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 . 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 host. &nbsp;

Episode 61 - Loving vs Virginia

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

. 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  over a complaint that the book was “propaganda” against the police.  removed the book from curriculum after a parent complained about political views in the book. &nbsp;Give a listen to our discussion of “Ghost Boys.”

Banned Books Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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 &amp; A. R. Capetta Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling Big Nate - Lincoln Peirce  Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

Favorite Books from Older Readers at the Culver City Book Fest

This week, we talk about myths – whether it’s on Capitol Hill or Hawaii. Our book is “Lei and the Fire Goddess” by . Our readers are members of the Page Turners Book Club at  in Washington, DC. Our celebrity reader is playwright . Kitty Felde is host.  The kids mention  &nbsp;  I mention a book with the DC myth about the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill:   Favorite Books from the Page Turners Book Club at East City Bookshop:  Hooky - Miriam Bonastre Tur  Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling  Mac B. Kid Spy - Matt Barnett&nbsp;  A Thousand Ships - Natalie Haynes  Who Was...  Sisters - Raina Telgemeier  Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney  Dragon Masters - Tracey West &nbsp;  Malia Maunakea's Favorite Book:  The Far Side - Gary Larson

Episode 157 - Lei and the Fire Goddess by 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&nbsp;Google maps as a writer, the difference between writing fiction and non-fiction, ADHD, even tax write-offs! Kitty Felde is host.

A Conversation with Malia Maunakea

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.”&nbsp; &nbsp;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.&nbsp;  Myers reacted to the book ban by saying,”I think that most often the people wanting to censor books are well-meaning and concerned about the welfare of their children. But I suggest that children will be exposed to the world in spite of their efforts, and that exposure is best handled in a school setting.  I write to establish the humanity of the children I identify as my major audience. I’m not trying to push any boundaries.”  &nbsp;Give a listen as a group of readers from Washington,DC discuss the book and make up your own mind.

Banned Books Monster by Walter Dean Myers

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 -&nbsp; Ellray Jakes - Sally Warner Magic Treehouse -  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 Cawthon&nbsp; &nbsp;

LA Maker Faire 2025

&nbsp; 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. &nbsp; FAVORITE BOOKS FROM WASHINGTON LATIN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Long Haul - Jeff Kinney The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas Twilight - Stephenie Meyer Alan Gratz’ Favorite Book:  Amy Solano’s Favorite Book: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

Top Ten List to Celebrate 10 years of podcasting - Number 10 "Refugee" by 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.

An Interview with Writer Alan Gratz

The podcast where middle school readers talk about books.

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