Chapter 2.10 – Gaming Free

Summary: Alicia and Sarah step outside of their literary comfort zone to talk about all things video games and the film Free Guy. They look at science, AI, free will, and discuss their new understanding of non-player characters. In the end, they prove that even a movie about a fictional video game can be full of analysis-rich layers. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Chapter 2.9 – Return to Stoneybrook

Summary: Alicia and Sarah return to Stoneybrook for the second season of The Baby-sitters Club on Netflix. They reminisce about their own babysitting experiences, talk about young adolescence and the challenges of middle school, and highlight the importance of relationships through all of the episodes. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Chapter 2.8 – Learning Through the Window

Summary Alicia and Sarah focus on their role as educators in the world of adolescence and the glorious angst that teens bring with them as they discuss the movie version of the Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen. They discuss mental health, social media, and the changes that have occurred during both of their careers in

Chapter 2.7 – Sisters Three

Summary Alicia and Sarah celebrate Halloween by having fun with the 90s classic, Hocus Pocus. They discuss scary movies, the history of witches, and the power of family while looking at a film that has become an October tradition in many households, including Alicia’s. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things

Chapter 2.6 – Rockin’ the Glass Slipper

Summary Once again, Alicia and Sarah take on the Cinderella myth, this time with the new Amazon Prime release of Cinderella. They discuss the different Cinderella archetypes, gender roles, story adaptation, and the power of music in making an old story new again. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve

Chapter 2.5 – The Road to Hades

Summary In an unapologetic love letter to Broadway, Alicia and Sarah gush about their newfound admiration for the hit musical Hadestown. They discuss Greek mythology, love stories old and new, and the power of music to make old stories come alive for a new age. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the

Chapter 2.4 – Swiftly Taylored

Summary Alicia and Sarah dive into music through their discussion of Taylor Swift as a singer/songwriter as portrayed in the Netflix documentary Miss Americana. They look at the development of her poetry and music and all the ways that she has grown into adulthood, taking on more complex themes in her music and challenging expectations

Chapter 2.3 – Flight Destination: Verse Novel

Summary Sarah gets back to her comfort zone as Sarah and Alicia dive into the world of verse novels, particularly focusing on Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land. They discuss air travel, family relationships, coming of age, gender, cultural differences, and how one work of YA fiction perfectly encompasses it all. At the end of

Chapter 2.2 – Poetry’s Golden Allure

Summary Alicia nudges Sarah out of her comfort zone as they tackle Maggie Smith’s poetry collection, Goldenrod. They discuss the role of nature, family, self-discovery, and the various ways they approach the teaching of poetry in their classrooms. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing

Chapter 2.1 – A Club for All Generations

Summary In this back-to-school episode, Alicia and Sarah talk about the Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club, based on the best-selling YA series by Ann M. Martin. They discuss the role of nostalgia, the importance of female relationships, and the Bechdel test. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading,