The California Homeschool Podcast - Listen here!
logo

Recommended Reading

The following books are recommended for a good, general understanding of why families are turning to home education and the various aspects involved, from the theoretical and philosophical to the practical. This list cannot be, and was not intended to be, exhaustive; there are many, many books on home education and more are being published all the time. This list does represent a cross sampling of the best available. These books also represent a variety of philosophies. It is important to read several books on educational philosophy and use your own God-given discernment in balancing the various positions. Please note CHEA of California does not necessarily agree with every point presented in every book listed.

Free Online Reading

Please enjoy this free PDF that is available for viewing online or downloadable for offline.

Card Image

A Heart For The Future

Needing encouragement? Feeling depleted in your homeschool journey? A collection of 22 devotions especially written for homeschoolers are collected here in pdf format for you to read or print out for yourself or a friend. Be encouraged and uplifted by these devotions by homeschooling moms just like you.

Download PDF

Our Recommended Reading List

These books are recommended for parents who are not just trying to develop solid homeschooling philosophies, but also looking for excellent guidance in structure and Christian theology.

Card Image

California Homeschool Manual

Susan Beatty and Karen Woodfin Middleton (2007, Christian Home Educators Press) The what, why, and how of homeschooling. Includes California law, suppliers and other resources, and 35 reproducible forms.

Card Image

The High School Handbook

Mary Schofield (1990, Christian Home Educators Press), discusses the requirements for California high school graduation and how to plan a high school curriculum, course requirements, and recordkeeping.

Card Image

Preschool At Home

Debbie Feely (2004, Christian Home Educators Press) This booklet is designed to give you ideas and suggestions to help you think through what YOU want for YOUR child

Card Image

Preschool: At What Cost?

Susan K. Stewart (2011), This book challenges the notion that our children will be “behind” if they are not enrolled in a formal preschool program. With indepth research and analysis, Susan shows that the best preschool of all can be found right at home.

Card Image

Education: Does God Have an Opinion?

Israel Wayne (2017) Is education a neutral subject? Does God have a preference for how He wants children to be educated? Are public schools a viable option for Christians? These questions and more are discussed in this book.

Card Image

The Hurried Child

David Elkind (2001, Addison-Wesley), is a good commentary on our culture’s tendency to rush our children into the adult world. It has chapters on parents, schools, and media (secular orientation).

Card Image

Let Us Highly Resolve

 David and Shirley Quine, (1996 Emerald Books) If you are considering any public school programs, reading this booklet is an absolute necessity. Concerns about non-Christian influences, authority, unequal yoking, and the threat to family freedom are among the issues addressed. It is written to help parents making tough decisions about how to teach their own children.

Card Image

The Homegrown Preschooler

Kathy Lee and Leslie Richards (2013, Gryphon House) Parents will learn how to transform their home into a learning environment that rivals the best preschool classroom by finding exciting learning opportunities in everyday occurrences, from using laundry to teach sorting to exploring growth cycles in the garden.

Card Image

Homeschool Bravely

Jamie Erickson (2019) teaches you to see homeschooling as a calling, helps you overthrow the tyranny of impossible expectations, and guides you through the common bumps in the road.

Card Image

Homegrown

Amber O'Neal Johnston (2025) Warm and wise, grounded and liberating, Homegrown offers clarity and encouragement to homeschooling parents, asking what it means to build a life where learning and love grow side by side.

Card Image

They're YOUR Kids

Mrs. Sam Sorbo (2016, Reveille Press) guides you through implementing a better educational approach for your family, one that is tried and true. Sam's extraordinary story, her discoveries, challenges, and triumphs, will encourage you to embrace the wonderful benefits and incredible possibilities of home education for your beloved children.

Card Image

100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum

Cathy Duffy (2005, B & H Publishing Group), will help you locate and understand the variety of curriculums available to home educators. This manual provides practical help in how to choose curriculum, as well as developing a course of study.

Card Image

The How And Why of Home Schooling

Ray E. Ballman (1995, Crossway Books) An excellent first book to be read by the person interested in Christian home education. Unique to this book is an encouraging chapter for grandparents.

Card Image

Is Public Education Necessary?

Samuel Blumenfeld (2011, Devin-Adair), is an excellent history of public education showing how it evolved to the modern day. It is a sobering account of the reasons behind its and goals of those who promote it.

Card Image

A Christian Manifesto

Dr. Francis Schaeffer (2005, Crossway Books) shows how the whole foundation for society has shifted radically from its original Judeo-Christian basis to a humanistic basis. It calls for action in government, law, and all of life to turn the tide of moral decadence and loss of freedom.

Card Image

For The Children’s Sake

Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (2009, Crossway Books), is must reading for parents who desire to give their children a true education, by awakening their minds and giving them a new richness, stability, and a joy for living.