published in 1974]: The Chocolate War (1988)
One boy takes on a secret society at a Catholic School by not selling chocolate in the annual chocolate sale. A secret society of students seeks to punish and put the boy back into his place. 

Christine, by Stephen King [First published in 1983]: Christine (1983)

A 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine that is possessed by malevolent supernatural forces that destroy anybody that gets in her way. 

The Color Purple, by Alice Walker [First published in 1982]: The Color Purple (1985)

Set in Georgia during the 1930’s the story is about a black woman of low social status, suffers abuse from her father and other people in her life over four decades. 

Cujo, by Stephen King: [First published in 1981]: Cujo (1983)

A Saint Bernard gets infected with rabies from a bat. The disease goes untreated causing the dog to attack and kills members of his family and other unfortunate people. 

The Dead Zone, by Stephen King: [First published in 1979]: The Dead Zone (1983) TV Series (2002 -2006)

After a car accident Johnnie Smith, a schoolteacher wakes from a coma with the powers of clairvoyance and precognition. He labors to deal with his new powers change a possible apocalyptic future. 

Fat Kid Rules the World, by K.L. Going: [First published in 2003]: Fat Kid Rules the World (2012)

A 296-pound kid is about to kill himself when a local guitar legend stops him. Together they form a band. Saving each other and changing the world of punk music. 

The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline Cooney: [First published in 1990]: The Face on the Milk Carton (1995)

A 15-year-old girl sees her face on a milk carton and solves the mystery of her kidnapping. 

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury: [First published in 1953]: Fahrenheit 451 (1966), (2018)

Set in the future where books are outlawed a fireman one who sets fire to books and houses that they are hidden in. Rebels and joins a resentence groups who memorize and share the world’s great literature. 

Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes: [First published in 1959]: Charly (1968), Flowers for Algernon (2000)

A mentally disabled man goes through an experimental producer that increases his IQ to highest possible levels. Only to have it reverse and leave his as he was before. 

Forever…, by Judy Blume: [First published in 1975]: Forever (1978)

A boy and girl meet at a New Year's Eve party and fall in love thinking it will last forever. The parents feel otherwise and separate them over the summer. Will the relationship survive the distance? 

Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team and A Dream, by H.G. Bissenger: [First published in 1988]: Friday Night Lights (2004) TV Series (2006-2011)

A nonfiction book about the 1988 Permian High School Football team, and the run for the Texas State Championship. 

The Giver, by Lois Lowry: [First published in 1993]: The Giver (2014)

Set in the future a boy sees realizes that his utopian society is really a controlled dystopia. 

Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous: [First published in 1971]: Go Ask Alice (1973)

Taking place from 1968 – 1970 a 14 young girl develops a drug habit and begins a downward spiral to rock bottom.  

The Goats, by Brock Cole: [First published in 1987] Standing Up a.k.a. Goat Island (2013)

A boy and a girl are selected for a long-established camp prank that leaves a boy and a girl stranded on an island naked. This time the kids decide to run away rather going back to camp resulting in a lifelong friendship.  

Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine: [First Published in 1992] Goosebumps (1995-1998), Goosebumps (2015), Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)

Goosebumps is a series of horror novellas that follow child characters, who find themselves dealing with unusual situations; that usually involve the supernatural and or science fiction. There are 62 books are printed under the original umbrella title. With several spin offs. 

Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar: [First Published in 2002] Gossip Girl (2007-2012)

A book series that follow the lives, and romances of privileged elite teens from the Upper East Side Manhattan.  

The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson: [First published in 1978]: The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015)

A 12-year-old foster child that has been bounce around foster homes plots reunite with her idealized birth mother. 

Grendel, by John Gardner: [First published in 1970]: Grendel Grendel Grendel (1981)

The story of Beowulf told from the monster Grendal’s point of view. 

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood: [First published in 1985] The Handmaid’s Tale (1990) TV (2017-?)

Set in a dystopian future a totalitarian government runs a country called Gilead where all fertile women are stripped of rights and must serve as surrogates for infertile wives of the rich and powerful.  

Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling: [First Published in 1997] Harry Potter (series) (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011)

The novels chronicle the life and adventures of Harry Potter at his friends as they attend The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  

His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman: [First Published in 1995] The Golden Compass (2007) TV His Dark Materials (2019-?)

A Trilogy about a girl that travels between worlds to save a multiverse from impending destruction. The movie is based on the first book in the series. 

The House of Spirits, by Isabel Allende: [First published in1982]: The House of Spirits (1993)

Three generations of the Trueba family are chronicle through personal and political upheaval in Latin America during the 20^th Century. 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou: [First published in 1969]: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979)

The autobiography is about the early years of poet, writer, singer, and activist Maya Angelou 1928 - 2014. 

Jack, by A.M. Homes: [First published in 1989]: Jack (2004)

Coming of age novel about a 15-year-old boy dealing with his parents' divorce and dealing with the revelation that his Dad is Gay. 

James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl: [First published in 1961]: James and the Giant Peach (1996)

An orphan boy enters a giant magic peach and has adventures with seven giant insects as they travel the world in that giant peach. 

Jumper, by Steven Gould: [First published in 1992]: Jumper (2008)

A boy with the ability to teleport runs away from home and makes his way through the world as he searches for his birth mother.  

Killing Mr. Griffin, by Lois Duncan: [First published in 1978]: Killing Mr. Griffin (1997)

A group of students kidnap their English teacher as revenge for being too strict. During the kidnapping he dies of a heart attack The students then try to conspire to hide the crime. 

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini: [First published in 2003]: The Kite Runner (2007)

Tells the story of a friendship between two boys beginning in the final days of the Afghanistan Monarchy and into the rise of the Taliban Regime

Lord of the Flies, by William Golding: [First published in 1954]: Lord of the Flies (1963/1990)

After a plane crash groups of English school boys are stranded on a deserted island with no adults. The boys quickly become savage. 

The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold: [First published in 2002]: The Lovely Bones (2009)

In the 1970’s a teenage girl is raped and murdered then watches from her personal heaven as her family and friends deal with moving on while she comes to terms with her death. 

My Brother Sam is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier: [First published in 1974] My Brother Sam is Dead (1986)

A boy named Tim has an older brother named Sam who has chosen to fight for America’s independence in the Revolutionary War against their Father's wishes. As the war continues Tim will have to choose a side. 

Native Son, by Richard Wright: [First published in 1940] Native Son, (1951/1986)

In the 1940’s a black man works as a chauffeur for a rich white family.  Things turn bad when he accidently kills his employer’s teenage daughter and tries to cover it up. 

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck: [First published in 1937]: Of Mice and Men (1939, 1968, 1981, 1992)

Two drifters working the fields during The Great Depression George and Lennie work to achieve their dream of having their own land. Until an accidental murder kills the dream they have.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey: [First published in 1962]: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Set in an Organ psychiatric hospital a criminal pleads insanity after getting into trouble again.  Once on the ward he rebels against the oppressive tyrannical Nurse Ratcheted and to improve the lives of the scared patients. 

Ordinary People, by Judith Guest: [First published in 1976]: Ordinary People (1980)

A typical suburban family deals with the aftermath of the death of the favored son the end of a psychiatric hospital stay of the other son. Who is still dealing with issues that lead him to attempt suicide four months earlier.

The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton [First published in 1967]: The Outsiders (1983)

Two gangs in Oklahoma on opposite sides on the social economic divide have rivalry. Things turn heated when a member of the rich gang is killed leading to tragedy and a rumble. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky: [First published in 1999]: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

A coming-of-age novel set in the early 1990’s about an introvert starting high school, dealing with death, drugs, sex, abortion and family and coming to terms with being molested as a child. 

Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett: [First published in 1989]: Pillars of the Earth (2010)

Set in 12^th Century England a monk is driven to build the greatest gothic cathedral the world has ever known.  

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor: [First published in 1976]: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1978)

Story of the Logan’s a black family and the racism they face in the rural south in the 1930’s. 

Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut: [First published in1969]: Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)

A man who was been abducted by aliens has become unstuck in time and is reliving periods of his life. 

Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson: [First published in 1994]: Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)

Set in the 1950’s in the Pacific Northwest a white fisher man is found dead, and a Japanese American is accused of murder and put on trial.

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson: [First published in 1999]: Speak (2004)

At the final party of the summer a high school freshman calls the police ending the party. Unable to say why she called the police due to a trauma that happened during the party she becomes a loner. Through art she is able to overcome what happened and speak up. 

The Stupids (series), by Harry Allard: [First Published 1974] The Stupids (1996)

A children’s book series that depicts a family that is so dim, dull stupid that the simplest of tasks becomes a humorous ordeal. 

Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Greene: [First published in 1973]: Summer of My German Soldier (1978)

Set in Jenkinsville, Arkansas during World War II. A 12-year-old Jewish girl befriends and later helps a German POW. 

That Was Then, This is Now, by S.E. Hinton: [First published in 1971]: That Was Then, This is Now (1985)

A boy Byron and his adopted brother Mark start to grow apart. Byron matures and gets involved with girls, while Mark lives for the moment. This leads to a conflict that changed their lives forever. 

The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien: [First published in 1990]: A Soldier’s Sweetheart (1998)

A set of connected short stories about US soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War. 

Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume: [First published in 1981]: Tiger Eyes (2012)

A 15-year-old girl is dealing with anxiety and is in morning her father after he is shot dead in a robbery. The girl and her mother temporarily move to New Mexico with her family. There she meets a boy that helps her deal with what happened and finish the mourning process. 

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee: [First published in 1960]: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the depression era Deep South defends a black man accused of raping a white woman in a court of law. While teaching his children about predigest. 

Where’s Waldo?, by Martin Hanford: [First Published in 1987] Where’s Waldo? (1991-1991) (2019-2020)

Search for Waldo in a group of similarly dressed crowd of people in different locations. 

The Witches, by Roald Dahl: [First published in 1983]: The Witches (1990) (2020)

An orphan boy and his grandmother discover a witch’s convention and a plan to turn children into mice. Together they battle the witches and save the children. 

The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss: [First published in 1972]: The Upstairs Room (1987)

An autobiography by Johanna Reiss documenting her childhood in occupied Holland during the Nazi invasion.

 Haruki Murakami reminds us that “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”