The following books helped shape who I am as a wife, mother, and daughter of God. Some books are specific to homeschooling, while others are not. Even those books with a homeschooling focus are so wonderful that any family can benefit from their wisdom. The most difficult aspect of compiling this list was narrowing it down to manageable proportions! Obviously the most encouraging, empowering, and edifying book at the top of every list is the Bible.

All but six of the books listed below are based on scripture; the ones that are not are denoted with an asterisk. I chose to include them because they were instrumental in shaping my homeschooling philosophy. Some of those authors are in fact Christians, but their books aren’t exclusively based on Christianity.

Books to encourage and empower the homeschooling mama:

Teaching from Rest by Sarah McKenzie
Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson
The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment
*The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart
Better Together by Pam Barnhill
Different by Nathan Clarkson
*Nurture by Nature by Paul and Barbara Tieger
*There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk
The Read Aloud Family by Sarah McKenzie
*The Five Hour School Week by Kaleena Amuchastegui
*The Family Board Meeting by Jim Sheils
Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins
The Core by Leigh Bortins
In Vital Harmony by Karen Glass
Know and Tell by Karen Glass
*Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola

Books to encourage and empower every mama:

Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson
Seasons of a Mother’s Heart by Sally Clarkson
The Life Giving Home by Sally Clarkson
The Life Giving Parent by Clay & Sally Clarkson
Different by Nathan & Sally Clarkson
Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson
10 Gifts of Heart by Sally Clarkson
Finding Selah by Kristen Kill
Introverted Mom by Jamie Martin
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh