{"id":2398,"date":"2021-02-12T15:53:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T04:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/?p=2398"},"modified":"2023-07-03T08:41:13","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T22:41:13","slug":"best-homeschooling-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/best-homeschooling-books\/","title":{"rendered":"The books EVERY homeschooling parent should own"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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When building your homeschooling bookshelf, what are the best homeschooling books to own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ones you’ll refer to year after year, that will continue to provide relevant advice and wisdom, and leave you feeling reassured and inspired about homeschooling?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are my all-time favourite homeschooling books, and the books I think that EVERY parent should own. The BEST homeschooling books, in my opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a big claim, I know. But I’ve read dozens, probably hundreds, of homechooling books – everything I can get my hands on. These are the books that I bought and then referred to year after year. They\u2019re full of clear, sensible, and widely applicable knowledge. And they\u2019re consistently well-reviewed by homeschoolers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there was a list of classic how-to-homeschool texts these would be on it. Beg, borrow or buy these gems!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, visit my disclosure page<\/a>.<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Unschooling Handbook – Mary Griffith<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Booktopia<\/a>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t plan to unschool<\/a> – the information in this book can be used by everyone to enhance their child\u2019s education. The subtitle of this book is \u2018How to Use the Whole World as your Child\u2019s Classroom,\u2019 and that\u2019s exactly what this book teaches you to do. It\u2019s very clear and easy to read, and doesn\u2019t propose any set rules. Instead, it gives plenty of ideas. It\u2019s one of those books you read and realise that you KNOW so much of this stuff, you just needed to be told it! I read this book at least once a year for a decade, until I gifted it to a friend who was starting out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you only buy one book, make it this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Homeschooling the Early Years – Linda Dobson<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"Homeschooling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Booktopia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applicable to ages 3-8, this book covers more of the educational side of things, such as learning to read and do maths. Reading this makes you realise that it isn\u2019t as complicated as you may think to homeschool your child, and that it actually looks pretty fun. It\u2019s very calming. If your children are a little older, there are two more books in the series – Homeschooling the Middle Years<\/a> and Homeschooling the Teen Years.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Project-Based Homeschooling – Lori Pickert<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Project-Based<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Amazon<\/a> | Booktopia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love the idea of unschooling and interest-led learning but unsure how to facilitate it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project-Based Homeschooling shows parents how to be dedicated mentors and facilitators, and how to support and extend children’s interests in a child-led way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

I found this book (and Lori’s Camp Creek blog<\/a>) incredibly useful for concrete ideas on how to be hands-on as a parent without taking over from my children. Highly recommended!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read a summary of the Project-Based Homeschooling method<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Teach Your Own – John Holt & Pat Farenga<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Teach<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Booktopia<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Holt was one of the pioneers of the modern homeschooling movement, and his work is still popular today (read some of his best quotes here<\/a>). When you read his work you realise why – it\u2019s timeless wisdom. Holt was a strong advocate of respecting children and supporting them in using their natural initiative and curiousity in learning. Teach Your Own covers why you should homeschool, how you should do it, and addresses the practicalities and worries about doing so very convincingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Well-Trained Mind – Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise
<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Booktopia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Totally inspiring and also a little intimidating, this is my resource bible. It outlines a very rigorous and comprehensive classical education program from preschool to the end of high school. My children search through it and write wish-lists of fun books for me to buy! Again, even if you\u2019re not planning to classically educate<\/a>, this is an excellent source book and contains plenty of resources and inspiration that any homeschooler can use. And if you are planning to educate classically, remember you don\u2019t have to do EVERYTHING in this book. If you\u2019re new to homeschooling you\u2019ll probably find it overwhelming – if so, just pick ONE area and start there. I\u2019d recommend their grammar stage history, it\u2019s so much fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Brave Learner – Julie Bogart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"The<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Amazon<\/a> | Booktopia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Books written by parents who have homeschooled for approximately 2.5 minutes always make me smile – oh, how they’ll change their tune if they stick it out for another decade! But Julie’s long-term experience with and passion for home education shines through this entire book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most importantly, the focus is on YOUR family. It’s not prescriptive, but encourages you to find your own way and build a homeschool that suits you and is based on great relationships, with lots of ideas and anecdotes to show you what that does (and doesn’t) look like.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

I don’t agree with everything (my kids definitely do chores and we’ll always be low-tech), but I don’t need to – as with everything, take what’s useful and leave the rest. And there is definitely more than enough useful content in The Brave Learner to make it worth reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Home Grown – Ben Hewitt
<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Home<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Booktopia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My husband insisted I include Home Grown, because he LOVED it. It’s actually the only homeschooling book he’s read the whole way through – probably because it also contains a hefty dose of farming and wilderness. Ben shows that education is not limited to a classroom or curriculum, that the natural world is essential to our lives, and that parenting and homeschooling are actually one and the same thing. This is an essential thing to learn if you’re wondering how you can be both mum or dad AND teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

My Family and Other Animals – Gerald Durrell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"My<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <\/strong>Booktopia<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may wonder what an autobiography that doesn’t mention homeschooling AT ALL is doing on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gerald Durrell’s childhood provides the perfect example of what a relaxed upbringing, unschooling in many ways, can achieve. He gets to roam Corfu freely, collecting and studying animals and spending plenty of time with interesting people. His tutor has to relate everything back to animals to get him to learn anything, and the maths and French he is forced to do periodically, when the family worry that he is ‘running wild’ (sound familiar?) just don’t stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gerald Durrell grew up to become a world-famous zoo collector and later zookeeper, bestselling author, and conservationist, and credits his time on Corfu with providing the foundation. It’s a great example of where passion-led learning can lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Don’t watch the TV series though. I feel sure Gerald Durrell would be enraged at they way they sexualise Mother – we only got halfway through the first episode before turning it off in disgust).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Curious Unschoolers: Stories of an Unschooling Family <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Curious<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Aussie selection! Sue Elvis talks about unschooling in an honest, intimate, and personal way, using stories from her many years of radical unschooling to illustrate points, show how she’s overcome common problems. Every story has pertinent questions to get you thinking – it’s not ‘do it like this’ but almost like Socratic dialogue in a book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you’re not a radical unschooler (I’m not), you’ll get a lot of fantastic homeschooling advice and ideas from Curious Unschoolers. It boils down to unconditional love, and everyone benefits from that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s unschooling without the dogma, and I love it for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Happy reading! What’s your favourite homeschooling book? Let me know in the comments!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When building your homeschooling bookshelf, what are the best homeschooling books to own? The ones you’ll refer to year after year, that will continue to provide relevant advice and wisdom, and leave you feeling reassured and inspired about homeschooling? These are my all-time favourite homeschooling books, and the books I think that EVERY parent should […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6818,"featured_media":4925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"

\"The<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

When building your homeschooling bookshelf, what are the best homeschooling books to own? The ones you'll refer to year after year, that will continue to provide relevant advice and wisdom, and leave you feeling reassured and inspired about homeschooling?<\/p>\n

These are my all-time favourite homeschooling books, and the books I think that EVERY parent should own. The BEST homeschooling books, in my opinion.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a big claim, I know. But I've read dozens, probably hundreds, of homechooling books - everything I can get my hands on. These are the books that I bought and then referred to year after year. They\u2019re full of clear, sensible, and widely applicable knowledge. And they\u2019re consistently well-reviewed by homeschoolers.<\/p>\n

If there was a list of classic how-to-homeschool texts these would be on it. Beg, borrow or buy these gems!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, visit my disclosure page<\/a>.<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The Unschooling Handbook - Mary Griffith<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"The<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Amazon<\/a>  |  Book Depository<\/a>  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t plan to unschool<\/a> - the information in this book can be used by everyone to enhance their child\u2019s education. The subtitle of this book is \u2018How to Use the Whole World as your Child\u2019s Classroom,\u2019 and that\u2019s exactly what this book teaches you to do. It\u2019s very clear and easy to read, and doesn\u2019t propose any set rules. Instead, it gives plenty of ideas. It\u2019s one of those books you read and realise that you KNOW so much of this stuff, you just needed to be told it! I read this book at least once a year for a decade, until I gifted it to a friend who was starting out.<\/p>\n

If you only buy one book, make it this one.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Homeschooling the Early Years - Linda Dobson<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Homeschooling<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Amazon<\/strong><\/a>  |  Book Depository<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Applicable to ages 3-8, this book covers more of the educational side of things, such as learning to read and do maths. Reading this makes you realise that it isn\u2019t as complicated as you may think to homeschool your child, and that it actually looks pretty fun. It\u2019s very calming. If your children are a little older, there are two more books in the series - Homeschooling the Middle Years<\/a> and Homeschooling the Teen Years.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Teach Your Own - John Holt & Pat Farenga<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"TeachAmazon<\/a>  |  Book Depository<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

John Holt was one of the pioneers of the modern homeschooling movement, and his work is still popular today (read some of his best quotes here<\/a>). When you read his work you realise why - it\u2019s timeless wisdom. Holt was a strong advocate of respecting children and supporting them in using their natural initiative and curiousity in learning. Teach Your Own covers why you should homeschool, how you should do it, and addresses the practicalities and worries about doing so very convincingly.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

[mailerlite_form form_id=5]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Well-Trained Mind - Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise
<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"TheAmazon<\/strong><\/a>  |  Book Depository<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Totally inspiring and also a little intimidating, this is my resource bible. It outlines a very rigorous and comprehensive classical education program from preschool to the end of high school. My children search through it and write wish-lists of fun books for me to buy! Again, even if you\u2019re not planning to classically educate<\/a>, this is an excellent source book and contains plenty of resources and inspiration that any homeschooler can use. And if you are planning to educate classically, remember you don\u2019t have to do EVERYTHING in this book. If you\u2019re new to homeschooling you\u2019ll probably find it overwhelming - if so, just pick ONE area and start there. I\u2019d recommend their grammar stage history, it\u2019s so much fun!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Home Grown - Ben Hewitt
<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"HomeAmazon<\/a>  |  Book Depository<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

My husband insisted I include Home Grown, because he LOVED it. It's actually the only homeschooling book he's read the whole way through - probably because it also contains a hefty dose of farming and wilderness! Ben shows that education is not limited to a classroom or curriculum, that the natural world is essential to our lives, and that parenting and homeschooling are actually one and the same thing. This is an essential thing to learn if you're wondering how you can be both mum or dad AND teacher.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"My<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/strong><\/a>  |  <\/strong>Book Depository<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may wonder what an autobiography that doesn't mention homeschooling AT ALL is doing on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gerald Durrell's childhood provides the perfect example of what a relaxed upbringing, unschooling in many ways, can achieve. He gets to roam Corfu freely, collecting and studying animals and spending plenty of time with interesting people. His tutor has to relate everything back to animals to get him to learn anything, and the maths and French he is forced to do periodically, when the family worry that he is 'running wild' (sound familiar?) just don't stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gerald Durrell grew up to become a world-famous zoo collector and later zookeeper, bestselling author, and conservationist, and credits his time on Corfu with providing the foundation. It's a great example of where passion-led learning can lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Don't watch the TV series though. I feel sure Gerald Durrell would be enraged at they way they sexualise Mother - we only got halfway through the first episode before turning it off in disgust).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curious Unschoolers: Stories of an Unschooling Family <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Curious<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Aussie selection! Sue Elvis talks about unschooling in an honest, intimate, and personal way, using stories from her many years of radical unschooling to illustrate points, show how she's overcome common problems. Every story has pertinent questions to get you thinking - it's not 'do it like this' but almost like Socratic dialogue in a book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you're not a radical unschooler (I'm not), you'll get a lot of fantastic homeschooling advice and ideas from Curious Unschoolers. It boils down to unconditional love, and everyone benefits from that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unschooling without the dogma, and I love it for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy reading! What's your favourite homeschooling book? Let me know in the comments!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[64,29],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6818"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2398"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5904,"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398\/revisions\/5904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2398"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2398"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fearlesshomeschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}