Book Club for Kids

We take a little trip into space with some of the oddest astronauts you'll ever meet. It's Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris' graphic novel "The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza." Students from Grover Heights Elementary School in Central California deconstruct the story and celebrity reader Jonathan Cormur from the Dorktales Storytime podcast give us a taste of the humor. Cowriter and illustrator Shawn Harris answers questions from our young readers. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM GROVER HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins The Last Fallen Star - Graci Kim SHAWN HARRIS' FAVORITE BOOK: Calvin and Hobbes - Bill Watterson JONATHAN CORMUR'S FAVORITE BOOK: The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien    

It's Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen. And it was the choice of a group of 7th graders from Newport Middle School in Maryland. Writer Victoria Aveyard talks about the difference between writing books and writing screenplays. Our celebrity reader, NPR's Renee Montagne, brings to life our lightning girl Mare who is decidedly not excited about becoming a princess. Kitty Felde is host. www.bookclubforkids.org

"Count Me In" by Varsha Bajaj looks at the power of social media to combat hate. The story involves a hate crime: an attack on an Indian American family and how that changes a shy girl named Karina and the boy next door who used to hang out with what the grandfather called a pack of hyenas. Our readers are 5th graders from PS 174 in Queens, New York and they interview our author. Our celebrity reader is public radio journalist Deepa Fernandes. Kitty Felde is host. www.bookclubforkids.org

We are always thrilled when a middle grade novel is turned into a movie and this month, Katherine Applegate's tale of a very special gorilla THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN began airing on Disney Plus. We love Katherine Applegate. In fact, we talked to her a couple of years ago about another of her books about another wonderful animal: an invisible cat. So here's to you, Katherine Applegate: we reprise our episode of Crenshaw. The book is the story of a family on the verge of becoming homeless. Our student readers from Gunston Middle School talk about their own experiences volunteering at a homeless shelter. Actor Rodney Lizcano from the Denver Theater Center is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Book Club for Kids goes to Omaha where this month, the Omaha Public Library is sponsoring the Omaha Reads program, encouraging the city to read local author Rainbow Rowell's unlikely romance ELEANOR & PARK. Members of the Book Worm Girls Book Group discuss the show with host Kitty Felde. Omaha Congressman Brad Ashford is our celebrity reader. Writer Rainbow Rowell tells how the book she pitched to her agent became very personal indeed.

The worst summer vacation ever? Being stuck in the middle of a New Mexico desert with the crabbiest grandfather on planet earth. But there are also magical bees that promise the end of of a drought. Students from Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia discuss HOUR OF THE BEES and writer Lindsay Eager tells where the tale began.  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham from New Mexico is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Geoff Rodkey is both a successful screenwriter and writer of books for kids. Including "We're Not From Here." He talks about the difference between writing screenplays and novels, about science fiction, and about creating non-binary characters. Kitty Felde is host. Lots more interviews with authors at the website www.bookclubforkids.org.

Earth is doomed, so a band of survivors is looking for a friendly planet to save them. But our earthling reputation isn't so great. Will they be allowed to stay? Readers from Maury Elementary School discuss Geoff Rodkey's We're Not From Here. Our celebrity readers is Mat Kaplan, host of Planetary Radio. Kitty Felde is host. Free reading tips: www.bookclubforkids.org

Summer reading book suggestions from kids at the LA Maker Faire: The Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger Jazzies Big Imagination - JaLisa Jackson Animal Farm - George Orwell Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Whatever After - Sarah Mlynowski Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan A Day with the Animal Mechanics - Sharon Rentta Want to be on a future show? Here's how!   www.bookclubforkids.org  

We meet the writer behind Pseudonymous Bosch: Raphael Simon. Host Kitty Felde chats with him about all things writing.

Got a favorite book? These future scientists have a few suggestions: The Heck series -  Dale E. Basye 13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything - DK Publishing Teenage Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution - Kevin Eastman and Tom Walz Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling Dog Man - Dav Pilkey The Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger Charlotte's Web - E.B. White Sophie Mouse - Poppy Green and Jennifer A. Bell The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis The Land of Stories - Chris Colfer More favorite book at our website: bookclubforkids.org

We take a trip to Mississippi in the summer of 1964 - Freedom Summer. The second in writer Deborah Wiles' 1960's trilogy. "Revolution" is discussed by a trio of George Washington Middle Schoolers at the neighborhood bookstore Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, Virginia. Wiles talks about writing fiction from the facts of history. News Anchor Mark Austin Thomas is celebrity reader.

Looking for a late summer thriller? We discuss the first book in Jacqueline West's Books of Elsewhere series The Shadows with the Girlfriends BookClub Baltimore. Public radio journalist Doualy Xaykaothao is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Free reading tips at the website: bookclubforkids.org.

We take our microphone out to the 2026 City of Stem/LA Maker Faire to ask these young scientists and astronauts about their favorite books. Several of them are OUR favorite books, too! And you can click on the links to hear the Book Club for Kids episode about that book. Kitty Felde is host. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeline L'Engle To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban- J.K. Rowlings Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan Heroes of Olympus - Rick Riordan The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Kelly Barnhill A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins My Wierd School - Dan Gutman Wonder- R.J. Palacio The Forgotten Five - Lisa McMann Last Gamer Standing - Katie Zhao

How do we measure up to our parents' expectations? Does everybody deserve a day off? What's the toughest part of being a homeschooled kid? Our group of readers from the Broomfield Public Library in Colorado weigh in on these questions and more as they discuss Lisa Graff's novel Absolutely Almost. Lisa talks about where the characters came from and how she wrote her first book for her newborn baby brother. NYC actor Thaddeus Fitzpatrick is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM THE BROOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY: Eragon - Christopher Paolini Warriors - Erin Hunter Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel - Megan Morrison Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J. K. Rowling The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making - Catherynne M. Valente LISA GRAFF'S FAVORITE BOOK: Holes - Louis Sachar   FAVORITE BOOKS FROM THE BROOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY: Eragon - Christopher Paolini Warriors - Erin Hunter Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel - Megan Morrison Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J. K. Rowling The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making - Catherynne M. Valente LISA GRAFF'S FAVORITE BOOK: Holes - Louis Sachar

Ever wonder what kids in Georgia and Florida are reading? Here's a few suggestions from readers at Druid Hills Middle School in Decatur, Georgia and Indian Trace Elementary School in Weston, Florida. Somewhere Beyond the Sea - TJ Klune Superman Smashes the Klan - Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru Unwind - Neal Shusterman Percy Jackson the Last Olympian - Rick Riordan The Giver - Lois Lowry (click on the link and hear an interview with Lois Lowry!) You can find more favorite books at our website!

The Book Club for Kids podcast began in the smallest quadrant of Washington DC called Southwest. It was the waterfront for DC, the place where ships would dock bringing everything from building supplies to fresh fish to slaves. This week marks the 178th anniversary of what Washington Post writer Colbert King calls "one of the most courageous acts in antebellum America": the attempted escape of African American slaves on a ship docked at the Southwest waterfront, a ship called the Pearl. This week, Book Club for Kids honors its roots by reprising our one episode featuring a non fiction book: Passenger on the Pearl by Winifred Conkling, taped before a live audience at Virginia's Fall for the Book Festival. Lolita Marie is our celebrity reader. www.bookclubforkids.org

You've been calling us with your favorite books. Here's the latest list: Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger House Arrest - K.A.Holt The Running Dream -  Wendelin Van Draanen Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus - Barbara Park That Pigeon Needs a Bath - Mo Willems A Dinosaur in the Toilet - Horace Hughes Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery The Land of Stories - Cris Colfer Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen Sarafina and the Black Cloak - Robert Beatty Missing Since Monday- Ann Martin The Cat I Never Named -  Amra Sabic-El-Rayess Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules -Jeff Kinney The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Diary of Steve the Noob - Steve the Noob If you have a favorite book, you can be on the show, too! Just give us a call at 424- 209-2285 and tell us your first name, the city where you live, the name of your favorite book, and why you love it.

Witches, monsters, and a brave little thief. Those are the ingredients in Claire Legrand's novel "Foxheart." The book was chosen by Book Club for Kids fan Kailas. She and her two fellow readers Iona and Gabi discussed the novel one sunny Sunday afternoon upstairs at Boulder Bookstore with host Kitty Felde. Our celebrity reader is actor Wesley Mann. And writer Claire Legrand explains how "Foxheart" began as a short story on a website.  

What's it like to be adopted? Does your adopted family's history become your history or do you feel the need to find your biological story? Our book this week is "The Length of a String" by Elissa Brent Weissman. It's a Holocaust story about a Jewish family separated by the war. Readers from the Girlfriends Book Club of Baltimore at Hazelwood Elementary Middle School discuss the book and pose lots of questions to our writer. Actor and producer Bari Hochwald is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.    

Ever wonder what it's like to write one of the American Girl novels? We get the inside scoop from Lisa Yee.

We explore an immigration story: a Chinese immigrant who ends up in Minnesota. It's the Newbery Honor Award winning tale "Maisie Chen's Last Chance." Writer Lisa Yee tells readers at Overland Elementary School  that the book is based on her own family's history. Our celebrity reader is public radio journalist Josie Huang from LAist.  Favorite Books from Overland Elementary School: Rick - Alex Gino Amulet - Kazu Kibuishi The City of Ember - Jeanne Duprau Lisa Yee's Favorite Book: Honestly Katie John - Mary Calhoun Josie Huang's Favorite Book: Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery   And check out our other podcast The Fina Mendoza Mysteries!

Can a book be funny and deal with one of the toughest topics around? "Milo: Sticky Notes & Brain Freeze" is writer and illustrator Alan Silberberg's tale of 7th grade angst and dealing with the loss of a parent. Seventh graders from Eliot-Hine Middle School in Washington, D.C. discuss the book and ask questions of author Silberberg. Actor Joshua Malina ("West Wing," "Scandal," the "West Wing Weekly" podcast) is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. NOTE: the phone number mentioned in the episode doesn't work anymore. But if you want to be on the show, email us for information about how your school or library can be featured on a new episode: [email protected].   Favorite Books from Eliot-Hine Middle School: Holes - Louis Sachar The Girl Who Fell - S.M Parker Out of My Mind - Sharon M. Draper ALan Silberberg's Favorite Book: Half Magic - Edward Eager Joshua Malina's Favorite Book: Busy, Busy World - Richard Scarry

We had a longer conversation with Jack Gantos at the Nantucket Book Festival - too much to include in Episode 36, our discussion of DEAD END IN NORVELT. Jack talks about his first 36 rejections, his switch from teaching to writing full time, and about his beloved hometown of Norvelt, Pennsylvania. It's a conversation we had at Mitchell's Book Corner on Nantucket Island. Jack received the 2012 Newbery Award and the Scott O'Dell Award for Best Historic Fiction for "Dead End in Norvelt." His other works include Hole in My Life, a memoir that won the Michael L. Printz and Robert F. Sibert honors; Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award Finalist, and Joey Pigza Loses Control, a Newbery Honor book.

Writer Jack Gantos has his own unusual take on a childhood in the town named after Eleanor Roosevelt - the real-life place called Norvelt, Pennsylvania. Readers from Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia discuss DEAD END IN NORVELT with host Kitty Felde. Wenzel Jones is celebrity reader. Favorite books from Belvedere Elementary in Virginia: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green Candymakers - Wendy Mass Wereworld - Curtis Jobling Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis Warriors series - Erin Hunter Wings of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland Hatchet - Gary Paulsen Jack Gantos' Favorite Book: Moby Dick - Herman Melville "Hard to find another classic on my shelf that I reread every five years - the language, themes, journey, spleen and spine of it are very satisfying." Wenzel Jones' Favorite Book:  Onions in the Stew - Betty MacDonald

Sophie's quest to find her mother takes her from London to Paris - mostly rooftop to rooftop. Katherine Rundell's novel "Rooftoppers" is our book this episode. Students from the British International School of Washington discuss the book with host Kitty Felde. Director and audio book actress Stevie Zimmerman is celebrity reader. Katherine Rundell talks about writing for the stage vs. writing books for kids. Favorite Books from the British International School of Washington: Agatha Christie mysteries FunJungle series - Stuart Gibbs The Maze Runner - James Dashner Katherine Rundell's Favorite Book: Charmed Life - Diana Wynne Jones Stevie Zimmerman's Favorite Book: Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak

Katherine Marsh says her son helped a lot with the creation of "The Door by the Staircase." She also offers some writing tips.

This week, we get a new look at an old fairy tale – the story of the Russian witch known as Baba Yaga. A boys book club in Portland, Oregon met us at Powell's Books to discuss Katherine Marsh's novel "The Door by the Staircase" with host Kitty Felde. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, who represents Portland on Capitol, is celebrity reader.

How does a White House speechwriter turn into a writer for kids? How do you become a Washington speech writer to begin with? We speak to Sean O'Brien, former speechwriter to then-Vice President Joe Biden. Kitty Felde is host.

Former White House speechwriter Sean O'Brien takes us inside the building to a secret passageway to the past in his mystery "White House Clubhouse." Readers from Oak View Elementary School in Fairfax, Virginia discuss how Theodore Roosevelt's mantras are still relevant to them today. Actress Elizabeth Logun is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM OAKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: The Chronicles of Whetherwhy: the Age of Enchantment - Anna James Echo - Pam Munoz Ryan Walk Two Moons - Sharon Creech Wonder - R.J. Palacio The Mortal Instruments - Cassandra Clare SEAN O'BRIEN'S FAVORITE BOOK: All the King's Men - Robert Penn Warren ELIZABETH LOGUN'S FAVORITE BOOK: Charlotte's Web - E.B. White

If you've listened to the show before, you know that we ask everybody our favorite question: What's your favorite book and why. We ask it in classrooms, we ask it in libraries, and we ask if of YOU. A pair of twin brothers from Washington state picked up a phone and recorded their answers on the voice memo app of a smartphone and sent it to us. We also visit the National Book Club in the other Washington: Washington, D.C. Kitty Felde is host.

We have a conversation with "A Little Wicked" author Janet Macreery about two kids of writers: plotters and pantsers. Kitty Felde is host.

We have a conversation with "A Little Wicked" author Janet Macreery about two kids of writers: plotters and pantsers. Kitty Felde is host.

We pay tribute to NPR Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg as we reprise an episode taped before a live audience at the National Archives in 2017. Readers from the Girlfriends BookClub Baltimore discuss A Little Wicked by Janet Macreery with host Kitty Felde. Susan Stamberg is our celebrity reader. You can read a special tribute to Susan at our website bookclubforkids.org or sign up to receive a copy in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Does a background in radio help you write dialogue? What's the one thing you should never include in a book designed for readers with dyslexia? We ask the expert: Lisa Thompson, author of "The Light Jar" and other middle grade novels.

Did you have an imaginary friend when you were little? Nate did. And he's back. Just in time. Students from Garvanza Elementary School in Los Angeles discuss Lisa Thompson's novel "The Light Jar." NPR newscaster Dale Willman is celebrity reader and Kitty Felde is host. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM GARVANZA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: The Stand - Stephen King A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson LISA THOMPSON'S FAVORITE BOOK: Charlotte's Web - E.B. White DALE WILLMAN'S FAVORITE BOOKS: Hardy Boys - Franklin W. Dixon Tom Swift - Victor Appleton

We visit Maine to talk to readers at Manchester Elementary School about their favorite books. Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss The Wild Robot - Peter Brown  Toilet-bound Hanako-kun - Iro Forgotten Girl - India Hill Brown The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus - Dusti Bowling Naruto the Boy Ninja - Masashi Kishimoto Warriors - Erin Hunter Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney I Survived - Lauren Tarshis Ellie's Story: A Dog's Purpose - W. Bruce Cameron   If you'd like to be on the Book Club for Kids podcast, send us an email to [email protected] and we'll send you all the information.   www.bookclubforkids.org  

It's banned books week, as we continue our look at books that have been challenged or banned. This week, it's Gennifer Choldenko's tale "Al Capone Does My Shirts." Back in 2016, the book was challenged by a group that said the book "perpetuates negative stereotypes" by including Al Capone as a character in the book.  And earlier this year, a school board member in Pennsylvania called for a ban on the Newbery Honor book because a character called an autistic teenager stupid.  The school says the books are selected by professional staff members to support the district's educataional goals and meet the learning needs of students. The writer dedicated the book to her sister who had severe autism and was the inspiration for the character.  What do you think? Give a listen to our discussion of Jennifer Cheldenko's "Al Capone Does My Shirts."  It was a rainy, muddy, fabulous day at the Gaithersburg Book Festival where this group of middle school students from Maryland discussed whether they'd like living on Alcatraz and if it's better to be the oldest or youngest in the family. Gennifer Choldenko answers their questions about researching her book AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS. NPR newscaster Jack Speer is celebrity reader. Past Book Club for Kids guests drop by as well. Kitty Felde is host.

  What does it mean to be "gifted?" Don't we all have unique gifts to share with the world? Readers from Eliot-Hine Middle School on Capitol Hill discuss Gordon Korman's story of a prankster who lands in a "Gifted" program. KNX sports anchor (and Talking About Cars podcast host) Randy Kerdoon is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Does square dancing count as an athletic activity? Lupe Wong doesn't think so and is willing to fight the system to make her point. Readers from Charles Hart Middle School in Washington, DC discuss the book with host Kitty Felde and interview the writer Donna Barba Higuera. Our celebrity reader is the former president of United Square Dancers of America. 

In 1925, newlyweds Pete and Gert packed up their lives and  headed west for California in a Model T Ford. Gert chronicled thejourney in a series of letters. Now, one hundred years later, a pair of cousins Kitty Felde and Marie Felde follow their route to see America through their eyes. Join us on a podcast journey at honeymoonroad.com.

Americans have a romanticized image of English boarding schools. RIBBLESTROP is the opposite of that. Writer Andy Mulligan has created what must be the most dangerous school on planet earth. And this trio of readers at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, New Jersey, debate whether they'd like to attend. Peter Sagal, playwright and host of NPR's quiz show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!" is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.   Favorite books from Carolina, Jack, and Eleanor: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library - Chris Grabenstein The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls - Claire Legrand Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling Andy Mulligan's favorite books: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne Animal Farm - George Orwell

It was our fourth episode and Roald Dahl's first book for children. Number Two on our top ten list is "James and the Giant Peach" with Cash Peters as celebrity reader. Students from LA's Equitas Academy discuss the book with host Kitty Felde. Free curriculum guide at bookclubforkids.org.

Can you believe it? Book Club for Kids began ten years ago in the summer of 2015. And we're celebrating by counting down our top ten most listened to episodes over the past decade. This week, just in time for the second installment in the Bad Buys series is the graphic novel that started it all: number four on our top ten list, Aaron Blabey's The Bad Guys. Can bad guys turn over a new leaf? 5th graders at Kimball Elementary School in Washington, DC discuss Aaron Blabey's graphic novel The Bad Boys. Actor Steve DeVorkin is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Book Club for Kids is the show where kids talk about books. Free reading tips at the website. You can be on the show, too. Info at the website.

We continue our celebration of ten years of podcasting by looking back at our most popular episodes. This week, it's number 5 on our top ten list: New Kid. How do you fit in at a new school? Readers from Randle Highlands Elementary School in Washington, D.C. discuss the Newbery Award-winning graphic novel New Kid by Jerry Craft. They even suggest an alternate version of the book. Actor Gary Anthony Williams is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Randle Highlands Elementary School: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney The Creepy Cafetorium - Nick Murphy, Colleen Af Venable, Paul Ritchey, Marcie Colleen, Joe McGee, and Shelby Arnold Nina the Birthday Cake Fairy - Daisy Meadows Jerry Craft's Favorite Book: Bud, Not Buddy - Christopher Paul Curtis Gary Anthony Williams' Favorite Book: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - Douglas Adams Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! - Dr. Seuss

Peter Brown is both a writer and illustrator. We talk to him about how he plots a story and the teacher he hated who set him on his path to becoming a professional artist. Kitty Felde is host.

Do you have a relationship with the robot in your life? You'll fall in love with "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown. 4th graders from Flora Hendley Elementary School in Washington, D.C. discuss artificial intelligence and their own favorite robotic devices. U.S. Congressman Scott Peters from San Diego is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Flora Hendley Elemetary School: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Dork Diaries- Rachel Renée Russell The True Story of the Three Little Pigs - Jon Scieszka Peter Brown's Favorite Book: The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien Congressman Scott Peter's Favorite Book: East of Eden - John Steinbeck

Ever wonder what a writer uses for inspiration? Angie Thomas tells us what gets her fingers flying over the keyboard.   www.bookclubforkids.org

Today it's a book for older kids – "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas. Our main character is an aspiring rap star dealing with sudden fame and the reputation of her late father. Our readers are from West Education Campus in Washington, D.C. Actress Tallie Johnson is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.  Favorite Books from West Education Campus: Lost and Found (Bluford High Series #1) – Anne Schraff The Day Tajon Got Shot - Beacon House Writers When We Collided - Emery Lord Angie Thomas' Favorite Book: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Mildred D. Taylor

What's your favorite book? A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 7 -Lemony Snicket Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan Angry Aztecs (Horrible Histories) - Terry Deary Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery Invisible Inkling - Emily Jenkins Cat Kid Comic Club - Dav Pilkey Aru Sha - Roshani Chokshi Frizzy - Claribel Ortega