An Interview with Writer Alan Gratz

We continue our celebration of ten years of podcasting by looking back at our most popular episodes. This week, it's number 5 on our top ten list: New Kid. How do you fit in at a new school? Readers from Randle Highlands Elementary School in Washington, D.C. discuss the Newbery Award-winning graphic novel New Kid by Jerry Craft. They even suggest an alternate version of the book. Actor Gary Anthony Williams is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. Favorite Books from Randle Highlands Elementary School: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney The Creepy Cafetorium - Nick Murphy, Colleen Af Venable, Paul Ritchey, Marcie Colleen, Joe McGee, and Shelby Arnold Nina the Birthday Cake Fairy - Daisy Meadows Jerry Craft’s Favorite Book: Bud, Not Buddy - Christopher Paul Curtis Gary Anthony Williams’ Favorite Book: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - Douglas Adams Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! - Dr. Seuss

Peter Brown is both a writer and illustrator. We talk to him about how he plots a story and the teacher he hated who set him on his path to becoming a professional artist. Kitty Felde is host.

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

We're celebrating our ten year anniversary as a podcast! And to celebrate, we're counting down our list of the TOP TEN MOST LISTENED TO EPISODES. This week, it's number 7: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. We're lucky to have DC's Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton as our celebrity reader. Students from Washington DC's Jefferson Academy discuss the novel with host Kitty Felde. Favorite Books from Jefferson Academy Recommended by Jefferson Academy's Aarianna, Enyjaih, and Reece: Little Women - Louisa Mae Alcott 145th Steet - Walter Dean Myers Recommended by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton: Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson Recommended by Kami Garcia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis The White Mountains - John Christopher The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien Spiderwick - HollyBlack/Tony DiTerlizzi The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman Recommended by YOU: Ready Player One - Ernest Cline

Ever wonder what a writer uses for inspiration? Angie Thomas tells us what gets her fingers flying over the keyboard.   www.bookclubforkids.org

Today it’s a book for older kids – "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas. Our main character is an aspiring rap star dealing with sudden fame and the reputation of her late father. Our readers are from West Education Campus in Washington, D.C. Actress Tallie Johnson is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host.  Favorite Books from West Education Campus: Lost and Found (Bluford High Series #1) – Anne Schraff The Day Tajon Got Shot - Beacon House Writers When We Collided - Emery Lord Angie Thomas’ Favorite Book: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Mildred D. Taylor

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.