Book Club for Kids

Writer Jack Gantos has his own unusual take on a childhood in the town named after Eleanor Roosevelt - the real-life place called Norvelt, Pennsylvania. Readers from Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia discuss DEAD END IN NORVELT with host Kitty Felde. Wenzel Jones is celebrity reader. Favorite books from Belvedere Elementary in Virginia: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green Candymakers - Wendy Mass Wereworld - Curtis Jobling Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis Warriors series - Erin Hunter Wings of Fire - Tui T. Sutherland Hatchet - Gary Paulsen Jack Gantos' Favorite Book: Moby Dick - Herman Melville "Hard to find another classic on my shelf that I reread every five years - the language, themes, journey, spleen and spine of it are very satisfying." Wenzel Jones' Favorite Book:  Onions in the Stew - Betty MacDonald

What makes a great book? Readers from Loyola Village Elementary School in Los Angeles have some answers.

Sophie's quest to find her mother takes her from London to Paris - mostly rooftop to rooftop. Katherine Rundell's novel "Rooftoppers" is our book this episode. Students from the British International School of Washington discuss the book with host Kitty Felde. Director and audio book actress Stevie Zimmerman is celebrity reader. Katherine Rundell talks about writing for the stage vs. writing books for kids. Favorite Books from the British International School of Washington: Agatha Christie mysteries FunJungle series - Stuart Gibbs The Maze Runner - James Dashner Katherine Rundell's Favorite Book: Charmed Life - Diana Wynne Jones Stevie Zimmerman's Favorite Book: Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak

Katherine Marsh says her son helped a lot with the creation of "The Door by the Staircase." She also offers some writing tips.

This week, we get a new look at an old fairy tale – the story of the Russian witch known as Baba Yaga. A boys book club in Portland, Oregon met us at Powell's Books to discuss Katherine Marsh's novel "The Door by the Staircase" with host Kitty Felde. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, who represents Portland on Capitol, is celebrity reader.