Book Club for Kids
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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A Conversation with Rachel Renée and Nikki Russell
04/24/2024
A Conversation with Rachel Renée and Nikki Russell
How do you work with your mother on a book? How do you work on 15 books with your mother? We talk to the mother/daughter team behind Dork Diaries, Rachel Renée and Nikki Russell. Kitty Felde is host.
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Episode 149 - Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell
04/17/2024
Episode 149 - Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell
Everybody wants to go to Paris…especially Nikki Maxwell! Readers from discuss the latest entry in Rachel Renée Russell’s series. It’s Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure. Rachel and daughter Nikki Russell, who illustrates the books, answer questions from the kids. Our celebrity reader is actress/screenwriter . Kitty Felde is host.
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A Conversation About Madeleine L'Engle
04/10/2024
A Conversation About Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle's granddaughters share their memories about their legendary grandmother and talk about some of her writing practices. Come see us at Saturday, April 13th from 11-3 at the Tustin Library.
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Challenged Books - A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
04/03/2024
Challenged Books - A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
We continue our series of episodes about books that have been banned or challenged around the country. This time, it’s the Newbery Award winning novel by Madeleine L’Engle: A Wrinkle in Time. According to the Carnegie Mellon Banned Books Project, the book was challenged in 1985 by parents in Florida who said the book “opposes Christian beliefs and teaches occult practices. The school principal did not remove the book from 4th grade curriculum. In 1990, a parent in Alabama asked to have the book removed because it “sends a mixed signal to children about good and evil.” The school board and superintendent voted unanimously to deny the request. Six years later, the book was challenged in North Carolina for undermining religious beliefs.The school board denied the request. Madeline L’Engle herself told the New York Times in 2001 that “it seems people are willing to damn the book without reading it.” We read it with a group of young readers and this is what they have to say about A Wrinkle in Time. This week, we tackle a classic – the 1963 winner of the Newbery Award “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. Our readers are 5th graders from the British International School in Washington, DC. Our celebrity reader is public radio journalist Stephanie O’Neill. Madeline L’Engle passed away in 2007, but we're joined by her granddaughters Charlotte Jones Volklis and Lena Roy. They've written a biography of their grandmother based on her journals called “Becoming Madeleine.” Kitty Felde is host. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: Panda-monium - Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling Space Case - FAVORITE BOOKS FROM CHARLOTTE JONES VOIKLIS AND LENA ROY A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L’Engle A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles STEPHANIE O’NEILL’S FAVORITE BOOK: Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White
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How to Star on the Book Club for Kids Podcast
03/27/2024
How to Star on the Book Club for Kids Podcast
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 The Cricket in Times Square - George Selden Dino-Mike - Franco Aureliani The Little Book of the Avengers - Roy Thomas Join us Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the City of STEM/LA Maker Faire all day at the Los Angeles State Historic Park north of downtown Los Angeles for YOUR chance to be on a future show!
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A Conversation with John Cho
03/20/2024
A Conversation with John Cho
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.
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Troublemaker by John Cho
03/13/2024
Troublemaker by John Cho
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 celebrity reader. Readers from Tyler Elementary School in Washington D.C. discuss their own solutions to finding solutions to a community’s anger. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Tyler Elementary School: My Year in the Middle - Lila Quintero Weaver Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling City Spies - James Ponti Godzilla - Shigeru Kayama JOHN CHO’S FAVORITE BOOK The Joke - Milan Kundera OFFICER TONY IM’S FAVORITE BOOK The Mickey Mantle Murder - Walt Brown
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Book Club for Kids Drops in on the State of the Union
03/06/2024
Book Club for Kids Drops in on the State of the Union
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Favorite Books from Watkins Elementary School in Washington DC
02/28/2024
Favorite Books from Watkins Elementary School in Washington DC
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 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling Flora and Ulysses - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul - Jeff Kinney Another Kind - Trevor Bream Last Kids on Earth - Max Brallier The Babysitters Club - Ann M. Martin Stone Fox - John Reynolds Gardiner The Day the Crayons Quit - Drew Daywalt Magic Treehouse - The Getaway - Jeff Kinney Ranger's Apprentice - John Flanagan Grandude's Green Submarine - Paul McCartney Wings of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland
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A Conversation with Veronica Roth
02/21/2024
A Conversation with Veronica Roth
"Divergent" writer Veronica Roth talks about her latest writing adventures, world building, and having the guts to put something out into the world.
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Banned Books Divergent by Veronica Roth
02/14/2024
Banned Books Divergent by Veronica Roth
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 - 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 created by writer . Divergent is a tale about finding out where you fit in – and whether you’re brave enough to take a literal leap of faith. Our celebrity reader is the 2018 Ms. Senior California and a familiar voice on KUNV . Our readers are from Benjamin Trasker Middle School and we taped the episode at the Bowie, Maryland branch of the . Kitty Felde is host.
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A Conversation with Christina Diaz Gonzalez
02/07/2024
A Conversation with Christina Diaz Gonzalez
What are the challenges of writing in two languages? talks about some of the pitfalls of getting the nuances right when Spanish speaking characters are from different countries.
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Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
01/31/2024
Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
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 . Students from 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 Soontornvat Cirque du Freak - Darren Shan Every Last Word - Tamara Ireland Stone Miss Quinces - Kat Fajardo Michael Jackson in Comics - Ceka Christina Diaz Gonzalez' Favorite Book: Favorite Books of Monica Sanchez Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling I'll Love You Forever - Owen Hart Books by Monica Brown
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Live from the 2023 LA Maker Faire and City of Stem Stage Show
01/24/2024
Live from the 2023 LA Maker Faire and City of Stem Stage Show
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 - Frog and Toad are Friends - Arnold Lobel The Golden Books - Disney Little Blue Truck - Alice Schertle Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan The One and Only Ivan - Junie B. Jones - Barbara Park Pete the Cat - James Dean and Kimberly Dean Couch Potato - Jory John They Both Die at the End - Adam Silvera A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson The School for Good and Evil - Soman Chainani The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes Bad Kitty - Nick Bruel
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Challenged Books Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
01/17/2024
Challenged Books Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
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The Books Kids in LA County Love
01/10/2024
The Books Kids in LA County Love
Looking to start the New Year with some new books? Kids in LA County share their favorites with host Kitty Felde. - 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 Potato - Jory John
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When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohammed and Victoria Jamieson
01/04/2024
When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohammed and Victoria Jamieson
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.
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Favorite Episode of 2023 The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
12/27/2023
Favorite Episode of 2023 The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
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 us at the website and click on the "Want to be on the show?" button.
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Gift Suggestions from Kids in LA County
12/13/2023
Gift Suggestions from Kids in LA County
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 Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Mickey Mouse - Phoenix International
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Challenged Books: Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
12/06/2023
Challenged Books: Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
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 the book and it can be used in small groups after the teacher has undergone training on facilitating conversations on racism, implicit bias, and racial identity. Mildred D. Taylor said "As a parent I understand not wanting a child to hear painful words, but as a parent I do not understand not wanting a child to learn about a history that is part of America, a history about a family representing millions of families that are strong and loving who remain united and strong, despite the obstacles they face." Here's some links to our resources: 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 . Readers from discuss the difference between present-day Bronx and the south of the 1930's. Actress is celebrity reader. Literary historian offers her perspective on the author.
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A Conversation with G Neri
11/29/2023
A Conversation with G Neri
Writer Greg Neri talks to Kitty Felde about the role of luck and his rule of saying "yes" to new projects.
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Episode 145 Yummy by G Neri
11/22/2023
Episode 145 Yummy by G Neri
Where do gangsters come from? How can we keep kids out of gangs? Our readers from in Washington, D.C. have some ideas. They discuss ’s graphic novel Yummy and have a few questions for him. Celebrity reader is . 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 FAVORITE BOOK: All About Love - Bell Hooks
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More Favorite Books from LA County
11/15/2023
More Favorite Books from LA County
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 - 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
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Banned Books: James and the Giant Peach
11/08/2023
Banned Books: James and the Giant Peach
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 by Roald Dahl. According to the , in 1986, a Wisconsin town banned the book after religious groups said a scene in the book where a spider licks her lips could be interpreted as sexual. A year later, the book was temporarily banned in schools after a woman complained about the depiction of tobacco and whiskey in the book. And in the early 1990’s a Texas public school system banned the book from elementary schools after the district said the use of curse words like “ass” were inappropriate. None the less, we present our podcast episode of James and the Giant Peach. for James and the Giant Peach
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A Conversation with Claribel Ortega
10/31/2023
A Conversation with Claribel Ortega
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 to our Dia de los Muertos episode of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast. Here's a to the free curriculum guide.
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Witchlings by Claribel Ortega
10/25/2023
Witchlings by Claribel Ortega
Do witches have cliques? What happens when you're an outcast? Would you be brave enough to hunt down monsters? Students at in Washington, DC discuss 's novel Witchlings. Veteran journalist is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde his host. Want to learn more about Dia de los Muertos? Listen to from our sister podcast THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES. There is free for this episode. Favorite Books from Brookland Middle School: Judy B Jones series - Barbara Park Best Babysitters Ever - Caroline Cala Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Claribel Ortega's Favorite Book: The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien Stephanie Roberts' Favorite Book: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day -Judith Viorst
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A Conversation with Ali Benjamin
10/18/2023
A Conversation with Ali Benjamin
Writer Ali Benjamin (The Thing About Jellyfish) talks about how she manages to focus and block out distractions. Kitty Felde is host.
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The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
10/11/2023
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
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.
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Favorite Books from LA County
10/04/2023
Favorite Books from LA County
Readers from Los Angeles County tell us their favorite books. Thanks to the LA County Department of Arts & Culture. Click for a list of everybody's favorite book.
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A Conversation with Varian Johnson
09/27/2023
A Conversation with Varian Johnson
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.
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