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Book Club for Kids

334 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★ - 331 ratings

The place where young readers meet to talk about books. The show includes a celebrity reader and an interview with the author. The host is award winning public radio journalist Kitty Felde. Book Club won the California Library Association Technology Award and the DC Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Humanitites. Named one of the top 10 podcasts for kids by THE TIMES of London.

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Episodes

How to Star on the Book Club for Kids Podcast

March 27, 2024 10:00 - 6 minutes - 4.65 MB

Want to be on a future Book Club for Kids podcast episode? Listen to this special episode to find out how. Here's the favorite books on this episode: Wings of Fire - Tui Sutherland Never Let me Go - Kazuo Isiguro The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger The Cricket in Times Square - George Selden Dino-Mike - Franco Aureliani The Little Book of the Avengers - Roy Thomas Join us Saturday, April 6...

A Conversation with John Cho

March 20, 2024 10:20 - 8 minutes - 6.52 MB

You may know John Cho from his acting work in "Star Trek" and "Harold and Kumar" movies. But listen to this thoughtful conversation Cho and host Kitty Felde about his work as a writer - including convincing his Korean immigrant parents that his work was his work as an artist was making the world a better place.

Troublemaker by John Cho

March 13, 2024 09:53 - 17 minutes - 12.7 MB

On April 29th, 1992, a jury in Simi Valley, a town just north of Los Angeles, did not convict four LAPD officers for the beating of an African American motorist named Rodney King. Within hours, rioting broke out across the city. A particular target was liquor and convenience stores owned by Korean immigrants. The event is at the heart of actor and writer John Cho’s novel Troublemaker.  Cho joins us to talk about his inspiration for the book and LAPD Officer Tony Hyong Im is our celebrit...

Book Club for Kids Drops in on the State of the Union

March 06, 2024 11:00 - 20 minutes - 15.1 MB

Favorite Books from Watkins Elementary School in Washington DC

February 28, 2024 10:30 - 13 minutes - 9.85 MB

Looking for your next favorite book? Here are some suggestions from readers at  Watkins Elementary School on Capitol Hill: Geronimo Stilton - Geronimo Stilton Athletes vs Mathletes - W.C. Mack Scare Stories to Tell in the Dark - Alvin Schwartz Guts - Raina Telgemeier Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Basil and Oregano - Melissa Capriglione  Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan Matilda - Roald Dahl Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Cham...

A Conversation with Veronica Roth

February 21, 2024 09:30 - 6 minutes - 4.37 MB

"Divergent" writer Veronica Roth talks about finding the courage to call yourself a writer...and bouncing back from failure.

Banned Books Divergent by Veronica Roth

February 14, 2024 09:30 - 23 minutes - 17 MB

We continue our Banned Books series, airing episodes that have been banned or challenged around the country. This week, it’s Vernica Roth’s dystopian adventure Divergent. Back in 2015, Ashland High School in Oregon banned Divergent because – according to the school’s online newspaper - the book “shows a girl fighting against society which we do not want to strengthen.” What do you think? Give a listen to our discussion of Veronica Roth’s Divergent. We venture into a dystopian universe cre...

A Conversation with Christina Diaz Gonzalez

February 07, 2024 11:00 - 5 minutes - 4.33 MB

What are the challenges of writing in two languages? Christina Diaz Gonzalez talks about some of the pitfalls of getting the nuances right when Spanish speaking characters are from different countries.

Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

January 31, 2024 11:00 - 21 minutes - 15.9 MB

There are some people we just don't notice. A quiet student, immigrants speaking in their own language, a homeless person living in a van - you could call them invisible. That's the name of our book Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez. Students from Swanson Middle School in Arlington, Virginia discuss the bilingual graphic novel with host Kitty Felde. Our celebrity reader is Monica Sanchez. Favorite Books from Swanson Middle School: Fifth Quarter - Mike Dawson The Tryout - Christina S...

Live from the 2023 LA Maker Faire and City of Stem Stage Show

January 24, 2024 09:30 - 18 minutes - 20.9 MB

Who says kids who love STEM subjects aren't readers? We take to the stage for a live taping of the Book Club for Kids podcast at the 2023 LA Maker Faire/STEM Festival where host Kitty Felde asks kids our hardest question: What's your favorite book and why? Here's their answers: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling The Magic Treehouse - Mary Pope Osborn Frog and Toad are Friends - Arnold Lobel The Golden Books - Disney Little Blue Truck - Alice Schertle Percy Jacks...

Live from the 2023 Maker Faire and City of Stem Stage Show

January 24, 2024 09:30 - 18 minutes - 20.9 MB

Who says kids who love STEM subjects aren't readers? We take to the stage for a live taping of the Book Club for Kids podcast at the 2023 LA Maker Faire/STEM Festival where host Kitty Felde asks kids our hardest question: What's your favorite book and why? Here's their answers: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling The Magic Treehouse - Mary Pope Osborn Frog and Toad are Friends - Arnold Lobel The Golden Books - Disney Little Blue Truck - Alice Schertle Percy Jacks...

Challenged Books Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

January 17, 2024 11:52 - 22 minutes - 14.6 MB

The Books Kids in LA County Love

January 10, 2024 09:30 - 6 minutes - 4.52 MB

Looking to start the New Year with some new books? Kids in LA County share their favorites with host Kitty Felde. Refugee - Alan Gratz The Secret Lives of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd Harry Potter and the Sourcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton Parrot in the Oven - Victor Martinez Enola Holmes - Nancy Springer The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan Dork Diaries - Rachel Renée Russell The Couch Pota...

When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohammed and Victoria Jamieson

January 04, 2024 11:00 - 23 minutes - 17.6 MB

More than 100 million people have fled violence and persecution around the world. But that's just a number. Who are these refugees? Meet Omar. Readers from Dorothy Hamm Middle School in Arlington, Virginia discuss When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohammed and Victoria Jamieson. Our celebrity reader is Matthew Saltmarsh from the UNHCR. Kitty Felde is host.

Favorite Episode of 2023 The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

December 27, 2023 11:00 - 24 minutes - 18 MB

We're happy to report that our most popular episode in 2023 is no mystery...actually, it IS a mystery: Varian Johnson's The Parker Inheritance. And by the way, if your school is in LA County, we'll come out and tape a Book Club for Kids episode in your classroom! Just have your teacher, parent, or librarian contact us at the website and click on the "Want to be on the show?" button.

Gift Suggestions from Kids in LA County

December 13, 2023 10:30 - 6 minutes - 4.84 MB

How do you know which books make the best gifts? Kids in LA County share a few suggestions with host Kitty Felde. The Last Kids on Earth - Max Brallier  The Art of Seduction - Robert Greene Dogman - Dav Pilkey You Matter - Christian Robinson What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night - Refe and Susan Tuma King and Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth - Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers The Hunger Games -  Suzanne Collins Amulet - Kazu Kibuishi Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney...

Challenged Books: Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

December 06, 2023 23:27 - 25 minutes - 18.5 MB

We continue to look through our many episodes of the Book Club for Kids podcast to examine the titles that have been banned or challenged. Today, we look at the 1977 Newbery Medal awarded novel by Mildred D. Taylor Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The book has been challenged in school districts from Burbank, California to Oviedo, Florida to Huntsville, Alabama mostly for the use of the "N" word. In Burbank, the book was removed from required reading lists, though kids can choose to read th...

A Conversation with G Neri

November 29, 2023 11:30 - 11 minutes - 8.56 MB

Writer Greg Neri talks to Kitty Felde about the role of luck and his rule of saying "yes" to new projects. 

Episode 145 Yummy by G Neri

November 22, 2023 12:00 - 20 minutes - 15.2 MB

Where do gangsters come from? How can we keep kids out of gangs? Our readers from Charles Hart Middle School in Washington, D.C. have some ideas. They discuss G Neri’s graphic novel Yummy and have a few questions for him. Celebrity reader is Ariel Richardson.     FAVORITE BOOKS FROM CHARLES HART MIDDLE SCHOOL: Demon Slayer - Natsuki Hokami One Piece - Eiichiro Oda Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling G NERI’S FAVORITE BOOK: The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster ARIEL RICHARDSON’S F...

More Favorite Books from LA County

November 15, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 4.68 MB

It's the hardest question in the world: what's your favorite book? Kids from LA County schools have some answers for host Kitty Felde. The Fashion Fairies #2: Claudia the Accessories Fairy - Daisy Meadows Rascal - Sterling North Goosebumps - R.L. Stine Dog Man - Dav Pilkey Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling Wings of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland Jedi Academy - Jeffrey Brown The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan

Banned Books: James and the Giant Peach

November 08, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes - 10.5 MB

Last year, nearly two thousand books were challenged in libraries across America. According to the American Library Association, that’s a 20 percent jump over a year ago.    We looked back at the nearly 150 episodes of the Book Club for Kids and realized how many titles have been challenged over the years. We’re going to revisit those episodes and bring them to you over the coming months, along with the reasons they have been challenged. Our first book is James and the Giant Peach ...

A Conversation with Claribel Ortega

October 31, 2023 18:12 - 3 minutes - 2.54 MB

Writer Claribel Ortega talks about why she loves writing fantasy. She also confesses that she's been writing about witches for a long time. Kitty Felde is host. And give a listen to our Dia de los Muertos episode of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast. Here's a link to the free curriculum guide.

Witchlings by Claribel Ortega

October 25, 2023 15:20 - 22 minutes - 17.2 MB

Do witches have cliques? What happens when you're an outcast? Would you be brave enough to hunt down monsters? Students at Brookland Middle School in Washington, DC discuss Claribel Ortega's novel Witchlings. Veteran journalist Stephanie Roberts is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde his host. Want to learn more about Dia de los Muertos? Listen to this special episode from our sister podcast THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES. There is free curriculum for this episode. Favorite Books from Brooklan...

A Conversation with Ali Benjamin

October 18, 2023 10:30 - 8 minutes - 6.45 MB

Writer Ali Benjamin (The Thing About Jellyfish) talks about how she manages to focus and block out distractions. Kitty Felde is host.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

October 11, 2023 10:30 - 21 minutes - 16.2 MB

A young girl struggles to find out how her best friend died. It must be a deadly jellyfish. So she seeks out the experts. The book is The Thing by Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin. Readers from Newport Mill Middle School discuss death, "borrowing" their parents' credit card, and jellyfish. Writer Ali Benjamin talks about finding a character's voice. Legendary marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Favorite Books from LA County

October 04, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 4.56 MB

Readers from Los Angeles County tell us their favorite books. Thanks to the LA County Department of Arts & Culture. Click here for a list of everybody's favorite book.

A Conversation with Varian Johnson

September 27, 2023 23:57 - 5 minutes - 4.04 MB

What makes a good mystery? We talk to writer Varian Johnson, author of The Parker Inheritance. Kitty Felde, who writes her own mystery series THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES is host.

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

September 20, 2023 10:30 - 21 minutes - 16.1 MB

Do you love a mystery? Do you love playing detective, looking for clues on every page? This week’s novel is about a lot of things – segregation, bullying, and most of all, a family mystery.  This week's episode is "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson. Our readers are from Washington DC’s AIM Academy. Actress Sheila Collins is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM AIM ACADEMY: The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi Long Wa...

A Conversation with Lois Lowry

September 13, 2023 10:30 - 6 minutes - 4.86 MB

Newbery Award-winning author Lois Lowry talks about book bans, balancing serious and silly topics, and gives a sneak preview of her newest book. Kitty Felde is host.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

September 06, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes - 16 MB

Looking for an "old fashioned" book...with a twist? We discuss Lois Lowry's tale The Willoughbys with readers from Taylor Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. Our celebrity reader is the host of the daily news podcast The Gist Mike Pesca. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Taylor Elementary School: Because of Winn-Dixie - Kate DiCamillo Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger Front Desk - Kelly Yang Number the Stars - Lois Lowry Lois Lowry's Favorite Books: Sar...

Favorite Books from Newport Mill Middle School

August 30, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutes - 5.38 MB

We've got a group of fantasy lovers this week from Maryland. Readers at Newport Mill Middle School share their favorites and explain why fantasy is such a favorite among their peers. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books: Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan I Lived on Butterfly Hill - Marjorie Agosin A Magic Steeped in Poison - Judy I. Lin Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger  

Our Teacher is a Vampire and Other (Not) True Stories at Fall for the Book Festival

August 23, 2023 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33 MB

Recorded live at Virginia's Fall for the Book Festival, our trio of readers Jay, Neha and Naomi discuss Mary Amato's novel Our Teacher is a Vampire and Other (Not) True Stories. Topics range from writing to the world's worst substitute teachers. Actor Jonathan Cagle-Mulberg is our celebrity reader. The kids ask writer Mary Amato about the book. Mindy Shaw is guest host.  

Favorite Books from Ireland and the LA Maker Faire

August 16, 2023 13:30 - 7 minutes - 5.55 MB

School's starting. Have you finished your reading assignment? Need some more book suggestions? We've got a bunch from kids in Ireland and Los Angeles! Here's a link to our episode of Esperanza Rising.  Kitty Felde is host.

A Conversation with Kate DiCamillo

August 09, 2023 11:00 - 4 minutes - 2.89 MB

Writer Kate DiCamillo admits that she's a pantser, not a plotter. Host Kitty Felde talks with the Newbery Award-winning writer.

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

August 02, 2023 10:30 - 17 minutes - 12.7 MB

Suppose you discovered a tiger in a cage. Would you set him free? That's the dilemna for the heros of The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo. Readers from Maury Elementary in Washington, DC tackle the book and its moral questions. Writer Kate DiCamillo joins us as well. Veteran political reporter Dave Bryan is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

A Conversation with Dianne K. Salerni

July 26, 2023 10:30 - 7 minutes - 5.77 MB

Does teaching teach you how to be a better writer? Book Club for Kids host Kitty Felde asks Diane K. Salernia who moved from the classroom to the writer's room.

The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni

July 19, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MB

Do you like spooky stories? Give a listen to The Carrefour Curse,  tale about the power of gemstones and family secrets. Readers from Atwater STEAM Elementary School in Los Angeles discuss the mystery with host Kitty Felde. Writer Dianne K. Salerni admits that she was inspired by a forbidden TV show. Our celebrity reader is Lost in Space actress Marta Kirsten.

Meet the Ten News Podcast

July 12, 2023 10:30 - 22 minutes - 17.1 MB

We’re sharing our airwaves with one of our friends from Kids Listen, a grassroots organization of people who make podcasts for kids. Give a listen to the Ten News podcast. It’s their on the road episode...all about space. Ten News Road Trip Remix:   We're hitting the road and tuning into our favorite space segments with the Ten News. ⁠  Did you ever hear the segment about the 9th planet from Jacob and Olivia Rozencwaig from the Curious Kid Podcast?   Or, when Bethany spoke to T...

A Conversation with Johnnie Christmas

July 05, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 5.56 MB

What comes first, the story or the characters? How do you become a graphic novelist? We get the answers from writer/illustrator Johnnie Christmas of Swim Team. Kitty Felde is host.

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

June 28, 2023 10:30 - 24 minutes - 18.3 MB

Everybody in the pool! We discuss swimming lessons and look back at the days when people of color were barred from public pools. The book is Swim Team. Writer Johnnie Christmas says a personal experience inspired the graphic novel. Readers from the Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore talk about their own swimming journey. Our special celebrity reader is Olympic medal winning swimmer Natalie Hinds. Kitty Felde is host. You can get an autographed copy of Kitty Felde's first book in The Fina Me...

Summer Special with Kids Listen

June 28, 2023 10:00 - 47 minutes - 36 MB

Is a road trip in your summer plans? Looking for great podcasts for kids and grownups? Listen to our Summer Sampler of kidcasts from our fellow podcasters at Kids Listen. You may find your next favorite show...after Book Clubs for Kids and The Fina Mendoza Mysteries, of course.

Special Episode: Meet Fina Mendoza

June 14, 2023 09:30 - 19 minutes - 14.6 MB

Did you know the people behind the Book Club for Kids podcast produce another podcast: The Fina Mendoza Mysteries. The series is based on the book series by Kitty Felde, about the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman who solves mysteries in the U.S. Capitol...and introduces civics along the way. Book One in the series Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza is being released in English and Spanish (Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza) by Chesapeake Press on July 3rd.  Listeners to the Book ...

A Conversation with Tricia Springstubb

June 07, 2023 10:30 - 6 minutes - 4.93 MB

Writer Tricia Springstubb tells Book Club for Kids host Kitty Felde about finding the perfect "voice" for a protagonist.

Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe by Tricia Springstubb

May 31, 2023 09:30 - 21 minutes - 15.2 MB

Do you know a busy body? Somebody who's a bit too nosy for their own good? Meet Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe by Tricia Springstubb. Students from Randall Highlands Elementary School in Washington, DC discuss the book and hear a reading from the book by actress Peggy Miley. Kitty Felde is host. There is free curriculum for this episode.

A Conversation with Jeanne DuPrau

May 24, 2023 10:30 - 4 minutes - 3.24 MB

The writer of The City of Ember shares the writing advice she gave her students...and how she ignored some of it to finish her latest work. Kitty Felde is host.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

May 17, 2023 10:30 - 20 minutes - 14.7 MB

Would you like to live your entire life underground? What happens if the lights go out and never come on again? Students from Overland Elementary School for Advanced Studies in Los Angeles discuss Jeanne DuPrau’s post-apocalyptic novel City of Ember with host Kitty Felde. They have a few questions for the author. Actress Melanie MacQueen (Robotech, Lady Luck) is celebrity reader.  FAVORITE BOOKS FROM OVERLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Valkyrie - Kate O’Hearn When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead...

Favorite Books from Atwater STEAM Elementary School in Los Angeles

May 10, 2023 10:30 - 7 minutes - 5.34 MB

It’s that time of year when all you can think about is “how long until summer vacation?” So how do you keep kids engaged? Find a book they love. How? We hear from a group of 4th graders in Los Angeles who have a few suggestions. Some are Book Club for Kids podcast episodes. Just click on the links: Dog Man - Dav Pilkey The Bad Guys - Aaron Blabey Harry Potter series - J.K Rowling The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo Ordinary People Change the World series The...

May the 4th Be With You: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

May 03, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes - 5.93 MB

The Force is with us on Book Club as we tackle a tale of middle grade angst and paper cuts. Who can rescue these hapless heroes? How about a Yoda fingerpuppet who seems to have all the right answers. Our readers from Washington, DC beg writer Tom Angleberger to write more books in the series. Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz is celebrity reader.  Kitty Felde is host. NOTE: Kitty Felde's novel Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza will be released in both English and Spanish (Bienvenida a Washington Fi...

Favorite Books from Around the Country

April 26, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 4.49 MB

We asked kids around the country to answer the hardest question in the world: what's your favorite book? And why? Here's just some of the suggestions we got from YOU: Wish - Barbara O'Connor Out of My Mind - Sharon Draper A Stroke of Magic: The Dinosaur Woman - Brunella Costagliola   The Cat I Never Named -  Amra Sabic-El-Rayess and Laura L. Sullivan Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan And if you have a favorite book, you can be on the BookClub for Kids podcast, too. Just ...

Episode 16 - I Lived on Butterfly Hill

April 19, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MB

It was 1973 when the president of Chile was thrown out of office by a military coup. That’s the backdrop for the novel I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin. Students from Sequoyah School in Pasadena, California discuss the book. Val Zavala, longtime public television journalist, is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Books

A Wrinkle in Time
1 Episode