Booking Across the USA: Family Dinner Book Club 2026

For 2026, the Family Dinner Book Club theme is Booking Across the USA. Our goal is to celebrate beauty, kindness, love, and adventure all while having a sense of awe. We are focusing on the good in our country as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

Family Dinner Book Club FAQs and Changes

Before we get to books for each month, let me share a little more about Family Dinner Book Club.

• Jodie and Jazmin will share a featured book for a different state or region each month. We will also include conversation starters and have links to a themed menu around the featured book.  All of the information will be able to be accessed on the Growing Book by Book website right here on this post and that will be updated throughout the year.  So, pin this post or bookmark it so you can back to it time and time again.
• Sign up for our special Family Dinner Book Club email to get the links to each part of your dinner. This is the best way to receive the information each month.—->Sign Up Here to Get Your Monthly Email

*Please note that this is a special Family Dinner Book Club list.  If you receive the Growing Book by Book newsletter, you will also need to sign up for this newsletter specific to Family Dinner Book Club.

• You read the book with your family/class/group and then pick a day to share a meal and discuss the book.
• The book club is geared towards families with children ages 4-8 but is super easy to adapt to younger and older children too.  We have even had adults in church groups use the books for club meetings!
• We again have a special addition option!  This year it is called Pit Stop. This new feature is for families or clubs who would like to go a little deeper into the books.  Each month you will have what you need at your fingertips with the digital download PDF resource pack.  There is information about the state/region, a map, an activity, pit stop snack idea, and a printable additional reading book list based on the featured the book or region.  The resource pack includes all of that plus the printable conversation starters and menu links.  Many families will enjoy utilizing this resource before, after, or in place of your Family Dinner Book Club.  If you would like to take advantage of this awesome addition, GRAB IT HERE.

Booking Across the USA: Month by Month List

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

To purchase books: View the List 

January- Alaska

Selected Book: Moon Song by Michaela Goade

Moon Song by Michaela Goade is the second book in a four book series. The first book in the series, Berry Song, won a Caldecott Honor. In Moon Song, we journey to an island on the edge of a shimmering sea where we meet a young girl who spins a story for her cousin who is worried about the dark winter. For there is so much beauty that comes with the night from the moonlight to the northern lights.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters:

• How many things can you think of to do at night? Which one is your favorite?
• Our book utilizes a feature called a gatefold. It’s a part of the page that folds out from the center of the book. Find the gatefold in the book. Why do you think the author/illustrator chose this spot to use one?
• Our story takes places on an island. What does this mean? Look at a map of Alaska. Can you find other islands in and around Alaska?
• Take a look at the night sky tonight. What shape is the moon? Where in the sky is it?
• Our story takes places in the winter. What are your favorite things about this season?
• Goade’s first book in this series was Berry Song and we just read Moon Song. She has two more books coming out in the series. What do you think the titles may be?

Themed Menu:

For our dinner this month we are going to have a warm and comforting meal.

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup

Homemade Crescent Rolls

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Milk

February- All the States

Selected Book: 50 States of Love by Anna Aronson

50 States of Love: A Celebration of America by Anna Aronson invites us to journey through the 50 states exploring lovely things in each state from the sweet peaches in Georgia to the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters:

1. What do you love about the state that you live in currently?
2. Many states are known for things. What is your state known for?
3. After reading the book, is there a state or states that look interesting to visit? Why?
4. A lot of places in nature were showcased in the story. What did you notice about nature in the book?
5. What are some different ways that people can travel in the United States? Which mode of transportation most appeals to you? Why?
6. Love is a theme throughout the book. What does love mean to you?

Themed Menu:

This month we are traveling through the USA and trying out foods known for or grown in different states

Bison Meatloaf (North Dakota)

If you don’t have access to ground bison, you could substitute ground beef.

Baked Potatoes (Idaho)

Cranberry Sauce (Wisconsin)

Canned cranberry sauce works, but if you happen to have some cranberries frozen in the freezer, try this easy recipe.

Peach Cobbler (Georgia)

March- California

Selected Book: Redwoods by Jason Chin

Get ready to learn lots of amazing information about the ancient Redwoods trees as we travel to the forest in Redwoods by Jason Chin.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters

1. Redwoods are the tallest living things on the planet. What other things can you think of that are tall?
2. What else did you learn about Redwoods?
3. How do Redwoods protect themselves from fire? And, how does fire help Redwoods?
4. What do you think it would be like to climb to the canopy of the Redwood?
5. What questions do you still have about Redwoods?
6. Many authors visit places they write about including Jason Chin for this book. Where is a place you visited that could inspire you to write a book?

Themed Menu

This month we are going to have a meal filled with items that come from trees or are tree inspired. Pretend you are dining at the Treehouse Cafe.

Apple Grilled Cheese

Roasted Broccoli
(My kids use to call these mini trees.)

Coconut Water

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

April- National Parks

Selected Book: I Am Made of Mountains by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs

Discover some of the unique aspects of different National Parks in I Am Made of Mountains: An Ode to National Parks- The Landscapes of Us by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs and Vivian Mineker. Sixteen different parks are featured in the book.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters

1. Find our location on the map on the endpapers of the book. Are there any National Parks near us?
2. Which park in the book interested you the most? Why?
3. What are some common things you would find in a National Park? What are some of the more unique features?
4. Have you ever been to a National Park? Which one would you like visit in the future?
5. The back matter in this book is full of additional information. Why do you think authors include this section?
6. How can we protect parks?

Themed Menu

Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is inspiring our menu this month. It’s filled with produce you might find at a farmer’s market.

Homemade Burgers

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Deviled Eggs

Tea

Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

May- Across the States

Selected Book: Are We There Yet? by Stacy McAnulty and Elizabeth Baddeley

Are We There Yet? by The First Road Trip Across the USA by Stacy McAnulty and Elizabeth Baddeley is the story of a man who took a bet that he couldn’t drive across the USA in less than three months. Will he, his mechanic driver, and Bud the bulldog make it? It won’t be easy but it will definitely be an adventure.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Starters

1. Our story takes place in 1903 which over 120 years ago. How have cars changed over the years?
2. What were some of the challenges on the trip? Have you ever had a challenging road trip?
3. Do you think you would have enjoyed the trip with the trio? Why or why not?
4. What was a memorable road trip you had with your family? What made it so memorable?
5. Do you have a favorite road trip snack or tradition?
6. What does a “sea to sea trip” mean?

Themed Menu

After not eating for 36 hours, Crocker and Jackson were treated to a roast lamb dinner by a kind sheepherder. So, let’s have the same thing.

Roasted Lamb Shoulder

Mashed Potatoes & Brown Gravy

Buttered Peas and Carrots

Old Fashioned Apple Pie

June- Tennessee- Smoky Mountains

Selected Book: Firefly Song by Colleen Paeff and ji-Hyuk Kim

After growing up observing fireflies, Lynn realizes there is something special about them. She notices that they perform a synchronized light show. But, scientists try to tell her that isn’t possible for that type doesn’t exist in the Western Hemisphere. With hard work and persistence, Lynn convinces the scientists that she is right.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources

Conversation Staters

1. Have you ever seen fireflies in real-life? Where were you?
2. Do you call them fireflies or lightning bugs? Ask 5 other people around the country what they call them.
3. What are some of your favorite things to do every summer?
4. Lynn was determined to get others to see what she knew. Have you ever had to work hard to convince someone of something? Tell about that time.
5. How was Lynn like a scientist?
6. Lynn was an expert in fireflies. What are you an expert of?

Themed Menu

Most adult fireflies don’t eat during their short lives, but we are going to feast. Enjoy your dinner by flickering candlelight or lantern.

Smoky Pimento Cheese and Veggies

Country Ham Biscuits with Brown Sugar Butter

Fried Zucchini

Strawberry Hand Pies

Lemonade

July- America

Selected Book:  Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus and Kadir Nelson

Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus and Kadir Nelson is a story showing the parallel between America and the American flag. The illustrator showcases the resilience of the American principles in addition to the beauty of our strength and perseverance.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming July 2026)

August- Pacific Northwest

Selected Book: Salmon Run by Annie Chen

Salmon Run: An Epic Journey to the Ocean and Back by Annie Chen takes us on the journey of a coho salmon from egg to spawning adult which can be found in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming August 2026)

September- Across the States

Selected Book: The Friendship Train by Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov

Read The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II by Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov.

After the end of WWII, Europe was in desperate need of food. American citizens rallied together collecting food. A friendship train traveled from the West Coast to the East Coast collecting the donations. This is the story of that journey. We are left with an understanding that acts of small kindness can have a great impact.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming September 2026)

October- Great Lakes Region

Selected Book: Great Lakes by Barb Rosentock and Jamey Christoph

The Great Lakes by Barb Rosenstock is about how the Great Lakes formed, how they flow, the plants and animals that call the lakes home, and so much more.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming October 2026)

November- Washington D.C.

Selected Book: Honor Flight by Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares

Honor Flight by Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares honors our aging military veterans by escorting them to Washington, D.C. for a day of honor and celebration of their service.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming November 2026)

December- New York

Selected Book: Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares

New York City during the holidays is pretty magical. And, Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares captures that feel with a gorgeously illustrated and sweet story about two cardinals finding each other after a separation.

Family Dinner Book Club Resources (Coming December 2026)

Family Dinner Book Club for Schools and Libraries

If you are an educator, you can even let your families know about Family Dinner Book Club. In fact, many schools and libraries host Family Dinner Book Club events.

I created a letter that you can send home with families introducing the Family Dinner Book Club and inviting families to join in 2026. Click HERE to download, print, and pass out the letter to families.

And, you can shop all of the books using the links above and via my Bookshop list HERE.

Get the 2026 Family Dinner Book Club Resource Pack

The printable resource packet includes the following resources for each month:

• A Map of the USA
• Book Synopsis
• Themed Menu with Links to Recipes
• Conversation Starters
• Pit Stop Book Activity Idea
• Pit Stop Snack Idea
• Printable Additional Reading Themed Book List

The resource pack is wonderful for people who just want to do Family Dinner Book Club, the Pit Stop version, or both!  There is no need to wait and check in for Family Dinner Book Club resources each month.  You can access EVERYTHING now with this option, plus get the bonus Pit Stop activity and snack idea and the themed book list.

And, this year I’m offering the resource pack as a “pay what you can” option.  The suggested price is $7, but you can change the price in the cart to reflect what is feasible for you in this season.—> Get the 90 page 2026 Family Dinner Book Club Resource Packet