Staying true to a book is a difficult task for movie directors, so keep an eye out for three standout book-to-film adaptations in 2014.

“Divergent”

Similar to “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent” is a science-fiction adventure series. Author Veronica Roth created a futuristic dystopia in Chicago that is divided into five factions. On Choosing Day, young adults decide which faction to spend the rest of their life: Dauntless (for the brave), Candor (for the honest), Abnegation (for the selfless), Amity (for the peaceful) and Erudite (for the knowledgeable).

However, on Choosing day, Tris finds she does not fit into any of these factions and joins the sixth and secret faction, Divergent.

The film stars Shailene Woodley as Tris. Hopefully, Woodley can apply her skills from “The Descendants” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”to accurately portray Tris. Kate Winslet plays Jeanine, who is a guide for the young Tris after she discovers Tris is a Divergent. If Woodley is unable to make this film a hit, Winslet should be able to save it.

“Labor Day”

Another strong book-to-film adaptation I anticipate also stars Winslet. The Joyce Maynard novel is about a single mother, Adele, and her young son, Henry, as they harbor a fugitive during Labor Day weekend. Winslet plays Adele who suffers from depression and raises her son on her own. Josh Brolin plays Frank, a convicted murderer. As time progresses, Frank, Adele and Hengry grow a close relationship. Frank helps fill the void left by Henry’s father. I’ll be happy if director Jason Reitman stays true to the book by giving viewers the proper ending.

“The Giver”

Unfortunately, this film doesn’t hit theaters until August. This movie is worth the wait because “The Giver” was and still is an essential for many schools’ required reading lists, so there’s a decent chance you’ve already this book. In “The Giver,” author Lois Lowry depicts a flawless society. There are no diseases, no chaos and everyone is equal. The book/film centers on Jonas, an Eleven (11-year-old) who is about to receive the job he will hold for the rest of his life. Jonas is given the job of the “Receiver of Memory” from the Giver. Jeff Bridges plays the Giver. This character is the only one who knows the true history and has to pass it down to Jonas. The movie film will be a hit or miss. It seems like the filmmakers took liberties and strayed from the book. 24-year-old Brenton Thwaites plays 11-year-old Jonas. I wonder what other liberties the producers and director took.