These are the books and games we recommend most often on The Happy Homeschooler Podcast and this blog. Each one links to the episodes and posts where we talk about it.

Getting Started and Homeschool Philosophy

• The Well-Trained Mind, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. Discussed in Episode 50: Growing As A Home Educator, Episode 74: Handling Family Resistance to Homeschooling, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• Home Learning Year by Year, by Rebecca Rupp. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• How to Homeschool: A Practical Approach, by Gayle Graham. Discussed in Episode 71: What Are Unit Studies?, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling, by Debra Bell. Discussed in Episode 112: The Neuroscience of Homeschooling (w/ Debra Bell).
• 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum, by Cathy Duffy. Discussed in Episode 148: How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum.
• The Brave Learner, by Julie Bogart. Discussed in Episode 74: Handling Family Resistance to Homeschooling.
• The Joy of Slow, by Leslie Martino. Discussed in Episode 158: The Joy of Slow, Episode 172: What To Do When Your Homeschooling Feels Stuck (w/ Leslie M. Martino).
• Teach Your Own, by John Holt and Pat Farenga. Discussed in Episode 50: Growing As A Home Educator.
• How Children Learn, by John Holt. Discussed in Episode 74: Handling Family Resistance to Homeschooling.
• Homeschooling for Excellence, by David and Micki Colfax. Discussed in Episode 63: What Is Unschooling?, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• Dumbing Us Down, by John Taylor Gatto. Discussed in Episode 74: Handling Family Resistance to Homeschooling.
• Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids to School?, by Blake Boles. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books, Episode 146: The Biggest and Best of 2024.
• The Christian Home School, by Gregg Harris. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• Educating the Wholehearted Child, by Clay and Sally Clarkson. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.

Charlotte Mason

• Charlotte Mason’s Original Home Schooling Series, by Charlotte Mason. Discussed in Episode 50: Growing As A Home Educator, Developing Your Educational Philosophy, Continuing Education for Home Educators (updated).
• For the Children’s Sake, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. Discussed in Episode 91: What is The Charlotte Mason Method?, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• A Charlotte Mason Companion, by Karen Andreola. Discussed in Episode 50: Growing As A Home Educator, Episode 91: What is The Charlotte Mason Method?, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• A Charlotte Mason Education, by Catherine Levison. Discussed in Episode 50: Growing As A Home Educator, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• More Charlotte Mason Education, by Catherine Levison. Discussed in Episode 50: Growing As A Home Educator, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• Charlotte Mason Study Guide, by Penny Gardner. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.

Unschooling, Play and Learning Outdoors

• Free to Learn, by Peter Gray. Discussed in Episode 63: What Is Unschooling?, Episode 74: Handling Family Resistance to Homeschooling, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books, Episode 141: Getting Kids Outside (w/ Barefoot University), Episode 146: The Biggest and Best of 2024.
• Unschooled, by Kerry McDonald. Discussed in Episode 141: Getting Kids Outside (w/ Barefoot University).
• Radical Unschooling, by Dayna Martin. Discussed in Episode 63: What Is Unschooling?.
• Project-Based Homeschooling, by Lori McWilliam Pickert. Discussed in Episode 63: What Is Unschooling?, Episode 123: Project-Based Homeschooling, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books, Episode 146: The Biggest and Best of 2024.
• Until the Streetlights Come On, by Ginny Yurich. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books, Episode 146: The Biggest and Best of 2024.
• Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv. Discussed in Episode 141: Getting Kids Outside (w/ Barefoot University).
• 100 Things to Do in a Forest, by Jennifer Davis. Discussed in Episode 141: Getting Kids Outside (w/ Barefoot University).
• The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods, by Nicole Apelian. Discussed in Episode 141: Getting Kids Outside (w/ Barefoot University).

Learning Styles and Learning Challenges

• The Way They Learn, by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. Discussed in Understanding Student Learning Styles.
• Every Child Can Succeed, by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. Discussed in Understanding Student Learning Styles.
• You Can’t Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded), by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. Discussed in Episode 105: Understanding Dyslexia (w/ Stephen Yearout of Empower Dyslexia).
• How to Get Your Child Off the Refrigerator and On to Learning, by Carol Barnier. Discussed in Episode 45: Teaching Kids With Learning Challenges.
• Called Parenting, by Patsy and Doug Arnold. Discussed in Episode 45: Teaching Kids With Learning Challenges.

Reading, Writing and Spelling

• Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, by Siegfried Engelmann. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• Phonics Pathways, by Dolores G. Hiskes. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• The Writing Road to Reading, by Romalda Spalding. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• Reading and Spelling Pure & Simple, by Deede Hinckley Cauley. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• A Home Start in Reading, by Ruth Beechick. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• A Strong Start in Language, by Ruth Beechick. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• You Can Teach Your Child Successfully, by Ruth Beechick. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• Games for Reading, by Peggy Kaye. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• The Read-Aloud Handbook, by Jim Trelease. Discussed in Episode 54: How To Teach Reading.
• Any Child Can Write, by Harvey S. Wiener. Discussed in Episode 57: How To Teach Writing.
• How to Teach Any Child to Spell and Tricks of the Trade, by Gayle Graham. Discussed in Episode 57: How To Teach Writing.
• The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White. Discussed in Episode 57: How To Teach Writing.

Science and Nature

• Handbook of Nature Study, by Anna Botsford Comstock. Discussed in Episode 61: How To Teach K-8 Science, Episode 197: How To Teach Elementary Biology.
• Mudpies to Magnets, by Robert A. Williams. Discussed in Episode 61: How To Teach K-8 Science.
• Backyard Scientist, by Jane Hoffmann. Discussed in Episode 61: How To Teach K-8 Science.
• A Drop of Water, by Walter Wick. Discussed in Episode 61: How To Teach K-8 Science, Episode 108: How We Teach Science.
• Where’s That Spider?, by Barbara Brenner and Bernice Chardiet. Discussed in Episode 61: How To Teach K-8 Science.
• How to Hide a Butterfly & Other Insects, by Ruth Heller. Discussed in Episode 61: How To Teach K-8 Science.
• Everything You Need to Know About Science Homework, by Anne Zeman and Kate Kelly. Discussed in Episode 61: How To Teach K-8 Science.
• Elements: A Visual Exploration, by Theodore Gray. Discussed in Episode 108: How We Teach Science.
• Mystery of the Periodic Table, by Benjamin D. Wiker. Discussed in Episode 108: How We Teach Science.
• The Stars: A New Way to See Them, by H. A. Rey. Discussed in Episode 122: How to Teach Astronomy.
• The Night Sky Book, by Jamie Jobb. Discussed in Episode 122: How to Teach Astronomy.

Logic, Money and Life Skills

• The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn. Discussed in Episode 167: How To Teach Critical Thinking.
• Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?, by Richard J. Maybury. Discussed in Episode 144: How To Teach Financial Literacy.
• 401 Ways to Get Your Kids to Work at Home, by Bonnie Runyan McCullough. Discussed in Episode 36: Chores! What Are They Good For?.
• Home School Family Fitness, by Bruce Whitney. Discussed in Episode 47: Homeschool Fitness.

Art, Music and Literature

• The Story of Painting, by Sister Wendy Beckett. Discussed in Episode 73: How to Teach Art, Continuing Education for the Home Educator, Continuing Education for Home Educators (updated).
• Drawing With Children, by Mona Brookes. Discussed in Episode 73: How to Teach Art.
• Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards. Discussed in Episode 73: How to Teach Art.
• Drawing Textbook, by Bruce McIntyre. Discussed in Episode 73: How to Teach Art.
• Kids Create!, by Laurie Carlson. Discussed in Episode 73: How to Teach Art.
• The Kids’ Multicultural Art Book, by Alexandra Michaels. Discussed in Episode 73: How to Teach Art.
• Beethoven Lives Upstairs, by Barbara Nichol. Discussed in Episode 64: Making Music A Part of Your Life.
• Brightest Heaven of Invention, by Peter Leithart. Discussed in Continuing Education for the Home Educator.
• A Place to Belong, by Amber O’Neal Johnston. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books, Episode 146: The Biggest and Best of 2024.
• The Old Truck, by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey. Discussed in Episode 115: Choosing Books (w/ Heritage Mom, Amber O’Neal Johnston).
• When Stars Are Scattered, by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Discussed in Episode 115: Choosing Books (w/ Heritage Mom, Amber O’Neal Johnston).
• Saving Savannah, by Tonya Bolden. Discussed in Episode 115: Choosing Books (w/ Heritage Mom, Amber O’Neal Johnston).
• The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford. Discussed in Preventing Summer Slide for Homeschoolers.

High School and College

• The Ultimate Homeschool Guide to Creating a High School Transcript, by Matthew Bass. Discussed in The Ultimate Homeschool Transcript Guide, Now available on Kindle: The ultimate guide to building a transcript, 6 reasons you shouldn’t make a homeschool transcript on your own, 8 ways to simplify the process of making a homeschool transcript, Are you using the Transcript Maker help center?.
• Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+La, by Barbara Edtl Shelton. Discussed in Episode 82: Understanding Your Teen Better, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• The Teenage Liberation Handbook, by Grace Llewellyn. Discussed in Episode 82: Understanding Your Teen Better, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books, Episode 146: The Biggest and Best of 2024, Episode 181: Book Club: The Teenage Liberation Handbook.
• From Home Education to Higher Education, by Lori Dunlap. Discussed in Throwing out the traditional list of homeschool-friendly colleges.
• College (Un)bound, by Jeffrey J. Selingo. Discussed in I’m not going to college, so do I still need a homeschool transcript?.

For Teens Who Want to Start a Business

• How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. Discussed in 4 books you should read over Christmas break (if you want to become a young entrepreneur).
• The $100 Startup, by Chris Guillebeau. Discussed in 4 books you should read over Christmas break (if you want to become a young entrepreneur).
• Essentialism, by Greg McKeown. Discussed in 4 books you should read over Christmas break (if you want to become a young entrepreneur).
• Good to Great, by Jim Collins. Discussed in 4 books you should read over Christmas break (if you want to become a young entrepreneur).
• The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell. Discussed in 4 books you should read over Christmas break (if you want to become a young entrepreneur).
• Atomic Habits, by James Clear. Discussed in 4 books you should read over Christmas break (if you want to become a young entrepreneur).

For Parents

• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Discussed in Episode 82: Understanding Your Teen Better, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers, by Gary Chapman. Discussed in The 7 biggest challenges of homeschooling through high school, 6 ways to handle personality clashes with your homeschool student.
• Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• Seasons of a Mother’s Heart, by Sally Clarkson. Discussed in Episode 74: Handling Family Resistance to Homeschooling, Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• The Hidden Art of Homemaking, by Edith Schaeffer. Discussed in Episode 133: Our Favorite Homeschooling Books.
• What Is a Family?, by Edith Schaeffer. Discussed in Episode 74: Handling Family Resistance to Homeschooling.
• The Lazy Genius Way, by Kendra Adachi. Discussed in Episode 51: Summer School For Parents.
• 168 Hours, by Laura Vanderkam. Discussed in Time Management Tips for Administrators.
• French Kids Eat Everything, by Karen Le Billon. Discussed in Episode 51: Summer School For Parents.
• Educational Disobedience, by Annise Mabry. Discussed in Spotlight on Tiers Free Academy.

Learning Games

• The Ladybug Game, from Zobmondo. Discussed in Episode 55: What Is Gameschooling?.
• Pizza Fraction Fun, from Learning Resources. Discussed in Episode 55: What Is Gameschooling?.
• Multiplication Bingo, from Trend Enterprises. Discussed in Episode 53: How To Teach Math.
• SMATH, from Pressman. Discussed in Episode 53: How To Teach Math.
• Pathfinder Beginner Box, from Paizo. Discussed in Episode 170: How To Use RPGs In Your Homeschool.
• Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, from Wizards of the Coast. Discussed in Episode 170: How To Use RPGs In Your Homeschool.

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