Over the past 30 years, I have read over 100 books on how to homeschool. After all, shouldn't you keep growing in  your career as a wife, mom, homemaker, and homeschool mom? 

I have read so many great books over the years that have enriched my life and home school. I will blog the next time on the top 20 books I've read on homeschooling. 

Today, however, I just want to focus on the ones that instilled confidence and resonated with my heart in a deep way. 

When I read Educating the Wholehearted Child, I found myself saying over and over again, "They are kindred spirits. They get me!" Now I've never met Clay and Sally Clarkson, but their book on homeschooling ministered deeply to my heart. My copy is falling apart from all the times, I've flipped through it's pages again or reread a section. 

Let Us Highly Resolve: Families Living for Jesus in the 21st Century by David and Shirley Quine is amazing! David and Shirley introduce us to the biblical worldview and challenge us to live that Christian worldview out in our daily lives and our educational choices. I was so inspired by this book! And, I can tell you, it influenced my curriculum choices and teaching from that moment on! This book challenged me to life for Jesus in every area of life and to teach my children to do the same. I have heeded their call to build into my children so that they can base their life on truths and absolutes from the Word of God! Wow! This book is awesome! 

I also never met Dr. Ruth Beechick in person, but I love, love, love her heart. As a young mom, I finished reading The Three R's booklets and You Can Teach Your Child Successfully and thought, "I can do this!" She broke educating children down to bite-sized pieces and instilled confidence. I read so many of her articles over the years. Adam and His Kin and Finding Our Roots in Genesis were family favorites in our home, so when she came out with another book on homeschooling, A Biblical Home Education, I had to read it right away! It was another huge blessing! Again, I felt like we were on the same page and I was so thankful to be encouraged in my heart. Of course, for the heart's purpose to come to pass, there must be a practical walking out. Ruth Beechick is full of practical wisdom. 

Gregg Harris's book, The Christian Home School, is precious to me because my husband read it and loved it! It put us on the same page as I was investigating homeschooling. He introduced delight-directed studies and raising arrows pointed for life to me. This book just covered all the basics in such a Christ-honoring way. 

Finally, For the Children's Sake: Foundation for Home and School by the daughter of one of my heroines (Edith Schaeffer), Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. This book is not light reading. She applies the Charlotte Mason method and like her mother, she goes deep. She has such a passion for Jesus and educating for His glory. There is also so much to ponder in every chapter. I was inspired and encouraged by this book! 

Let's look at each of these books. 

I love telling you about great books to put on your library shelves. But, don't leave this one on the shelf. Pick it up and read it cover to cover!

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan is a Christian classic that was written in a jail cell. John Bunyan (1628-1688) was a Puritan pastor in the seventeenth century (1600’s).

​John was arrested for his faith and teaching which did not line up with the Anglican Church viewpoint at the time. From his jail cell, he wrote down a dream. Wow! What an intricate dream!

This allegory (symbolic story) follows Christian, the hero of the story and a pilgrim on a journey from the City of Destruction to the Heavenly City. An allegory is a story on two levels. On the first level Pilgrim’s Progress is a literal adventure story with all kinds of twists and turns. But, there is a second level to the story. The symbolic story is the story of every Christian who tries to live a pure Christian life. We each have our own adventure of trials, temptations, and tribulations.

John was not a godly little boy or young man.

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss is a wonderful family classic! What a marvelous role model for homeschooling families!   

Our children love to hear this book read aloud. And we love reading it!       

The adventure story begins with a couple and their four sons being the last aboard a ship that wrecks.

The family prays, puts their hope in God and with creativity and ingenuity escapes to a deserted island where they begin a new life of adventure and hard work in isolation for ten years. During this time they maintain habitual morning Bible reading and prayer, as well as family worship services on Sunday. (Hmmm—I don’t remember those scenes from the Disney movie version of the book—go figure!)

Would you like to learn more about this amazing family and exciting adventure novel?

They are able to rescue many valuable things from the ship. Then the family explores and “subdues” their island home: acquiring pets, cultivating the land, hunting, building summer and winter homes, inventing machines, creating all types of things, making improvements, building bridges, facing disappointments, and overcoming obstacles. As they go about their daily lives, every opportunity is taken to teach their sons about nature, animals, morals, and other educational aspects of life. The parents share a deep and committed love with one another. The wife is treated with honor and respect by her husband and sons.     

Early on in their adventure the wise father tells one of his sons, “’I want to see my sons strong, both morally and physically,” said I. ‘That means, little Franz,’ as the large blue eyes looked up inquiringly at me, ;brave to do what is good and right, and to hate evil, and strong to work, hunt, and provide for themselves and others and to fight if necessary.’” (pg. 131 The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss)

​Bertie’s War by Barbara Tifft Blakey takes you back in time to the early 1960’s when America was facing the Cuban Missile Crisis.

It was a stressful time for everyone, but especially for our protagonist, Bertie, the youngest of three children. Her father is strict and Bertie tries very hard to please him, but it is the threat of missiles pointed at the United States that is hard for Bertie to understand.

When her father builds a bomb shelter for her grandparents, she is baffled. Why isn’t her father protecting his wife and children too?

Barbara takes us inside Bertie’s heart to feel her struggles and fears. We see the world through her eyes. We meet the people she loves and those she struggles to relate to. Children and young adults reading the book will relate to Bertie and her inner thoughts. 

Celebrations are never complete without stories.

And our American Thanksgiving is full of stories.

Here are two chapter books that are lovely to read aloud to your children or grandchildren during the week of Thanksgiving.

Divide the chapters up so that you can finish the whole book in a week. The children will love these books and they give them a look back in time to the very first Thanksgiving.  

​Celebrations are never complete without stories.

And our American Thanksgiving is full of stories.

You can Learn from the Pilgrims and Puritans in my blog, but there are many more picture books and chapter books that are lovely to read aloud to your children or grandchildren.

Here are some picture books to read aloud.

Samuel Eaton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters with Photographs by Russ Kendall (Scholastic 1989) is a lovely picture book with photographs taken at Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum. Samuel sailed over on the Mayflower with the Pilgrims. At the beginning of the book, you meet Samuel and he shows you his village. Then we go through his entire day with him, from putting on his stockings to doing his chores, from helping with the rye harvest to gathering mussels for the evening meal.

My children loved this book when they were little. Children love to learn about other children! Samuel is obedient and prays before he goes to sleep. The family says a blessing before their meals. It’s refreshing to see prayer included in a Scholastic book. I don’t know if this has been edited out of more recent versions. The photographs are vivid and attractive. There is a also a section in the back where you can learn more about Samuel Morton, Plimoth Plantation, and the rye harvest at the back of the book. 

​Plimoth Plantation by William Bradford is a history of the local church in Scrooby that fled to Holland and later crossed the Atlantic Ocean to settle at Plymouth Plantation. William Bradford served for many years as governor of the first settlement in New England. Plimoth Plantation is a detailed history of Plymouth Colony from 1621 to 1646. You will learn about key people in the colony too. William is considered the Father of American History.

Similar to other books you will read from the colonial period, William compares the events that occurred in Plymouth with events from the Bible. You will learn about the Mayflower Compact, early colony laws, and treaties with the Indians. I find it interesting that Mr. Bradford very carefully shows you details of the Lord’s blessing and judgment. I learned things in this book that I had never heard before in history class. 

I love meeting moms who have raised godly children who are raising godly children. You see, I want to learn from women who have done it right and have good fruit to show for it. I also love meeting moms who are funny and spunky.

So, for me, reviewing this book was not like other reviews because I got to meet a happy, energetic mom who has run the race and is now enjoying her grandchildren. Her daughter is carrying on the principles her mother lived by and heartily endorsing them.

Secret Cody Time: Creating an Unbreakable Bond between Parent and Child by Sky McNeill and Paula Stevenson is a book about relationships. This lovely book is not just for homeschooling families. Any parent that wants to forge a close relationship with his/her child will appreciate this book.

Secret Code Time is written by Paula and Sky, a mother/daughter team who believe in the relational principles of Secret Code Time and practice what they preach. Well written and engaging, the book is 142 pages long. Not a long book to get through. You will enjoy all the photographs through the pages of the authors and their family. The book itself looks lovely and would make a great gift for another homeschooling mom for birthday or Christmas.

When Sky was a baby, Paula purposed in her heart to begin building a lifetime friendship with her daughter. The foundation of the this relationship is loving communication.

When Sky needed to talk to Paula, she would say, "Secret Code Time 305." Paula would drop everything. Sky was able to say anything she wanted without fear of punishment, reprimand, or any other reprisals. Sky could talk to Paula about anything, any place, any time.

This established complete trust as the foundation of their mother/daughter relationship. They remained close through the middle and high school years. Today, they remain dear friends and Sky has continued this tradition with her own children.

Paula did instruct, encourage, and help Sky walk through issues in her life with Biblical principles, but Secret Code Time was simply a time that Sky could share her thoughts and feelings freely.

Another relationship builder was a weekly date with Mom and a weekly date with Dad. Though Paula admits that weekly dates would be impossible with large families, she does encourage monthly dates instead for parents of many children. Paula did everything she could to make these dates special by dressing up, going some place fun, and even shopping for special treats.

Paula began these all these habits with Sky when she was a very young child and calls it "Advanced Parenting." She set the stage early in life for Sky to know that she was valued and loved unconditionally.

What about Boys?

While some boys are great talkers, willing to share their emotions with Mom and Dad, others would rather visit the dentist than share their feelings. So, can this work with boys too?

There is advice given to help with boys who are more active and less likely to want to sit and chat. Recommendations include throwing the football together or engaging in an active pastime together first. But, the authors believe that Secret Code Time is just as important for boys as it is for girls.

Does the Book Talk about Anything Else?

​When Sarah's Wish by Jim Baumgardner arrived to be reviewed, I decided to read the book and found myself immediately involved in Sarah's life and dreams.

Emotionally involved, I wanted her to find a family, to help her friends escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad, and to protect her from the evil slave catchers that made her life miserable.

I felt scared with Sarah sometimes and, other times, found myself laughing aloud at her antics.

When I finished the book, I wanted to read more about Sarah, to stay involved in her life. I felt like I had made a new friend. ​

"Read this one, please," Katie Beth's chubby hands held the book up to me. I adjusted Julianna who had finished nursing and was asleep on my lap. I opened the lovely Christmas picture book and began to read aloud. Katie Beth and I smiled at each other and the baby slept peacefully.

Fast forward 20 years. My baby is a grown up lady. Katie Beth and my third baby, Jenny Rose, are cuddled up on the couch reading Anne of Green Gables aloud. They have both read the book several times, but there is something wonderful about reading a good book together aloud.

This summer I went to visit my aunt with two of my daughters. The four of us enjoyed an Agatha Christie short story together. We took turns reading aloud. My aunt wrote me a note the next week about how much she had enjoyed that sweet time reading aloud together.

What is it about reading aloud that is so wonderful? Is it the story? Is it the sound of someone you love reading aloud? Or is it the sense of togetherness? There are several Christmas picture books out there. Which are the best for reading aloud?

"How do you like the game?" I asked my four volunteers: Maria, Aisha, Christina, and Saxon.

"Saxon is frustrated because he can't get any of his dogs out," Maria answered first.

"Well...." Christina paused. (She is twelve and the game was created for much younger children.)

"I love it!" twenty-two year old Aisha gushed. She is very young at heart.

"It's a lot like Parcheesi," Maria added, "You move around the board and if you land on someone else's spot you send them back, no wait, that's the other game. In Tornado, you just share a spot.

I glanced at the small plastic game board. It was bright, cheerful, and colorful. The little doggie pieces were cute as could be. Thirty minutes later, Saxon, who had by then gotten out onto the board, was enjoying the game immensely. Saxon is nine years old!

Hank the Cow Dog is a lovable mutt that solves all kinds of mysteries with his friend and fellow Cow Dog, Drover. The game, the children were playing was based on Hank and his life. We received a book, Hank the Cow Dog: The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse by John Erickson, the Tornado game, CD, and audio tape to review.

My son, Jimmy and I both read the book, agreeing that Hank the Cow Dog was hilarious. The book was a little young for Jimmy, age eleven, but we thought his friend, Saxon, age nine, would enjoy it. Neither of us could help laughing aloud at Hank's escapades on the ranch where he lives with his assistant, Drover, Sally May, Loper, Little Alfred, and his nemesis, Pete, the cat.

Hank is always doing something he shouldn't do, whether it's snacking on bacon grease, licking Sally Mae's nose, or stealing the family's pumpkin pie. Hank is incredibly funny as he narrates the book, telling the whole story from his perspective. I loved to see the story unfold through his eyes. For the most part, Hank is a wholesome character, but in the beginning of the book, he does encourage his readers to lie about wetting the bed. It's all very tongue-in-cheek and silly, but still...However, though Hank gets into trouble because of the choices he makes, in his world, good is good and bad is bad. Bad deeds are punished and good deeds are rewarded. And though the stories are silly, I felt like I was visiting a ranch in Texas. I liked the book!

"We are just starting out," the young woman informed me with shining eyes. I thought that she was a high school homeschooler with her fresh smile and "girl-next-door" looks.

I smiled to myself remembering those days. Was I ever a young mom who didn't need to reach for her reading glasses to check a writing paper or look at the numbers to explain a math problem? How wonderful those early years were when we enjoyed making volcanoes of papermache and going to the zoo for a field trip.

"I need all the wisdom I can get," my new young friend interrupted my thoughts.

"Well, have I got a book for you!"

Though I have read many books on homeschooling over the past twenty years, this was my first time reading The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell (sent to me by Apologia Press to review).

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell is an honest look at homeschooling from a mom whose run the race with joy and success! You will like Debra. She is honest and insightful. She doesn't sugarcoat homeschooling. Debra and her husband, Kermit, have four children, all homeschool grads. Saved in college, Debra never envisioned herself homeschooling, but she saw good fruit in the lives of homeschooled children in her church. This led her to pursue homeschooling for her own family.

Debra homeschooled her children and built friendships with other homeschooling families. She mentions the support group, coop, and homeschooling friends in her book over and over. As she mentions her family, you can tell that she values relationships. Her lives, and the lives of her children, have been changed in these relationships.

Reading this book was not only a time of equipping for me, it was like having tea with a kindred spirit who loves homeschooling too! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, "meeting" Debra, and hope that you will consider reading it too.

Here are some topics that Debra covers in her guide to homeschooling. She covers these topics realistically, practically, and honestly.

• Advantages of Homeschooling
• Ingredients of a successful homeschooling
• Relationships
• Learning Styles
• Husband's role in homeschooling
• Choosing curriculum
• Home management
• Scheduling
• Can I homeschool my kids?
• Testing
• Support Groups
• Setting up a learning environment
• Preventing burnout
• Lesson planning
• Computers

There is a constant reminder to make learning relevant to real life. Learn computer skills with blogging. Start a family business to learn about economics and business. Learn about government and politics by participating in an election campaign.

 She also has many suggestions to avoid burnout such as the following:

• Raise your children to be independent learners
• Teach your children to be responsible and work around the house
• Go on some fantastic, fun field trips
• Plug into a support group or coop

Raising the Reluctant Learner

Originally published by E. P. Dutton Co., Inc in 1941, Stephen Foster and His Little Dog Tray by Opal Wheeler and illustrated by Mary Greenwalt is a biography of Stephen Foster with music scores of his most famous works included in the book. The story is lively and engaging, beginning with his birth into a large, slave-owning family in Pennsylvania.

From the very beginning, Stephen loved music! When he was two years old, he "borrowed" his sister's guitar and plucked a melody out on the instrument. Soon, he was plucking piano keys with lovely results to his family's delight and enjoyment. Stephen's music was profoundly influenced by Negro Spirituals sung by the black slaves of America. His songs often adopt the style or melody of a specific spiritual. Because of this, I had always assumed that he was a "Southern Boy," but it turns out he spent most of his life in Pennsylvania!

This biography is easy enough to be read and enjoyed by young children, but interesting and full of enough information that older children would enjoy it too. My first thought:  a great family read aloud book! Best of all, the Bible is mentioned, as well as the family's devotion to God!

The study guide, Stephen Foster and His Little Dog Tray Study Guide by Judy Wilcox, impressed me! This slim book and companion guide was jam-packed with great info and divided into four sections. Each section covered a section of the book with maps, timelines, tidbits of interest, reading comprehension questions, and a focus on character qualities evident in Stephen Foster's life.

"Mr. Fogg reminded me of a richer, smarter, older Cody," Josh said, referring to his older brother. 

"I liked the yellow in China--the royal color..." I began.

"Only the royalty could wear it, unless you were over 80," Josh interrupted with excitement. "I loved that!"

Christina, Josh, Jimmy, and I continued to discuss this book that we were all ready for our geography co-op. We each had to chose a fiction book each month to read that would help geography come alive. What a great choice we all had made!

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne is an amazing book with a great story line and enough twists and turns to keep us interested. 

I read The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman when I was a sophomore in college. This book changed my life! I have my children read it in high school for one of their Bible classes. It is a book that I would like to see more Christians read, especially homeschooling parents. Robert, born in 1928, grew up in Texas, attending a Methodist church. He pastored for six years and moved into teaching. He has a Masters in Theology from Princeton, a PhD from the University of Iowa, and a Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity International University. His writing style is academic, but don't let them keep you from reading this book.

Along the way, Dr. Coleman became convinced that schools were not the answer to raising up mighty men of God. He carefully studied the life of Jesus, coming to the conclusion that Jesus knew exactly what He was doing in laying a foundation for the Church. Dr. Coleman values Jesus' pattern of ministry and embraces it in his own life.

Jesus spent His life calling people to repent and believe while healing the sick and injured, performing all kinds of miracles, and teaching His beloved people. However, He invested in a small group of men, His disciples. These He gave focused time and attention to for three years. He imparted to them truth and modeled a lifestyle that they could imitate. What a blessing to take a closer look at the life of Jesus!

The Body of Christ is called to fulfill the Great Commission by spreading the good news, leading people to Christ, and making disciples. We are called to evangelism. But, Dr. Coleman wants to make it clear that Jesus' definition of evangelism is broader than our own and involves mentoring people to a place of maturity.