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.

A conversation with graphic novelist Nidhi Chanani 10/21/2026

A conversation with graphic novelist Nidhi Chanani Writer Nidhi Chanani always wanted to be a writer. Kitty Felde talks to Nidhi and finds out how did she end up writing her graphic novel "Pashmina." /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/9939482

Episode 89 - Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani 10/14/2026

Episode 89 - Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani Is a podcast about a graphic novel like dancing about architecture? Give a listen to our latest episode "Pashmina" by Nidhi Chanani. It's a tale about a magical pashina and secrets and mothers and daughters. Our readers are students at Kelly Miller Middle School in Washington, DC. Rasika Mathur is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/9856616

Episode 60 - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 10/07/2026

Episode 60 - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn A trio of DC readers tell host Kitty Felde that they find contemporary themes - the chasm between rich and poor, the rise of the #MeToo movement - in the novel. Nancy Smith Pfeiffer, the 95 year old daughter of Betty Smith, tells us about rushing home from school to read the latest pages of the novel, hot off her mother's typewriter. Actress Sonia Manzano (Maria from "Sesame Street") is celebrity reader since the book is her favorite. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/6202399

The Storm Runner - live from the Bay Area Book Festival 09/30/2026

The Storm Runner - live from the Bay Area Book Festival It’s our 100th episode! /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/12724196

Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner 09/23/2026

Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner Imagine a world where deadly tornadoes are so common, kids can't ride their bikes outside anymore. That's the future Kate Messner writes about in Eye of the Storm. Students from Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia discuss the book with host Kitty Felde. Laura Furgione, Deputy Director of the National Weather Service is celebrity reader and talks about the science of tornadoes. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/23129660

A Conversation With Shawn Harris 09/16/2026

A Conversation With Shawn Harris What makes a good collaboration between writer and illustrator in children's books? We ask longtime illustrator Shawn Harris. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/42816265

Episode 161 The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza 09/09/2026

Episode 161 The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza 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 /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/42815730

A Conversation with writer Varsha Bajaj 08/26/2026

A Conversation with writer Varsha Bajaj 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/17504354

Episode 115 - Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj 08/19/2026

Episode 115 - Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj “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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/17423555

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 08/12/2026

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/15737483

Eleanor & Park - Book Club Goes to Omaha for Eleanor & Park 08/05/2026

Eleanor & Park - Book Club Goes to Omaha for Eleanor & Park 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/5683971

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eager 07/29/2026

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eager 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/5683885

Bonus Geoff Rodkey 07/22/2026

Bonus Geoff Rodkey 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/19634099

We're Not from Here by Geoff Rodkey 07/15/2026

We're Not from Here by Geoff Rodkey 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/19556195

Summer Reading Suggestions from the LA Maker Faire 07/08/2026

Summer Reading Suggestions from the LA Maker Faire Summer reading book suggestions from kids at the LA Maker Faire: 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? www.bookclubforkids.org /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/41983020

A Conversation with Pseudonymous Bosch 07/01/2026

A Conversation with Pseudonymous Bosch We meet the writer behind Pseudonymous Bosch: Raphael Simon. Host Kitty Felde chats with him about all things writing. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/24062184

The Name of This Book is Secret 06/24/2026

The Name of This Book is Secret Would you like to live forever? When is it okay to lie? How do we prepare for a disaster? These and other big questions are tackled by students at in Los Angeles as they discuss The Name of This Book is Secret by . Actress is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Our producer Chad Francis picked this episode as his favorite! www.bookclubforkids.org /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/23994036

Bees on the Roof by Robbie Shell 06/17/2026

Bees on the Roof by Robbie Shell We take the show on the road to the Enoch Pratt Free Library Children's stage at the Baltimore Book Festival for a conversation about Robbie Shell's novel BEES ON THE ROOF. Our group of readers have been meeting to talk about books almost since they first /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/23342480

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt 06/10/2026

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt Get out the Kleenex and a warm jacket and gloves. This week is a heartbreaking tale of troubled foster kid who finds comfort among a herd of cows in Maine. Readers from Carter G. Woodson Charter School in Chicago discuss "Orbiting Jupiter" by Gary D. Schmidt. U.S. Senator Angus King is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/21314165

More Favorite Books from the City of StemL/A Maker Faire 06/03/2026

More Favorite Books from the City of StemL/A Maker Faire 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 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 /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/41498455

Revolution by Deborah Wiles 05/27/2026

Revolution by Deborah Wiles 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. KNX-CBS Newsradio anchor Mark Austin Thomas is celebrity reader. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/5683910

The Shadows by Jacqueline West 05/20/2026

The Shadows by Jacqueline West 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/20010158

Favorite Books from the 2026 City of Stem Festival 05/13/2026

Favorite Books from the 2026 City of Stem Festival 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. 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 A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins My Wierd School - The Forgotten Five - Lisa McMann Last Gamer Standing - Katie Zhao /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/41252770

A Conversation with Lisa Graff 05/06/2026

A Conversation with Lisa Graff Before she wrote children's books, Lisa Graff worked as a nanny. What lessons from that experience did she bring to her work on the page? Lisa talks to host Kitty Felde. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/25705767

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff 04/29/2026

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff 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 Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library in Broomfield, 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/5683915

Favorite Books from Georgia and Florida 04/22/2026

Favorite Books from Georgia and Florida 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 - (click on the link and hear an interview with !) You can find more favorite books at our ! /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/40944855

Passenger on the Pearl by Winifred Conkling 04/15/2026

Passenger on the Pearl by Winifred Conkling This week marks the 173rd anniversary of the attempted escape of African American slaves on a ship docked at the Southwest waterfront, a ship called the Pearl. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/18697355

Favorite Books from our Voicemail 04/08/2026

Favorite Books from our Voicemail You've been calling us with your favorite books. Here's the latest list: 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/40749115

Milo Spec Accidental Agent by Linda Urban 04/01/2026

Milo Spec Accidental Agent by Linda Urban /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/22173272

Foxheart by Claire Legrand 03/25/2026

Foxheart by Claire Legrand 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. /episode/index/show/bookclubforkids/id/5683896

Book Club for Kids

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