Peter Brown on Writing
Peter Brown is both a writer and illustrator. We talk to him about how he plots a story and the teacher he hated who set him on his path to becoming a professional artist. Kitty Felde is host.
Jun 25, 2025•9 min
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.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
TOP TEN LIST: #6 The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Do you have a relationship with the robot in your life? You'll fall in love with "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown. 4th graders from Flora Hendley Elementary School in Washington, D.C. discuss artificial intelligence and their own favorite robotic devices. U.S. Congressman Scott Peters from San Diego is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Flora Hendley Elemetary School: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Dork Diaries- Rachel Renée Russell The True Story of the Three Little P...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min
TOP TEN LIST: #7: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
We're celebrating our ten year anniversary as a podcast! And to celebrate, we're counting down our list of the TOP TEN MOST LISTENED TO EPISODES. This week, it's number 7: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl . We're lucky to have DC's Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton as our celebrity reader. Students from Washington DC's Jefferson Academy discuss the novel with host Kitty Felde. Favorite Books from Jefferson Academy Recommended by Jefferson Academy's Aarianna, Enyjaih, and R...
Jun 11, 2025•21 min
Angie Thomas Shares Her Playlist
Ever wonder what a writer uses for inspiration? Angie Thomas tells us what gets her fingers flying over the keyboard. www.bookclubforkids.org
Jun 04, 2025•3 min
TOP TEN LIST #8: On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Today it’s a book for older kids – "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas. Our main character is an aspiring rap star dealing with sudden fame and the reputation of her late father. Our readers are from West Education Campus in Washington, D.C. Actress Tallie Johnson is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from West Education Campus: Lost and Found (Bluford High Series #1) – Anne Schraff The Day Tajon Got Shot - Beacon House Writers When We Collided - Emery Lord Angie Thomas’ Favorite...
May 28, 2025•24 min
Book Club for Kids Goes to the City of Stem LA Maker Faire
What's your favorite book? A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 7 -Lemony Snicket Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan Angry Aztecs (Horrible Histories) - Terry Deary Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery Invisible Inkling - Emily Jenkins Cat Kid Comic Club - Dav Pilkey Aru Sha - Roshani Chokshi Frizzy - Claribel Ortega...
May 21, 2025•7 min
Top Ten List: #9: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Students from Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Washington, DC talk about "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. The conversation covers everything from death to Nazis to books. Actress Melanie MacQueen (Robotech) is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Markus Zusak interview is courtesy of the Australian bookstore Booktopia. Spoiler Alert: plot points are discussed in this episode. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM STUART-HOBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL: The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Kelly Barnhill Dork Diaries - Rachel Rene...
May 14, 2025•20 min
What are Future Scientists Reading?
This week, host Kitty Felde asks future scientists what they are reading. Here's some suggestions: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexander Dumas Books of Bayern - Shnnon Hale Five Worlds - Mark Siegel The Hardy Boys - Franklin W. Dixon Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo Percy Jackson 5: The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes - Rick Riordan Wings of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland...
May 07, 2025•7 min
An Interview with Writer Alan Gratz
Last week, we talked about “Refugee,” Alan Gratz’ tale of kids fleeing violence and political oppression around the world. It’s a tough read. I had to put it down a few times. But how difficult is it to write a book about a tough subject? We asked Alan Gratz.
Apr 30, 2025•3 min
Top Ten List to Celebrate 10 years of podcasting - Number 10 "Refugee" by Alan Gratz
What would it be like to leave everything you know, everything you own, everyone you love to escape war, persecution, or poverty? In “Refugee,” Alan Gratz imagines how three young people struggle to survive as they excape to freedom. Students from Washington Latin Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. discuss the book with host Kitty Felde. Actress Amy Solano is celebrity reader. SPOILER ALERT: plot points are discussed in this episode. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM WASHINGTON LATIN PUBLIC CHARTER SCH...
Apr 23, 2025•23 min
LA Maker Faire 2025
We brought our giant microphone to the 2025 City of Stem/LA Maker Faire in Los Angeles on Saturday, asking kids our favorite question: what's your favorite book? Here are just some of the titles: The Maze Runner series - James Dashner Twins - Rain Telgemeier My Weird School - Dan Gutman Ellray Jakes - Sally Warner Magic Treehouse - Mary Pope Osborne Dog Man - Dav Pilkey The Canyon's Edge - Dusti Bowling The Baby-Sitters Club - Ann M. Martin Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling Fazbear Fights - Scott Cawt...
Apr 16, 2025•6 min
Banned Books Monster by Walter Dean Myers
We continue our series highlighting episodes that feature books that have been banned or challenged. This week, it’s Walter Dean Myers’ tale of a kid on trial for murder “Monster.” In 2021, parents in Signal Mountain Middle/High School in Tennessee complained about mature language and sexual content in some 7th grade reading club selections. In response, a teacher told parents she was removing “Monster” from the reading list. Myers reacted to the book ban by saying,”I think that most often the p...
Apr 09, 2025•26 min
A Conversation with Malia Maunakea
Last week, we took a trip to Hawaii to discuss “Lei and the Fire Goddess.” This week, we talk to author Malia Maunakea about using Google maps as a writer, the difference between writing fiction and non-fiction, ADHD, even tax write-offs! Kitty Felde is host.
Apr 02, 2025•8 min
Episode 157 - Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea
This week, we talk about myths – whether it’s on Capitol Hill or Hawaii. Our book is “Lei and the Fire Goddess” by Malia Maunakea . Our readers are members of the Page Turners Book Club at East City Bookshop in Washington, DC. Our celebrity reader is playwright Kiki Rivera . Kitty Felde is host. The kids mention Keeper of the Lost Cities I mention a book with the DC myth about the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill: Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza Favorite Books from the Page Turners Book Club at East...
Mar 26, 2025•21 min•Ep. 157
Favorite Books from Older Readers at the Culver City Book Fest
This week we talk to some older readers at the Culver City book Festival about their favorite books. Once again, fantasy seems to be the fan favorite. Give a listen. Favorite Books from Older Readers at the Culver City Book Fest Once and Future - Cory McCarthy & A. R. Capetta Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling Big Nate - Lincoln Peirce Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett...
Mar 19, 2025•6 min
A Conversation with Writer Jewell Parker Rhodes
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
Mar 12, 2025•6 min
Banned Books Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
. We continue our look at books that have been challenged or banned. This week, it’s Jewell Parker Rhodes’ tale of a young black boy shot by a white police officer “Ghost Boys.” The book was temporarily banned in Florida’s second largest school district over a complaint that the book was “propaganda” against the police. A rural school district in California removed the book from curriculum after a parent complained about political views in the book. Give a listen to our discussion of “Ghost Boys...
Mar 05, 2025•26 min
Culver City Book Festival Favorites
Last Saturday was the culver city book festival and book club for kids was there, gathering great suggestions for your next favorite read. We’ve got a different take on Shakespeare, a it of underwear humor, and a debate about which does a better job of telling the story; the book or the movie. Favorite Books from the Culver City Book Festival: The Apothacary - Sarah Penner These Violent Delights - Chloe Gong Captain Underpants - Dav Pilkey The Wild Robot - Peter Brown Dog Man - Dav Pilkey Angels...
Feb 26, 2025•7 min
Episode 61 - Loving vs Virginia
For Black History Month and Valentines Day, we have a special love story – part fiction, part fact, based on a landmark US Supreme Court case. It’s called "Loving Vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case" by Patricia Hruby Powell . It’s the story of an interracial couple who only wanted to marry the person they loved. Our celebrity reader, actress Crystal West. Readers from Virginia discuss the book and the legal case that took place in their own state. Kitty Felde is ...
Feb 19, 2025•19 min•Ep. 61
Whats Your Favorite Book?
We polled readers at the City of Stem/LA Maker Faire about their favorite books. (By the way, Book Club for Kids will be taping more book suggestion interviews at this year's event on Saturday, April 12th at Exposition Park in Los Angeles.) Kitty Felde is host. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM THE CITY OF STEM/LA MAKER FAIRE: Orphan, Monster, Spy - Matt Killeen Wonder - R.J. Palacio Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Heidi Heckelbeck and the Never-Ending Day - Wanda Coven Harry Potte...
Feb 12, 2025•8 min
A Conversation with Ofir Lobel
We speak to Israeli writer Ofir Lobel, author of "101 Ways to Lose Your Homework: the Snotty Snail" about the difference between writing in graphic novels and writing a screenplay for a movie. He also talks about writing in a country at war. Kitty Felde is host.
Feb 05, 2025•6 min
Episode 156 - 101 Reasons Why I Lost My Homework Again The Snotty Snail
This week, it’s a graphic novel with evil twins, lost homework, and a giant snail. Oh, and a talking frog. The book is "101 Reasons Why I Lost My Homework Again: The Snotty Snail" by Ofir Lobel. Our readers are from Valley Beth Shalom Day School in Encino, California. Sportswriter Keith Thursby is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Valley Beth Shalom Day School: A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket Harry Potter - JK Rowling Dragon Masters - Tracey West A Girl's...
Jan 29, 2025•22 min•Ep. 156
Even More Favorite Books from the City of Stem
Looking for your next favorite read? We've got it, courtesy of kids at the City of Stem/LA Maker Faire. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo Magic Treehouse - Mary Pope Osborne Bunny vs Monkey -Jamie Smart A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett Fart Quest - Aaron Reynolds Hilo - Judd Winick Masterminds - Gordon Korman The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart We have LOTS of other book suggestions at our website...
Jan 22, 2025•6 min
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
2025 is a very special year for Book Club for Kids as we celebrate our 10th anniversary! But a different version of the show aired on a local cable channel, LA36, taping episodes at the downtown LA public library. This year, we’ll be sharing those conversations once a month and we start with readers from St. Mark’s Lutheran School in Hacienda Heights, California discussing Gail Carson Levine’s classic take on Cinderella “Ella Enchanted” with host Kitty Felde. You can WATCH this episode on YouTub...
Jan 08, 2025•28 min
Losing is Democratic
We end the year with a special episode from our other podcast THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES. Fina is the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman who solves mysteries in the U.S. Capitol with the help of a big orange dog named Senator Something. This episode takes place January 6th, 2021 and is designed to help adults talk to kids about the events of that day. It's based on the book LOSING IS DEMOCRATIC: HOW TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT JANUARY 6TH and contains curriculum for use in the classroom or homescho...
Jan 01, 2025•29 min
Most Popular Episode of 2024
Everybody wants to go to Paris…especially Nikki Maxwell! Readers from Hollingworth Elementary School 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 Kate Orsini . Kitty Felde is host....
Dec 25, 2024•22 min
A Conversation with Alina Chau
For a writer who both illustrates and creates the story for a book, which comes first? We ask writer/illustrator Alina Chau who created "Marshmallow & Jordan."
Dec 18, 2024•7 min
Episode 155 - Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau
Did you ever wish that you had a pet elephant? Well, Jordan was lucky enough to find one. That unusual relationship is at the heart of our book Jordan and Marshmallow by Alina Chau . Readers from Atwater Elementary School in Los Angeles discuss disabilities, sports, and Indonesia with host Kitty Felde. Our celebrity reader is NPR’s host of “All Things Considered” Ailsa Chang . Favorite Books from Atwater Elementary School: One Piece - Eiichiro Oda The Wild Robot - Peter Brown Dogman - Dav Pilkey...
Dec 11, 2024•19 min•Ep. 155
Banned and Challenged Books The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
We continue our series of episodes highlighting banned books. This week, it’s Elizabeth Acevedo’s novel The Poet X . The novel in verse was challenged in 2020 by parents in North Carolina who argued that the book was unconstitutionally hostile to religion. The challenge was turned down by the courts. It was again challenged in 2023 in Wisconsin because of objections about frank language about sex. In both cases, the books were part of the high school’s curriculum. The book is all about poetry an...
Dec 04, 2024•24 min
Black Friday Bonus Episode
Are you that aunt or uncle – the one who only gives books for birthdays and holidays? I hope so. But if it’s been a few years since you’ve picked up a middle grade novel, we have help from some experts – kids who visited us at the City of Stem LA Maker Faire to tell us about their favorite books. Start making your list and checking it twice… Favorite Books for Black Friday Shopping: Eragon - Christopher Paolini The Good Egg - Jory John and Pete Oswald The Land of Stories - Chris Colfer Amulet - ...
Nov 27, 2024•6 min
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android