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.

Sasha, the main character in Alix Kates Shulman's book, "Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen" is obsessed and worried about her good looks. Sasha is all of 24 now, and she was told that by the time she's 30, her good looks will fade. Once a new queen is named, Sasha's mother tells her, you become a has been. The prom queen theme of the book, says Shulman, is to compete for the man and to be #1. Similar to the Miss America contest, women are parading before the men, parading before the judges for their attention.

The working New York fireman and writer sits down to talk about his latest, Glitter & Ash, a novel about politics and privilege. Includes a clip from an interview with Brooklyn fireman Tommy Gates.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

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 

Shulman joins Studs to discuss her novel, Burning Questions, about the Women's Liberation Movement as seen through the eyes of the main character, Zane, who leaves her small midwestern town for New York City.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Just because a person is young doesn't mean he or she wouldn't want to read and learn from a magazine. Clifton Fadiman is proud of the work Cricket has done, as he's received letters from children, parents, grandparents, and school teachers from all other the world.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The novelist discusses The Nirvana Blues, part of a trilogy of stories about New Mexico which also includes The Milagro Beanfield War and The Magic Journey. This program includes an excerpt of an interview with two west coast farmers, George Balas and Jessie de la Cruz, about fast foods’ effects on agriculture and farming in Western United States.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The longtime American music critic and chronicler of early rock and roll joins Studs to talk about his first novel, Nighthawk Blues.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations   

The Irish author reads from and discusses his first novel, On Us Thy Poor Children, based on childhood experiences growing up just outside of Dublin in the 1940s.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The British poet, translator, and novelist discusses his best-selling novel, The White Hotel, which was loosely based on the case studies of Sigmund Freud.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations