Best Kitty Felde Podcasts (2025)

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Donna Barba Higuera 8:26

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1h ago8:26

8:26

Kitty Felde talks to the author of Lupe Wong Won't Dance Donna Barba Higuera about creating an unlikeable character. She also gives us a sneak preview of a new science fiction novel she's writing.

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Lupe Wong Wont Dance 24:02

8d ago24:02

24:02

Does square dancing count as an athletic activity? Lupe Wong doesn't think so and is willing to fight the system to make her point. Readers from Charles Hart Middle School in Washington, DC discuss the book with host Kitty Felde and interview the writer Donna Barba Higuera. Our celebrity reader is the former president of United Square Dancers of Am…

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👽📱 Press 1 for Invasion with J.A. Dauber 25:48

13d ago25:48

25:48

What happens when a simple photo on a found phone reveals the school crossing guard as… a monster? In his debut middle grade novel, Press 1 for Invasion (out now), J.A. Dauber blends laugh-out-loud humor, fast-paced action, and just the right amount of cosmic chaos. In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries chats with Dauber a…

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Honeymoon Road: Pete & Me & our Model T 22:30

14d ago22:30

22:30

In 1925, newlyweds Pete and Gert packed up their lives and headed west for California in a Model T Ford. Gert chronicled thejourney in a series of letters. Now, one hundred years later, a pair of cousins Kitty Felde and Marie Felde follow their route to see America through their eyes. Join us on a podcast journey at honeymoonroad.com.…

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Hypatia Academy by Esther Goldenberg 23:37

21d ago23:37

23:37

Did Harry Potter make you wish you were going to boarding school? This week, we visit another extraordinary boarding school with invisible students and k'lepreechons. It's Hypatia Academy by Esther Goldenberg. It's the favorite book of this trio of Maryland readers. NPR's Morning Edition host Rachel Martin is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. …

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Detectives, Spies & Storms: James Ponti’s Middle Grade Mysteries 49:21

21d ago49:21

49:21

Join host Annisha Jeffries on Reading in the Middle as she explores the exciting worlds created by James Ponti—from the globe-trotting adventures of City Spies and the clever mysteries of Framed! to the chilling underworld of Dead City and the detective tales of The Sherlock Society. His newest book, Hurricane Heist, was released on September 2, 20…

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A Special Announcement and a Sneak Preview 23:01

22d ago23:01

23:01

Today is the release date for Serpiente en el Césped, the Spanish version of Snake in the Grass, book 3 in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries! That means all three books in the series are now available in both Spanish and English with a free downloadable teacher's guide. We also want to introduce you to the latest podcast from writer and producer Kitty Fel…

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Standing Up and Speaking Out: Darlene P. Campos on Friendship, Courage, and Ecuadorian History 18:11

27d ago18:11

18:11

In this powerful episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries sits down with author Darlene P. Campos to discuss her latest middle-grade novel, The Center of the Earth. Set in 1930s Ecuador, the story follows Dahlia, a young girl whose life changes when she meets Werner, a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany. Together, they form an unforgettable…

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The Table: Art, Family & Food with Winsome Bingham & Jason Griffin 48:48

28d ago48:48

48:48

In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries welcomes celebrated author Winsome Bingham and Caldecott Honor recipient Jason Griffin to discuss "The Table," a poetic picture book that traces the life of a single table through generations. Discover how food traditions, visual storytelling, and creative collaboration enrich children…

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Back to School Episodes: Ribblestrop by Andy Mulligan with Peter Sagal 22:33

28d ago22:33

22:33

Americans have a romanticized image of English boarding schools. RIBBLESTROP is the opposite of that. Writer Andy Mulligan has created what must be the most dangerous school on planet earth. And this trio of readers at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, New Jersey, debate whether they'd like to attend. Peter Sagal, playwright and host of NPR's quiz…

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C.G. Esperanza: Art in Motion 41:42

30d ago41:42

41:42

In this episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries interviews C.G. Esperanza, an illustrator, author, and teaching artist whose vibrant artwork has transformed the look and feel of children’s books. This year, Esperanza received the 2025 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for My Daddy Is a Cowboy and a Caldecott Honor. He has previously b…

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The Art of Becoming: A Sisterhood Story with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich 37:41

1M ago37:41

37:41

In this heartwarming episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries is joined by award-winning author Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich to talk about Operation Sisterhood and its brand-new sequel, Stealing the Show! Set in a Harlem brownstone filled with music, creativity, and the chaos of a blended family, these two novels follow Bo and Sunda…

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A Conversation with Shannon Messenger 8:58

1M ago8:58

8:58

Thinking of writing a series? We ask New York Times bestselling writer Shannon Messenger about the 101 things a series writer has to think about. Kitty Felde is host.By Kitty Felde

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Roll the Dice on adventure with author Raj Sidhu 25:00

1M ago25:00

25:00

What occurs when role-playing games blend with middle-grade storytelling? In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries chats with debut author Raj Sidhu about his new book, Thrash Force—a fast-paced multiverse adventure filled with dice rolls, high stakes, and memorable characters. Raj discusses what inspired his action-packed de…

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Number One on Book Club for Kids' Top Ten List - Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger 21:24

1M ago21:24

21:24

We added up the numbers and found our NUMBER ONE top listened-to episode over the past decade of Book Club for Kids! It's Shannon Messenger's fantasy adventure Keeper of the Lost Cities. Readers from St. Elizabeth School in Maryland discuss The girls ask our writer to pick her favorite characters, something she hates to do. Our celebrity reader is …

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ALA Rewind: Kitty Felde on Mysteries, Civics, and Capitol Hill Lore 16:21

1M ago16:21

16:21

Recorded live at the ALA Annual Conference, Annisha interviews award-winning public radio journalist and author Kitty Felde about her middle-grade series The Fina Mendoza Mysteries, including Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza, and State of the Union. They discuss how Kitty combines engaging mysteries with real-world civics, the Capitol Hill legen…

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The Unraveling: Courage Takes Flight in the Woodland Realm 39:51

2M ago39:51

39:51

In this episode of Reading in the Middle, we’re taking flight into a world where the smallest hero faces the biggest challenge. Meet Twig—a young chickadee whose peaceful life shatters when the ruthless Fortress Crows attack his village. Hunted by a powerful sorceress and her winged army, Twig is thrust into an epic quest filled with magical powers…

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Loons, Lakes & Big Feelings with Donna Galanti 17:44

2M ago17:44

17:44

Summer is calling! In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries sits down with author Donna Galanti to talk about her heartfelt new middle-grade novel, Loon Cove Summer—a story of bravery, grief, friendship, and finding your way in the wild. We chat about: The real-life inspiration behind Sarah’s lakeside adventure Why loons make…

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Top Ten Episodes Number 2 James and the Giant Peach 21:17

2M ago21:17

21:17

It was our fourth episode and Roald Dahl's first book for children. Number Two on our top ten list is "James and the Giant Peach" with Cash Peters as celebrity reader. Students from LA's Equitas Academy discuss the book with host Kitty Felde. Free curriculum guide at bookclubforkids.org.By Kitty Felde

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Episode 34: A Conversation with Ambreen Butt-Hussain 16:44

2M ago16:44

16:44

In this episode of Reading in the Middle, librarian and kid lit advocate Annisha Jeffries sits down with author Ambreen Butt-Hussain to talk about her laugh-out-loud, refreshingly honest middle grade series featuring the unforgettable Alina Butt. From being the new kid (again) to missing out on a class trip to Paris, Alina’s adventures in The Unlov…

1
A Conversation with Varian Johnson 5:17

2M ago5:17

5:17

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.By Kitty Felde

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Episode 33: Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane with K.E. Lewis 25:48

2M ago25:48

25:48

What occurs when a chaotic flight inspires a fun picture book? In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries interviews author, poet, and educator K.E. Lewis about his latest book, Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane, illustrated by Isabel Roxas. They discuss how a frustrating travel moment turned into a rhyming cautionary story, the…

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Episode 32: Malcolm Lives with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi 20:59

2M ago20:59

20:59

Guest: Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Book Featured: Malcolm Lives (2025, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) Host: Annisha Jeffries, Kidlit Advocate & creator of Reading in the Middle Topics Covered: Why Malcolm Lives was written for middle-grade readers in Malcolm X’s centennial year How Dr. Kendi balances biography with imaginative storytelling The importanc…

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TOP TEN EPISODES #3: The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson 21:48

2M ago21:48

21:48

We're happy to report that the number 3 most popular episode of Book Club for Kids is no mystery...actually, it IS a mystery: Varian Johnson's The Parker Inheritance. 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 my…

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Episode 31: So Over Sharing with Elissa Brent Weissman 39:06

2M ago39:06

39:06

In this episode of Reading in the Middle, librarian and kidlit enthusiast Annisha Jeffries chats with author Elissa Brent Weissman about her latest middle grade novel, So Over Sharing.They discuss the inspiration behind the book, what it’s like to write for today’s tech-savvy tweens, and how Elissa strikes the perfect balance between humor and hea…

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TOP TEN LIST #4: The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey 19:46

2M ago19:46

19:46

Can you believe it? Book Club for Kids began ten years ago in the summer of 2015. And we’re celebrating by counting down our top ten most listened to episodes over the past decade. This week, just in time for the second installment in the Bad Buys series is the graphic novel that started it all: number four on our top ten list, Aaron Blabey’s The B…

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A Conversation with Jerry Craft 11:28

3M ago11:28

11:28

Writer Jerry Craft confesses that he wasn't much of a reader when he was a kid. Kitty Felde is host.

Kitty Felde Podcasts

1
Book Club for Kids

Kitty Felde

1
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries

Kitty Felde

1
Reading in The Middle

Annisha Jeffries

1
Donna Barba Higuera 8:26

1
Lupe Wong Wont Dance 24:02

1
👽📱 Press 1 for Invasion with J.A. Dauber 25:48

1
Honeymoon Road: Pete & Me & our Model T 22:30

1
Hypatia Academy by Esther Goldenberg 23:37

1
Detectives, Spies & Storms: James Ponti’s Middle Grade Mysteries 49:21

1
A Special Announcement and a Sneak Preview 23:01

1
Standing Up and Speaking Out: Darlene P. Campos on Friendship, Courage, and Ecuadorian History 18:11

1
The Table: Art, Family & Food with Winsome Bingham & Jason Griffin 48:48

1
Back to School Episodes: Ribblestrop by Andy Mulligan with Peter Sagal 22:33

1
C.G. Esperanza: Art in Motion 41:42

1
The Art of Becoming: A Sisterhood Story with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich 37:41

1
A Conversation with Shannon Messenger 8:58

1
Roll the Dice on adventure with author Raj Sidhu 25:00

1
Number One on Book Club for Kids' Top Ten List - Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger 21:24

1
ALA Rewind: Kitty Felde on Mysteries, Civics, and Capitol Hill Lore 16:21

1
The Unraveling: Courage Takes Flight in the Woodland Realm 39:51

1
Loons, Lakes & Big Feelings with Donna Galanti 17:44

1
Top Ten Episodes Number 2 James and the Giant Peach 21:17

1
Episode 34: A Conversation with Ambreen Butt-Hussain 16:44

1
A Conversation with Varian Johnson 5:17

1
Episode 33: Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane with K.E. Lewis 25:48

1
Episode 32: Malcolm Lives with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi 20:59

1
TOP TEN EPISODES #3: The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson 21:48

1
Episode 31: So Over Sharing with Elissa Brent Weissman 39:06

1
TOP TEN LIST #4: The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey 19:46

1
A Conversation with Jerry Craft 11:28