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Booklist

Help Your Child Read!

Where do I find good books for my child?

We have compiled a list of books based on some treasures that our family and others have loved, but that is just the beginning! Look through homeschool catalogs, too. If you find one good book, look on Amazon.com for other books written by the author, or other books that people who also enjoyed your book recommend. Read the Amazon reviews and the suggestions for age level, and you’ll learn a lot about children’s books.

Should I buy books or borrow them from the library?

Do both, if you can. It’s good for children to have books to own, and they may become old favorites to return to time and again. We purchased many treasures from thrift stores! It’s also good for them to know that they can borrow as many books as they want from the library.

What should I do if my child doesn’t want my help in selecting books to read?

While your child browses for books in the library, you can quietly select some books from your recommended book list. It’s possible that your child will discover the book at home and begin reading it, or you might offer to read it to them.

How do I know if a book is appropriate?

That depends on what you mean. If you want a rough idea of age level, you can read the publisher’s suggestion at Amazon.com. If you are worried about content, you might read it first, or you might read reviews. If you are worried that your child is wasting their time, just know that while some books might not be considered classical literature, it’s all reading, and that’s good.

My child wants to read books that are too easy!

Old favorites are comfortable, so don’t be surprised if your child returns again and again to a book they read a few years ago, and is now below their reading level. Let them enjoy it as long as they want while at the same time gently letting them know there is a whole world of “favorite” books yet to be discovered! Leave wonderful books where they will be found. Or read one chapter, and then excuse yourself to do something. Your child may decide to finish it without you!

My child wants me to read to them, even though they know how to read!

Excellent! Try to read to your child daily. You can read books that are above their reading ability, and that will help them develop their vocabulary and knowledge. It’s also fun, and it will be a bonding experience! Read as much as you can, and as soon as your child can listen and enjoy longer stories, graduate from picture books to chapter books.

What should I do for a non-reader or late reader?

Read to them daily. Read for fun and read for learning. Just keep on reading so that their vocabulary and thinking skills grow. You might also want to borrow some audiobooks from the library or find another resource. Graphic novels and magazines are also something to consider.

Booklist

We have linked the books to Amazon.com because we have found it to be a helpful resource (we are not affiliates). We appreciate the descriptions and reviews, as well as suggestions for similar books to enjoy. Public libraries are now online, and that’s a good way to find out if your local library has the book (or can order it for you).

Beginning Readers | Books for Parents | Children’s Literature | History | Math and Science |

Beginning Readers

You won’t need them long, so beginning readers are good to get at libraries, thrift stores, and garage sales! We discovered Margaret Hillert’s Beginning to Read Books at the library, and loved them!

Books for Parents

Children’s Literature

We’ve included some time-honored books that may not be as well known as Harry Potter, but have been loved by children for years. Many are older Newbery Award winners and are wonderful read alouds. We love book lists, so you’ll find more on CLA’s Pinterest book boards.

History

Math and Science

Additional homeschooling resources

Resources Homeschooling 101 CLA Guidance
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