But Have You Read the Book? Books That Have Been Made Into Movies

Which is better -- the book or the movie?  Check out one of the books (and movies) and see which one you think is better.

Nim's Island by Wendy Orr

Nim loves her island home and the animals she shares it with even while her scientist father is away doing research, but trouble is on the way and a new e-mail friend could be the only one who can help.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

The adventures of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Thirteen-year-old Meg Murry, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin are guided by unearthly strangers as they go on a journey through space and time to search for Meg's and Charles' scientist father who disappeared while experimenting with a new form of space travel.

More Books --

Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Holes by Louis Sachar

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Stuart Little by E.B. White

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Robot Reads

This week, I am sharing chapter books featuring stories about robots . . . .

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Fuzzy by Tom Angleberger
When Max (Maxine Zealster) befriends her new robot classmate Fuzzy, she helps him navigate Vanguard Middle School and together they reveal the truth behind the Robot Integration Program.

Brother From a Box by Evan Kuhlman
Sixth-grader Matt Rambeau finds out what it is like to have a brother when his father, a computer genius, creates a robot kid that goes to school with Matt, shares his feelings and ideas, plays, does chores, fights for his "life" when chased by spies, and becomes a part of the family.

The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi
Living in isolation with a robot on what appears to be an alien world populated with bizarre life forms, a twelve-year-old human girl called Eva Nine sets out on a journey to find others like her. Features "augmented reality" pages, in which readers witha webcam can access additional information about Eva Nine's world.


More Robot Stories --
The Boneshaker by Kate Milford
A Boy and His Bot by Daniel Wilson
Cats vs. Robots: This is War by Margaret Stohl
Eagar by Helen Fox
The Fran with Four Brains by Jim Benton
Frank Einstein & the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka
Geeks, Girls and Secret Identities by Mike Jung
How Lunchbox Jones Saved Me from Robots, Traitors, and Missy the Cruel by Jennifer Brown
Janitors by Tyler Whitesides
Monstrous Devices by Damien Love
Tin by Padraig Kenny
Under Their Skin by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through December 5, 2019.

Miss Amy's Go-To Chapter Books

When asked for a good book to read, I have a few go-to books that I like to recommend.  Here are some of my favorite chapter books . . .

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Magyk by Angie Sage
After learning that she is the Princess, Jenna is whisked from her home and carried toward safety by the Extraordinary Wizard, those she always believed were her father and brother, and a young guard known only as Boy 412--pursued by agents of those who killed her mother ten years earlier.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry
Soon after Peter, an orphan, sets sail from England on the ship Never Land, he befriends and assists Molly, a young Starcatcher, whose mission is to guard a trunk of magical stardust from a greedy pirate and the native inhabitants of a remote island.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Gen flaunts his ingenuity as a thief and relishes the adventure which takes him to a remote temple of the gods where he will attempt to steal a precious stone.

Radical Robot Reads

This month, we are going to focus on science-based books for school-aged children.  This is to go along with the grant we received from the Monsanto Corporation for Mad Science programming in the library this summer.  This week's theme is Mad Machines -- so here are some radical robot reads . . .

Brother From a Box by Evan Kuhlman
Sixth-grader Matt Rambeau finds out what it is like to have a brother when his father, a computer genius, creates a robot kid that goes to school with Matt, shares his feelings and ideas, plays, does chores, fights for his "life" when chased by spies, and becomes a part of the family.

A Boy and His Bot by Daniel H. Wilson
When timid young Code falls down a hole into Mekhos, where everything is made of metal and circuitry, he must obtain the legendary Robonomicon from evil Immortalis in order to save the robots of this subterranean world and return home.

Celia's Robot by Margaret Scrogin Chang
Surprised by her scientist father's gift of a robot for her birthday, ten-year-old Celia comes to appreciate its help in organizing her chaotic day-to-day life until it suddenly mysteriously disappears.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Have you Read the Movie?

I love the fact that many children's books are now being made into movies.  It's fascinating to see how the book is different.  Is the book better or the movie better?

Read the following books and watch the movies to see which you like better.

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
The land of Prydain is threatened by the evil Arawn and his band of invincible warriors.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
The wind brings two English children a new nanny who slides up the bannister and introduces them to some delightful people and experiences.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.