How about a side of books to go with your movies?

October 29, 7:09 AMAllentown Books ExaminerSandy Salomonsen

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The classic story brought to life.
Photo from www.bn.com.

With all of the new movies out there, it would be a shame for books to get lost in the shuffle. So I've decided to take it upon myself to help you find some "companion" books to add to your side of popcorn. Just don't read them in the theatre -- it's way too dark, you might hurt your eyes.

Where the Wild Things Are by Warner Bros.:

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak -- The movie is based on Sendak's original picture book, a fun tale about a little boy who, after being punished and sent to his room, imagines sailing to a faraway land where he becomes king.  Sednak's beaufitul illustrations not only add to the fantasy but also earned him a Caldecott Honor.
• Where the Wild Things Are: The Movie Storybook adapted by Barb Bersche and Michelle Quint -- Bersche and Quint take the original story and add stills from the movie to complete the circle between book and film. Bright, colorful photos with beautiful and creative costumes really bring the story to life, even without seeing the major motion picture.
• Heads On and We Shoot: The Making of Where the Wild Things Are by Spike Jonze -- With text, pictures, drawings, storyboards, and the secrets of movie magic, this intricate book helps fans understand just what exactly went into making the feature film. Kind of like a magician revealing how he does his tricks.
• The Wild Things by Dave Eggers -- Taking the classic children's story and "aging" it a bit, Eggers re-tells Where the Wild Things Are for teens and older fans, and is great for young reluctant readers looking for a story to dive in to.

Amelia by Fox Searchlight Pictures:

• Amelia Earhart: The Thrill of It by Susan Wels -- Not your usual biography, Wels combines not only Amelia Earhart's life story but also original documents, never-before-seen pictures, personal moments, and various artifacts being used to continue the search for her remains. Published to correspond with the movie release starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere, The Thrill of It celebrates Earhart's zest for life, her bravery, and everything that made her the icon that she has become.
• East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart by Susan Butler -- Originally released in the late 1990's, Butler's account of Amelia Earhart's life and journeys is considered one of the more popular novels of Earhart on the market. While Susan Wels' The Thrill of It ranks higher in the opinions of this humble reader, East to Dawn is still a good book and would be a welcome addition to any aviation fan's collection.
• Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved by Elgen and Marie Long -- Focusing solely on the mystery behind Earhart's disappearance, The Mystery Solved weaves an interesting theory as to what really happened to Amelia over 80 years ago. Researching for more than 25 years, Elgen and Marie Long combine long-standing, and even new, pieces of evidence to convincingly capture the reader's support in their theory while also honoring Earhart's bravery. A great book for any history mystery fans. Check out Elgen Long's website, too, which has lots of great pictures, evidence, and detail into his investigation of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.
• Amelia Earhart: The Sky's No Limit by Lori Van Pelt -- Another paperback release just in time for the movie premiere, Lori Van Pelt's 2005 biography of Amelia Earhart is another interesting title to add to the list. The New York Public Library added this to their list of Best Books for Teens in 2006, making this a great book for high school history research papers.
• Rowing the Atlantic: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean by Roz Savage -- NOT an Amelia Earhart book, Roz Savage follows in her footsteps by becoming the first woman to complete the Atlantic Rowing Race, a 3,000 mile voyage on nothing but a small ocean row boat, by herself, with one headlamp, some freeze-dried food, and one satellite communications device. Blisters, a shoulder injury, sores, and other injuries plague this daring woman as she makes her journey not only across the Atlantic but also within herself to find the adventurous woman she never knew before. A great story about determination, faith, strength, and the power of self.

Seen any good movies lately?  Maybe I can help you find a book to go along with it...