Reading During Recess

It’s time to pull back the curtain and learn about the book that inspired one of the most beloved films of all time. People have ascribed many meanings to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and in this episode, we put on our conspiracy theory (golden) caps and explore all the possibilities. Is it true that L. Frank Baum was writing about turn-of-the-century populism and monetary policy? Or Buddhism? Or drugs? Why is this book considered t...

In this episode, we celebrate one of the most iconic children's books of the last 25 years. Louis Sachar’s Holes is equal parts comedy, mystery, and a sobering look at the carceral state. Join us for an unforgettable trip to Camp Green Lake. Just remember, this ain’t no Girl Scout camp.

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In the words of Phoebe Bridgers, “the end is here!” After a brief hiatus, our final episode on Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is complete. We travel to a literary hotel (The Penultimate Peril) to meet up with some old friends and get one last lesson on the incompetence of the adult world. Then, we shipwreck onto a desert island and unravel a few final mysteries about the Baudelaires and VFD (The End). Memento mori....

In our penultimate episode about the Baudelaire orphans, we follow the children to the Mortmain Mountains (The Slippery Slope) and under the sea (The Grim Grotto). Our romp through the snow-covered mountains is quite fun, despite the reintroduction of an old enemy (Carmelita Spats) and the presence of Isadora Quagmire’s poetry. However, when it comes to The Grim Grotto, we have to admit that we don’t actually like this book all tha...

The Baudelaires are back, and thanks to fake news from The Daily Punctilio, they are now fugitives. Luckily, they are able to find shelter in the hinterlands. Unluckily, the shelter they find is a hostile hospital (book 8) and a carnivorous carnival (book 9). In this episode, we discuss the hilarious and absurd tragedies of the Baudelaires' lives. We also attempt to answer the age-old question: why are so many children’s books abou...

In one of our most ambitious episodes to date, we tackle the (wo)man, the myth, the legend: Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wilder’s “Little House” books about her pioneer childhood are some of the most famous books in American literature, but why? What do they tell us about manifest destiny and American mythmaking? And did you know that the books have a direct link to the Libertarian movement? Other topics covered in this episode include: t...

Louise Erdrich’s first novel for young readers was published in 1999, and it features an Ojibwa family who live near present-day Lake Superior in 1847. The book is often presented as an alternative to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, but Erdrich’s novel is really an accomplishment that's in a league of its own. We discuss what makes The Birchbark House so effective, and how it stands in contrast to a long literary tradit...

Count Olaf and the gang are all back, and this time they’re hanging out in an ersatz elevator (book 6) and a vile village (book 7). Join us as we discuss the Baudelaires’ continued misfortune and the eerie parallels between their world and ours. What does the Council of Elders in the Village of Fowl Devotees have in common with the U.S. Supreme Court? And why does Esme Squalor remind us so much of Kyrsten Sinema? If you enjoy topic...

Pam Muñoz Ryan’s novel of immigration, trauma, and resilience has been beloved by children and teachers since its publication in 2000. It is a work of historical fiction, but the novel’s focus on the intersection of racism and capitalist exploitation unfortunately remains very relevant today. 

Terri also shares a few stories from her own family’s history, which has some intriguing parallels to Esperanza’s. 

On a lighter note, this ...

Calling all cake-sniffers! In this episode, we discuss “The Miserable Mill” and “The Austere Academy” by Lemony Snicket. At Lucky Smells Lumbermill and at Prufrock Preparatory School, the Baudelaires’ lives continue to be truly awful. Come for the thoughtful analysis of the books, stay for the discussion of the world’s largest lasagna. 

PS: Memento mori. 

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Dear Listener, we regret to inform you that this podcast episode is extremely unpleasant. If you like podcasts about lucky children who lead charming lives, then this show is not for you. In our twelfth episode, we discuss the first three books of Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” (“The Bad Beginning,” “The Reptile Room,” and “The Wide Window”). As you might know, these books chronicle the woes of the Baudelaire orp...

ALL HAIL THE MAGIC PANTS! We’re so hyped to discuss one of our favorite books ever, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” Ann Brashares’ 2001 novel is an iconic story of friendship, travel, and grief. Whether you’re a Carmen, a Bridget, a Lena, or a Tibby, this episode will make you want to put on your favorite jeans and give your friends a big ol’ squeeze. 

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Sandra Cisneros's debut novel is a modern classic of Chicano literature. The story follows Esperanza Cordero, a 12-year-old Mexican-American girl living in a Latinx neighborhood in Chicago. Cisneros's writing is alive with the magic of poetry and empathy. In celebration of our tenth episode, we are joined by Sonya Lara, a Mexican-American writer from Chicago who has wonderful insights into the book.

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Join us for a discussion of Lois Lowry’s award-winning 1993 book, "The Giver," which went on to become the blueprint for dystopian YA. The book remains adored by kids and teens today, despite being one of the most banned books of the 1990s. We also talk about the unfortunate 2014 movie version of “The Giver” that even Taylor Swift couldn’t make good, as well as our thoughts on the novel's infamously ambiguous ending. 

If you enjoy ...

Rita Williams-Garcia’s 2010 novel about the Black Panthers is a middle-grade masterpiece. The book follows three black sisters (Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern) as they visit their estranged mother in Oakland in 1968. Upon arriving in California, the girls learn their mother is a poet and a member of the Black Panther Party. In our episode, we discuss what makes this book so brilliant and how, by focusing on the Black Panthers, it fill...

Our discussion of Judy Blume’s classic and controversial book, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” (1970) is here! If you’ve ever wondered why conservatives hate this novel, why fictional tween girls want their periods so badly, or how to make new friends in the suburbs (hint: dress cute and mind your own business), then this episode is for you. What a scream! 

Content Warning: This episode discusses weight and body shaming. 

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E.B. White's weirdest children's book, Stuart Little, was originally published in 1945 and went on to become a contemporary classic. But what is this book really about? Why does a human woman give birth to a mouse-boy? Why is this mouse-boy so smug? And why was this book so controversial when it was originally published? Our episode debunks some of the most pervasive myths about this story. For example, did you know that Stuart Lit...