Chapter Books

It is very hard to find books without magic, an engaging story, and worth spending time to read. We tend to go to books for learning living history and being able to immerse ourselves better in different cultures and time periods.

We tend to like a little guidance, “All Through the Ages” by Christine Miller is my favorite. This resource is worth the $30 purchase. She gives a little bit of information next to the books to help you make a good decision for your family.

Ambleside Online also has a bunch of resources and an extensive booklist. Simply Charlotte Mason also has a master booklist. Note I do NOT endorse a classical education. I’m actually quite against it as during the 1800s there seems to be some fishy stuff that went down. Many/most of the playwrights, actors, musicians, poets, authors, etc of the time that are pushed were freemasons. That doesn’t sit right with me. These lists are simply a guide of a bunch of books. I’ve not read over half of them, you have to use your discernment on what they are. The books I recommend are below are ones that we’ve read in the past and our goals are ever growing for what we want to include. My son is a huge reader and it is so hard to find things without leaven. If you have ones to add or better options, please feel free to comment! If you’ve noticed something in certain books, please warn people.

A lot of our books were purchased at thrift shops, second hand stores, and online used bookstores. If you’re close to the library and that’s your thing, that can be also be a good free resource. We also utilize audible if one is free on there and we’re doing some traveling or switching it up while we are inside.

Another thing that we do when we read, is we allow children to move their body and get wiggles out. Now that they’re older, they can sit and listen. Sometimes they actually learn better and retain more information if their hands are busy. Little people, playmobil, legos, building blocks, sticks & knife to carve, glue and popsicle sticks, clay, and playdough are some favorites around here. Painting or watercoloring is always an excellent choice. Also something to snack on never hurt! In the homeschooling circles, they call it poetry tea time, read aloud time, or morning baskets.

Another great way to encourage reading but still keep it educational, is get books based on their interests for free reading. My children love books on raising animals holistically, what foods do for their bodies, fishing lures, hunting techniques, DIY projects on the homestead.

Here’s some that we have read and enjoyed:

Series:
All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Bear Grylls adventure books
Billy and Blaze by C.W. Anderson
Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J Sobol
Famous Five – Enid Blyton
Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon
I Survived series
Jim Kjelgaard Dog book series
Lane Walker Books Hunting, Fishing, Sports
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Milly Molly Mandy by Joyce Lankester Brisley
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D Taylor
Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Signature Biographies – The Story of …..
Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens
The Campground Kids (These were recc but we haven’t read)
Treasury for Children by James Herriot
Viking Quest by Lois Waifrid Johnson
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Singles:
A Papa Like Everyone Else by Sydney Taylor
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Calico Captive Elizabeth George Speare
Coyote Autumn by Bill Wallace
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Just David by Elanor H Porter
Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L Holm
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil
Sarah Whitcher’s Story by Elizabeth Yates
Sign of the Beaver by Elisabeth George Spear
Swiss Family Robinson (We did the classic start)
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Fledgling by Jane Langton
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
White Fang by Jack London

We also enjoy books that teach us some fruits of the Ruach/Spirit even when we don’t feel like it. It helps us to grow!

This series of books is highly recommended for teaching children living history. It can be a little dry or over little children’s heads. Check the booklist recommendations for ages. Also look for audible options.

Sometimes you need a book that’s a little more silly and light. Sometimes you need one that you can just rush straight through and not pause. That’s okay too. Just keep encouraging children to read. I will say, take each book to prayer and you can decide what you’re okay with. When characters have moody temperaments, it leads to great conversations here. Each family will have different levels of what they allow books to convey. We are okay with books with animals talking as we believe they used to talk in the Garden before the fall. If you’re not, that’s something to consider. Our family personally doesn’t believe history has exactly happened the way it’s told. We use these as a tool to dig into a topic and dive deeper than surface level. Hope this gives you all a jumping start.