From One Homeschooler to Another: 5 Books Worth Adding to Your Shelf
Article By Carter Cada - Written 7/15/2025
There are a lot, and I mean a lot of books that everyone should read. When it comes to homeschooling, where books are such a big part of most families’ curriculum, that’s twice as true.
But amidst all of these books, how to choose the best? Which ones will best teach your children things like history, science, and art? As well as things like social science, ideology, and character?
Here were a few that meant a lot to me as a teen in school, as well as a few I read as an adult that I wish I’d gotten to earlier!
1) History can be…cool? - The Shakespeare Stealer
Author - Gary Blackwood
When this book was recommended to us by our curriculum provider, I wasn’t thrilled. The name “Shakespeare” did not exactly inspire awe in my thirteen-year-old mind. Boy, would I change my mind on this one fast.
The book recounts the story of “Widge”, an orphan boy who becomes tangled in a plot to copy, then outright steal Shakespeare’s latest hit – Hamlet. Fast-paced and full of tension, this book will have kids on the edge of their seat until the (somewhat surprising) conclusion.
2) The power of propoganda - Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Author - Eugene Yelchin
“Communism”, the world with a million associations, and none of them good. But what is it like, really, to live under this system of government? Or even more extreme, under Stalin’s communism?
Join Sasha, a young boy with a heart full of patriotic pride for his country, his leader, and his father, a member of the “upstanding” KGB. Life couldn’t be better…at least, until his father is the one being taken for “crimes” in the middle of the night.
As Sasha tries to pick up the pieces, he realizes that things might not all be quite what they seem in the land he loves…
3) Character makes the king - Sir Malcom and the Missing Prince
Author - Sidney Baldwin
A godly king is a royal gift to his people, but a ruler without character is little more than a royal pain! Prince Hughbert, the son of a just and righteous king, unfortunately seems to have inherited none of his father’s judgment, and unfortunately for the people of the kingdom, it’s beginning to show.
Sir Malcom, the king’s trusted advisor, requests permission to take the prince to a school where he will learn the character required of a godly ruler. Much to Hughbert’s surprise (and dismay), this “school” is a rural village where he is stripped of his royal name, looks, and title.
He must learn what it means to be a servant, for to be the king is to be the greatest servant of all. Perhaps, after all is said and done, he will learn more than just to be a good king, but a good man as well.
4) What real courage means - To Kill a Mockingbird
Author - Harper Lee
What starts out as the summer recollections of a young girl slowly becomes overshadowed by a looming threat of hate, lies, and mistrust…all interpreted through the eyes of said young girl.
To our hero “Scout”, the incident is summed up as, “what led to Jem’s broken arm.” What readers will find, however, is an incredibly deep, emotional story tying together broken families, hateful traditions, righteous sufferers, and the mysterious “Boo Radley” in an epic tale that has stood the test of time for a reason.
Be aware that there is some pretty intense language in the book (a relic of the age in which it was written), and may not be suitable for all ages.
5) Look to the light! - Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
Ever read Pilgrim’s progress and thought, “wow, this could use more knights, heroes, evildoers, and several epic battles against a black knight!”? Well, if you (like me) have ever wondered that very-oddly-specific thing about John Bunyan’s famous work, wonder no more!
Sir Knight of the Splendid way is an incredible take on the same, analogy-driven story of the Christian life. Just as Christian did in his own tale, join Sir Knight as he seeks to follow the splendid way to the heavenly city, facing challenges (and even failure) along the way.
In Conclusion…
Whether you’re looking for the intrigue filled plot of The Shakespeare Stealer of the kindhearted yet deep tale of To Kill A Mockingbird, you’re sure to find something you love when you pick up one of these books and join the adventures of the heroes that lie just beneath the cover, waiting to tell you their stories.
About the author
Carter John Cada is the founder of and head author at Quips from the Quiver. In his free time, he loves to read, cook, read, hike, read, write, read, and read.
He also enjoys eating.
