If you’re a homeschool parent, you likely have a child who loves to read. As a parent, it’s important to encourage your child to read a variety of literature and expose them to different ideas and cultures. Here are some books that every homeschooler should read. Below are some titles that have impacted history throughout the ages.
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Let’s take a look.
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1. The Bible
Whether you are a Christian or not, the Bible is an essential read.
Many classic works of literature reference the Bible, and having a basic understanding of its stories and teachings can help you better understand these works.
Start with the New Testament and work your way through, and you’ll find that you begin to understand a lot more about the classics.
For Christians, we believe this book is inspired by God.
There are many prophecies that foretell events that are to take place many hundreds of years in the future.
The whole Bible points to Jesus, after whom the ages have been named (B.C. = Before Christ; A. D. After Christ; Christmas =Christ Mass and so on).
Buy the Bible here.
2. The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer
These ancient Greek epics are essential reads for any student of literature.
Many classic works reference Greek mythology, and a basic understanding of the stories in The Iliad and The Odyssey will give you a good foundation for understanding these references.
Reading these works will also give you a better understanding of ancient Greek culture.
This book helps you understand the Greek/Roman pantheon.
I found Jesus shone brighter than before when I realized how evil many other gods were in old cultures.
Buy the Illiad and the Odyssey here.
3. The History of the Persian War by Herodotus
Herodotus may not have been the most accurate historian, but his account of the Persian Wars is a fascinating read.
It gives you a great deal of detail about the time period and exposes you to many new words and ideas.
Buy the The History of the Persian War here.
4. The Republic by Plato
Plato’s ideas have had a profound influence on Western culture, and his book The Republic is still studied today.
It’s a great read for anyone interested in government and politics and will help you better understand our own system of government.
It’s also a book that’s been read by and influenced many famous and influential people.
If you understand this book, you’ll understand a lot of things going on in today’s society and where they came from…
Buy the Republic here.
5. The Aeneid by Virgil
The Aeneid is a great read for anyone interested in Roman history and literature.
It tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travels to Italy and becomes the ancestor of the Roman people.
It’s a fascinating tale and will give you a greater appreciation for ancient Rome.
Buy the Aeneid here.
6. Paradise Lost by John Milton
This epic poem tells the story of Adam and Eve and their fall from grace.
It’s a classic work of literature that has had a profound influence on other works, including those of authors like Charles Dickens.
Reading Paradise Lost will give you a better understanding of the literary references in other works.
It also makes you think of what life was like before sin came into the world like no other work.
Buy the Paradise Lost here.
7. The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dostoevsky’s works are essential reading for anyone interested in Russian literature and culture.
The Idiot is a great place to start, as it gives you an introduction to Russian thought and culture and includes many scriptural references.
I do particularly love that it introduces us to Russian society, princes and all! So often, we’re only thinking about Western culture.
This book places us firmly in another time and country. A great homeschool read.
Buy The Idiot here.
8. The Divine Comedy by Dante
This epic poem (see below picture) tells the story of Dante’s journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven.
It’s a fascinating look at medieval Christian theology and includes many references to classical literature and mythology.
This gem is one of C. S. Lewis’s favorite books.
It gets us to think of heaven and hell. And that’s something we should all do more of!
Buy The Divine Comedy here.
9. The Confessions by St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s Confessions is a classic work of Christian literature and is a great read for anyone interested in philosophy and theology.
It’s a deeply personal work that explores the author’s struggles with sin and his ultimate conversion to Christianity.
This book had a profound impact on my life when I was about 20.
As I grew up in a Christian household, I’d never really struggled with my own sin.
This book made me realize the weight of my sin and helped me repent.
Buy Confessions here.
10. Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (see picture below) is a classic book that homeschoolers should read.
It was also one of C. S. Lewis’s most loved books.
The novel explores social norms and expectations of 19th-century English society, telling the story of Elizabeth Bennet, who navigates the challenges of finding true love in a society obsessed with wealth, status, and social class.
It is a great tool for teaching students about the history, culture, and social dynamics of England during the Regency era, helping them develop vocabulary, critical thinking, and storytelling skills.
With memorable characters, witty dialogue, and timeless themes, it captures readers’ imaginations of all ages.
Buy Pride and Prejudice here.
You’ll LOVE My Homeschool Channel
If you love this list, you’ll love my YouTube channel How to Homeschool here, which is all about how to do homeschooling well!
We talk about curriculum.
We talk a lot about what to do.
We talk a lot about what not to do.
You’ll love it! Check it out here.
Below is one of my videos…
That’s a Wrap
By reading influential books, children can gain a deeper understanding of literature, culture, and history. It also helps to develop their vocabulary and critical thinking skills and fosters a greater appreciation for the written word. In this context, I would like to tell you about 20 books that I’ve really loved and that I think every homeschooler should read. If you’ve been homeschooling from the beginning, you may have noticed that children love to read. They read and read and read, and if you don’t force them to start reading before they’re ready, they all love it. That was the case with me and my brothers. Nowadays, we’re all avid readers, but I wish I had started reading more of the classics when I was young.
