The annual Academy Awards are announced this Sunday evening. Like most years I’m woefully behind seeing only three of the best picture nominated films so far. I’ll still watch the award show, but I’m always more fascinated with the screenplay awards. This is where writers are recognized.
There are two categories. One for material written directly for the screen and the other for writing adapted from another source. This would typically be a novel, play, or short story, though like one of this year’s nominees (Whiplash) can also be based on a short film.
As is the norm, the nominees in this adapted category are far from anything close to middle grade writing. When the award show drags on, my thoughts will be on MG books I’d hope someday get a chance to hit the big screen. It may be a long shot for many of these but you never know.
And the envelope please…
WONDER
THE SPY CATCHERS OF MAPLE HILL
THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY
HOPE IS A FERRIS WHEEL
TESLA’s ATTIC
POACHED
How about you? What book would you nominate to become a movie?
Always in the Middle... 
Oh, I think Saving Lucas Biggs would make a terrific movie. I’d also like to see A Diamond in the Desert, One for the Murphys, Okay for Now, and Ice Dogs to name a very few. I read once that a large percentage of movies based on books are based on MG books. There are so many good ones. It wouldn’t surprise me.
Great choices, especially Saving Lucas Biggs. Had never heard of that MG connection to movies. Makes sense though as MG books tend to get right to the point.
I haven’t seen as many pictures nominated this year. But, I did see “The Theory of Everything,” and I thought it was excellent. Had hoped that THE GIVER would have been nominated for something. I did enjoy what they did with Lois Lowry’s book. Hope they do a sequel with SON.
I agree with you on WONDER. Haven’t read the other MGs you mentioned. My list would include A SNICKER OF MAGIC, OUT OF MY MIND, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES (series), ICE DOGS, and NAVIGATING EARLY to name a few. So many good books.
I was impressed with The Imitation Game. Knew nothing about the story but it was very entertaining.
Great choices. Too bad we don’t make the decisions for what movies will get made.
I love Ice Dogs. That would be a great movie!
I would like to add “Keeper of the Lost Cities” by Shannon Messenger and The Blackwell Pages series by K. L. Armstrong and M. A. Marr to that list. They would both be visually stunning onscreen.