From book clubs to leadership courses to game design — small-group, live online programs led by Dr. Raquel DeSouza, Ed.D., for readers ages 8 to adult.
From discovery call to your first session — the whole process takes less than a week, no matter which program you choose.
A 20-minute conversation with Dr. DeSouza to find the right program and group for you or your child.
Select the course, book, or cohort and session time that fits your schedule. English or Portuguese groups available.
Access our Moodle learning platform — BigBlueButton is built right in. No extra apps needed.
You or your child joins the first live session and begins building real, lasting skills.
Small groups of 6–8 children meet weekly for live, discussion-based sessions built around six carefully chosen books that spark real conversation, build vocabulary, and develop comprehension that lasts a lifetime. Click "Get the Book" on any title to purchase through Amazon.
📌 Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Sophia James Education LLC earns a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This helps support our programs.
Four siblings step through a wardrobe into the magical world of Narnia — a land caught in eternal winter under the White Witch's spell. This beloved classic sparks rich discussions about courage, sacrifice, good vs. evil, and what it means to be a hero.
A tender story of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. Children explore themes of loyalty, loss, and the power of words — while discovering how a single friend can change everything. A perfect book for deep emotional discussion.
Percy Jackson discovers he's the son of a Greek god and is thrust into a world of monsters, prophecies, and adventure. This action-packed series opener hooks reluctant readers instantly while teaching Greek mythology, plot structure, and how identity shapes a hero.
Melody, the smartest kid in her school, has cerebral palsy and cannot speak or write. This powerful, perspective-shifting novel builds empathy and challenges assumptions. Extraordinary for discussions about inclusion, determination, how we judge others, and what it means to truly listen.
Thirteen-year-old Kyle is left in charge of his little sister at a beach resort when a massive earthquake triggers a devastating tsunami. A pulse-pounding survival story that sparks powerful discussions about responsibility, quick thinking under pressure, fear, and what we discover about ourselves in a crisis.
Ellie has been bullied about her weight her entire life — even by her own family. Told in beautiful, accessible verse, this award-winning novel is a powerful exploration of body image, self-worth, standing up for yourself, and finding the courage to take up the space you deserve. Exceptional for discussions about kindness, identity, and what it truly means to belong.
Live, small-group instruction for adults building foundational literacy or growing their English skills — every course strengthens word recognition, language comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing together, not in isolation.
A supportive, judgment-free class for adults working to strengthen the fundamentals. Sessions build word recognition, language comprehension, and reading comprehension side by side — then put those gains directly to work in writing. Led by a certified reading specialist with a doctorate in Reading & Literacy.
Built for intermediate English learners, this course strengthens word recognition, language comprehension, and reading comprehension while developing clear, confident writing. Live, discussion-based sessions help learners practice real communication — not just grammar drills.
Two leadership courses — one for adults, one for teens — built around the world's most trusted framework for personal effectiveness. Real discussion, real application, no lectures.
A leadership course for adults built around Covey's seven habits. Participants explore proactivity, prioritization, and interpersonal effectiveness through guided discussion and real-life application — a conversation about how you lead, not a lecture at you.
Leadership principles built specifically for teenagers. Teens explore identity, responsibility, and relationships through age-appropriate discussion, building habits that carry into high school, college, and beyond.
Two hands-on programs that let kids and teens build something real — a playable game or a stronger piece of writing.
Kids design real, playable games using block-based coding and hands-on Micro:bit devices. This course blends computational thinking with hands-on creativity — students don't just learn to code, they build something they can actually play.
A Writer's Workshop model that helps young writers develop their own voice. Through guided mini-lessons, independent writing time, and peer feedback, students build stronger writing across genres — from personal narrative to persuasive essay.
Ongoing professional learning for teachers who want to grow as writing instructors — led by a National Writing Project consultant.
Ongoing professional learning for teachers who want to grow as writing instructors. Grounded in current research and led by a National Writing Project consultant, this course helps teachers build confidence, refine instructional practice, and keep growing across a full school year — not just a one-day workshop.
Each book cycle runs 6–8 weeks depending on the book and how deep your group's discussions go. You always know the price before a new cycle begins — and flex weeks are included at no extra charge.
Members pay $79/month and auto-continue into each new book cycle — the simplest option for families who want ongoing growth. Prefer to try one book first? Enroll for a single cycle at $175 with no commitment. Flex weeks 7–8 are always included free.
Monthly billing · auto-continues · best value
Per child · cancel before next cycle · no contracts
Saves $20 over time vs single-cycle enrollment
Try one book · no commitment · re-enroll anytime
Per child · 6–8 weeks · one complete book
Portuguese group · bilingual families worldwide
Per child · monthly membership · cancel anytime
Pricing for our other programs
Our programs are offered as affordable monthly memberships designed to support continuous learning. Reading Club memberships are $79/month and automatically continue into each new book cycle, or you can join a single cycle for $175. Portuguese Reading Groups are $99/month. Our Adult Literacy, English for Learners, Leadership, Coding, and Writing for Kids programs are $79/month and include a weekly 1-hour live session, recorded video lessons, and exclusive program materials. Teacher Professional Development memberships are just $19.99/month to keep high-quality training affordable for educators. Customized cohorts for schools and organizations are also available, with pricing based on group size and format—schedule a free consultation for a personalized quote.
Book a Free CallNeed private 1-on-1 support alongside a program?
Private tutoring sessions available for anyone who needs targeted, personalized attention. Limited slots — book in advance.
$110/session
Check availability →🌱
The SJE Scholarship Spot
One spot in each group is reserved for a family who needs financial support. If cost is a barrier for your family, please reach out privately — this is never advertised, always handled with care.
Inquire privately →Every cycle follows a thoughtful structure — from the pre-reading warm-up in Week 0 all the way to the personal parent update when the book is complete.
Every 60-Minute Session
A light check-in question. Gets every child talking before the book begins.
3–4 words from this week's reading — explored through conversation, not a quiz.
The heart of every session. Questions move from literal → inferential → evaluative. Every child speaks.
One written prompt completed after the session — deepens comprehension between meetings.
Chapters to read before next session. Optional extension activities for advanced readers — never required.
Week by Week
The End-of-Cycle Parent Update
At the end of every Reading Club cycle, every family receives a personal email from Dr. DeSouza. Not a form letter — a specific, thoughtful note about their child. Here is what it includes:
✨ A moment that stood out — one specific thing your child said or did in discussion that Dr. DeSouza noticed.
📈 What I noticed growing — one skill that developed over the cycle, described in plain language.
🌱 Something to encourage at home — one simple conversation starter to extend the learning beyond the club.
📅 What comes next — the next book title and start date if your family is continuing.
This email is what parents share with other parents. It is how your family grows.
Whether it's reading comprehension, leadership habits, coding skills, or writing craft, every program is built on the same foundation: real skills, built through real conversation.
Book a Free Discovery CallLearners of every age articulate their thoughts, listen actively, and defend their ideas with evidence — in discussion and in writing.
Moving beyond "what happened" to "why it happened" — learners infer, analyze, and question across every subject.
When any subject is explored with enthusiasm and curiosity, learners want more. That love is the greatest outcome of all.
Small groups mean every participant is known, heard, and valued. Many form lasting connections through a shared program.
If your question isn't here, book a free call and ask Dr. DeSouza directly.
What platform do you use?
We use Moodle — a professional learning management system — with BigBlueButton built directly inside it. You log into one place and the video session is already there. No extra apps, no extra logins.
What ages do you serve?
Reading Clubs are ages 8–14, Writing for Kids is 10–17, Coding & Game Design is 12–16, Teen Leadership is 13–17, and Adult Literacy, English for Intermediate Learners, Adult Leadership, and Teacher PD are for adults. Dr. DeSouza will help you find the right fit during a discovery call.
Do you offer Portuguese-language programs?
Yes! Dr. DeSouza is fully fluent in Portuguese and offers bilingual programming for Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking families. Ask about Portuguese options for any of our programs during your discovery call.
How many people are in each group?
Our programs run in small groups — typically a maximum of 8 participants. This is deliberate — small groups mean everyone participates, is heard, and receives real attention. We will never sacrifice that for the sake of volume.
Do we need to buy materials?
For book clubs, families purchase their own copy of each book — we let you know the title at least 2 weeks before the first session. For the coding course, we'll let you know what Micro:bit setup is needed. Other programs use materials provided during the course.
How does pricing work?
Our programs are offered as affordable monthly memberships designed to support continuous learning. Reading Club memberships are $79/month and automatically continue into each new book cycle, or you can join a single cycle for $175. Portuguese Reading Groups are $99/month. Our Adult Literacy, English for Learners, Leadership, Coding, and Writing for Kids programs are $79/month and include a weekly 1-hour live session, recorded video lessons, and exclusive program materials. Teacher Professional Development memberships are just $19.99/month to keep high-quality training affordable for educators. Customized cohorts for schools and organizations are also available, with pricing based on group size and format—schedule a free consultation for a personalized quote.
What if I or my child misses a session?
We understand life happens. Please let Dr. DeSouza know in advance when possible. Recordings are not provided to protect the privacy of all participants in the group, but missed sessions can be made up through a brief catch-up summary.
Is this a good fit for homeschool families?
Absolutely — our reading, writing, leadership, and coding programs were designed with homeschool families in mind. The discussion-based, hands-on format supplements any curriculum beautifully, and the social element gives kids and teens a community their own age.
Do I need any coding experience for Coding & Game Design?
No prior experience needed. The course starts with block-based coding fundamentals before moving into hands-on Micro:bit game design, so students build confidence step by step.
Is Teacher PD a one-time workshop?
No — Developing Teachers of Writing is designed as ongoing, cohort-based professional learning across a school year, not a single-day session, so growth compounds over time.
Book a free 20-minute discovery call with Dr. DeSouza. Together we'll find the right program — for a young reader, a growing leader, or a lifelong learner.