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Luca: The Junior Novelization
This paperback junior novelization retells the exciting story of Disney and Pixar's Luca --in theaters June 18th, 2021!
Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar's original feature film Luca is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held they are sea monsters from another world just below the water's surface. Directed by Academy Award® nominee Enrico Casarosa ( La Luna ) and produced by Andrea Warren ( Lava , Cars 3 ), Luca opens in theaters June 18, 2021. The film is retold in this paperback Junior Novelization that's perfect for girls and boys ages 8 to 12. It comes with a full-color insert full of bonus movie stills!
Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar's original feature film Luca is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held they are sea monsters from another world just below the water's surface. Directed by Academy Award® nominee Enrico Casarosa ( La Luna ) and produced by Andrea Warren ( Lava , Cars 3 ), Luca opens in theaters June 18, 2021. The film is retold in this paperback Junior Novelization that's perfect for girls and boys ages 8 to 12. It comes with a full-color insert full of bonus movie stills!
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2021
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159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 30, 2022
Абсолютен летен разкош е тази книга. Чудовищно добра и силно вдъхновяваща история, изпълнена с приключения, приятелство и мечти. Вълнуващото лятно приключение на Лука и неговите приятели Алберто и Джулия се разгръща в малкото италианско градче Порторосо (наистина прекрасно претворено). Дисни тази година изглежда са във вихъра си, а пък в комбинация с Пиксар, които винаги предлагат някакви различни и отличителни истории, няма начин резултатът да не е добър.
“What he did today was amazing,” Daniela said. “But we can’t let him stay in this world. Can we?”
“Some people, they’ll never accept him,” Grandma said, eating her pasta. “But some will. And he seems to know how to find the good ones.”
В края на книгата има и много хубаво селектирани кадри от филма, който на свой ред пък определено е голяма радост за очите. Препоръчвам го.
Оценка: 4.3 🌞
🎶 Songs from Luca OST
“What he did today was amazing,” Daniela said. “But we can’t let him stay in this world. Can we?”
“Some people, they’ll never accept him,” Grandma said, eating her pasta. “But some will. And he seems to know how to find the good ones.”
В края на книгата има и много хубаво селектирани кадри от филма, който на свой ред пък определено е голяма радост за очите. Препоръчвам го.
Оценка: 4.3 🌞
🎶 Songs from Luca OST
August 11, 2021
The power of dreams cannot be undone.
And you must always believe in the power of good in people and magic of friendship. ❤❤❤
Cute story. Two unusual friends in search of freedom, under the sky full of fish. Moreover, there is always a girl with a big heart.
Though I kept wondering how they, being sea creatures, could breathe and survive outside of the water. But…
Silenzio Bruno!!!😃😃😃
And you must always believe in the power of good in people and magic of friendship. ❤❤❤
Cute story. Two unusual friends in search of freedom, under the sky full of fish. Moreover, there is always a girl with a big heart.
Though I kept wondering how they, being sea creatures, could breathe and survive outside of the water. But…
Silenzio Bruno!!!😃😃😃
July 29, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up because of the narration
I listened to the audiobook and it just confirms the fact that I will listen to everything narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. He is particularly perfect for this and does a great job with the accents as well as the characters' voices. I saw this movie last year and I really enjoyed it and loved the concept of sea monsters as regular people who just want to live their best lives. This adaptation was perfect and kids who enjoyed the movie would enjoy the book as well, but listening to the narration just made it even better for me. My only criticism of the book (I also borrowed the book from the library) is that although it has some pictures in the middle of the book on special pages, the illustrations are not distributed throughout the book. The illustrations are glossy captures from the movie and that's all well and good, but I think the book would be even better if the story was illustrated throughout with the illustrations following the story. That said, I still think kids would enjoy reading this book and I can definitely recommend it to my younger students.
I listened to the audiobook and it just confirms the fact that I will listen to everything narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. He is particularly perfect for this and does a great job with the accents as well as the characters' voices. I saw this movie last year and I really enjoyed it and loved the concept of sea monsters as regular people who just want to live their best lives. This adaptation was perfect and kids who enjoyed the movie would enjoy the book as well, but listening to the narration just made it even better for me. My only criticism of the book (I also borrowed the book from the library) is that although it has some pictures in the middle of the book on special pages, the illustrations are not distributed throughout the book. The illustrations are glossy captures from the movie and that's all well and good, but I think the book would be even better if the story was illustrated throughout with the illustrations following the story. That said, I still think kids would enjoy reading this book and I can definitely recommend it to my younger students.
February 20, 2022
W jakiś dziwny sposób ta książka przeniosła mnie do czasów dzieciństwa. Urocza i ciepła pozycja która roztopiła moje serce
January 30, 2022
hey, look me in the eye. you know i love this book, right? 😭🌊💗✨
silenzio, bruno!!!
★★★★★ 5 straight oh no, definitely not straight happy GAY ANCHOVY STARS!!!!! 🌟
LUCA AND ALBERTO SUPREMACY!!!! and also the vespa <3 duh. i literally have so much love for all of them (luca's parents, his GRANDMOTHER, giulia and massimo marcovaldo) but like luca and alberto especially omg. i cant even. they literally changed each other's lives aaaaand i think they're in love but aNYWAYSJSJ thats just my mind maybe 💗
or maybe not 👀
anyway the movie is unreal and i've gotta gay- go. go. i've gotta go
fine.
(the end)
bottom line: my god these fishes gay .. good for them <3 love that!!! for tjem and for all of us 🏳️🌈
silenzio, bruno!!!
★★★★★ 5
LUCA AND ALBERTO SUPREMACY!!!! and also the vespa <3 duh. i literally have so much love for all of them (luca's parents, his GRANDMOTHER, giulia and massimo marcovaldo) but like luca and alberto especially omg. i cant even. they literally changed each other's lives aaaaand i think they're in love but aNYWAYSJSJ thats just my mind maybe 💗
or maybe not 👀
anyway the movie is unreal and i've gotta gay- go. go. i've gotta go
fine.
(the end)
bottom line: my god these fishes gay .. good for them <3 love that!!! for tjem and for all of us 🏳️🌈
September 27, 2021
Świetna książeczka przedstawiająca historię filmu w naprawdę szczegółowy sposób. Idealna na wakacyjny czas, pełna ciepła i humoru, z pięknym przekazem. Na duży plus zasługują wstawki z języka włoskiego w tekście, zawsze tłumaczone w przypisie na dole strony. Moim zdaniem fajny prezent dla młodych fanów filmu, którzy jeszcze ćwiczą czytanie, ale nie są początkujący :)
July 4, 2022
fajne takie!!
August 30, 2021
El libro tiene escenas extras que en verdad debieron estar en la película. Sin embargo, fue muy lindo conocer más detalles de la película gracias a la novela, como diálogos y pequeños detalles en objetos y sentimientos de los personajes. Una hermosa película que amo con todo mi corazón. 💕
The book has extra scenes that I really needed watched them at the movie. By side, It was really cute know more details about the movie thanks to the novel, like dialogue and object that I didn't know about. The feelings of the characters was really awesome to know. Anyway, a beautiful movie that a I love with all my heart. 💕
The book has extra scenes that I really needed watched them at the movie. By side, It was really cute know more details about the movie thanks to the novel, like dialogue and object that I didn't know about. The feelings of the characters was really awesome to know. Anyway, a beautiful movie that a I love with all my heart. 💕
August 18, 2021
I read this after watching the movie-- mainly because I wanted more content since I loved it so much-- and it's adorable! Very much the same as the movie, and I'm glad it's been turned into a novelization. I hope people find it and read it along with the movie because it's a great thing to have!
July 26, 2021
Audiobook version
May 11, 2025
This book was everything. If you’re a fan of Luca the movie, this is truly something that you need to read. Like, I’m giving it five stars because it’s exactly what I expected it was going to be. Was the writing clearly targeting children? Yes. Did the book add any new perspectives that the movie didn’t cover? No. Were Luca and Alberto just as adorable and lovable as ever? Absolutely yes!! Although this was basically a word for word frame for frame transcript of the movie, it still felt like discovering the world of the sea and Portorosso for the first time, and I loved every single word of it.
This book is a very quick read; something that I would imagine parents reading to their kids before bed. However, it’s fun and does a great job adapting the movie into a different form of media. I’d even venture to say that it would be a cute and fun book for those who haven’t watched the movie or heard of the characters at all. It tells an age old adage about Luca, who is just such a curious kid that wants to explore the world and learn beyond what he is confined to. Alberto is his catalyst into the world beyond, and is a ray of pure energy and light, despite his sad backstory. And together, their juxtaposition makes a dynamic, fun and unstoppable team—especially when they’re joined by the rambunctious and lovingly supportive Giulia. Their dynamic is just as entertaining to read as it was to watch, and I loved re-experiencing their friendship grow in the book.
Overall, I truly enjoyed myself reading this book. To me, as a gay man who never really had any representation in the animated films that I loved to watch growing up, this is the gay story that my younger self always needed. And before people go up in arms, I know that it’s not officially a gay movie, but girl please, Luca and Alberto are gayer than a pride parade float. Also, the themes explored in this movie/book—hiding who you really are, finding love with someone who has experienced the same thing, trying to fight against the odds for acceptance and freedom, embracing your uniqueness and being happy despite the prejudices of others—they’re undeniably queer-coded and paint universal experiences of most queer kids. Also, sexuality does not mean sensuality, and we all had crushes as kids that had nothing to do with sex, so miss me with that bullshit about “pushing an inappropriate agenda.” Love and crushes are just as innocent in young gays as they are in young straights and you thinking they’re not is the problem. BUT ANYWAY BACK TO THE BOOK.
I’m so happy I discovered this novelization after reconnecting with the movie this year. I cried just like I did watching the movie. I mean “you got me off the island, Luca. I’m okay.” said by Alberto will always devastate me. I’m tearing up writing about it right now. But truly. The book reads just as beautifully as the movie plays and to those who don’t think so, I say a resounding SILENZIO BRUNO and also STFU! Ciao!
This book is a very quick read; something that I would imagine parents reading to their kids before bed. However, it’s fun and does a great job adapting the movie into a different form of media. I’d even venture to say that it would be a cute and fun book for those who haven’t watched the movie or heard of the characters at all. It tells an age old adage about Luca, who is just such a curious kid that wants to explore the world and learn beyond what he is confined to. Alberto is his catalyst into the world beyond, and is a ray of pure energy and light, despite his sad backstory. And together, their juxtaposition makes a dynamic, fun and unstoppable team—especially when they’re joined by the rambunctious and lovingly supportive Giulia. Their dynamic is just as entertaining to read as it was to watch, and I loved re-experiencing their friendship grow in the book.
Overall, I truly enjoyed myself reading this book. To me, as a gay man who never really had any representation in the animated films that I loved to watch growing up, this is the gay story that my younger self always needed. And before people go up in arms, I know that it’s not officially a gay movie, but girl please, Luca and Alberto are gayer than a pride parade float. Also, the themes explored in this movie/book—hiding who you really are, finding love with someone who has experienced the same thing, trying to fight against the odds for acceptance and freedom, embracing your uniqueness and being happy despite the prejudices of others—they’re undeniably queer-coded and paint universal experiences of most queer kids. Also, sexuality does not mean sensuality, and we all had crushes as kids that had nothing to do with sex, so miss me with that bullshit about “pushing an inappropriate agenda.” Love and crushes are just as innocent in young gays as they are in young straights and you thinking they’re not is the problem. BUT ANYWAY BACK TO THE BOOK.
I’m so happy I discovered this novelization after reconnecting with the movie this year. I cried just like I did watching the movie. I mean “you got me off the island, Luca. I’m okay.” said by Alberto will always devastate me. I’m tearing up writing about it right now. But truly. The book reads just as beautifully as the movie plays and to those who don’t think so, I say a resounding SILENZIO BRUNO and also STFU! Ciao!
August 24, 2021
Uma leitura bastante rápida e adorável, tal como o filme.
September 20, 2021
Read the Luca novelisation they said. It'll be fine they said.
October 9, 2021
Good children audiobook. Have not seen the movie and listened with my kids. Pleasant surprise and entertaining way to pad my 2021 reading challenge ;)
February 2, 2022
45 - 2022
August 11, 2023
Gdybym była młodsza to by mi się pewnie bardziej spodobało
December 4, 2023
Mermaid?
Some illustration from the movie . Disney always does good work.The tale of misfits in a quiet little fishing village. A triathlon is taking place.
Some illustration from the movie . Disney always does good work.The tale of misfits in a quiet little fishing village. A triathlon is taking place.
June 19, 2024
Great for sleeping. Italian accent.
December 1, 2024
Just watch the movie
June 27, 2021
I loved the movie so much that I just had to read the novelization. It was a pretty good rendition of the movie. The one scene that I wish had been a bit more dramatic was Luca’s betrayal of Alberto. It was heart wrenching in the movie and I felt that more could have been done to bring that across in the book. However, the writer does explain how Alberto decided to go help Luca on the day of the race and that scene wasn’t even shown in the movie. Also, the scene where Luca saves Alberto was done really well. Overall, it’s a fun read that both kids and adults will enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2022
I loved Luca. This deluxe junior novels are much better than the first that came out. They are hardback and the level of reading has a little more complex than some that felt that was a synopsis of the movie.
Luca is a merboy who wants a bike, he joins a friend and they go to land to pass all these trials to win their dream but find other dreams.
Luca is a merboy who wants a bike, he joins a friend and they go to land to pass all these trials to win their dream but find other dreams.
May 2, 2022
great Book
I read this book before I gave it to my son. It is a great movie adaptation amd I really enjoyed this heartfelt story and the lessons of loyalty, friendship, being kind, and looking past one’s appearances that are present throughout. Grade A.
I read this book before I gave it to my son. It is a great movie adaptation amd I really enjoyed this heartfelt story and the lessons of loyalty, friendship, being kind, and looking past one’s appearances that are present throughout. Grade A.
September 27, 2024
Holy shit, I'm OBSESSED with the illustration style. I have nothing else to say besides that it's just perfect. (Like, sure the story is good too, but that was already there because it's from a movie.)
June 29, 2021
Great read!!
October 27, 2021
Amé la pelicula y quería volver a sentirme feliz así que me compré la novela y lo disfruté de la misma forma.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews