Book Club for Kids

A trio of 7th graders explain why dystopian novels are so popular. (Hint: the girls are fearless and the boys are chivalrous.) writer Sherri L. Smith and celebrity reader, public radio journalist Cheryl Devall, join us. Hosted by Kitty Felde.

Book Club goes to Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, Virginia to discuss bullying and mother/daughter relationships in the book "Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass." National Public Radio Arts Correspondent Mandalit Del Barco is celebrity reader. Author Meg Medina advises a pair of aspiring writers. Kitty Felde is host.

The daughters of the Mother/Daughter Book Club at One More Page bookstore in Virginia discuss Wendy Mass' novel about synesthesia. KNX radio reporter Claudia Peschiutta is the celebrity reader. Wendy tells us how the idea for the book literally jumped off the shelf!

It was the largest non-violent attempt to escape slavery on US soil. A trio of young readers discuss this little known historical event described in "Passenger on the Pearl." Actress Lolita Marie reads from the book. Audience members (kids and adults) offer their own recommended reading lists. With host Kitty Felde.

A quartet of Maryland readers say they didn't learn much about slavery in school, but discovered they couldn't put Laurie Halse Anderson's novel "Chains" down. Actress Simona James is the celebrity reader. Kitty Felde hosts.

Young readers at the Baltimore Book Festival aren't shy about recommending their favorite book.

One highlight of DC's Cherry Blossom Festival is a kite fighting contest on the Mall. Natalie Dias Lorenzi's novel "Flying the Dragon" takes us there. A pair of young readers discuss the story of a Japanese-American kid embarrassed by her Japanese grandfather. The show was taped at Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, Virginia. California Congressman Mark Takano - a former English teacher - reads from the book. The kids get to ask the writer about writing. With host Kitty Felde.

Book Club for Kids asks young readers at the National Book Festival for their recommendations. The overwhelming response: books with adventure!

The Book Worm Girls Book Club of Omaha, Nebraska discusses the city's homegrown favorite author Rainbow Rowell's "Eleanor & Park." Congressman Brad Ashford, who represents the city, is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

8th graders at DC's Jefferson Academy discuss Henry Neff's first book in the Tapestry series: "The Hound of Rowan." DC City Councilman, Charles Allen, is celebrity reader. Henry Neff discusses the roots of his book. With host Kitty Felde.

Students from Los Angeles take a bit out of Roald Dahl's classic "James and the Giant Peach." Public radio veteran Cash Peters is the celebrity reader. We also take an audio tour of the Roald Dahl Museum in England. Kitty Felde is host.

A trio of young men from DC's Jefferson Academy discuss Anthony Horowitz' first Alex Rider novel "Stormbreaker" and debate whether their school's guiding principles will prepare them for a career in espionage. Writer Horowitz (creator of "Foyle's War" and the new James Bond novel) joins us, as does FBI agent Ed You. Kitty Felde is host.

Free podcast where kids talk about books with host Kitty Felde. Celebrity reader this episode: LA Laker Tarik Black. Newbery Award winning writer Kwame Alexander joins us.

A trio of students from Washington, DC's Jefferson Academy discuss Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's southern tale of magic and mystery "Beautiful Creatures." DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is the celebrity reader and writer Kami Garcia tells how she wrote the book on a dare. Kitty Felde hosts.

Want to get your reluctant reader to pick up a book? Subscribe to the new Book Club for Kids podcast and listen together in carpool, on road trips, or sitting together on the couch. A group of middle grade readers talk about a particular book, a celebrity reads a few pages, and the author joins us for an interview. Everyone offers their own "must read" book suggestions. Public radio veteran Kitty Felde is host.