Claribel Ortega, a writer who loves writing fantasy and has been writing about witches for a long time, discusses the lessons that can be learned through fantasy books and the sense of safety in exploring challenging themes in a fictional setting. She also talks about her love for writing witch books and her desire to publish a series set in 80s New York City.

Do witches have cliques? What happens when you're an outcast? Would you be brave enough to hunt down monsters? Students at Brookland Middle School in Washington, DC discuss Claribel Ortega's novel Witchlings. Veteran journalist Stephanie Roberts is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde his host. Want to learn more about Dia de los Muertos? Listen to this special episode from our sister podcast THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES. There is free curriculum for this episode. Favorite Books from Brookland Middle School: Judy B Jones series - Barbara Park Best Babysitters Ever - Caroline Cala Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle Claribel Ortega's Favorite Book: The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien Stephanie Roberts' Favorite Book: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day -Judith Viorst 

Writer Ali Benjamin (The Thing About Jellyfish) talks about how she manages to focus and block out distractions. Kitty Felde is host.

A young girl struggles to find out how her best friend died. It must be a deadly jellyfish. So she seeks out the experts. The book is The Thing by Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin. Readers from Newport Mill Middle School discuss death, "borrowing" their parents' credit card, and jellyfish. Writer Ali Benjamin talks about finding a character's voice. Legendary marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, is our celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

Readers from Los Angeles County tell us their favorite books. Thanks to the LA County Department of Arts & Culture. Click here for a list of everybody's favorite book.

What makes a good mystery? We talk to writer Varian Johnson, author of The Parker Inheritance. Kitty Felde, who writes her own mystery series THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES is host.

Do you love a mystery? Do you love playing detective, looking for clues on every page? This week’s novel is about a lot of things – segregation, bullying, and most of all, a family mystery.  This week's episode is "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson. Our readers are from Washington DC’s AIM Academy. Actress Sheila Collins is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. FAVORITE BOOKS FROM AIM ACADEMY: The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi Long Way Down - Jason Reynolds VARIAN JOHNSON’S FAVORITE BOOKS: Holes - Louis Sachar When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin Raina Telgemeier One Crazy Summer - Rita Williams-Garcia SHEILA COLLINS’ FAVORITE BOOK: The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros

Newbery Award-winning author Lois Lowry talks about book bans, balancing serious and silly topics, and gives a sneak preview of her newest book. Kitty Felde is host.

Looking for an "old fashioned" book...with a twist? We discuss Lois Lowry's tale The Willoughbys with readers from Taylor Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. Our celebrity reader is the host of the daily news podcast The Gist Mike Pesca. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Taylor Elementary School: Because of Winn-Dixie - Kate DiCamillo Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger Front Desk - Kelly Yang Number the Stars - Lois Lowry Lois Lowry's Favorite Books: Sarah, Plain and Tall - Sarah MacLachlan Indian Captive - Lois Lensky Mike Pesca's Favorite Book:  The Progress Paradox - Greg Easterbrook

We've got a group of fantasy lovers this week from Maryland. Readers at Newport Mill Middle School share their favorites and explain why fantasy is such a favorite among their peers. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books: Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan I Lived on Butterfly Hill - Marjorie Agosin A Magic Steeped in Poison - Judy I. Lin Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger