Episodes

  • A Conversation with Sean OBrien
    Dec 3 2025

    How does a White House speechwriter turn into a writer for kids? How do you become a Washington speech writer to begin with? We speak to Sean O'Brien, former speechwriter to then-Vice President Joe Biden. Kitty Felde is host.

    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • White House Clubhouse by Sean OBrien
    Nov 26 2025

    Former White House speechwriter Sean O'Brien takes us inside the building to a secret passageway to the past in his mystery "White House Clubhouse." Readers from Oak View Elementary School in Fairfax, Virginia discuss how Theodore Roosevelt's mantras are still relevant to them today. Actress Elizabeth Logun is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.

    FAVORITE BOOKS FROM OAKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

    The Chronicles of Whetherwhy: the Age of Enchantment - Anna James

    Echo - Pam Munoz Ryan

    Walk Two Moons - Sharon Creech

    Wonder - R.J. Palacio

    The Mortal Instruments - Cassandra Clare

    SEAN O'BRIEN'S FAVORITE BOOK:

    All the King's Men - Robert Penn Warren

    ELIZABETH LOGUN'S FAVORITE BOOK:

    Charlotte's Web - E.B. White

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Favorite Books from You and the National Book Festival
    Nov 19 2025

    If you've listened to the show before, you know that we ask everybody our favorite question: What's your favorite book and why. We ask it in classrooms, we ask it in libraries, and we ask if of YOU. A pair of twin brothers from Washington state picked up a phone and recorded their answers on the voice memo app of a smartphone and sent it to us. We also visit the National Book Club in the other Washington: Washington, D.C. Kitty Felde is host.

    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • A Conversation with Janet Macreery
    Nov 12 2025

    We have a conversation with "A Little Wicked" author Janet Macreery about two kids of writers: plotters and pantsers. Kitty Felde is host.

    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • NPR's Susan Stamberg live from the National Archive
    Nov 5 2025

    We pay tribute to NPR Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg as we reprise an episode taped before a live audience at the National Archives in 2017. Readers from the Girlfriends BookClub Baltimore discuss A Little Wicked by Janet Macreery with host Kitty Felde. Susan Stamberg is our celebrity reader.

    You can read a special tribute to Susan at our website bookclubforkids.org or sign up to receive a copy in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter here.

    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • A Conversation with Lisa Thompson
    Oct 29 2025

    Does a background in radio help you write dialogue? What's the one thing you should never include in a book designed for readers with dyslexia? We ask the expert: Lisa Thompson, author of "The Light Jar" and other middle grade novels.

    Show more Show less
    8 mins
  • The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson
    Oct 22 2025

    Did you have an imaginary friend when you were little? Nate did. And he's back. Just in time. Students from Garvanza Elementary School in Los Angeles discuss Lisa Thompson's novel "The Light Jar." NPR newscaster Dale Willman is celebrity reader and Kitty Felde is host.

    FAVORITE BOOKS FROM GARVANZA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

    The Stand - Stephen King

    A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson

    LISA THOMPSON'S FAVORITE BOOK:

    Charlotte's Web - E.B. White

    DALE WILLMAN'S FAVORITE BOOKS:

    Hardy Boys - Franklin W. Dixon

    Tom Swift - Victor Appleton

    Show more Show less
    23 mins
  • Favorite Books from Manchester Elementary
    Oct 15 2025

    We visit Maine to talk to readers at Manchester Elementary School about their favorite books.

    Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss

    The Wild Robot - Peter Brown

    Toilet-bound Hanako-kun - Iro

    Forgotten Girl - India Hill Brown

    The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak

    Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus - Dusti Bowling

    Naruto the Boy Ninja - Masashi Kishimoto

    Warriors - Erin Hunter

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

    I Survived - Lauren Tarshis

    Ellie's Story: A Dog's Purpose - W. Bruce Cameron

    If you'd like to be on the Book Club for Kids podcast, send us an email to bookclubforkidspodcast@gmail.com and we'll send you all the information.

    www.bookclubforkids.org

    Show more Show less
    9 mins