Family and family secrets like Ms. Nelson's bout with alcoholism or her sister's mental health issues are covered in the book. Working for the Washington Post, she thought would be the highlight of her career, however, she talks about losing her journalistic integrity while working at that environment.

After having received the Caldecott Medal for "Where the Wild Things Are," Maurice Sendak knew he had to do a different kind of book. Sendak recalled his trips to Brooklyn as a child and how going out to eat was a huge treat. From there, Sendak's book, "Night Kitchen," was born.

Discussing the books written by Nat Hentoff for young people: "The First Freedom: The Tumultuous History of Free Speech in America," and the novel, "Does This School Have Capital Punishment?" Includes oral reading from the books.

The American author of children's books joins Studs to talk about her latest, Do Bananas Chew Gum?, which tells the story of Sam Mott, a sixth-grade boy who struggles with reading and writing.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The novelist and journalist reflects on his childhood in small-town America, as described in his book, Prairie City, Iowa: Three Seasons at Home.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

With his book, "Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools," Jonathan Kozol spent time in six different schools and concluded that the school systems are no better off than they were 20 years ago.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations