Reading Radio

Episode 48 – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Teen girl magically transported to a surreal land.  Killing the first person she meets she teams up with three strangers to kill again. – Rick Polito The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a book you think you know, but only slightly.  Dorothy a teen girl in turn of the century America is transported to the Land of Oz where she must find a way home.  Joining on the adventure is the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion all of which want their own blessings from the all-powerful Wizard of Oz.  But know that the movie stops halfway through this classic tale.  There is so much more you have never heard. Recommended Age: All ages Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Get the book here: Jump in on our Next book and read along with us. Looking for more books like The Wonderful Wizard of OZ check out or other Shows: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Giver by Lois Lowry  The post The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – Episode 48 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 47 – Legend of Sleepy Hollow In a sentence: Skinny dude with a funny name gets chased by a headless horseman and dies. Or runs away—unclear. The end. S —Shmoop.com Recommended Age: 15 for readability.  The content is clean but the archaic language would be difficult for younger readers.   Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: If you haven’t read it yet, get the book from Amazon and support the show! Next Month we are reading the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, so pick it up now! Looking for more books like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow?  Check out our other Show: Dracula by Bram Stoker – Episode 40 The post Legend of Sleepy Hollow- Episode 47 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 46 – Percy Jackson Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction — Zeus’ master bolt. Along the way, he must face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend. From The Author Recommended Age: 10+ – Death discussed some middle grade violence Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: If you haven’t read it yet, get the book from Amazon. Get ahead and read our October book Looking for more books like Percy Jackson check out or other Shows: City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau – Episode 13 The Giver by Lois Lowry – Episode 17 Keeper of the Lost Cities – Episode 32 The post Percy Jackson Rick Riordan- Episode 46 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 45 – Dodger By Terry Pratchett Summary from the Guardian: Dodger is a tosher who scavenges in the sewers and earns a living selling what he finds. All the poverty stricken people on the streets know him as a friend in times of need. But when he rescues a girl from a beating his life changes dramatically forever… Soon he becomes accidentally famous, discovers a dark plot against him, enters the world of the rich and learns the truth about the girl he rescued. Recommended Age: 13   Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Haven’t read the book yet?  What are you waiting for? Next month’s book is Looking for more books like Dodger check out our other Shows: The School for Good and Evil Artemis Fowl The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes  The post Dodger Terry Pratchett – Episode 45 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451 tells of a future where books have been banned and entertainment is designed to dull the senses of the masses.  A fireman named Montag goes from burning books to discover what has been lost by his society.  He must make a choice of what he will do with his discovery and it could cost him everything. What can I say, we love dystopian sci-fi books.  At almost 70 years old this book holds up almost too well as we see a vision of our own future.  Disconnected by their earbuds and their reality TV, this book serves as a warning of things possibly to come. Listen to our discussion on Farhenheit 451 here on Reading Radio. For the record Jason was not making up words: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/prescient Recommended Age: 13+ based on the complexity of language and darkness of some topics covered. Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: If you haven’t picked it up yet you can buy it here: Next Months Book Looking for more books like Fahrenheit  451  check out or other Shows: Animal Farm – George Orwell – Episode 22 City of Ember – Jeanne DuPraul – Episode 13 The Knife of Never Letting Go – Patrick Ness –  Episode 36 The post Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury – Episode 44 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 43 – The Inheritance Games In the Inheritance Games we learn that Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why — or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into a sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man’s touch — and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con artist, and he’s determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather’s last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive. Recommended Age for The Inheritance Games: 13+ Mild romantic content Inference and results of domestic violence Murder is always a possibility Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Buy the Inheritance Games on Amazon Get Inheritance Games from Amazon: Next Month: Looking for more books like The Inheritance Games?  Check out our other Shows: Running Out Of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix – Episode 14 The Similars by Rebecca Hanover – Episode 41 The post The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Episode 43 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 42 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy One Thursday lunchtime the Earth is unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. For Arthur Dent, who has only just had his house demolished that morning, this seems already to be more than he can cope with. Sadly, however, the weekend has only just begun, and the galaxy is a very strange and startling place. Recommended Age: 13+ Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: If you still need to pick up the book you can get it from Amazon, here Our Next Book The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – You can get it from amazon here Looking for more books like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (as if there are any) check out our other Shows: Mary Poppins The post The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy- Episode 42 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 41 – The Similars When six clones join Emmaline’s prestigious boarding school, she must confront the heartbreak of seeing her dead best friend’s face each day in class. The Similars are all anyone can talk about at the elite Darkwood Academy. Who are these six clones? What are the odds that all of them would be Darkwood students? Who is the madman who broke the law to create them? This book was a great rollercoaster ride.  Once you hit the top of the lift hill you are all set for a great thrill. Recommended Age: 13+ due to some darker context 10+ based on vocabulary Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: If you haven’t already you can buy THe Similars on Amazon Next month we are reading The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy for our 42nd episode! Get it and read it now! Looking for more books like The Similars check out or other Shows: Running out of time Asgardian Exchange – Referenced in the show Etiquette and Espionage – Referenced in the show The post The Similars by Rebecca Hanover – Episode 41 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Dracula – Episode 40 Dracula represents our 4th year and our 40th show!  It has been wonderful to read and grow with all of you please continue to share us with your friends and form your own Reading Radio book clubs across the country. Dracula is the classic gothic tale that made the vampire so famous.  Written in a unique format using journals and newspaper clippings you feel as if you are solving the mystery along with the main characters. Join Jonathan Harker and Abraham Van Helsing as they try to solve the mystery of the original vampire before it is too late to save their beloved Madam Mina Recommended Age: 15+ There is no explicit content but the language is this book is archaic as it was written in 1897.  It could be hard to physically read while the audiobook would make it much easier. Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Join us for our next book The Similars by Rebecca Hanover Looking for more books like Dracula check out or other Shows: Etiquette and Espionage The Hobbit   The post Dracula by Bram Stoker – Episode 40 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 39 – Dune by Frank Herbert Cover of Dune Here is the novel that will be forever considered a triumph of the imagination. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family — and would bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction. About the Author Frank Herbert is the bestselling author of the Dune saga. He was born in Tacoma, Washington, and educated at the University of Washington, Seattle. He worked a wide variety of jobs—including TV cameraman, radio commentator, oyster diver, jungle survival instructor, lay analyst, creative writing teacher, reporter and editor of several West Coast newspapers—before becoming a full-time writer. In 1952, Herbert began publishing science fiction with “Looking for Something?” in Startling Stories. But his emergence as a writer of major stature did not occur until 1965, with the publication of Dune. Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune followed, completing the saga that the Chicago Tribune would call “one of the monuments of modern science fiction.” Herbert is also the author of some twenty other books, including The White Plague, The Dosadi Experiment, and Destination: Void. He died in 1986. Recommended Age: 14+ Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Tell us what you thought of Dune! Get the book on Amazon While you are there pick up Dracula for our October book! Looking for more books like Dune? Check out or other Shows: Shadow and Bone The Hobbit The post Dune by Frank Herbert – Episode 39 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 38 – Shadow and Bone The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka. Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unraveling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free? The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, is the leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her danger. But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him? Recommended Age: 14+ Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Get this book on Amazon Our Next book is Dune by Frank Herbert, the sci-fi classic.   Looking for more books like Shadow and Bone?  Check out or other Shows: Keeper of the Lost cities The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes The post Shadow and Bone Leigh Bardugo- Episode 38 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Season 3 has come to an end, but if you are looking for a great little classic book, you can’t go wrong with The Secret Garden.  We read the book this past season, both of us for the first time. It is a coming-of-age story with a touch of magic set at the turn of the 20th century in the Yorkshire Moors. For all the original show notes check here You can get the book here at Amazon   From Goodreads: “One of the most delightful and enduring classics of children’s literature, The Secret Garden by Victorian author Frances Hodgson Burnett has remained a firm favorite with children the world over ever since it made its first appearance. Initially published as a serial story in 1910 in The American Magazine, it was brought out in novel form in 1911. The plot centers round Mary Lennox, a young English girl who returns to England from India, having suffered the immense trauma by losing both her parents in a cholera epidemic. However, her memories of her parents are not pleasant, as they were a selfish, neglectful and pleasure-seeking couple. Mary is given to the care of her uncle Archibald Craven, whom she has never met. She travels to his home, Misselthwaite Manor located in the gloomy Yorkshire, a vast change from the sunny and warm climate she was used to. When she arrives, she is a rude, stubborn and given to stormy temper tantrums. However, her nature undergoes a gradual transformation when she learns of the tragedies that have befallen her strict and disciplinarian uncle whom she earlier feared and despised. Once when he’s away from home, Mary discovers a charming walled garden which is always kept locked. The mystery deepens when she hears sounds of sobbing from somewhere within her uncle’s vast mansion. The kindly servants ignore her queries or pretend they haven’t heard, spiking Mary’s curiosity.” The post Back to the Secret Garden appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 37 – Rich Dad Poor Dad Written in 1997 but updated for the newer times Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, is a book that teaches valuable lessons about money in ways that are easier to understand than your standard finance book.  Though this book is not intended for children at age 15 I had no problem understanding it and am almost positive a bit someone younger could understand as well. Jason and I found that this book was a good tool for bringing up questions we could talk about together. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to further their knowledge in finance and how money works.   Recommended Age: 13 and up   Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Tell us what you thought of the book? Rich Dad Poor Dad  Our next book is A Tale of Two Cities. We’ve never done a non-fiction book before, we’d love to hear what you thought about it in the comments below. In the mean time while we are off on summer break check out some of our previous shows… The book that started Chaos Walking – The Knife of never letting go. Or a classic like To Kill a Mocking Bird The post Rich Dad Poor Dad – Episode 37 appeared first on Reading Radio.

Episode 37 – The Knife of Never Letting Go\nThe Knife of Never Letting Go is a science fiction book set in on a planet where every man’s thoughts are broadcasted out loud for anyone to hear, and it is impossible for secrets to be kept.  Young Todd Hewitt finds a place where there is no noise and discovers something he has never seen before a girl. After things go awry he has to go on the run to protect himself and the girl from a past he is yet to discover.\r\n\n\nhttps://www.reading-radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TheKnifeofNeverLettingGoFinal.mp3\n \r\n\nRecommended Age: 13 and up.\n \r\n\nOur Scores:\n\n \n Jason\n \n \n \n \n \n Alora\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Average\n \n \n \n \nYour Scores:\n\nOur next book is Rich Dad Poor Dad.\r\n\nLooking for more books like The Knife of Never Letting Go check out our other Shows:\r\n\nGame Changer By Margaret Peterson Haddix \r\n\nHunger Games Episode 6\r\n\nThe post The Knife of Never Letting Go – Episode 37 appeared first on Reading Radio.\r\n

To Kill a Mocking Bird – Episode 36 To Kill a Mockingbird is the 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by the American author Harper Lee. It was published in 1960. Told by the six-year-old Jean Louise Finch, known as Scout, the story takes place during three years (1933–35) of the Great Depression in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, the seat of Maycomb County. Nicknamed Scout, she lives with her older brother Jeremy, nicknamed Jem, and their widowed father Atticus, a middle-aged lawyer.  It is the story of Scout, her brother, Jem, and their small town.  The story revolves largely around Addicus’ defense of Tom Robins, an African-American, for the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell.  But the story is also full of small-town stories and wonderful characters. Recommended Age: Due to some of the racially charged topics and language of this book we suggest 14-15 to start this book. Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Click below to vote! You can get the book at amazon and tip us a few pennies in the process. Our Next book is Looking for more books like To Kill a Mockingbird? check out or other Shows: Penderwicks Secret Garden Of Mice and Men The post To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee – Episode 36 appeared first on Reading-Radio.

https://www.reading-radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Cadre-Kids.fin_.mp3 Episode 34 – Cadre Kids The Cadre Kids is an adventure book where homeschooled ghost hunting teenage twins Jake and Rosa are forced into the daunting world of public school. Where they must face the challenges that come along with it. Join in their adventures as they are thrust into a new world with new challenges. Recommended Age: 11-12   Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Amazon Link – Will need to link this To Kill A Mocking Bird  Looking for more books like Cadre Kids check out or other Shows: Running Out Of Time – Margaret Peterson Haddix – Episode 14 Penderwicks The Asgardian Exchange The post Cadre Kids – Episode 34 appeared first on Reading-Radio.

Episode 33 – Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men is a novila written by  John Steinbeck. The  story follows George and Lennie two displaces ranch workers who are continuisly on the move. To find a place to work during the great deprestion. Recommended Age: 13 and up   Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Our next book is Cadre Kids Looking for more books like Of Mice and Men check out or other Shows: Animal Farm  The Indian in the Cupboard  The post Of Mice and Men – Episode 33 appeared first on Reading-Radio.

Episode 32 – Keeper of the Lost Cities This book follows the adventures of a 12-year girl named Sophie Foster who has the strange ability to read minds. Everything changes when a strange boy claims that he is an elf and that she is as well. He takes her to a world where she can finally belong. Recommended Age: 8-101   Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Our next book is Of Mice and Men. Looking for more books like Keeper of the Lost Cities check out or other Shows: The School for Good and Evil  Percy Jackson, The Lightning Thief. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child  The post Keeper of the Lost Cities – Episode 32 appeared first on Reading-Radio.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – Episode 31 The Secret Garden is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett first published in book form in 1911, after serialization in The American Magazine (November 1910 – August 1911). Set in England, it is one of Burnett’s most popular novels and seen as a classic of English children’s literature. The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox a sickly brat born to privilege as a British citizen in colonialized India and her transformation after her parents die in a plague.  Mary is sent to live with her uncle at Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire Moors.  There she discovers that life is more than being waited on hand and foot as she begins to be changed by the Moor and the people she meets there, especially her equally bratty cousin Colin. Recommended Age: While the Secret Garden does not have much in the way of questionable content, Mary does have some very racist ideas about the natives of India and expresses them as a young lady would in 1911.  These topics could be offensive to some and should be addressed accordingly.  Additionally, the language, especially the Yorkshire may be harder for some readers to follow. Read aloud 7+ Read along 10+   Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: You can find The Secret Garden on Amazon Make sure you read the next book before next month’s release Keeper of the Lost cities, our family has been binging the entire series it is amazing. Decembers book Looking for more books like The Secret Garden? Check out or other Shows: Penderwicks – Another character-driven genre story Fever 1793 – A bit of historical fiction set in the middle of the Philadelphia Yellow Fever epidemic.         The post The Secret Garden Frances Hodgson Burnett – 31 appeared first on Reading-Radio.

Episode 27 – The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks On Omri’s ninth birthday he gets a medicine cupboard from his older brother as well as a small plastic Indian toy from his best friend. That night he puts the toy in the cupboard and finds that it comes to life. Omri then finds out how much trouble such a small toy can cause and how someone can love a toy they didnt’ even like to begin with. The Indian in the Cupboard is a children’s novel by the British writer Lynne Reid Banks. It was published in 1980. Jason read this book in elementary school and remembered it fondly it was also recommended by our Facebook group.  If you want to help suggest what books we read join us there an vote. Recommended Age: 9 and up. There is mild violence and stressful situations.  Cartoonish racially charged language. Our Scores: Jason Alora Average Your Scores: Get Indian in the Cupboard on Amazon if you haven’t read it already. Our book for November will be The Secret Garden Get it and read it before the show releases. Looking for more books like The Indian in the Cupboard check out our other Shows: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton- Episode 24 Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers Episode 11 The post The Indian in the Cupboard – Episode 27 appeared first on Reading-Radio.