Mon, 01/28/2019 - 12:02 pm

Andrew Fenniman

Michelle Trachtenberg as “Harriet The Spy.” See the film at Lincoln TheaterFeb. 9 at 10 a.m. Courtesy of the venue

The Lincoln Theater is pleased to launch its next Stories to Screen series: Elementary Adventures, with a free book give-away beginning on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 9:30 a.m. In “Stories to Screen,” the theater screens a family film for free on select Saturday mornings, based on a classic story. Copies of the book on which the films are based, while given away, though they do not have to be read to attend and enjoy the movie.

First up in the series is “Harriet The Spy” (PG; 1996), based on the best-selling 1964 children’s novel by Louise Fitzhugh, on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. But when Harriet's friends find her secret notebook the tables are turned on her. Can she win her friends back and still keep on going with the spy business? Starring Michelle Trachtenberg as Harriet the sixth-grade outcast, and Rosie O’Donnell as her nanny.

“How To Eat Fried Worms” (PG; 2006) is second in the series on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. based on the hugely popular book by Thomas Rockwell. The film revolves around 11-year-old fifth grader Billy who inadvertently challenges the school bully on his first day at a new school. In order to save face and earn the respect of his new classmates, Billy agrees to eat 10 worms in one day, a dare that could change the balance of power within the class.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (PG; 2010) is the third film, screening Saturday, Feb. 23 at 1o a.m., is based on Jeff Kinney's best-selling series of illustrated novels. In this family-oriented comedy, hapless preteen Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) endures bullies, swirlies, morons, and wedgies while navigating the treacherous world of middle school - recording his traumas in his personal journal. Even though he's viewed as a dork by his peers, Greg never loses hope that someday, when all is said and done, he'll be able to look back on his middle school experiences and laugh.

Finally, on Saturday, March 2 at 9 a.m. we meet “Ramona and Beezus” (G; 2010) in which the adventures of young Ramona Quimby (Joey King) and her big sister Beezus (Selena Gomez) come to life in the film based on the best-selling books by Beverly Cleary. Ramona's vivid imagination, boundless energy, and accident-prone antics keep everyone she meets on their toes. But her irrepressible sense of fun, adventure and mischief come in handy when she puts her mind to helping save her family's home.

Additional information can be found on the theater’s website at lcct.org and on Facebook. Remember: free copies of the books are available for pick up beginning Feb. 2 during the final screening of our free “Blue Planet II” series. All films in the “Stories to Screen” series are free to the community.

The Lincoln Theater is at 2 Theater St., downtown Damariscotta.