Welcome, fellow readers and fans of young adult books into a world of heated debates on adaptations! We’ve all been there: seeing our favorite books hitting the big screen with such excitement, or having our favorite characters brought to life by actors. But how often do these adaptations truly satisfy our expectations?

In this blog, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of adapting young adult books to film and give some context to each point.

PROS of Adaptations

Widening readership 👀

Adaptations grab the attention of a wider audience, who may not have been interested in the book before. When a beloved book is turned into a film, people who wouldn’t have otherwise picked up the book have the opportunity to experience the story in a different medium. Further, adaptations can lead to emotional attachment to the book and ultimately encourage people to read or reread it.

This image shows a book and a camera with an arrow over the book pointing towards the camera with a heart emoji between them.

Boosting sales 💰

Adaptations can boost book sales drastically. Especially when promoting the book before the film’s release and having the cover under the same theme as the film poster. This can have an impact on both the book and film industries, widening audiences for both.

This image shows a graph with a arrow pointing up for book sales and film profits with a pile of money emoji next to it.

Showcasing Diverse Stories 💖

YA literature is a reflection of society and deals with a variety of subjects from different perspectives. By adapting these books, the films become an opportunity to showcase a wider range of cultures and lifestyles. Representation and acceptance are key factors in the YA genre, and representation on the big screen can help society accept, understand, and appreciate differences.

This image shows a group of young people in different outfits holding hands and laughing.

CONS of Adaptations

Deviations from the original story ❌

One of the most common complaints about adaptations is that they deviate drastically from the original story, and fans of the book become disappointed and frustrated. Changes in characters and plotlines can alter the original story beyond recognition and turn the film into a completely different experience.

This image shows two books on top of each other, one with a film reel on it, and a red cross over the second book.

Casting & Characterization problems 🎭

Even though casting directors might pick professional actors to portray the characters, fans have strong preconceived notions that the actor chosen doesn’t fit the character they had experienced through the book. This can lead to the casting being unfamiliar to people who have read and loved the book, resulting in the loss of an audience that they might have had otherwise.

This image shows a person with a magnifying glass looking over a picture of an actor.

Mispresentation of sensitive topics 😟

YA literature often touches on sensitive topics that can be difficult to capture and present on the big screen. Sometimes filmmakers can’t convey the exact tone or message of the book and present a toned-down version of the story that comes across as less impactful. When this happens, the adaptation ends up doing a disservice to the original story and its intended message.

This image shows a person holding their head and a storm cloud over them.

Conclusion

Adapting young adult books to film can be a tricky process, and it won’t be satisfying everyone. Some adaptations are better than others; some stick closer to the source material, and some change it up completely. There are different opinions on how adaptations need to be approached, but we all ultimately want to preserve the magic of the book we once loved.

The pros and cons of adaptations are complex, and perhaps the best thing to do is to enjoy the film and appreciate the book separately. When it comes down to it, there is no one right way to adapt a book, but efforts should be made to respect the original source material’s intent, themes, and characters.

Hope you enjoyed this blog! 💜😊

This image shows a person reading a book on a couch with a bowl of popcorn next to them.