Books on film

What to do first: Read the book or see the movie?

This season offers plenty of options with a number of literary adaptations coming to the big screen. Students with summer reading assignments to do can also see how authors' words were translated to film -- after doing the required reading, of course.

'My Sister's Keeper'

Opens: June 26.

What it's about: Abigail Breslin stars in this sure-to-be tearjerker about a teenage girl who was genetically engineered to save her leukemia-stricken sister's life. At press time, the 2004 novel by Jodi Picoult is a top five book on the New York Times bestseller list. The film also stars Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin and Sophia Vassilieva, and is directed by Nick Cassavetes.

'I Love You, Beth Cooper,'

Opens: July 10.

What it's about: Larry Doyle has written for "The Simpsons," held editorial positions at New York Magazine and Spy Magazine, and been a columnist for Esquire. "I Love You, Beth Cooper," for which he also penned the screenplay, is based on his young-adult novel about a nerd, a popular girl and taking risks.

Hamilton County Schools Summer-reading list books available on film

"Rocket Boys: A Memoir" by Homer H. Hickham, Jr. Grade 11

What it's about: The memoir about growing up in a coal mining town in West Virginia was adapted to the screen in 1999 with the title "October Sky." The movie featured Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern. "October Sky" is an anagram of "Rocket Boys"

"Emma" by Jane Austen (Grade 12)

What it's about: Several adaptations have been made of each of Austen's books, including BBC miniseries, but the most recent (and likely most well-known) adaptation was released in 1996 and stars Gwyneth Paltrow as the titular matchmaker. This is back in the days when the general movie-going audience still thought Paltrow was a Brit.

"The Chronicles of Narnia" and other works by C.S. Lewis Grade 6

The entire seven-book Narnia series has been optioned for adaptation by Walden Media. As of summer 2009, the first two, "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Prince Caspian" have been released. "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" is scheduled for release in 2010.

Others to look for

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury (Grade 10)

"Ella Enchanted" (Grade 5)

"Rebecca" by Daphne DuMaurier (Grade 12)

What books would you like to see on the big screen?

"Any Jonathan Kellerman book. He used to be a psychologist, so I think (a film) would be more real." -- Lee Johnson

"'Bricktop." The book is fascinating. She just did all this stuff. It covers the world, practically." -- Janet Hopings

"'Rose Madder' by Stephen King. It just happens to be one of my favorite Stephen King books. He borrows from Roman mythology." -- Robyn Garner

Sony

'Julie and Julia'

Opens: August 7.

What it's about: Streep Meryl, above as Julia Child, and Amy Adams team up again after Oscar nominated performances in "Doubt." This Nora Ephron vehicle is based on both Child's autobiography, "My Life in France," and a blog by Julie Powell, in which she cooked her way through Child's "The Art of French Cooking." The blog was translated into a book: "Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen."