Mother, teacher, and NYT's best-selling author Samantha van Leer shares her top middle grade and children's books to read with kids. Every month she will explain how she would build meaningful conversations around these stories within her own home and classroom. This club is a collaborative space for educators to share their ideas and inspire the next generation!
Dear Martin is a favorite of mine for so many reasons. I cannot wait to share this read with you! It's short and sweet and packed with potential for rich discussions. Let's get into it! 
SAMANTHA VAN LEER is a New York Times best-selling novelist. Her works include Between the Lines (2012), Off the Page (2016), and The Extraterrestrial Zoo: Finding the Lost One (2025). A graduate of Vassar College, she also holds a master's in education and was previously a fourth-grade teacher. Perhaps her greatest achievement of all was becoming a mom to her wonderful daughter, Stevie.
Q's about the book club?
Joining is easy. Just subscribe above, pick your favorite host or club, and choose a plan that fits your rhythm — monthly or quarterly. Every plan includes exclusive member perks and bits of joy delivered in every box.
Joining is easy. Just subscribe above, pick your favorite host or club, and choose a plan that fits your rhythm — monthly or quarterly. Every plan includes exclusive member perks and bits of joy delivered in every box.
Allstora Tokens are your monthly key to choice. They let you decide what lands on your doorstep: {{hostName}}'s book, another club's pick, or something fun from The Pride Shop. Tokens give you the freedom to shape your reading life each month.
On the 15th of your renewal month, tokens are added to your account. You'll have 72 hours to make your selection before orders lock. We'll send a reminder when it's time to choose. Nothing ships until you make your selection.
If life gets busy, we'll still do our best to rush your book if we have stock available! Rush orders cost one token.
Totally fine. Your tokens roll forward for up to 12 months. You can stockpile them like a dragon hoarding queer literature, then spend them when the next story (or tote bag) calls your name.
Books ship once you redeem your tokens for that month's selection. Orders go out during the last week of the month and usually arrive the first week of the next month. If you redeem late, we'll do our best to get it to you quickly.
Visit your new dashboard here: 👉 https://my.allstora.com/account Log in with the same email used at checkout. If you haven't created an account yet, select "Create Account" and you'll receive a one-time passcode by email. Once signed in, your subscriptions, tokens, and orders will sync automatically.
All renewals occur on the 15th of each month. On that date, your plan renews and new tokens are added to your account.
Monthly plans → tokens issued monthly Quarterly plans → tokens issued every three months
For quarterly book club subscriptions, you will be billed every three months on the 15th for the next month's book pick. Depending on the month you sign up, you'll be on one of three cycles:
Cycle 1: January, April, July, and October books
Cycle 2: February, May, August, and November books
Cycle 3: March, June, September, and December books
For quarterly book club subscriptions, you will be billed every three months on the 15th for the next month's book pick. Depending on the month you sign up, you'll be on one of three cycles:
Cycle 1: January, April, July, and October books
Cycle 2: February, May, August, and November books
Cycle 3: March, June, September, and December books
Each club's upcoming title is announced on the 15th of the prior month. You can preview the pick and, if it's not your vibe, simply hold your tokens (for up to a year) to use on another title or item instead.
No drama. Skip it! Your tokens will patiently wait in your account (for up to a year) until a book, merch item, or moment speaks to you.
Yep! You can cancel anytime after your first renewal. No hoops, no heartbreak.
Nope! We're "read at your own pace" people. Discussion prompts go live weekly in Kiki, but you can jump in whenever the spirit (or your schedule) allows.
Don't worry, we've got you. Your memberships automatically merge behind the scenes, so you'll never be double-billed. Your perks stick around as long as you have an active subscription or membership.
Don't worry, we've got you. Your memberships automatically merge behind the scenes, so you'll never be double-billed. Your perks stick around as long as you have an active subscription or membership.
Manage everything in one place at: https://my.allstora.com/account
There you can: • Update your payment method or shipping info • Skip, switch, or cancel your plan • Review token balance and order history
Still need assistance? Contact us anytime at info@allstora.com
Explore compelling sapphic fiction and memoirs that center queer women’s voices and experiences. From heartfelt romances to powerful personal stories, this club brings readers together around books that inspire connection and conversation.
