With the announcement that Rainbow Rowell’s beloved young adult novel Eleanor and Park will be adapted for film, directly following the news that John Green’s Paper Towns is also headed to the big screen, here are TIME’s recommendations for 8 other YA books worthy of a screenplay — plus, just for fun, the actors who would be perfect in the starring roles.
Betsy-Tacy Series by Maud Hart Lovelace
This bunch of literary classics from the 1940s follows best friends Betsy and Tacy for a span of nearly 20 years during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Coming-of-age in industrial America will only get better with the costumes.
Dream casting: Hailee Steinfeld (pictured) and Sophie Turner
HarperCollins; Getty ImagesA Separate Peace by John Knowles
Yes, technically already two movies (one in 1972 and a Showtime version in 2004) but a boarding school story never gets old — oh captain, my captain.
Dream casting: Miles Teller as Finny — in a tie, of course. Parenthood’s Miles Heizer as Gene.Scribner; Getty ImagesWintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
This story has the opportunity to make a true impact for teens and parents by shedding light on the heartbreaking effects of bulimia and anorexia.
Dream casting: Troian Bellisario as Lia, with Bunheads favorite Julia Goldani Telles as Cassie.
Speak; Getty ImagesBelzhar by Meg Wolitzer
This soon-to-be published young adult book by The Interestings’ Meg Wolitzer is inspired by the life of Sylvia Plath and is sure to be an all-too-relatable bestseller.
Dream casting: Chloe Grace Moretz as Jam
Dutton Juvenile; Getty ImagesThe Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Two of Dessen’s books were merged together for Mandy Moore’s How to Deal in 2003 but fell quite short of impressive. The Truth About Forever mixes typical adolescent issues with love and loss that would shine on screen.
Dream casting: Elle Fanning as MacySpeak; Getty ImagesThe Magicians by Lev GrossmanHarry Potter for the older set still hits a nerve when it comes to young adults in this series by Grossman (who, full disclosure, writes for TIME). Better yet? Its third installment is due out in August. The movie was once picked up as a TV show but the pilot wasn’t green-lit.
Dream casting: The Way, Way Back’s Liam James as QuentinPlume; Getty ImagesPrep by Curtis Sittenfeld
Misfit Lee Fiora heads to a Massachusetts prep school full of questions about her sexuality, identity and where she falls among the WASP-y elite. Think of it as a not-so-popular girl mingling with the Nate Archibalds of the world.
Dream casting: Elizabeth Olsen as Lee.Random House; Getty ImagesLooking for Alaska by John Green
Being honest, everything John Green writes could be adapted for the screen and this heartbreaker is no exception.
Dream casting: Logan Lerman as Miles Halter while AnnaSophia Robb (pictured) would work wonders with Alaska’s moody and elusive persona.Speak; Getty Images
