I saw this on Holly Schindler's blog and thought "what a great idea..."
I've heard from many, many people now that they feel like Max and Menna would make a great movie. I'm on the fence about that (I'm not sure how you would stay true to a story when the main characters cover at least 5 different ages throughout the book), but I am a very visual person! I actually have people in my head that have always been Max, Menna, or Nick to me.
But who would YOU cast? Share your thoughts, cast at least 1 character, and it may just be worth your while. One lucky commenter will win their choice of several Lucky Press titles (outlined below).
And if you haven't read Max and Menna, no worries. Keep in mind that Max, Menna, and Nick all have black hair, and read the synopsis below for some information. I am also shamelessly posting some review links so maybe you would want to read Max and Menna.
Titles to Win:
My Beginning by Melissa Kline
Norah by Cynthia Neale
Guardian Spirit by Sarah Martin Byrd
Leaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples
String Bridge by Jessica Bell (pre-order)
And here is some more information on Max and Menna
MAX AND MENNA tells the story of two siblings surviving a deplorable home life in the South in the early 1980s. Telling the story from each of their viewpoints, Max and Menna outline their reliance on each other and on Nick, their only friend, as they cope with growing up in poverty, living with an alcoholic mother, and having no indication of the other half of their parentage.
The story really begins when Max and Menna meet Nick, a Native American, and the story continues to take place during their summer vacations progressively through high school. Max, quiet and introspective, struggles to understand how to be the only man in the house and protect a family that seems determined to destroy itself. Menna is quick-tempered and vivacious, and grows to love and view Nick as a method of coping with a childhood that requires her to be very adult. Despite the strength of the bond the three of them share, however, their environment works against them. As the children of the town drunk, the younger siblings of the town slut, and the friends of an Indian from "over the fence," Max and Menna fight not only to grow up, and get out, but to stay together, and stay safe.
Reviews for Max and Menna:
http://actinupwithbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-max-and-menna-by-shauna-kelley.html
http://maggiesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/08/max-and-menna.html
http://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/max-and-menna/
http://www.rebeccasreads.com/Reviews/ReviewKelleyMaxAndMenna.html
This is so much fun! What a great giveaway! I have been dreaming about my books becoming movies for years. I've even kept a list of actors who would play my characters. :) Max and Menna is on my to-read list! Can't wait to dive into this adventure.
ReplyDeleteThank you for including my book in this giveaway. :)
~Melissa
This is a fun idea. I'd choose Violet from A Series of Unfortunate Events for Mena. Avan Jogia from Victorious might make a good Nick. I can't think of any native american actors off the top of my head. How about Steve R. McQueen for Max?
ReplyDeleteI love the book titles. tmilstein at gmail dot com
I want to come up with brilliant choices, but it's hard. It would take a talented younger(ish) actor to portray Max and Menna with the depth of your novel's depiction.
ReplyDeleteI saw Jacob (Taylor Lautner) as I was reading Nick, but I don't know many Native American younger actors.
Menna needs to be a young Claire Danes or Emma Stone (she has a way of changing her appearance) or maybe Jennifer Lawrence (the new Katniss and also capable of transformation).
Max is harder. Grown up Max could be Ryan Gosling (need the depth of acting). Past Max, ugh! I can't think of an outstanding younger actor. How about Gordon Levitt.
I think the ability to capture the raw emotions of Max & Menna is more important than the physcial similarities. Hair dye and contacts could fix that.
Best of luck. I'd love to see it come to life. But I also know the books are always better, and your book is excellent!