BUILDING A BOOK LIST FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOL YEAR
Our read alouds are going to be a big part of our language arts this year. Choosing a book list is one of the first things I do when I plan our school year. I like to order them ahead of time so they’re there when I want them or if I change my mind and want to read them out of the order I’d originally chosen.
When I’m looking for books for the kids, I look at lots of different lists on blogs. I check the public schools and see what they’re reading (for the older levels). 
My book list “rules”
- I like a good mix. Classics are great, but I want my kids to read a wide variety of books. I like to make sure our book lists contain old and new favorites.
- Challenging books mixed with easier books is another rule I go for each year.
- I look for books that will make good read alouds. There are some that I just think my kids would enjoy more reading on their own–like Harry Potter, so I save those for them to read on their own.
- Reading with the season is important to me too. I wouldn’t probably choose to read the Secret Garden in January, but in May, I’m all over it! Books set a mood, and I like those tones to match the season we’re in 🙂
Book list for read alouds
With my 3rd and 5th grader, their language arts will be based around our read alouds. I created a list for the year leaving a little wiggle room in case we get behind.
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- September: Farmer Boy
- October: Homer Price
- November: Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
- January: The Birchbark House
- February: Bud, Not Buddy
- March: Homesick
- May: The Secret Garden
9th grade book list
My high schooler will be reading a book per month as well.
- September: Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children
- October: Lord of the Flies
- November: Julie of the Wolves
- January: Moon Over Manifest
- February: The Crossover
- March: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
- April: Mountains Beyond Mountains
- May: The Chosen
I’m super excited for our book list this year! What are you reading??
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This post is part of my Big, Fat Homeschool Planning Series.
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Hi. I had never heard of Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children, so I looked it up on “Plugged In.” I do not try to keep all objectionable material from my children, because I believe it can be beneficial to read things that are not in line with one’s beliefs or worldview and then discuss it. However, the “Plugged In” review mentions several things that are concerning. I would like to hear your thoughts since you have read the book in its entirety. Here are two excerpts from “Plugged In”:
Profanity/Violence
Swearing is frequent and varied. There are many uses of h—, d—n and p—. God’s name is misused often, including multiple instances with d—n. The words s— and b–tard are used several times. Other profanity used: b–ch and several variations of a–. Jesus’ name is misused, and the word Lord is misused. Several British swearwords also appear, including b-gger, b-llocks, bloody and more creative epithets.
Kissing/Sex/Homosexuality
Jacob makes coarse sexual jokes. Jacob also describes a species of bird on Cairnholm Island (the Manx Shearwater) as giving his father an ornithology boner. When he first telephones the Priest Hole, Jacob describes the background noise as sounding like a Grecian orgy or frat party. Someone’s lawn ornaments are described as a flamingo orgy.
Emma flirts with Jacob: pinching him, hugging him, putting her head on his shoulder, putting her hand on his knee and posing seductively for him to take her picture. She kisses him on the cheek and sends him air kisses.
Jacob says he is not used to making out with hot girls. He doesn’t want to kiss Emma because he feels that dating his grandfather’s ex-girlfriend is tantamount to incest. Emma wrestles Jacob’s belt and pants off when she wants him to go swimming with her. Jacob thinks that swimming in cold water wearing only boxer shorts is not a great situation, especially since he is face to face with Emma. Emma and Jacob kiss multiple times.
Abe sends Emma a picture of him kneeling on a cylindrical bomb and asks if it reminds her of anything.
Hi. I’m curious about Miss Peregrine’s School of Peculiar Children. I do not always stay away from books that have objectionable things, but what I saw on “Plugged In” was a bit concerning. I would like to hear your thoughts since you have read the book in its entirety. Here are a couple of excerpts from “Plugged In”:
Profanity/Violence
Swearing is frequent and varied. There are many uses of h—, d—n and p—. God’s name is misused often, including multiple instances with d—n. The words s— and b–tard are used several times. Other profanity used: b–ch and several variations of a–. Jesus’ name is misused, and the word Lord is misused. Several British swearwords also appear, including b-gger, b-llocks, bloody and more creative epithets.
Kissing/Sex/Homosexuality
Jacob makes coarse sexual jokes. Jacob also describes a species of bird on Cairnholm Island (the Manx Shearwater) as giving his father an ornithology boner. When he first telephones the Priest Hole, Jacob describes the background noise as sounding like a Grecian orgy or frat party. Someone’s lawn ornaments are described as a flamingo orgy.
Emma flirts with Jacob: pinching him, hugging him, putting her head on his shoulder, putting her hand on his knee and posing seductively for him to take her picture. She kisses him on the cheek and sends him air kisses.
Jacob says he is not used to making out with hot girls. He doesn’t want to kiss Emma because he feels that dating his grandfather’s ex-girlfriend is tantamount to incest. Emma wrestles Jacob’s belt and pants off when she wants him to go swimming with her. Jacob thinks that swimming in cold water wearing only boxer shorts is not a great situation, especially since he is face to face with Emma. Emma and Jacob kiss multiple times.
Abe sends Emma a picture of him kneeling on a cylindrical bomb and asks if it reminds her of anything.
Here is the link for “Plugged In” for anyone who wants to read the entire review.
http://www.pluggedin.com/book-reviews/miss-peregrines-home-for-peculiar-children/
Thank you!
Hi Beth, I will be reading them! I read a couple this summer and I’m just trying to stay one ahead of him. And some on this list I’ve read in the past. More than anything I want to be able to have good conversations about books with him, so I want to know my stuff! 🙂
Hi, Alicia!
Will you also be reading your 9th grader’s books?
Thanks!
Beth
Hey Laura! Yes, this is what I’m doing for my high schooler. I’m also using Write Shop for my 9th grader for writing. The Boomerang guides are really easy to use. I’m just having him do copywork each week, talk about the passage, then talk about the literary concept each week, recording them in his l.a. book and then having a long discussion about each book at the end of the month. That’s it!
Alicia, will this be all of your 9th graders language arts? I ask because I have two high schoolers. I haven’t used any of the Boomerang guides, but would like to. I never feel confident and secure about language arts (even though I have graduated one son who did fine in English in college). I know that I am not having them write enough. I guess I could try one Boomerang and see what is involved and how it goes. Thanks for any thoughts you want to share. If not, just ignore this.
We are reading several of the same selections as your family, and I’m so excited for this year! Thank you for sharing!