Empire Falls. Poster of the 2005 TV series and cover of the 2001 book
VS3
Empire Falls
Richard Russo, 2001
TV series vs book
Fred Schepisi, 2005

Miles Roby, a compassionate restaurant manager, strives to keep his Empire Grill operating amidst challenges from the influential Mrs. Whiting. In addition to managing the restaurant, Miles must also monitor his mischievous father, Max, who is prone to causing trouble. However, Miles grapples with a deeper issue, as he is haunted by memories from his past that keep him inextricably linked to Empire Falls.


Pay It Forward. Poster of the 2000 movie and cover of the 1999 book
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Pay It Forward
Catherine Ryan Hyde, 1999
movie vs book
Mimi Leder, 2000

Trevor begins 7th grade in Las Vegas, Nevada. His social studies, teacher Eugene Simonet, gives the class an assignment to devise and put into action a plan that will change the world for the better. His first good deed is to let a homeless man named Jerry live in his garage, and Jerry pays the favor forward by doing car repairs for Trevor’s mother.


Soul Surfer. Poster of the 2011 movie and cover of the 2004 book
VS3
Soul Surfer
Bethany Hamilton, 2004
movie vs book
Sean McNamara, 2011

In 2003, 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton lives in Kauai, Hawaii with her parents Tom and Cheri, and two older brothers, Noah and Timmy. Holt, Alana, and Byron get her out of the water where Holt makes a tourniquet out of his swimshirt to put on her while Byron calls 911 as Cheri is also informed.


A Good Woman. Poster of the 2004 movie and cover of the 1893 book, Lady Windermere's Fan
VS3
Lady Windermere's Fan
Oscar Wilde, 1893
movie vs book
Mike Barker, 2004

Set in 1930, the film opens in New York City, where femme fatale Mrs. Erlynne finds that she is no longer welcomed by either the high-ranking men she has seduced or the society wives she has betrayed. Leaving behind a chequered past, the giltzy divorcee travels to Italy’s sun-dappled Amalfi coast, where her appearance causes a stir amongst the visiting aristocracy.


Then She Found Me. Poster of the 2007 movie and cover of the 1990 book
VS3
Then She Found Me
Elinor Lipman, 1990
movie vs book
Helen Hunt, 2007

Eager to start a family, schoolteacher April Epner is thrust into uncertainty when her husband unexpectedly leaves her. Her world is further shaken when she encounters her unconventional birth mother, a self-centered talk show host far from the ideal mom. Initially resistant to both her birth mother and the advances of a divorced father, April eventually discovers her life unfolding in unexpected ways.