This summer, Billy and I are introducing Wyatt to the movies we grew up on. Movies that are nostalgic to us, that feel like summer or just fun. And of course, being me, while watching The Goonies the other night (Wyatt’s favorite so far) I started thinking about books that might feel like The Goonies. That feeling of found family and adventure. So I thought I might try to come up with books for all of the movies we have watched so far! I will admit that some of them were tough!

The first movie we watched was Little Shop of Horrors.

So for kids, I went with a less scary book, and more fantasy, and chose Growing Home by Beth Ferry. It does have sentient plants, but these plants are less scary and less bloodthirsty.

For the adult readers, I chose Mexican Gothic. I love this book and feel like it embraces the idea of flora that wants to consume you.

Next up, The Sandlot. Oh I love this movie. But finding books was difficult since I don’t read sports books! However, I think I did find two that sound like they would embody the feel of this movie, just old time baseball and the love of the game.

Three Strike Summer is actually one on my TBR. I want to preview it, as I am considering it for a book accompaniment to our history curriculum. It is about a young girl growing up in the 1930s during the Depression and amidst the Dustbowl, who wants to play on the secret peach farm team – but will they let a girl play? I have read great reviews for this one!

Beyond the Fence is a book I don’t know a thing about besides the Goodreads description, but if it doesn’t conjure of the feel of a small town baseball game, I don’t know what does.

Now we are at Now & Then, which is one I personally love. A movie of friendships and coming of age, of found family. I just love it. And if you have had friendships that stand the test of time, then you know you have been there for each other through all the good times and the hard times too. Sisterhood. Friends that are family, the family we choose.

For YA readers this time, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. These girls are all so different but are there for each other through good and bad. And so are those magical pants.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhoood is another book about friendships, and helping friends to pick up the pieces when things go sideways. It is definitely more intense read but very very good.

Now we road trip and have a comedic summer vacation with The Great Outdoors. This one was surprisingly difficult! I wanted to focus on a vacation full of hijinks on a family trip, and apparently I am not familiar with too many books like this!

For kids, I chose to focus on the crazy humorous shenanigans that can befall a family trip, and went with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway.

And for adults, I focused on family dynamics and chose Sandwich. I actually have not read this, it feels way too close to home for me right now. Lol. It’s been on my list though, and sounds fantastic. One day.

And finally The Goonies!

The Famous Five – Five on a Treasure Island just seemed like a fun fit. A group of kids having adventures, and in this one, looking for a treasure!

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts is my pick for adults. I loved this book. It reminds me of The Westing Game, one of my favorite books, but I thought it would work for The Goonies too. 🙂

The other movies we watched already have kid’s books, since they are based on the book itself!

I would love to hear any other recommendations, whether they are for other movies to watch or books to accompany these!

I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!