The 7 Best Books About Homeschooling to Motivate Parents
The Top 7 Books About Homeschooling that Every Homeschooling Parent Needs on Their Bookshelf
Are you a homeschooling parent looking for books about homeschooling to provide inspiration and motivation? Or maybe you are considering homeschooling or just getting started?
Juggling the responsibilities of teaching and parenting can be both rewarding and challenging. As a homeschooling parent and advocate, I understand the importance of finding inspiration and guidance to keep the educational journey engaging and enjoyable.
That’s why I’ve curated a list of the best books about homeschooling. These books will motivate you, provide valuable insights into finding your homeschooling style, and help you create an enriching learning environment at home. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooling parent or just starting out, these handpicked reads are sure to help you on your homeschooling journey.
The 7 Best Books About Homeschooling
What are the best homeschooling books?
This question will be answered differently depending on who you talk to and what style of homeschooling they are striving for.
We are a relaxed homeschooling family but lean more toward unschooling. The books on my list cover several styles of homeschooling, but I feel that these books can be applied to any homeschool- no matter what style you choose. Every family is unique, and so is every homeschool. That is what makes homeschooling such a beautiful thing.
The books on my list are ones that I personally recommend. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies– so I have read a lot. I haven’t liked every homeschooling book out there. The books on this list have helped me shift my mindset around the public school system and have shown me a different way of parenting. I feel as though the wisdom in these books has helped me develop close relationships with my children- even the child who is now a teenager.
Something I have learned on our journey: Relationships should ALWAYS take priority over everything else. I find that when negative behaviors surface in my children, it often has to do with disconnection.
At times like these, I know it’s time to grab one of my favorite homeschooling books and refresh my memory on why I started homeschooling in the first place.
It took me some time to shift my mindset about education.
I was raised in a loving, but authoritative household. I was not homeschooled, and my children were in public school until my oldest was in third grade. I was a full-time working mom back then. Then I suddenly decided I was going to be a full-time homemaker and homeschool my children. The transformation didn’t happen overnight.
Even now, after years of homeschooling, I still find the public school mindset resurfacing when I unintentionally start comparing myself and our homeschool.
It’s like the old saying goes: Comparison is the thief of joy.
Homeschooling goes against societal norms. It is easy to doubt your abilities and wonder if your children are “falling behind” their public school counterparts. Shifting my mindset has helped ease the anxiety that comes with the responsibility of educating my children.
So let’s get into it! These books about homeschooling are the ones that have helped me the most on our homeschooling journey.
There are always new homeschooling books being released, but these are the ones I refer to year after year, that continue to provide relevant advice and wisdom. They are sure to leave you feeling inspired and rekindle your passion for homeschooling.
Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned homeschool parent looking to add some fresh perspectives to your routine, these books are here to guide, inspire, and reassure you even when you are feeling uncertain.
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory School by John Taylor Gatto
Listen to the audiobook on Scribd (Everand) ⎸ Listen to the audiobook on Audible ⎸ Buy on Amazon
This book made me reevaluate EVERYTHING I thought about education.
Dumbing Us Down is a book I believe ALL parents and educators need to read.
John Taylor Gatto worked for 30 years as a teacher in New York City’s public schools. He is a recipient of the New York State Teacher of the Year award and is a highly requested speaker on education throughout North America. His qualifications reassured me when I was first researching homeschooling, and I was blown away by his words.
One of the most interesting parts for me was the history of the public school system.
I never thought to stop and question school because I grew up attending public school and it was just expected that my children would go to school as well. It was especially eye-opening to see how the public school system was so heavily influenced by the Industrial Revolution, aiming to shape individuals by the masses to all learn the same set of skills- much like an assembly line.
The book goes MUCH deeper than that. Hearing it from someone with so much experience in the public school system puts it into perspective. This is one I have gone back to multiple times. I listened to the audiobook which takes about three and a half hours to listen to.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or if you have been homeschooling for years, THIS is the book to add to your reading list either way!
Teach Your Own by John Holt
Listen to the audiobook on Audible ⎸ Buy on Amazon
John Holt is considered the father of homeschooling, and his works are especially popular among unschoolers. He taught in private schools for many years and became an outspoken advocate for school reform.
His focus changed to homeschooling after realizing that many of the reforms needed in the school system would never come to be. He started Growing Without Schooling in 1977- the first magazine in America focused on the subject of home education and had a profound influence on the homeschooling movement.
Teach Your Own focuses on how children learn best when they are allowed to play and explore freely. This allows them to pursue their interests, fuels their motivation to learn, and fosters independence. These are the pillars of unschooling but are common goals of most homeschooling families.
This book reassured me that taking a relaxed homeschooling approach was okay. Child-led learning allows your child to learn what excites them and ignites their passion. It is an ideal environment for deep and meaningful learning. If you want to learn more about unschooling, there are numerous unschooling blogs and websites designed to help you along your unschooling journey. You can also browse this list of the best unschooling books to learn more.
The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
Buy on the Well Trained Mind Website ⎸ Listen to the audiobook on Audible ⎸ Buy on Amazon
The Well-Trained Mind is an excellent homeschooling starter guide for those looking to follow a “Classical Education” approach.
The Well-Trained Mind elaborates on the classical educational philosophy and provides a comprehensive guide of resources and tools for parents to implement this style of homeschooling.
I read this book at the beginning of our homeschooling journey. It can be a bit intimidating, but it is a truly comprehensive guide for a rigorous and well-rounded home education. Many resource suggestions are faith-based, but there are plenty of secular options also.
The book is updated regularly and covers resources spanning from preschool to high school. It provides solutions for the more complex subjects they will be learning as they get older, regardless of parental aptitude.
There is A LOT in this book. Do not feel like you have to do EVERYTHING. Start with one or two resources, and as your family finds your “flow”, add in more- if it feels right.
Remember– one of the biggest homeschooling advantages is FREEDOM. You have the freedom to build your child’s education to cater to their unique needs and create balance for your family.
The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart
Buy on Amazon ⎸ Listen to the audiobook on Audible
Julie Bogart introduced me to a more relaxed homeschool style. She also runs the Brave Writer podcast, which I found very helpful and inspiring as we began our homeschooling journey.
Julie is an experienced homeschooling mom who is also a professional writer. Her curriculum the Brave Writer focuses on writing and language arts. Her website also features paid online classes.
We have used her writing programs- Jot It Down and Partnership Writing. The curriculum is a relaxed and natural approach to learning to write AND fosters a love for literature and writing. Check out these 21+ Curriculum Options for more Language Arts recommendations.
The projects are so fun and creative! Our family especially loved the fairy tale projects. We spent a large part of our school year reading multiple versions of classic fairy tales from around the world and had so much fun doing it!
I find Julie so inspiring and everything she writes speaks to me. As a new homeschooling mom, I felt anxious about having the responsibility of my children’s education fall on my shoulders. Julie shares what she has learned through her years of homeschooling experience, and I found it very reassuring. She helped me shift my perspective from a public school mindset and see the learning in the small moments throughout our days while homeschooling
Julie focuses on helping you create an atmosphere of curiosity and nurturing a lifelong love of learning. Her project-based homeschooling ideas are so creative and sprinkle magic into our homeschooling days.
The Brave Learner outlines practical advice, activities for kids, and reassurance for parents. The reason I love her writing so much is that it also guides parents on making homeschooling a LIFESTYLE rather than just viewing it as an educational approach.
I appreciate it when she discusses how to homeschool older children and how she handled getting her children accepted into college as homeschoolers. Whenever I need some motivation I open one of her books or turn on the podcast. Even her voice is gentle and compassionate and always puts my mind at ease.
Free to Learn by Peter Gray
Buy on Amazon ⎸ Listen to the audiobook on Audible
Free To Learn is written by Boston College professor and developmental psychologist Peter Gray. The focus of his work is allowing children to learn naturally through play.
Children in a school environment are made to sit still and take tests, stifling the desire to learn and damaging their natural passion for lifelong learning. Children are reprimanded throughout the school day when they want to move freely or express themselves because it is not conducive to a learning environment in which one person has to teach a large group of students.
He discusses how it has become the norm to constantly supervise children. Children today are less likely to have free time to play and explore without adult supervision. Their lives are rarely in their control and adults make most of the decisions for them which results in anxious children- and parents. I experienced this firsthand while my children were still in traditional school.
The book covers so much but is still enjoyable and easy to read. The book also tackles the infamous “screen time” issue and provides practical solutions for common struggles for homeschooling families.
Free to Learn has a special place on our bookshelf. I have read it a few times already. It is one to refer to again and again throughout the years.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn
Homeschooling the teen years can be especially intimidating for parents, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s where The Teenage Liberation Handbook comes in.
I love this book because it speaks directly to teenagers. In our family, I focus on creating independent learners, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found a book that speaks to the homeschooled student instead of the parent. When children are younger, parents take most of the control of the educational journey, but as children get older, it is important to teach them how to teach themselves.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook is a how-to guide for leaving the public school system and taking charge of your education and life. It helps young people rediscover their natural ability to teach themselves, find the resources to do so, and still go to college if desired.
The author Grace Llewellyn completed her bachelor’s degree and taught for three years before she discovered the work of John Holt and reevaluated her approach to education. She wrote this book in 1991 when homeschooling was still illegal in some U.S. states.
Grace also founded the Not Back to School Camp for unschooled teenagers back in 1996 which she directs in Oregon and Vermont. What a great opportunity for teenagers to make lifelong friends with similar educational backgrounds as themselves!
The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah MacKenzie
Buy on Amazon ⎸ Listen to the audiobook on Audible ⎸ Listen on Scribd/Everand
Sarah Mackenzie is a veteran homeschool mom of 6 children. The Read-Aloud Family offers book lists for every age and inspires parents to start reading aloud to their families.
In today’s world of technology, it can be difficult to connect with our children. Reading out loud allows us to be fully present with our children and connect on a deeper level. Reading aloud has been proven to increase academic success and foster compassion in children.
I have read so many books out loud to my children. It took some practice to get into, and I always keep a glass of water nearby!
The great part about reading out loud is that you can stop and have meaningful discussions along the way. We have had countless discussions that have spiraled into a “rabbit hole of learning” as we call it. When something pops into our head, we pause to take a few moments to discuss and research, and then carry on with the read-aloud when we are ready.
So whether you’re dealing with toddlers or teenagers, The Read-Aloud Family will give you lots of ideas to get started incorporating read-aloud time in your homeschool. From picture books to chapter books, you’ll find what you need in this book.
Sarah is also the founder of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, so if you love podcasts like me, give it a listen!
How Reading Homeschooling Books Will Help You Educate Your Child At Home
Homeschooling can be very overwhelming at times. Every homeschooling parent wants to ensure their children are getting the best education possible. These books lay out everything you need to homeschool your child with confidence.
Here are a few reasons why reading these homeschooling books is beneficial:
Act as a Guide for New Homeschoolers
Deciding to teach your child at home is a big decision and can feel overwhelming at times- especially in the beginning. If it is also your first time as a full-time homemaker, it is even more stressful as you adjust to a different lifestyle. When we first started homeschooling, I went into resource overload and felt like I had to “do all of the things”, all of the time. This can inevitably lead to burnout.
My advice is to pick ONE of these books to start. Try different things and find what works for you and your family’s style. Not everything will work for every family, so keep that in mind and nurture a growth mindset in your home.
Even if you’re an experienced homeschool parent, we all need a guide sometimes when we lose sight of our priorities.
I know life can get in the way sometimes and cloud our judgment- it’s normal! Sometimes we have to change the way we homeschool as our children grow- which is why I revisit these books often as our homeschool evolves.
Provides Motivation and Encouragement for Homeschooling Parents
A homeschooling parent’s role can leave you feeling stretched thin. We are teachers, mentors, facilitators, drivers, housekeepers, and more. In addition to that, we try to be a source of inspiration and stability for our children.
At times I feel so motivated to wake up and learn with my children, but other days it can feel like an impossible task. Parents are human too, and we need time for personal rejuvenation. That is why it is important to take time to care for ourselves and keep a clear sight of our “why”.
Why did you start homeschooling? Do you remember how you felt in the beginning or the times when you felt like you were in your “element” or “flow”?
I find that I have to periodically revisit the resources that inspired me, which is why I listen to so many podcasts and continue to read homeschooling books regularly.
Reassure You that Your Homeschooled Child is Receiving an Adequate Education
Worried about your child keeping up with their public school peers? Worried about how your child will learn to read and write?
These books will remind you that you are doing a great job and assure you that grade-level expectations can be much more flexible in a homeschool environment.
Instead of falling through the cracks at school, your child receives individual attention and gets help as they need it. They do not get left behind.
The books that lean toward unschooling help when I need to take a more relaxed approach. Free to Learn by Peter Gray and any of John Holt’s work is especially helpful to me at times when comparison makes me feel inadequate.
Helps Create Your Family’s Unique Educational Path
Sometimes I fall into the trap of comparing myself to other homeschooling parents.
I know better, but I still do it.
Every family is incredibly unique and dynamic. No two families are the same. That is why no homeschool looks the same.
You don’t need to create “school at home”- homeschool parents must embrace the learning happening all around us, all the time!
With my book recommendations added to your stack of books about homeschooling, you will be prepared to provide the best homeschool experience for your family and make lasting memories along the way.
How I Decided on the Best Homeschooling Books for Parents
I have recommended the books that have had the biggest impact on my mindset about education. These books have transformed the way I think about school AND life in general.
I have chosen books about homeschooling that help parents take a more relaxed approach to education. This mindset shift shows parents how to undo the thinking patterns that accompany a “schoolish” mindset.
Much of the content in these books are things I wish I knew from the start. I’ve read some books about homeschooling that were mediocre, but others have stuck with me. I wanted to share them here to help any struggling homeschool parents like me out there.
Final Thoughts on the Best Homeschool Books
This list of books about homeschooling will give you an idea of what homeschooling looks like for different families. Reading homeschooling books also provides motivation and inspiration for parents along the homeschooling journey.
They will reassure you that you are doing a great job already, even on days when you don’t feel like it.
These books will also inspire you to create a joyful learning environment in your home and see deep learning in everyday experiences.
Remember: The only way to help children learn is to help them learn HOW to teach themselves AND enjoy the educational journey.
So set a timer, read, and get inspired!
Interested in curriculum recommendations? Check out:
Tthe best 11 best homeschool secular history curriculum choices
Secular science curriculum options
