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 22 - We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang and Hot Dog by Doug Salati
When: July 1 2025, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/97846830927?pwd=VukrN6FFG7Gl77dha2G0ET5x2v9H2T.1
Meeting ID: 978 4683 0927
Passcode: 885749
Session 23 - Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
When: Aug 5 2025, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/96189248286?pwd=fjbABMLzshiMuRzB657nW74aUXpKDD.1
Meeting ID: 961 8924 8286
Passcode: 079706
Session 24 - Knight Owl by Christopher Denise and Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel
When: Sept 2 2025, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/98628971551?pwd=KuSc4gHFg5RzzFw40MoeLISdeSSGVn.1
Meeting ID: 986 2897 1551
Passcode: 721035
Session 22 - From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
When: Oct 7 2025, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/91999565923?pwd=4nnjagbxObZDFz8FezM5SwBhHakQbR.1
Meeting ID: 919 9956 5923
Passcode: 573412
Session 23 - There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey and
Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, illustrated by Daniel Minter
When: Nov 11 2025, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/99138318540?pwd=IpzWTDLHql9ZxzzPJ3qxXEbuaXa3no.1
Meeting ID: 991 3831 8540
Passcode: 886479
Session 24 - Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
When: Dec 2 2025, 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Link: https://scbwi.zoom.us/j/99624184569?pwd=RksIwYB3xniSfia1mHFMUjaku3JoXt.1
Meeting ID: 996 2418 4569
Passcode: 659747