Thinking of writing a series? We ask New York Times bestselling writer Shannon Messenger about the 101 things a series writer has to think about. Kitty Felde is host.

A Conversation with Shannon Messenger

Steven Cuevas spends much of his time as a public radio journalist, interviewing politicians. In The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, he plays a politician, Congressman Arturo Mendoza of California's 34th congressional district. Steven talks to writer/producer Kitty Felde about his character and real-life politicians LA City Attorney Mike Feuer and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Steven Cuevas on Papa the Congressman

January 6th is the three year anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. More than a thousand people have been arrested, trials continue around the country, and the events of that day still echo during the upcoming election season. So how do we talk to kids about January 6th? Let Fina help. MY NAME IS FINA MENDOZA. My Papa works in the U.S. Capitol. He’s a congressman. Me? I solve mysteries. I had a new case: trying to find out who stole the class pizza.&nbsp; But everything changed on January 6th.&nbsp; While Papa was voting to certify the presidential election, a bunch of angry people broke into the Capitol. They believed that someone had stolen the election. They were really, really mad. I was really, really scared. My Papa was in that building. So were the parents of a lot of my classmates. Would the angry people hurt them? Why did this happen? Would it happen again? We talked about it in class, about how angry John Adams was when he lost the election to Thomas Jefferson and what happened next. We learned how important losing is in baseball and class competitions and elections. And how to be a gracious winner and never a sore loser.&nbsp; Oh, and I did solve the mystery of the missing pizza. FREE curriculum for this episode available . A paperback version of this episode is available as a novella .&nbsp; “Our democracy is still very much in danger, and if elections are only considered valid if your side wins, our future is indeed dim. Kitty Felde helps us convey to children that our democracy depends on all sides of an election putting their allegiance to country above party, and her book helps open the door to a discussion about the perilous events on January 6th, how to find common ground, rebuild trust, and reach across the aisle, er, playground.” — Congressman Adam Schiff &nbsp;

Losing is Democratic - How to Talk to Kids About January 6th - Part one

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 and Demons - Dan Brown &nbsp;  If you're a teacher or librarian in LA County and you'd like your readers to star on a Book Club for Kids podcast, send us an email to  and we'll send you all the information.

Culver City Book Festival Favorites

The Book Club for Kids podcast officially launches July 1st. But host Kitty Felde gives a sneak preview of the show - what it's all about and what it will sound like.

Episode 0 Sneak Preview What IS The Book Club For Kids Podcast

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

Episode 1 Beautiful Creatures

Avid readers from Maryland tackle Laurie Halse Anderson's tale of an African-American girl fighting for her own freedom in "Chains." S.W. James is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Episode 8 - Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Kids from Chicago and northern Virginia share their favorite books with host Kitty Felde.

Bonus Episode - Favorite Books in Virginia and Illinois

Kids from LA's Ambassador School of Global Education discuss Heather Vogel Frederick's tale of rodent intrigue SPY MICE. Former CIA operative Valerie Plame is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Episode 34 Spy Mice

Mr. Waffles and his guest, Sloth, discuss "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Episode 11: The War That Saved My Life

Brain All Wrong (NEW SONG PREVIEW)

The podcast where middle school readers talk about books.

Culver City Book Festival Favorites

Book Club for Kids

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