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The Best Thing We’ve Done for Reading: Read Alouds at Lunch
If you asked me what has had the biggest impact on my children’s reading lives, you might expect me to mention a curriculum.After all, we’re homeschoolers. We own plenty of books about teaching reading. We have phonics programs and reading logs and shelves full of carefully chosen literature.But the truth is, the single best thing…
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Showing Up to Share Books
Hi. I’m here. No grand reintroduction, no perfectly thought-out “why I’m back” speech, just me, opening the door a little and letting some fresh air in. This year, like every year, I set a reading goal and I’ve made some definate headway on it. Here are a few books I’ve read so far in 2026.…
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Building a Book: Part 2
I did it! I finished the first rough draft. My sweet little beginning chapter book idea is now an actual, completely typed out story with a beginning, middle, and end. I made a deal with myself that I would devote the next 6 months to trying to get it traditionally published, and if I’m not…
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My Favorite Books of the Year (A Very Accidental Middle-Grade Reading Year)
Every December I love looking back at the books that stayed with me, the ones I kept thinking about while folding laundry, stirring soup, or staring off into space while my kids play at a park. This year surprised me, because somehow, the books that touched me the most weren’t the big new adult releases,…
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Books We Read Aloud in Our Homeschool This Year (2024–2025)
One of my favorite parts of homeschooling is the time we spend reading aloud. Whether we’re curled up on the couch after lunch or listening during quiet play, shared stories bring us closer. This year’s read-aloud list was full of adventure, laughter, and plenty of cozy moments. Some books were familiar favorites, some were part…
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Required Reading for Rising 1st and 3rd Graders: Our Top Picks for Summer
As we lean into summer, I’m curating a gentle but enriching stack of books for my girls. I want stories that stretch their imaginations, build empathy, and fill their hearts with wonder. Here’s what we’re reading this season, divided by grade level with a little note on each one. Some are timeless classics, others are…
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Free Printable Summer Book Bingo for Kids
Welcome to the first post in my Simple Summer 2025 series, a collection of easy or easy-ish activities to help your family slow down, connect, and make the most of the summer months. Whether you’re homeschooling year-round or just looking to build a little rhythm into long summer days, these ideas are designed to be…
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Books That Have Changed My Life
Some books are simply enjoyable. Others fade from memory soon after you close the cover. But every once in a while, a book changes you. It lingers in your thoughts, shifts your perspective, and quietly becomes part of the way you move through the world. I’ve read many books I’ve loved, but a handful have…
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15 Favorite Biographical Picture Books
One of the best ways to introduce kids to history, innovation, and perseverance is through beautifully crafted picture books based on real lives. Most libraries have a junior biographical section these days, and I highly suggest checking it out! These books bring remarkable individuals to life, making their stories accessible and inspiring for young readers.…
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First Grade Book List
This list is ever-evolving. Feel free to message/comment and let me know what you think. If you’re looking for my other book lists, click HERE. 1. The Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamilloMercy, a lovable pig with a big personality, lives with the Watsons and gets into amusing misadventures. (Early Chapter Book) 2. The Never…
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Cozy and Maple 