YA books that never should have been turned into movies

Image from Amazon.com

Unless you've been sleeping in a coffin, you're probably aware of a little movie called Twilight that opened this weekend.  You're also probably aware it was based on a bestselling novel by the same name about a vampire-human-werewolf love triangle set in Forks, Washington. 

The movie has opened to some pretty bad reviews.  I'm not surprised, after all the previews look horrible.  When I first read Twilight I knew it would be hard to do the characters in the book justice with a bunch of actors.  Don't even get me started on how unattractive the Cullen family looks on screen. 

I will not likely be seeing the movie (well, maybe if it makes it to the Crest.  Then I won't feel guilty about parting with my $3 when I see for myself how much the movie stinks).  Actually most adults that I know who read and liked the first book (but hated the final three because Bella got more and more irritating as the saga progressed) aren't interested in seeing the movie.  It's turned our beloved book into a joke.

The release of Twilight got me thinking.  What other Young Adult novels should never have been turned into movies?  I'm not talking about so-bad-it's-good films like Drive Me Crazy, based on the Todd Strasser book Girl Gives Birth to Own Prom Date (starring that guy from Entourage and Sabrina the Teenage Witch), but movies that are so bad they make you want to throw the book at the screen and shake the author and ask, "Why did you sell your soul to the devil?"  These are the ones I came up with that never should have seen the big screen:

Because of Winn Dixie based on the book Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.  The Dave Matthew's cameo is the only thing worthwhile in this film.  I wanted a refund after seeing this and I saw it for free a screening at a library conference.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 based on the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares.  Despite the all-star cast, the chemistry of the four leads didn't make the transition from the book to the screen.  It was one long yawn.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen based on the book Confessions of a Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon.  Starring Lindsey Lohan.  Enough said.

The Golden Compass based on the book The Golden Compass:  His Dark Materials, Book 1 by Phillip Pullman.  On paper it is an exciting fantasy adventure set in an alternate world where people's souls manifest themselves on animals.  On screen, not so exciting, but that also could have been Nicole Kidman's lackluster performance.

How to Deal based on the books That Summer and How to Deal by Sarah Dessen.  Now I love Mandy Moore, but this was likely her worst role ever (and probably her worst haircut ever).  The script was terrible as was most of the other character's acting.  Even Allison Janney couldn't save this film.

Speak based on the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.  Great book, terrible TV movie.  At least Kristin Stewart's acting has improved slightly since this 2004 release.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events based on the Lemony Snicket series of the same name.  The film tries to cram three books (The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, and The Wide Window) into 108 minutes.  The result is a rushed and disjointed film.

Did I miss a title?  Leave your selections in the comments section below.

Stay tuned Monday for my list of "The Best YA Books that Were Turned into Movies."