Book Series for Middle School Boys

Does your child enjoy reading?  

Some children naturally pick up books and read them - they are their hobby, an old friend they enjoy spending time with.

Other children would rather do anything EXCEPT read a book.  

I understand. I have one book worm and another "not-so" book worm.  

Some mean parents actually MAKE their children sit down and read (that's me!). Recently, however, we've discovered some engaging book series that have kept my middle school boy INTERESTED IN READING. 

And what's better still is that these are series his friend are all talking about, too - so it's almost as if they have a competition to see who's going to get them read first.

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5 Book Series for Middle School Boys

We love physical books in our home. Usually, when I know a series is good, I will purchase the series so that they can remain on our shelves - available to be read again or to be loaned out to friends.

(I might be a bit of an addict with free shipping, but I certainly have lots of books to show for it!)

The Rangers' Apprentice

These books (12 total) will keep your boys busy for a few weeks! This series is based originally on a set of short stories written by John Flanagan to encourage his son to enjoy reading. 

They chronicle the adventures of Will, apprentice to the secretive Ranger Halt. 

*You might also like the prequel and the spin-off series, The Brotherband Chronicles.

Baseball Card Adventures

My son loves anything Dan Gutman writes.  The Baseball Card Adventures are such a great way for your baseball obsessed child to learn more about the greats of the game.

Joe travels back in time to meet the heroes of baseball.  The stories provide so many interesting facts (which we know our sports obsessed kids love to collect). 

Jackie & Me was my son's favorite adventure

Sports Series by Mike Lupica

Another set of books for your sports lover, these books by Mike Lupica (an ESPN sports writer) are great "TO DO and WHAT NOT TO DO" books (my 12 year olds' words exactly).

So far The Big Field has been my son's favorite.

100 Cupboards

If you aren't familiar with N.D. Wilson you SHOULD BE! 

Henry discovers secret cupboards behind the plaster of his bedroom walls, and there the adventures begin. 

My son finds the fantasy aspect of these books extremely engaging - and as I've looked at them they seem like something I would like to put on my reading list, too!

The Wingfeather Saga

These books, by Andrew Peterson, are lovely.  A series of four fantasy novels, they are classic good versus evil stories that captivate your readers that love fantasy. 

We highly recommend!

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Engaging Book Series for Middle School Boys

Click the images below for a description of each of the books.

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Does your middle school boy like to read?

Does he have a favorite series?

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10 Best Books for Homeschool Moms

There are books every homeschool mom needs to have in her library.

When I finally decided to abandon the ideal of public school, a friend loaned me a bag of books to borrow during our beach vacation. 

They were her stash of best homeschooling books for moms. I devoured them on the car ride there, while we were on the beach, and on the car ride home. 

I learned SO MUCH from those books. They gave me inspiration, motivation, ideas, encouragement, and just the TOOLS I needed to begin my journey.

I have since invested in many of those same books (plus my friend wound up giving me some of them!) and happily loan them out to my friends. I also re-read these books frequently. I have also added to the books as I hear of new recommendations.

My children are constantly changing, and I constantly need encouragement and ideas.

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details. 

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Best Books for Homeschool Moms

1.  For The Children's Sake:  Foundations of Education for Home and School

This was the VERY FIRST homeschool book I read, and I still read it each summer. It is full of so much gentle wisdom, inspiration, and advice. 

2.  A Charlotte Mason Companion:  Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning

This was the SECOND book I read. It was so helpful to me in forming my homeschool philosophy, which ultimately became an Classical/Charlotte Mason/Interest Led mix! 

3.  The Well Trained Mind:  A Guide to Classical Education at Home

This is the primer on Classical Education. It contains curriculum suggestions, a thorough explanation of the stages of learning, and so much more. I have been reading this book A LOT lately!

4. The Core:  Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education

The Core is another great primer on Classical Education. I read this book last year and it convinced me we needed to join Classical Conversations (which we start in August). Leigh Bortins offers WONDERFUL suggestions if you are interested in educating your child Classically. 

5.  Educating The Whole Hearted Child

Sally and Clay Clarkson have put together a must have resource for homeschool families. This book is full of encouragement, curriculum suggestions, book suggestions, schedules, chore charts - you name it, they have included it in this homeschool bible of sorts. 

6.  The Handbook of Nature Study

Normally this book stays in the back of my van, because I love to use it as a reference when we are out and about. If you're like me, you didn't know a lot about nature study when you started homeschooling, and I feel it is such an INTEGRAL part of appreciating God's world. 

*Guess what?  My friend Barb has an entire blog, The Handbook of Nature Study, devoted to this book. It's a fabulous resource.

7.  Pocketful of Pinecones:  Nature Study with the Gentle Art of Learning

This book, actually in story format, inspired me to slow down and enjoy my children. It showed me that we needed to spend time being TOGETHER, not me scheduling "activities" for them to do. It's a sweet read that refreshes tired souls. 

8.  The Homeschool Experiment

I laughed OUT LOUD while reading this book. It's written by a young homeschool mom who shares her escapades, triumphs, failures, and dreams in story format. I read it in two nights - it was THAT good. 

9.  Soundbites from Heaven:  What God Wants Us To Hear When We Talk to Our Kids

This is a great devotional - and it made me think a lot about how I speak to my children, and what that says about myself and my walk with God. It was a bit painful to read, but I believe it grew me in an area where I needed (and still DO need) work.

10.  Weapons of Mass Instruction:  A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling

If there are ever days where I feel tempted to flag down the big yellow bus, I sit and read this book. John Gatto tells the tale (in no uncertain terms) of the effects of compulsory schooling on our culture. While I believe everyone makes their educational choices for different reasons and homeschooling doesn't work for everyone, I FIRMLY believe our current system of compulsory schooling fails our children. 

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You CAN Homeschool: Encouragement for the the Journey

Another book I think you MUST have (wink) is my free eBook!  I wrote this book to encourage and equip homeschooling parents.  

Download the book for free -- I hope it blesses you! 

Do YOU have a favorite homeschool book that has helped you greatly on your journey? I'd love to know what it is!

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