Dare Me is a new show that is set to air on December 29, 2019, and it is based on the mystery novel of the same name. Written by Megan Abbott, this story focuses on competitive high school cheerleaders, is set in a small town in the Midwest and explores relatable topics such as friendship and power dynamics.

Since this series will be premiering soon, we got to thinking…which books from our teen years should be made into TV shows or films? What other stories need to be told in a new way? What other entertaining novels would make for good entertainment on a screen? We’re listing ten of them below!

Stargirl 

Stargirl is a young adult novel from the year 2000, and it was written by Jerry Spinelli. The main character is bright and bubbly, and at first, her peers are interested in that. But then, they turn on her and her quirkiness. This is about not conforming, and it has a storyline about first love, too. All of that and more made this an award-winning book.

Last year, it was announced that a movie version would be coming to Disney+, and filming apparently finished up in November of 2018. Therefore, we will wait to see if we finally and actually get to watch this!

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising is a young adult novel, as well as a historical novel, by Pam Muñoz Ryan. The main character is a girl named Esperanza who lives in a grand home and has everything she could want or need in Mexico. During the Great Depression, though, Esperanza and her mother have to go to California.

Specifically, they have to move into a camp for Mexican farm workers, which was a drastic change for Esperanza. As the title suggests, though, she has to persevere, stay determined and rise above it all. And this inspiring tale needs a film!

Number the Stars

Number the Stars is another historical novel, this one from Lois Lowry, set in the year 1989. It focuses on a Jewish family leaving Copenhagen during World War II, including a young girl named Annemarie Johansen. This is one of those moving stories that entertain in a bittersweet way, yet teaches a history lesson too. 

Apparently, actor Sean Astin worked for a decade to get this book made into a movie… and we are ready and will continue to wait patiently for it.

Anything By Sara Shepard

Sara Shepard has written a couple of popular book series that have been turned into television series, like Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game and The Perfectionists. She has written other stuff, too, though!

There was The Heiresses in 2014. There are three books in The Amateurs series. There are companion novels to Pretty Little Liars and The Perfectionists. And there are adult fiction books. Based on PLL, any/all of these deserve their own shows or movies. 

Just Listen

In 2006, Sarah Dessen released Just Listen. The story centers around Annabel Greene. She lost her best friends. Her sister has an eating disorder. And there was an incident with a boy named Will Cash. But then, Annabel met Owen, and she learns to start facing her fears and speaking her truth.

This young adult novel tackles some big issues, issues that many young adults really face. Therefore, this is yet another one that would be great as a movie or television series.

The Truth About Forever

Another one of Sarah Dessen’s books that would make a good movie is The Truth About Forever. It is about a girl named Macy, whose father passes away while on a run with her. She stops running. She stops sharing her feelings. She gets dumped. But then, she meets Wes, who lost a parent, too.

This story teaches lessons (which Macy learns) about how it is impossible to please everyone, about how we control our future and about how the right relationship can truly change us. 

Anything By Lurlene McDaniel

Lurlene McDaniel has written over 70 young adult novels, and most of them are about young adults with chronic illnesses. Stories such as Why Did She Have To Die, Goodbye Doesn’t Mean Forever, I’ll Be Seeing You, Garden of Angels, Sixteen And Dying and A Season for Goodbye are good reads yet are tough to get through, with their themes.

Still, these bittersweet books could be turned into a TV show, especially since there are series and connections between the tales and the characters. 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The Witch of Blackbird Pond was written by Elizabeth George Speare and came out in 1958. The setting is New England in the late 17th century, and the main character is a teenager named Katherine “Kit” Tyler. She moves in with her aunt and uncle in Connecticut, she meets a Quaker woman, and the townspeople think that they are witches.

As the recipient of the Newbery Medal, this book certainly could be transformed into quite the film. Plus, everyone loves a witch-themed flick!

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Judy Blume has written so many classics, including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret from the year 1970. This book is about a girl in the sixth grade who is dealing with normal preteen issues, such as getting her first bra and having her first crush, but who also is on the hunt for religion. 

Last year, news came out that a film version is in the works, so we will stay tuned, in order to see if this story really does come to the big screen.  

Sisterhood Everlasting

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books have been turned into two movies, though there are five books. There was the first film in 2005, there was the second one in 2008, and there will reportedly be a third one that focuses on the fifth and final book, Sisterhood Everlasting. This movie will make fans smile, will make fans cry and will make fans appreciate their closest friends.

Written by Ann Brashares, this wraps up the tale of four friends, who have been played by Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn; these girls share a special pair of pants (and much more), and fans deserve to see how their story ends.