‘A Crown Of Wishes’ TV Series In Development for Disney+

On November 3, it was reported through exclusively through Deadline that NYT Bestselling and award-winning author Roshani Chokshi’s YA fantasy A Crown Of Wishes, is currently in development for a TV series with Disney+ alongside Avantika set to headline the project.

Chokshi’s 2017 novel centers around Princess Gauri (which Avantika will star) who finds herself facing a future of exile thanks to her malevolent brother, King of Bharata. However, she soon joins forces with notoriously cunning Prince Vikram from a neighboring land, where he can promise her freedom…if they team up to win the mythical competition known as the Tournament Of Wishes. Though one wish will be granted to the winner, the pair have differing agendas and in their alliance— a romance develops.

“i genuinely have tears in my eyes posting this right now. @/roshanichokshi wrote one of my favorite books till date….ever since i read ‘a crown of wishes’ two years ago, it became my passion to see the novel come to life. so, to now, have the HONOR of being able to headline and EXECUTIVE PRODUCE (how cool is that?!?!) this fantasy show – that’s going to launch a new era of princesses for disney – is absolutely crazy.”

Avantika via Instagram on Nov. 3, 2022

Avantika will not only star as Princess Gauri, but also executive produce the TV adaptation. Zanne Devine with Montana North Media is set to executively produce alongside Avantika, with co-producer Raj Raghavan of ColorCreative and Jessica Sonnefeld Jolles of Montana North co-producing.

According to her Instagram post, Avantika also stated in excitement “A NEW ERA OF DISNEY PRINCESSES.” In posting the announcement on Instagram Chokshi said “I can’t imagine a more beautiful, ferocious or clever Gauri than @iamavantika. She’s been a joy to work with from the very beginning and I’m so excited about what lies ahead… I couldn’t be happier that it’s getting new life on the small screen. To those of you who have been with me since The Star-Touched Queen days, there aren’t enough words of thanks. I hope you’re as excited as I am…”

A Crown Of Wishes is a spin-off and standalone follow-up to Chokshi’s debut novel The Star-Touched Queen, a series based in Hindu mythology. Avantika is known for her role in the DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) Spin from 2021.

An ancient mystery. An unlikely union. For one young princess in a state of peril, a dangerous wish could be the only answer…

She is the princess of Bharata—captured by her kingdom’s enemies, a prisoner of war. Now that she faces a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. But should she trust Vikram, the notoriously cunning prince of a neighboring land? He promises her freedom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together they can team up and win the Tournament of Wishes, a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor. It seems like a foolproof plan—until Gauri and Vikram arrive at the tournament and find that danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans, mischievous story birds, a feast of fears, and twisted fairy revels. New trials will test their devotion, strength, and wits. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire. 

A Crown Of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi is out now!

‘Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe’ First Look

On September 8, Variety reported that a film adaptation for Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s multi-award-winning LGBTQ+ novel is set to be screened and premiered at Toronto International Film Festival this Friday.

The 2012 YA novel, Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe, follows two Mexican-American teenagers who who form a unique bond after a chance meeting in the summer.

An exclusive clip spotlighting the characters’ first meeting was also revealed, highlighting Ari and Dante bonding over their names.

Aitch Alberto is the screenwriter and director behind the project with Max Pelayo (Ari) and Reese Gonzales (Dante) starring. Kyra Sedgwick and Eugenio Derbez (Ari’s father in the film and well-known Mexican actor), and Lin-Manuel Miranda are high-profile producers attached. Additional cast includes Eva Longoria, Luna Blaise and Kevin Alejandro.

This film marks Alberto’s “feature debut” stated in TIFF’s official film page for Ari & Dante. Financing and production for the adaptation came from Limelight, 3Pas Studios and Big Swing Productions, associated with Boies Schiller Entertainment, as reported by Deadline in 2021 when initial casting was announced.

According to a Publishers Weekly interview from 2021, it was over a 5-year process getting the novel adapted to screen. An exclusive first look still was initially revealed through Twitter during August.

Dante can swim. Ari can’t. Dante is articulate and self-assured. Ari has a hard time with words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost in thoughts of his older brother who is in prison. Dante is fair skinned. Ari’s features are much darker. It seems that a boy like Dante, with his open and unique perspective on life, would be the last person to break down the walls that Ari has built around himself.

But against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be. But there are big hurdles in their way, and only by believing in each other―and the power of their friendship―can Ari and Dante emerge stronger on the other side.

Are you looking forward to the Ari and Dante film adaptation?

‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ To Be Adapted For TV In 2023

On September 5, Deadline reported that Holly Jackson’s NYT Bestseller A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder is being adapted into a television series through BBC Three, with filming confirmed to start in 2023!

Good Girl’s Guide follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who chooses the closed case of five years centering around the murder of schoolgirl Andie Bell as the subject of her final-year project. As she starts to uncover secrets and piece together the clues, the real killer desperately wants to stay hidden. So the question remains…how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

According to BBC, production company Moonage Pictures will be behind the six-part series with Poppy Cogan of BBC Three who will adapt the novel for screenplay alongside writers Zia Ahmed, Ajoke Ibironke and Ruby Thomas. Florence Walker will also produce the project.

“I am beyond thrilled that A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has found its perfect home with Moonage Pictures and the BBC,” stated Jackson, “It is a privilege to be working alongside such a talented and creative team who are as invested in the characters and story as I am. I can’t wait to introduce Pip and Ravi to a whole new audience, and to welcome back readers who have missed our partners in crime.”

Confirmed by BBC, the series will start filming in 2023 for broadcast on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

Matthew Read, executive producer for Moonage Pictures, had this to say about the novel “As soon as we read Holly Jackson’s ruthlessly compelling page-turner, we knew it had all the elements for a piece of must-see television…”

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder is the first of a trilogy, followed by Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead. The novel has been altered for American audiences, though it can be concluded the adaptation will follow the original UK setting.

No further information as to casting or release date has been announced.

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson is out now! Are you looking forward to this adaptation? Have you read the novel?

‘Yolk’ Optioned As A TV Series

As of July 28, Variety reported exclusively that NYT Bestselling author Mary H.K. Choi had the rights to her 2021 contemporary novel Yolk acquired to be adapted into a television series with Picturestart.

The novel follows two estranged sisters, Jayne and June Baek— Jayne is making her way through fashion school in New York City, while her sister June has a high-finance paying job and has never really struggled in her life, until she’s diagnosed with uterine cancer. Now the sisters have to reunite, flung together by circumstances, but get into a messy plot of switching places and committing insurance fraud.

Choi will be adapting her novel for the screenplay alongside Jessica O’Toole (“XOXO Kitty”, “Jane The Virgin”), with O’Toole serving as showrunner.

Executive producers attach to the project include Erik Feig, founder and CEO of Picturestart, Samie Kim Falvey, Julia Hammer, Emily Wissink alongside Jermaine Johnson of 3 Arts and Lulu Wang (director of The Farewell) and Dani Melia of Local Time, a newly formed production company.

Feig stated in the article, “Mary is quickly proving herself to be the voice of a generation, applying her keen observational eye to the universal themes of family, identity, and belonging in this peerless coming-of-age story. She’s viciously funny but deeply empathetic at the same time, and the moment we read ‘Yolk,’ we knew it was a series we had to make at Picturestart—and we knew Mary had to be the one to adapt it.”

According to Choi’s Instagram post, she exclaimed, “SO. PUMPED. Also exquisitely in love with this entire team so hard already. I can’t wait to make this so good and so squish and so sob…”

Jayne Baek is barely getting by. She shuffles through fashion school, saddled with a deadbeat boyfriend, clout-chasing friends, and a wretched eating disorder that she’s not fully ready to confront. But that’s New York City, right? At least she isn’t in Texas anymore, and is finally living in a city that feels right for her.

On the other hand, her sister June is dazzlingly rich with a high-flying finance job and a massive apartment. Unlike Jayne, June has never struggled a day in her life. Until she’s diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Suddenly, these estranged sisters who have nothing in common are living together. Because sisterly obligations are kind of important when one of you is dying.

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi is out now!

‘A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea & Tomorrow’ Film Adaptation In Development

On August 16, Deadline reported exclusively that Laura Taylor Namey’s 2020 NYT Bestselling romance novel A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea And Tomorrow is getting adapted into a film through ACE Entertainment, with a cast already attached and production launched in Yorkshire, England.

Taylor Namey’s novel follows baker Lila Reyes who never planned to spend a summer in England. However, a series of events primarily including the loss of her grandmother, her parents worry about her mental health deciding it’s best to spend time away from the family’s Cuban panadería to stay at her aunt’s inn located in Winchester, England for a much needed reset. From Miami to London, she finds herself falling in love with the countryside, fusion cooking and a charming British tea-shop clerk named Orion. As she warms up to the charming English summer, she finds that food and her adventures, slowly heal her heart.

Maia Reficco will star as Lila Reyes, Kit Connor (Heartstopper) is set to play Orion Maxwell (according to Taylor Namey’s tweet) and Kate del Castillo has also been attached to star in the adaptation.

In her narrative debut, Katherine Fairfax Wright will direct the project, Khalia Amazan and Savion Einstein have been attached as screenwriters, alongside Matt Kaplan who will produce.

ACE Entertainment has adapted Young Adult novels such as the ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ trilogy and more recently ‘Hello, Goodbye And Everything In Between.’

Taylor Namey stated with much excitement in her initial tweet “So honored and completely over the moon to announce this news that took my breath away so many months ago…” According to her profile, she is also confirmed to be an executive producer on the project.

No other news was revealed as to release date or whether a streaming service will acquire the film. A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea And Tomorrow was featured as Reese’s Book Club pick in November of 2020.

For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.

Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.

A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea And Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey is out now!

‘We Were Liars’ & Other E. Lockhart Novels Optioned For TV

On July 20, Deadline reported that We Were Liars, Family Of Liars and Again Again, written by E. Lockhart, were optioned as television series with Universal TV and My So-Called Company.

Carina Adly MacKenzie and Lockhart are set to co-write the screenplay for Again Again, while Julie Plec of My So-Called Company will adapt We Were Liars alongside its prequel.

We Were Liars follows Cadence Sinclair who returns to her family’s private island for the summer joined by her cousins and family friend off Cape Cod. As Cadence recovers from a head injury, the group known as the Liars uncover secrets and truths that no one wants to speak of.

The prequel following the previous generation of the Sinclair family was also optioned alongside Lockhart’s 2020 novel Again Again following Adelaide Buchwald who attempts to regain normalcy in her life after a family crisis and broken heart.

Lockhart’s novel has become a #Booktok sensation having remained on the bestseller list for over 22 months, garnering over 103.2 million views.

“I’ve chased We Were Liars for years…It’s mysterious, romantic and devastating — and Family of Liars showed me just how sprawling and multi-generational the series can be. Being able to adapt it for television is a career highlight for me — not to mention how thrilled I am to bring the lovely, intimate, emotional journey that is Again Again to life with Carina and the Emilys (Lockhart and Cummins),” stated Plec.

Plec is currently the co-creator and co-showrunner for Peacock’s upcoming Vampire Academy series.

We Were Liars, Again Again and Family Of Liars by E. Lockhart are out now!

‘Hello, Goodbye, And Everything In Between’ Adaptation Headed To Netflix In July

On June 15, Netflix revealed the trailer to Hello, Goodbye, And Everything In Between the forthcoming YA movie adaptation based on the novel by Jennifer E. Smith, streaming July 6!

The coming-of-age romantic movie follows Claire and Aidan who make a pact to break-up before heading off to college. With their pact showcasing them as the “poster children of modern relationships” the teens go on an epic final date to relive their firsts, in addition to the special places that defined their relationship. However when Aidan reveals his feelings for Claire, the two of them are left thinking about whether the relationship is their last chance to be together or whether its time to say goodbye.

Starring Jordan Fisher (Aidan) and Talia Ryder (Claire), Ayo Edebiri and Nico Hiraga, the film is directed by Michael Lewen, written by Amy Reed and Ben York Jones, in addition to Fisher and Smith who served as executive producers.

Hello, Goodbye, And Everything In Between running time is 1hr and 24 minutes and produced by ACE Entertainment, the same studio behind To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.

On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night leads them to family and friends, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

Charming, bittersweet, and full of wisdom and heart, this irresistible novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that arise when life and love lead in different directions.

Hello, Goodbye And Everything In Between is releasing on July 6 with Netflix!

The Booked Shelf Chronicle (Issue #3 ― Adaptations)

The Booked Shelf Chronicle is a monthly feature on the blog to wrap-up the fantastic YA book news of the month!

Each issue will highlight bookish news from around the Young Adult book community that may not have been covered in the previous month by The Booked Shelf.

Today’s topic is all about book-to-screen adaptations, from first looks, teasers to trailers, upcoming releases and everything else you need to know about the slate of summer projects!

Issue #3 of The Booked Shelf Chronicle is fresh off the press and is wrapping up all the book adaptation news from May 2022!

The Summer I Turned Pretty teaser & full trailer revealed for the upcoming Amazon Prime series

On May 5, the official Amazon Prime and TSITP Twitters revealed the 47-second teaser introducing Belly and the main cast, stating “I though this summer was going to be like all the other summers, but its not…because I won’t let it be.”

The teaser also unveiled a re-released song from Taylor Swift “This Love (Taylor’s version).”

Amazon Prime debuted the full trailer to the upcoming YA romance on May 31. A full summary for the series reads: Every summer, Belly and her family head to the Fishers’ beach house in Cousins. Every summer is the same… until Belly turns sixteen. Relationships will be tested, painful truths will be revealed, and Belly will be forever changed. It’s a summer of first love, first heartbreak and growing up — it’s the summer she turns pretty.

Showrunner is Gabrielle Stanton and co-showrunner includes author Jenny Han. Lola Tung stars as Belly, alongside Christopher Briney (Conrad), Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah) and Sean Kaufman as Belly’s older brother (Steven).

The Summer I Turned Pretty is set to have eight episodes for the first season and is premiering June 17!

First Kill 1st Look & Official trailer premiered for upcoming series releasing with Netflix

On May 5, Netflix unveiled the first look to the 8-episode series First Kill. Then on May 12, Netflix revealed the first official trailer. Inspired by a Victoria Schwab short story of the same name, First Kill was originally published in the 2020 Young Adult vampire anthology edited by Zoraida Córdova titled “Vampires Never Get Old: Tales With Fresh Bite.”

The series has been pitched by Netflix as follows: Falling in love is tricky for teens Juliette and Calliope: One’s a vampire, the other’s a vampire hunter — and both are ready to make their first kill.

Imani Lewis stars as Calliope, who comes from a lineage of monster hunters and Sarah Catherine Hook as Juliette, a vampire. The two girls, who attend the same high school, soon find themselves drawn to one another and will decide what they’re willing to risk for their first love.  Felicia D. Henderson is the showrunner, executive producer and screenwriter.

First Kill is set to stream with Netflix on June 10!

Love & Gelato gets first teaser and full trailer for upcoming film with Netflix

While around late May the first teaser was officially published to the Love & Gelato Netflix title page, a full trailer was finally revealed on June 3.

On May 26, author Jenna Evans Welch revealed the official movie poster through Instagram. Cast includes Susanna Skaggs (Lina), Anjelika Washington (Lina’s best friend Addie), Valentina Lodovini, Owen McDonnell, Alex Boniello andTobia De Angelis.

The full summary reads: To fulfill her mother’s final wish, Lina spends the summer before college in Rome, where she discovers romance, adventure — and a passion for gelato.

Love & Gelato is coming to Netflix on June 22!

Which upcoming YA adaptations are you looking forward to? 📚🎥

‘Heartstopper’ Renewed For Seasons 2 & 3 with Netflix

On May 20, Netflix confirmed that Heartstopper, a hit series for the streamer, had a renewal for two additional seasons (Seasons 2 and 3, respectively).

Heartstopper follows openly gay over-thinker Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, a cheerful, a soft-hearted rugby player, who meet at a British all-boys grammar school. As friendship blooms, they wonder whether there could be something more.

According to sites such as Variety and Deadline, since the series launch on April 22, it has been reaching Netflix’s Top Ten list in the global rankings of 54 countries, as well as peaking at number 5. Additionally, book sales for Oseman’s webcomic-turned-graphic novel have increased 1,700%.

As stated on Tudum, Netflix’s official blog, executive producer Mark Waters had this to say about the series and what is to come: “I’m forever grateful to Alice Oseman for entrusting us with this beautiful, unique story that at its core seeks to uplift the next generation of young LGBTQ+ people. Stay tuned!”

Main cast includes Charlie (Joe Locke), Nick (Kit Connor), Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao), in addition to Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell).

See-Saw Films is the British-Australian film company behind the adaptation. While Season 1 of the series covered the first two graphic novels, no further details have been revealed about the premise of upcoming seasons.

Oseman had this to say about the news on their Twitter stating “seasons 2 and 3, here we come!! ✌🍂”

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman is out now!

‘Love & Gelato’ Film Adaptation Headed To Netflix Summer 2022

On April 27 it was revealed through Netflix that Love & Gelato by NYT Bestselling author Jenna Evans Welch, would be getting the adaptation treatment with a film set to stream on the platform in June!

The streamer has pitched the movie as follows: “Lina is about to graduate high school and has her sights set on her future at MIT. But when her mom gets sick, she encourages Lina to follow in her footsteps and have “the summer of a lifetime” in Rome. Using her mom’s old diary as a guide, she explores the romantic and magical city, where she just might find love… and gelato, of course.”

Cast includes Susanna Skaggs (Lina), Anjelika Washington (Addie), Owen McDonnell as Howard (Lina’s father-type figure & friend of her mother) and Alex Boniello (Fleetwood Zach).

In addition to the film announcement, Netflix’s official blog, Tudum, also revealed an exclusive still of the film featuring Lina (Skaggs) and Addie (Washington) enjoying gelato on the streets of Rome.

As mentioned in Deadline, the project has been directed and written by Brandon Camp, alongside producers Viola Prestieri and Davide Bertoni, shot on location in Italy.

Other YA adaptations headed to the streaming service include: Along For The Ride (based on the novel by Sarah Dessen) and Hello, Goodbye, And Everything In Between (based on the novel by Jennifer E. Smith).

“I made the wrong choice.”

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is go back home.

But then she is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires her, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father—and even herself.

People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.

Love & Gelato is premiering on Netflix June 22, 2022!