Book Club for Kids

It's that time of year: Halloween! This week, we tackle M.C. Ryder’s tale of romance, betrayal, and creatures of the night The Darkest Side of the Moon. Journalist and actress Hettie Lynne Hurtes is our celebrity reader. Our readers are from Rosecrans Elementary School in Compton, California. Kitty Felde is host.  NOTE: There are some plot spoilers.   Favorite Books from Rosecrans Elementary School: Attack on Titan - Hajime Isayama  Because of Winn Dixie - Kate DiCamillo Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling Beyond the Story: 10-year Record of BTS - BTS, Myeongseok Kang    MC Ryder's Favorite Book: The Search - Iris Johansen   Hettie Lynne Hurtes' Favorite Book: Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte   The Fina Mendoza Mysteries

Peter Brown's wonderful book is now a movie! This week,we return to the source material. 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 Pigs - Jon Scieszka Peter Brown’s Favorite Book: The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien Congressman Scott Peter’s Favorite Book: East of Eden - John Steinbeck

September is the perfect time of year to start a new habit. How about 15 minutes a day reading a book YOU want to read? Need some suggestions? Give a listen as we hear from kids as the City of Stem LA Maker Faire about the books they LOVE to read.  Projekt 1065 - Alan Gratz Little Women - Louisa May Alcott The Light in Hidden Places - Sharon Cameron Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney Princess in Black - Shannon Hale The Magic Factory - Morgan Rice This episode is made possible by a grant from the LA Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.  And if you're looking for a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, check out the Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast. It tells the story of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman who solves myseries inside the US Capitol...and introduces civics to kids. The podcast is based on the Fina Mendoza series of books in both English and Spanish.  Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza Losing is Democratic: How to Talk to Kids About January 6th State of the Union Estado de la Unión  

As school is starting up, there are tons of books your teacher wants you to read. But what about a book YOU really want to read? Today we hear from kids as the City of Stem LA Maker Faire about the books ThEY love to read. Give a listen. Favorite Books:   Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney  Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger Captain Underpants - Dav Pilkey Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling Ada Twist, Scientist - Andrea Beaty Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan Dog Man - Dav Pilkey

We talk to writer Charles Waters about his life as an actor and how it led to his life as a poet and children's book writer. He also talks about how the Highlights Foundation changed his life. Kitty Felde is host.

What do you do when your long-time school mascot is offensive to others? That's the topic in Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell. Students from Eliot-Hine Middle School discuss the novel and interview the writer. California State Los Angeles theater professor Carolyn Dunn is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Eliot-Hine: Stunt Boy - Jason Reynolds The Falling Sword - Ben Kane The Firekeeper's Daughter - Angeline Boulley Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut Charles Waters' Favorite Books: Ordinary People - Judith Guest Raymond Carver short stories Bronx Masquerade - Nikki Grimes Under the Mesquite - Guadalupe Garcia McCall Carolyn Dunn's Favorite Books: Love Medicine - Louise Erdich The Master Butchers Singing Club  - Louise Erdich Lilith's Brood - Octavia E. Butler

Angela Dominguez writes and illustrates the Stella Diaz series. She talks to us about her writing path from drawing to writing. More author interviews at our website.

Angela Dominguez, the author of 'Stella Diaz Has Something to Say,' discusses the challenges of book banning and its impact on diverse voices in literature. She reflects on the 2000 Central York School District incident where books by authors of color were removed. Listeners are taken on a journey through Stella's struggles with shyness and friendship, her gradual confidence-building via a spelling bee, and the heartfelt sibling dialogue about identity. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of childhood reads and their role in shaping a love for storytelling.

We invited kids onstage at the City of Stem LA Maker Faire with host Kitty Felde to tell the audience about their favorite books:  Wings of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland Dork Diaries - Rachel Renee Russell Zoey and Sassafras - Asia Citro Go Team Spidey - Steve Behling The Secret Series - Pseudonymous Bosch

Book Club for Kids live onstage! We visit the City of Stem LA Maker Faire to bring kids onstage to talk about their favorite books! The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo The Secret Cookie Club - Martha Freeman Shel Silverstein's books of poetry Dog Man - Dav Pilkey   This episode is supported in art by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.