Books, movies, and shows that will inspire young writers

There was no one working harder in the early ‘90s than Macaulay Culkin. Best known for the holiday staples, Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Culkin was every kid’s favorite then, and today, many still adore him around December. However, there was another movie he did in 1994, The Pagemaster, that is definitely a bookworm's dream come true. An animated version of Culkin finds himself within the pages of a variety of books, from horror to adventure, taking viewers on quite a wild ride. The Pagemaster introduces a few genres to kids in a way that’s easy to comprehend.

Judy Blume solidified her name on YA shelves in the ‘70s with titles like Forever… and Blubber, but it was her debut YA novel, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. that sealed the deal for many. Exploring both aspects of growing up and religion from the point of view of a tween is still something that Blume’s classic is applauded for, and highlights the importance of tackling topics that aren’t always pushed to the forefront for a younger audience.

Robin Williams’ John Keating remains atop a myriad of lists when it comes to favorite fictional educators, and for good reason. Walking away from Dead Poets Society and not being exhilarated by the students’ enthusiasm after their time with Keating is close to impossible.

Kids from Gen X to Gen Z tuned in to PBS for Reading Rainbow. A show in which kids, some of whom might not even be able to read themselves yet, were introduced to books they could then find at their local libraries and bookstores. Today, there is an endless stream of channels on YouTube that read children’s books, but no one comes close to the magic Burton created during the show’s 21-season run.

Harriet the Spy is the perfect movie for kids interested in true crime, but too young to dive into the more gruesome stories out there.

Ann M. Martin is the author behind a Scholastic Book Fair icon, The Baby-Sitters Club. The series spawned over 100 books, two different TV series, and a movie, and has even been redone as a graphic novel series in recent years. The original books, however, are still among the best when it comes to teaching the importance of writing varied characters for a young audience.

Storytelling at its finest, this tale from the ‘80s is a quest that takes audiences on quite the magical trip. Kids interested in fantasy will more than appreciate this one.

Those with little ones interested in mystery writing should tune into Murder, She Wrote. Jessica Fletcher did, and continues, to be a queen of that realm.

Not all writers pen books. Some want to write about their other passions, like music. That is where Almost Famous comes into play. This movie is especially great for writers too young to drive, given that the main character is only 15 when he gets the chance to cover a band out on the road.

While the TV series and movies are fun, it’s the Goosebumps books that are the perfect starting point for young writers who are interested in the horror genre.

What better way to introduce a child to the world of fantasy and adventure than The Princess Bride? All the elements of a great story are there, plus, they’ll even get a lesson in evergreen comedy.

The Goldbergs is a delightful series that ran for 10 seasons on ABC. The show focused on the titular family’s antics in 1980-somethings and the main character’s love of pop culture — his appreciation for crafting stories much like the ones he loved from Star Wars to The Goonies.

Finding Neverland introduces audiences to the man behind one of the most well-known stories to date, Peter Pan. While the stories themselves are always entertaining, it’s also moving to get a glimpse of the lives of those who wrote them as well.

The Hunger Games and Katniss Everdeen’s epic ways truly take the cake when it comes to a great dystopian read that could lead a writer to create their own worlds like it. 

Chris Colfer shot to fame on Glee, but outside of the singing series, Colfer is quite the writer. He wrote a hit book series, The Land of Stories, and 2012’s Struck by Lightning. Struck by Lightning is a coming-of-age tale about a young writer’s last months that appeals to not only those who fancy themselves as budding authors but also those who dance to the beat of their own drums.

Jughead Jones is the writer inspo for tweens just introduced to the world of Hot Topic.

For many, Dr. Seuss' books are among the first to engage them, with The Cat in the Hat being among them.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda was adapted to the big screen in 1996, and while her thing was reading. Everyone knows that avid reading can lead to great writing.

New Girl had a lot going for it, including Nick Miller going from a bartender who lacked the confidence and motivation to really do much to an author of a wildly popular series, The Pepperwood Chronicles.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a masterclass when it comes to writing the perfect coming-of-age story.

Stephen King as a whole is an inspiration, but it’s Stand by Me that could really be what gives young writers the push they need to get started.

Having a dog introduce kids to classic literature? Genius.