What's your favorite book?

A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 7 -Lemony Snicket

Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan

Angry Aztecs (Horrible Histories) - Terry Deary

Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery

Invisible Inkling - Emily Jenkins

Cat Kid Comic Club - Dav Pilkey

Aru Sha - Roshani Chokshi

Frizzy - Claribel Ortega

Students from Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Washington, DC talk about "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. The conversation covers everything from death to Nazis to books. Actress Melanie MacQueen (Robotech) is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Markus Zusak interview is courtesy of the Australian bookstore Booktopia.

Spoiler Alert: plot points are discussed in this episode.

FAVORITE BOOKS FROM STUART-HOBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL:

The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Kelly Barnhill

Dork Diaries - Rachel Renee Russell

Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling

MARCUS ZUSAK'S FAVORITE BOOKS:

What's Eating Gilbert Grape - Peter Hedges

Wonder Boys - Michael Chabon

The Odyssey - Homer, translated by Emily Wilson

MELANIE MACQUEEN'S FAVORITE BOOK:

Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne

This week, host Kitty Felde asks future scientists what they are reading. Here's some suggestions:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexander Dumas

Books of Bayern - Shnnon Hale

Five Worlds - Mark Siegel

The Hardy Boys - Franklin W. Dixon

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

Percy Jackson 5: The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes - Rick Riordan

Wings of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland

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.

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.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Long Haul - Jeff Kinney

The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

As Brave as You - Jason Reynolds

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

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 - Dan Gutman

Ellray Jakes - Sally Warner

Magic Treehouse - Mary Pope Osborne

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

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.”

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.

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.”

Give a listen as a group of readers from Washington,DC discuss the book and make up your own mind.

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 Google maps as a writer, the difference between writing fiction and non-fiction, ADHD, even tax write-offs! Kitty Felde is host.