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Virtual Book Club

The best way to get inspired to write is to read, and to read lots of different kinds of books! SCBWI PA West is launching a book club with a monthly online zoom meeting to discuss our reading. We would love to have you join us! 


• We will be focusing on Newbery Award Winners (ages range mostly from early readers to teen) and picture books handpicked by the regional team. 


• We will alternate each month between either 1 Newbery award winning book or 2 non-Newbery picture books. 


• Learn more about the Newbery award here and find a list of all award winning books by year here


• Book discussions will touch upon themes, character development, voice/tone/format, literary significance, social/political/domestic issues and the strengths (or weaknesses) of text, illustrations and book design. 


• We recommend that you check books out at your local library or on library loan apps like Hoopla and Libby, where you can take out an ebook or audiobook with a valid library card and read or listen to it on your phone. 


• Book club zoom sessions will be 1-2 hours. All links to meetings will be posted on this page.


Session 11 - Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

When: July 2 2024, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Links to YouTube Readalong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBZAHARZ8L8

Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/96418829501?pwd=MXNaZW1pWm92TU9rUkNzSUJCMi9Gdz09

Meeting ID: 964 1882 9501

Passcode: 694229


Session 12 - Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins by Michelle Meadows and Ebony Glenn &

Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell and Ana Ramírez

When: Aug 6 2024, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Links to YouTube Readalongs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vj3l9ERp6M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdaQcubciws

Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/99139544054?pwd=SDlBc01XWlB0RjA4MGJuZ2w3Y0didz09

Meeting ID: 991 3954 4054

Passcode: 036633


Session 13 - Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry

When: Sept 3 2024, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Link to YouTube Readalong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmLB0F-TRBg

Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/96734028440?pwd=V3pYTGxtTElpcmtGNFdjUVBMbjlkUT09

Meeting ID: 967 3402 8440

Passcode: 851208


Session 14 - Double Feature: Jumanji and Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg

When: Oct 1 2024, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Links to YouTube Readalongs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ77eSH3TTg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlFykC8ZQs4

Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/93955727060?pwd=YXFWUW1yOG85Rzd0SGlObEdmVTBYZz09

Meeting ID: 939 5572 7060

Passcode: 028060


Session 15 - Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars

When: Nov 5 2024, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

No video link to audiobook, get it at the library!

Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/97652948743?pwd=WlVRRmZJM29Td0Y4aHp1ZEpsMnNHUT09

Meeting ID: 976 5294 8743

Passcode: 888800


Session 16 - TBA

When: Dec 4 2024, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)