"Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labelled 'This could change your life.'"
– Helen Exley
Below is a curated collection of our favorite books on homeschooling and alternative education. Some of the book links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. See our affiliate disclosure here.
Foundational Books
Homeschool parents have a lot to learn. And we’re not talking about boning up on your biology to play science teacher. Here are our favorite books that informed our philosophies on modern homeschooling and parenting. Many are available as audiobooks- perfect for busy parents to listen to while folding laundry.
How Children Acquire “Academic” Skills Without Formal Instruction
In this short but insightful book, Peter Gray explores how children can learn reading, writing, and math through self-directed activities, without formal teaching. He provides real-life examples from unschooling families and democratic schools, where children successfully develop academic skills naturally through play and everyday experiences.
This book helped us relax into homeschooling and trust the process.
How Children Learn
How Children Learn by John Holt explores how children naturally acquire knowledge through curiosity, play, and exploration when free from pressure and fear. Drawing from real-life observations, Holt advocates for trusting children's innate desire to learn and questions traditional schooling methods.
The beautiful observations in this book will make you want to slow down and see your children differently. It gave me an appreciation for the way children are designed to learn.
Free to Learn
In Free to Learn, psychologist Peter Gray argues that children learn best when they are free to play, explore, and pursue their own interests without coercion or rigid structure. Drawing from research in anthropology, psychology, and education, he makes a compelling case for self-directed learning and the transformative power of trust in children's natural curiosity.
This is the book that holds the research supporting everything we’ve observed through allowing our children to be self-directed.
Changing Our Minds
In Changing Our Minds, psychologist Naomi Fisher explores how self-directed education empowers children to learn naturally through curiosity, choice, and real-world experiences. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and personal stories, she challenges traditional schooling and advocates for a more flexible, child-led approach to learning.
This is the book that gave us hope for the future of education and the courage to share our story with other families. It inspired us to be part of this movement.
Dumbing Us Down
In Dumbing Us Down, former New York State teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto critiques the modern public education system, arguing that it stifles creativity, independence, and genuine learning. He contends that compulsory schooling produces obedient workers rather than thoughtful, self-directed individuals, calling for a more human-centered, liberated approach to education.
This is the book that reinforced why I left the education system and why I believe our kids don’t need to participate in it.
Unschooled
Unschooled by Kerry McDonald explores how children thrive when learning is self-directed rather than dictated by traditional schooling. Blending research, stories, and practical insight, it shows parents how curiosity, play, and real-life experiences spark deeper learning. An inspiring guide for families seeking freedom, flexibility, and joy in homeschooling.
As a former teacher turned unschooling parent herself, Kerry speaks from experience. I wish I had discovered this book sooner.
The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself
In The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself, Esther Jones invites parents to shed school-based conditioning and embrace a mindful, curiosity-driven path to learning. Through gentle self-compassion, practical exercises, and personal stories, she guides you—especially those parenting neurodivergent kids—toward trusting your child, deepening connection, and thriving beyond traditional schooling.
The conditioning around schooling runs deep, but with this book you have a fighting chance.
The Call of the Wild + Free
The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment encourages parents to embrace a more natural, child-led approach to education through homeschooling. Blending inspiration and practical advice, Arment champions a lifestyle that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and freedom in learning.
I continue to draw inspiration from this beautiful book - especially the second half of it, beginning with Chapter 14 on Finding Your Rhythm.
The Unschool Challenge
Sue Elvis’ The Unschool Challenge is packed with activities, or “challenges” that that help parents challenge their assumptions - about their kids, what schooling should look like, and even their own behavior.
These structured challenges with step by step instructions, help parents work through the common psychological barriers that lead to fear and doubt around unschooling, and help them understand and track the learning that happens every day.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish offers practical communication strategies to help parents build cooperation and mutual respect with their children. It emphasizes empathy, active listening, and problem-solving to strengthen parent-child relationships.
The examples and simple strategies in this book help make parenting feel less like a battle and more like teamwork.
The Art of Noticing
The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker is a guide to becoming more mindful and observant in everyday life, offering creative exercises that help readers reclaim their attention and discover inspiration in the world around them.
This pretty little book was a gift I bought for myself that ended up being a great resource for simple, fun family activities that have been helping us hone our noticing skills (and make car rides more enjoyable!).
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
With over 40 Million copies sold, author Stephen Covey “presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems.”
Re-visiting the book after a few decades, it amazed me how closely aligned it was to our philosophies on parenting and education. It’s almost as if it were written with modern homeschoolers in mind.