Podcasts by Book Club for Kids

Favorite Books from Nantucket from 2021-06-16T10:00

We get book suggestions from readers at the Nantucket Book Festival. 

www.bookclubforkids.org

Old Yeller from 2021-06-09T10:30

Pets play such an important part in our lives and the loss of an animal creates a hole in our hearts. The Newbery Honor award winning classic Old Yeller by Fred Gipson ...

A Conversation with Meg Medina from 2021-06-02T10:30

How long does it take to publish a book? Newbery award winning writer Meg Medina says most of her time is spent rewriting and rewriting.

More conversations with writers at our website www...

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina from 2021-05-26T10:30

Book Club for Kids goes to Hooray For Books! bookstore in Alexandria, Virginia to talk about Meg Medina's novel about bullying a...

A Conversation with Writer Rob Buyea from 2021-05-19T10:00

We continue the conversation with writer Rob Buyea about how his experiences as a classroom teacher influenced his writing of "Because of Mr. Terupt." Kitty Felde is host.

www.bookclubfor...

Episode 119 - Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea from 2021-05-12T10:00

Were you lucky enough to have one special teacher who changed your life? This week, our book is all about that gifted educator and the classroom that was lucky enough to have him: "Because of Mr...

May the Fourth Be With You The Strange Case of Origami Yoda from 2021-05-04T10:00

We celebrate the Star Wars national holiday May the Fourth with our favorite Star Wars episode The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz is celebrity ...

Favorite Books from the Baltimore Book Festival from 2021-04-28T10:30

We miss book festivals! It's the best place to meet authors, fellow book lovers, and come home with a stack of books and pages of great book suggestions. This week, we turn back the clock to 201...

Flying the Dragon from 2021-04-21T10:30

The pink blooms on the cherry trees are fading in Washington, DC. And the Cherry Blossom Festival is virtual thi...

Passenger on the Pearl by Winifred Conkling from 2021-04-14T10:00

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 ...

A Conversation with New Zealand Writer Brian Falkner from 2021-04-07T10:00

Are children's writers different than those who write for adults? New Zealand Brian Falkner has a few thoughts. He also shares his techniques for organizing his stories and talks about creating ...

Shooting Stars by Brian Falkner from 2021-03-31T10:30

Do you have a code for the way you live your life? Egan does. And the world wants to follow it. Egan has spent most of his life in the New Zealand bush. Can he survive the modern world and keep ...

Favorite Books from New Jersey and Illinois from 2021-03-24T10:30

Running out of good books to read? We're here to help. This week, we hear great book suggestions about tigers, horses, a sinking ship, and more! And we tell you how you can be on the show, too.<...

Hound of Rowan from 2021-03-17T10:30

Read all the Harry Potter books? Looking for your next great fantasy novel? This week, we discuss The Hound of Rowan by Henry Neff. Jamari and Steven at Jefferson Middle School...

Favorite Books from Southwell School New Zealand from 2021-03-10T11:00

Ever wonder what kinds of books kids halfway across the world like to read? We've got the answers from readers in Hamilton, New Zealand. Kitty Felde is host.

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Episode 117 - The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney from 2021-03-03T11:30

Did you ever wonder if your parents were really your parents? Maybe you were kidnapped.That’s a question facing Janey in the book “The Face on the Milk Carton” by Caroline Cooney. Readers from N...

Christopher Paul Curtis from 2021-02-24T11:00

A conversation about writing with Newbery Award winning author Christopher Paul Curtis about "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963," writing in libraries and donut shops, and creating a soundtrack...

The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 with an interview with Christopher Paul Curtis from 2021-02-17T11:30

"The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963” touches on a tragic moment in American history: the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. But it’s really a family story...

Favorite Books from Brooklyn and Los Angeles from 2021-02-10T11:30

We hear from readers who share their favorite books. You can, too! Just record yourself on the voice memo app of your smartphone, telling us your FIRST NAME, city where you live, the name of you...

Episode 116 - Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D Taylor from 2021-02-03T11:30

We turn back the clock to a difficult period of history in Jim Crow America. The book is the Newbery award winner "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor. Readers from Immaculate Hea...

Be a Podcast Star from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It's your opportunity to be a podcast star. Listen for details.

Bonus Episode: The Search for the Real Great Brain from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Has a book inspired you to take a summer vacation to a particular place? "The Great Brain" series seems to have inspired a lot of readers - including Sharon Madsen's family. Sharon's become the uno...

Episode 86 - Jackie & Me by Dan Gutman from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Every April 15th, Major League Baseball celebrates the day that Jack Roosevelt Robinson started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, the day that integrated baseball. This year marks Jackie Robi...

Favorite Books from You from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Readers from across the country call in and tell host Kitty Felde their favorite books.

Episode 85 - Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Would you like to be a legend? To have people tell stories about you long after you’re gone? Would you like to be “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli? This Newbery Award-winning classic is our Book Cl...

Favorite Books from Palos Heights Illinois from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Readers at the Palos Heights Public Library share their favorite books...and many of them are our favorites, too!

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder with Congressman Adam Schiff from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Would you like to grow up on a desert island with no adults to boss you around? That's the locale for our book "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder. Our readers from Percy Julian Middle School in Oak P...

Bonus Episode - Favorite Books from Houston from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We hear from readers at Marcella Intermediate school in Houston Texas who share their favorite books. Many of them are by Book Club for Kids authors. Kitty Felde is host.

Episode 84 - Hello Universe from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Virgil's grandmother keeps telling him scary stories as life lessons. One of his friends is convinced she can predict the future. Virgil is trying to find a way out of his shell. 

This we...

Favorite Books from Daniel Boone Regional Library in Missouri from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Readers from the "show me" state show us their favorite books to host Kitty Felde.

Episode 83 - Monster by Walter Dean Myers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

He's on trial for murder. Does that make him a bad person? Our readers from Kramer Middle School in Washington, DC tackle tough questions about a tough book: Walter Dean Myer's award-winning novel ...

Bonus Episode: A conversation with writer Shannon Messenger from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Ever wonder how writers keep all the details organized when they're writing a long series? Find out in this conversation with writer Shannon Messenger. Kitty Felde is host.

Episode 82 - Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do you wish you had a super power? Want to hang out with some elves? This week, a book club from Maryland picks our book: Shannon Messenger's "Keeper of the Lost Cities." Nick Roman is our celebrit...

Nikki Grimes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week, our readers from Washington DC discussed Nikki Grimes’ novel in verse GARVEY’S CHOICE. This week, we hear some more from poet Nikki Grimes about the power of poetry, spirituality in a se...

Episode 81 - Garveys Choice by Nikki Grimes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

"Garvey's Choice" is the poetic tale of a star-struck young man trying to please his father. Award-winning writer Nikki Grimes answers questions from readers at Alice Deal Middle School in Washingt...

Bonus Donna Jo Napoli from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week, we talked to writer Donna Jo Napoli about her novel ALLIGATOR BAYOU. It’s a novel set in Louisiana, a tale about the relationship between Italian immigrants and the African American popu...

Favorite Books from Alisal Elementary School from 2021-01-27T11:00

Students from Alisal Elementary School in Alisal Elementary School in Pleasanton, California have a few favorite books to share with you. Also, information about how your students can star on th...

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard from 2021-01-20T11:00

It’s Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen. And it was the choice of a group of 7th graders from Listen

A Conversation with writer Varsha Bajaj from 2021-01-13T11:30

Writer Varsha Bajaj talks to Kitty Felde about the connection between therapy and writing and the importance of having another set of eyes on a developing manuscript.

www.bookclubforkids....

Episode 115 - Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj from 2021-01-06T11:30

“Count Me In” by Varsha Bajaj looks at the power of social media to combat hate. The story involves a hate crime: an a...

Favorite Books from 2020 from 2020-12-30T11:30

As we look forward to a better 2021, we look back at the great book suggestions made by the kids who appeared on Book Club for Kids last year. This episode full of terrific titles that so reflec...

Bonus Christmas 2020 from 2020-12-23T17:00

In a year when we can't gather together to celebrate the holidays, we offer a special bonus episode: a tale of Christmas in Washington from our other podcast The Fina Mendoza Mysteries.

Moo by Sharon Creech from 2020-12-16T11:30

These chilly December nights remind us of Maine, which is the location of this week's reprise episode "Moo" by Sharon Creech. Readers from Tyler Elementary School in Washington, DC recount their...

A Conversation with Edward Bloor from 2020-12-09T11:00

Writer Edward Bloor talks about the biggest lesson he learned about writing and how to handle criticism with host Kitty Felde.

Episode 114 - Tangerine by Edward Bloor from 2020-12-02T11:30

A story about family divisions, economic divides, history, and growing citrus trees. It’s “Tangerine” by Edward Bloor. Our readers from the Listen

A Conversation with Holly Goldberg Sloan from 2020-11-25T11:30

Writer Holly Goldberg Sloan talks about story construction, the difference between film and fiction, and describes her very unconventional childhood with host Kitty Felde.

More author int...

Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan from 2020-11-18T11:30

What is a family? Willow Chance loves her adoptive parents. After they're killed in an accident, she helps create a new, very unusual family. Eighth graders from ...

Barbara OConnor on Teaching Kids to Write from 2020-11-11T11:00

Writer Barbara O'Connor, author of last week's episode "Wish," talks to Kitty Felde about her technique of teaching writing to kids. She also talks about her own writing journey and why 4th grad...

Episode 113 - Wish by Barbara OConnor from 2020-11-04T11:00

Do you wish upon a star? Or just when you’re blowing out birthday candles? Our book is full of ideas about how to make wishes. In fact, that’s the title of the bo...

James Nicol on Writing from 2020-10-30T10:00

James Nicol is the author of "The Apprentice Witch" which we discussed on the show. Now, he shares his thoughts on getting up the courage to share your work with the rest of the world.

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Bonus Episode - Favorite Books from Iowa and Sweden from 2020-10-28T10:30

We get some great book suggestions from Sweden and from the Ottumwa Public Library's Middle School Book Club. You can be on the show, too! Check out our website www.bookclubforkids.org.

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol from 2020-10-21T10:00

Think becoming a witch is easy? Think again. Readers from Changing Hands bookstore in Phoenix discuss James Nicol's tale of becoming a professional witch called "The Apprentice Witch." Our celeb...

Angela Dominguez Talks About Writing and Illustrating Books for Children from 2020-10-14T10:30

Angela Dominguez writes and illustrates the Stella Diaz series. She talks to us about her writing path from drawing to writing.

More author interviews at our Listen

Episode 112 - Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez from 2020-10-07T10:00

Are you a little shy? Is it hard to speak up in class or introduce yourself to strangers? That pretty much describes our main character in this episode’s book “Stella Diaz Has Something to Say” ...

A Preview of "Let Kids Vote!" from 2020-09-30T10:30

Looking for a way to talk about the upcoming election without getting into the ugliness of politics? 

Our other podcast THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES has a special two-part election episode ...

The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry from 2020-09-23T10:30

Did your class field trip to DC get cancelled? No worries, we'll take you on "The Worst Class Trip Ever" with writer Dave Barry. Kids from Washington debunk the stereotypes folks outside the bel...

Favorite Books from England and Ireland from 2020-09-16T10:30

Running out of book suggestions? We ask kids in England and Ireland to share their favorite book titles. We also tell you how you can be on the show. Kitty Felde is host.

bookclubforkids....

The Struggle: Mom and the Summertime Blues from 2020-09-09T10:30

How did you spend your summer? Did you write a book? That's what the Smith girls did. This week, we discuss "The Struggle: Mom and the Summertime Blues" by Patrice, Donna, Shannon, Charity, and ...

Bonus Episode Virtual Book Clubs with School Librarians United from 2020-09-02T10:30

This is an episode for teachers, librarians and parents.

Book Club for Kids host Kitty Felde was invited to share some tips about starting your own virtual book club by the School Librari...

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate from 2020-08-26T10:30

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...

Bonus Favorite Books from England from 2020-08-19T11:30

Overseas travel may be impossible this summer...at least in person. But we take a virtual trip to Great Britain to find out what kids in England are reading. Kitty Felde is host.

Episode 110 - The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo from 2020-08-12T16:00

It’s all about poetry and body image and standing up for yourself. It’s the National Book Award winning novel "The Poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo. Readers from Charles Hart Middle School in Washin...

Bonus SciFi Reading Suggestions from 2020-08-05T11:00

Looking for a great last book of summer? We've got lots of suggestions from Southern Californians who attended the Los Angeles Public Library's Maker Faire.

And we have a special invitati...

The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 from 2020-07-29T10:30

In this week, as the country lays to rest Congressman John Lewis, one of the heroes of the Civil Rights movement, we thought it was a good time to revisit one of the darkest days of the struggle...

Bonus Anne Nesbet on Alice Guy-Blanche from 2020-07-22T10:30

Last week, we discussed the novel “Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen” by Anne Nesbet. It’s a tale set during the early days of movie making. One character in the book is a real-life person, a ...

Episode 109 Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet from 2020-07-15T10:30

Summertime's the perfect time to go to the movies...even if we can't go in person. Meet "Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen," a heroine from the early days of movie making. 

Taped remote...

Bonus July 2020 Summer Reading from 2020-07-08T11:00

Readers from Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York share their summer reading suggestions with host Kitty Felde.

www.bookclubforkids.org

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia from 2020-07-01T10:30

The fight for racial equality didn't start with Black Lives Matter. This week, we visit a Black Panther summer camp in Rita Williams-Garcia's novel "One Crazy Summer." Readers from Washington, D...

A Conversation with Writer Jewell Parker Rhodes from 2020-06-24T10:30

Jewell Parker Rhodes, winner of the American Book Award, talks about the difficulty of writing "Ghost Boys" and about her own reading journey with host Kitty Felde.

bookclubforkids.org

Episode 108 - Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes from 2020-06-17T10:30

How do we talk about police violence targeting African-Americans? This group of eighth graders from Columbia Heights Educational Campus/Lincoln Middle School in Washington, DC discuss “...

Summer Reading Suggestions from Readers at the LA Public Library from 2020-06-10T10:30

Libraries across the world are kicking off their summer reading programs -  many of them remotely. Which means finding ebooks or ordering online and picking up hard copies at the library curbsid...

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt from 2020-06-03T09:30