Although the books tend to be better than the movies most of the time, the eight books listed below have the potential to be made into great adaptations. These movies have either come out recently or will be coming out within the next year. There are many students throughout Blue Valley Southwest that can hardly wait to see these movies.

Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Release Date: Aug 7, 2013

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1854564/fullcredits

Summary: In the second installment of the series, Percy Jackson, his demigod friends Annabeth and Clarisse, and his half brother, Tyson all go on a quest to the Sea of Monsters in order to get the Golden Fleece. This Golden Fleece is essential to saving Camp Half-Blood (the demigod camp) from attack. This book is filled with action, adventure, Greek mythology, good vs. evil, friendship, betrayal, and more! Read the book to find out what becomes of the demigods and their beloved camp.

The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: Aug 21, 2013

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1538403/fullcredits

Summary: Clary Fray was at a club one night with her friend Simon when she saw a group of teenagers go into the back room and kill someone or, more accurately, something: a demon. That event spurred the discovery that Clary was from a long line of shadow hunters, who were half angels destined to protect Earth (the human world) from the invasion of demons and other supernatural creatures. The above-mentioned teen shadow hunters show Clary the threatening world that she had been previously blind to. Another book filled with action and adventure, this is a must-read!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Release Date: November 22, 2013

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/fullcredits

Summary: Set in a post-apocalyptic country called Panem, each of the twelve districts are required to give up one boy and one girl tribute to be placed in an arena to fight to the death (the Hunger Games). Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark survived the 74^th Hunger Games and were pronounced victors, but in this second segment, they are placed back in the arena for another round with all the victors from the past. Will they survive again? What will be the result of the spark of rebellion caused by Katniss’s defiance?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Release Date: January 17, 2014

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816442/fullcredits

Summary: This book tells the story of Liesel Meminger’s life as narrated by Death. The book is set in 1939 Nazi, Germany. It starts off with her being taken away to live with a foster family. She had stolen a book before she arrived: The Gravedigger’s Handbook. That was the beginning of the thieving of a long list of books to come. It is with these books that she has the strength to survive all the hard times she has to suffer through.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Release Date: February 14, 2014

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790864/fullcredits

Summary: Thomas is placed in a closed off environment called The Glade filled with other boys, without any recollection of his past life. Amongst the boys are a group called the Maze Runners, who have been searching for an outside world beyond The Glade. The only possible exit is through a maze filled with monster-like creatures called Grievers. Thomas attempts to find a way out along with the Maze Runners. Will he manage to escape, or will he die trying?

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Release Date: February 14, 2014

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1686821/fullcredits

Summary: Rose Hathaway is a dhampir (half vampire) guardian in training who is destined to protect the Moroi (good vampires) Princess Lissa Dragomir from Strigoi (evil vampires). Previously, Rose had run away with Lissa from St. Vladimir’s Academy in order to protect her. But they were soon found and brought back to the academy. Since being back, strange things have started happening again to Lissa. Will she be put in danger? Will Rose be able to save Lissa? Read the book to find out!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Release Date: March 21, 2014

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1840309/fullcredits

Summary: This book is set in the futuristic world of Chicago. It explores the meaning of virtues as exemplified by the five factions called Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, Candor, and Erudite. When Beatrice Prior finds out that she is Divergent, which means that she shows the aptitude for many characteristics, she must figure out who she really is in essence and choose a faction accordingly. Some factions are planning to launch an attack on each other. Will Beatrice be able to stop this rebellion before it causes all the factions to crumble?

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Release Date: Unknown

Cast and Crew: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582846/fullcredits

Summary: One summer day when Hazel goes to cancer support group, she meets a young boy named Augustus Waters, who has a prosthetic leg as a reminder of his battle with cancer. After their initial meeting, they connect deeply with each other through their fears and their love of books, especially a novel called An Imperial Affliction. They rely on one another for support and comfort throughout their journey with cancer. This book serves as a reminder that “the world is not a wish-granting factory” and sometimes, terrible things happen to people who don’t deserve it. “You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I am grateful”- Hazel.

What do the students’ at BVSW think about these books and the upcoming movies?

“Depends. If I haven’t read the book, then I am excited for the movie. But if I have read the book, the movie makes me mad because it usually leaves out parts that I like.” – Junior Salina Ye

“I’m really looking forward to it because I get to see the books come to life on the screen.” – Freshman Amy Bajachary

“I am really excited about the Fault in Our Stars because I heard John Green might make a cameo.” – Freshman Katie Anne Lucas