Schultz, John. (Director). (2011). Judy Moody [Motion picture]. United States: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Ages 9-12.

School is out and summer is finally here! But the excitement doesn’t last long for Judy Moody as she learns her two best friends are going away for the summer and her parents are leaving Judy and her brother Stink with their crazy Aunt Opal. There’s got to be a way to salvage this bummer summer! Then Judy comes up with a super contest to see who can have the most “thrilladelic” summer ever, but it’s hard to compete with one friend in Borneo and the other at circus camp. No matter... with Stink, Opal and her nerdy friend Frank, Judy discovers that the real thrills come from the unexpected experiences, as well as the people you share them with. Based on the series of books by Megan McDonald.

Silberling, Brad. (Director). (2005). Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures. Ages 9-12.

***Beware! This is not a happy movie!*** The Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny, think their life can’t get any worse after finding out their house burned down and their parents were killed. But when they are taken to live with their nearest relative, Count Olaf, life most certainly does. Putting the children to work, he is determined to try and kill them, and no one will listen or believe them when they ask for help. After a close call on some train tracks, the children are finally taken away and live with a series of new guardians. But Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get what he wants—he’ll trick, kill, or even marry anyone who gets in his way, including three poor little orphans. Based on the first three novels in the series by Lemony Snicket.

Miyazaki, Hayao. (Director). (2001). Spirited Away [Motion picture]. United States: Walt Disney Pictures. Ages 9-14.

While moving to their new home, a sullen Chihiro and her parents stumble upon what looks like an old amusement park. Suddenly her parents are transformed into pigs and Chihiro discovers that they are trapped in a resort spa for traditional Japanese gods and spirits. Chihiro meets a young boy named Haku who encourages her to get a job from Yubaba at the spa if she wants to transform her parents back to normal. There she meets a series of characters who challenge and befriend her, and as she matures she finds the strength and love within herself to aid Haku and save her parents from a terrible fate.

Tass, Nadia. (Director). (2004). Samantha: An American Girl Holiday [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Ages 9-12.

Following Samantha Parkington through the seasons of her life in Victorian New York, her prim and proper lifestyle becomes one adventure after another when she meets servant girl Nellie O’Malley and they become instant friends. Readers of the American Girl series will not be disappointed by this blending of Samantha’s six stories into one complete movie. The acting and cinematography are better than expected, and the unlikely bond between Samantha and Nellie is one that conveys a beautiful message to viewers that sometimes it is our differences that bring us together. Samantha’s good deeds do not go unnoticed, demonstrating the importance of selflessness and charity.

Burton, Tim. (Director). (2005). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures. Ages 9-14.

Based on Roald Dahl’s classic story by the same name, this movie tells the story of a young boy named Charlie Bucket, a kind caring boy who has very little but who has a very big heart. When he and four obnoxious and spoiled children find golden tickets in their Wonka chocolate bars and win a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, it is a dream come true. But the eccentric Wonka is unsympathetic when one by one, the children break the rules and lose out on the grand prize, leaving Charlie to take over the chocolate factory. And Charlie is able to give Wonka something back in return—a real family and reconciliation with his father.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory contains some violence and verbal insults from both Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas at the expense of the misbehaving and spoiled children and their parents. The film uses classic Burton style, pairing dismal blacks and grays with bright, colorful scenery, making his vision a perfect pairing with Dahl’s eccentric story. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Wonka is first-class and stays true to the version of Wonka found in the text. While the film is entertaining, it does teach lessons about being humble and giving, not greedy and self-centered. The film is a wonderful companion to the book, and could be shown in both the age-appropriate classroom or in a library.

Vaughn, Matthew. (Director). (2007). Stardust [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures. Ages 12-14.

To win the heart of beautiful but shallow Victoria, Tristan journeys beyond the stony wall into the fantasy kingdom of Stormhold to recover a fallen star. There, a dying king sets his four surviving sons on a quest for the crown, and the witch Lamia seeks the heart of the star. While the book this film was based on was originally written for adults, the story of Tristan speaks to older tweens who have ever felt the need to go to the ends of the earth for the one they love. It also tells of a boy who is eager to find out what his purpose is in life and what his true origins are, something that affects many tweens today. They will also enjoy the film's magic and adventure that accompany Tristan on his journeys.

Shankman, Adam. (Director). (2002). A Walk to Remember [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures. Ages 10-14.

Love brings together what peer pressure and lifestyles seek to keep apart. Jamie is a straight-laced preacher's daughter and Landon is an unmotivated delinquent. When events thrust him into her world, he begins an unexpected journey he'll never forget. While the book this film was based on was originally written for adults, the story speaks to older tweens as well and the film does a wonderful job of conveying the beautiful romance between good girl Jamie and bad boy Landon. Tweens will relate to issues of love, relationships, and religion found in the movie, and identify with aspects of both characters as they fight peer pressure and discover who they are meant to be.

Miyazaki, Hayao. (Director). (2004). Howl’s Moving Castle [Motion picture]. United States: Walt Disney Home Entertainment. Ages 9-14.

After being cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old woman, young Sophie turns to the handsome young magician Howl and his band of misfits as she joins him on his four-legged walking “castle” as the new housekeeper. Befriending the fire demon Calcifer who is bound to Howl, Sophie is determined to find a way to break the witch’s spell and enlists his help. Soon Sophie is whisked across a magical world filled with wonderful sites and senseless war. And she soon realizes that in her quest to break her own spell, she may be able to break Howl’s as well. Based on the enchanting novel by Diana Wynne Jones.

Waters, Mark. (Director). (2008). The Spiderwick Chronicles [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures. Ages 9-12.

When the Grace family moves into the old Spiderwick Estate, strange things begin to happen. Jared is blamed early on because of his anger issues, but after discovering Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide in a secret room in the house, Jared slowly convinces his sister Mallory and twin brother Simon of the secret world of fantastical creatures that lies hidden within their own. So when the evil ogre Mulgarath gets wind of the field guide’s existence, the Grace family puts aside their differences and fights the ogre army in order to protect the book and its secrets, as well as their fragile family. Based on the beloved series by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.

Claus, Richard. (Director). (2006). The Thief Lord [Motion picture]. United States: Twentieth Century Fox. Ages 10-14.

After Prosper and Bo’s mother dies, Prosper rescues Bo from their evil aunt and uncle and they run away to Venice (their mother always told them it was a magical place). There they run into the Thief Lord, who turns out to be a wealthy boy named Scipio who has taken in a band of orphans. These orphans normally help him steal from the rich, including his neglectful father, but when a mysterious job is offered to the Thief Lord for a large sum of money, Scipio and his gang are plunged into an adventure involving a magical carousel capable of altering time itself. Based on the bestselling book by Cornelia Funke.

O’Haver, Tommy. (Director). (2004). Ella Enchanted [Motion picture]. United States: Miramax. Ages 9-14.

When Ella was born, she was given the gift of obedience by her fairy godmother. Now as a young girl, she finds that the gift has become more of a curse. For when her mean-spirited stepsister finds out about Ella’s “gift,” she tortures her for the fun of it. But even that is tolerable when she falls in love with Prince Char. Unfortunately, Char’s evil uncle has different plans for the two, and decides to use Ella’s unfortunate gift to secure his role as King once and for all. This modern retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale is based on the Newbery Honor book by Gail Carson Levine.

Kenan, Gil. (Director). (2008). City of Ember [Motion picture]. United States: Walden Media. Ages 9-14.

200 years ago, as the world was coming to an end, the lighted city of Ember was created deep within the Earth. The creators locked the instructions on how to one day return to the surface in a box, with the intention of populating the surface once it was safe. Now 200 years later, the box has been long forgotten and a young Messenger named Lina Mayfleet stumbles upon it. Growing up in a now-corrupt Ember full of ancient traditions and a failing generator, it is up to her and her new friend Doon to discover the meaning of the instructions and find a way out of the city of Ember. Based on the first book in the bestselling Books of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau.

Shriner, Wil. (Director). (2006). Hoot [Motion picture]. United States: New Line Cinema. Ages 9-14.

As the new kid in town, Roy isn’t making any friends. So when he stumbles upon social outcast Mullet Fingers and his tough stepsister Beatrice, he is immediately intrigued by how different they are (despite the fact that they call him "Cowgirl"). And then he discovers that they are fighting to save the homes of some burrowing owls, and Roy quickly risks everything to join their cause. But can three kids make any difference against a big shot corporation, or will they have to resort to something more illegal? Based on the winner of the Newbery Honor Award by Carl Hiaasen.

Cunningham, David L. (Director). (2007). The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising [Motion picture]. United States: Twentieth Century Fox. Ages 9-14.

The seventh son of a seventh son, Will Stanton finds out that he is The Seeker on his fourteenth birthday. Meant to restore the balance between light and dark, he is challenged to find six signs hidden throughout time. With these signs in his possession he will obtain the power to defeat the Rider, who is gaining the power necessary to destroy the Light. With the help of the Old Ones, Will takes on the Rider in a final battle of Light versus Dark, and consequently restores his family as well. Loosely based on the second book in Susan Cooper’s popular series.

Columbus, Chris. (Director). (2010). Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief [Motion picture]. United States: Fox2000 Pictures. Ages 11-14.

Percy Jackson has always felt different—his ADHD and dyslexia keep him from ever feeling like anything but a failure. But after being attacked by a Fury looking for Zeus’s lightning bolt, he discovers that he is the son of Poseidon—a demi-god. Sent to Camp Half Blood to train, Percy soon embarks on a great adventure with Grover (his satyr protector) and Annabeth (daughter of Athena) to find the lightning bolt and stop the gods from waging an all-out war. Based on the first book in Rick Riordan’s bestselling series.

Burton, Tim. (Director). (2010). Alice In Wonderland [Motion picture]. United States: Walt Disney Pictures. Ages 10-14.

Thirteen years after Alice first fell into Wonderland, she returns to find that she doesn’t remember her previous adventure. Convinced that she is only in a dream, she embarks on a similar journey as her previous one. Except this time, she discovers that it is her destiny to overthrow the Red Queen and restore the White Queen to the throne by slaying the Red Queen’s Jabberwocky. Based on the classic stories by Lewis Carroll—Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Softley, Iain. (Director). (2009). Inkheart [Motion picture]. United States: New Line Cinema. Ages 9-14.

When Meggie finds out her father is a Silvertongue, her whole world becomes like a fairy tale adventure. A Silvertongue can bring characters off the page of a book just by reading the story out loud. But for every character that comes out of the book, another must take its place. Thus Meggie and her father, along with both real and fictional friends, must fight the evil Capricorn in order to rescue her mother from the pages of a book. Literature fans will recognize elements from great stories like The Wizard of Oz, Arabian Nights, and more. Based on the first book in the bestselling series by Cornelia Funke.

Harrison, John Kent. (Director). (2003). A Wrinkle In Time [Motion picture]. United States: Disney. Ages 9-14.

When their father goes missing, Meg and Charles Wallace are certain that he is somewhere and needs to be found. Together with a neighbor friend named Calvin, they embark on a magnificent journey through the universe and time in search of him, with the help of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which. They find him on a distant planet controlled by IT, a pulsating brain-like creature living beneath the surface. But when Charles Wallace is taken under IT’s control, it is up to Meg to save Charles Wallace and bring her family back together again. Based on the Newbery medal-winning book by Madeleine L’Engle.

Selick, Henry. (Director). (2009). Coraline [Motion picture]. United States: Focus Features. Ages 9-14.

Coraline can’t believe her luck when she finds a secret door in her boring new house that leads to a world much like her own, but so much better. But things are not quite what they seem when Coraline’s “other mother” tells her that the only way she can stay in this world she loves is to sew buttons over her eyes like all the others there. Terrified, Coraline refuses, but when her “other mother” kidnaps her real parents in order to keep Coraline there forever, she must return to this frightening world to save them and defeat the evil woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Based on Neil Gaiman’s popular book for tweens.

Kwapis, Ken. (Director). (2005). The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants [Motion picture]. United States: Alcon Entertainment. Ages 11-14.

When a single pair of jeans fits four lifelong friends (who couldn’t be more different) perfectly, it must be magic. So the girls form their sisterhood on the eve of going their separate ways for the summer—the pants being the perfect way to keep in touch and chronicle each of their experiences. While Carmen faces a new stepfamily in the states, Lena travels to Greece to meet her extended family and finds love as well. And as Tibby witnesses a young girl’s brave fight with leukemia, Bridget battles her own demons while making trouble at soccer camp. But in the end, the pants bring them back together, where they are there for each other after a summer none of them will forget. Based on the first book in the bestselling series by Ann Brashares.