From Newberry Medals to Academy Awards…

Because of Winn-Dixie, My Dog Skip, Stand By Me, Bridge to Terabithia…

These novels have something in common (and it’s not just AnnaSophia Robb) – they are great kids/tween books that have become great movies, much due to the screenplay staying true to the novel and the protagonist voice. Which in most if not all cases, is the child.

I thought of this the other day as my daughter read Because of Winn-Dixie out loud. I was suddenly transformed to the time, place and people of the movie, as seen through the eyes of Opal, played by AnnaSophia Robb.  As she read about candy having a melancholy taste, or a lonely taste, I thought of the mixed bag of characters that made that movie so memorable. The writing and casting delivered on each other in a way in which so many other kid movies miss the mark.

My Dog Skip has the same one-two punch of great acting/casting and great writing.  And a sweet dog scene when Skip can’t make it up on the bed anymore that puts Marley to shame.

For anyone too young to remember Stand by Me (or too old!), it is a must-rent.  Kiefer Sutherland, River Phoenix,and an outstanding cast in the vein of an early Coppola flick bring back childhood memories of walking the train tracks, and a gross yet hilarious scene of the legendary Lardass after a pie-eating contest. Stephen King wrote this novel, and like his Shawshank Redemption, proves he is much more than a horror writer.

Tatum O’Neal in Paper Moon may have been our first prescient actress, followed by Anna Pacquin in The Piano, but the new queens of wise beyond their years are Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin.  I recommend renting I Am Sam to get a sense of just how far along Dakota was in her first big movie appearance.

So who will be the next starlets of the teen screen? Hopefully those who remain true to the voice of the child  in this Facebook world.

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