Wanna Homeschool? Start Here 😊

Favorite Books If You’re Curious About Homeschooling

Agate clocks and garlands might be the things I design and share—but if you’ve been following Mod North for a bit, you know that my real passion? It’s my family. And our homeschool journey is at the heart of it.

Back in the summer of 2020, like so many parents, I felt the tug. A quiet whisper that turned into a bold call: What if there’s a better way? A way for my five kids to learn and grow in freedom, curiosity, and love?

It was a huge decision.
It was also one of the best I’ve ever made.

Before I took the leap, I did what most of us do—I read. A lot. And a few books truly changed the way I saw education, childhood, and what it means to raise whole, thriving humans.

If you're even a little homeschool-curious, these are the books I wish I could hand you with a cozy blanket and a hot cup of tea. ☕️💛

📘 Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto

The book that started it all.
Written by a former award-winning New York public school teacher, this book is a game-changer. Gatto pulls back the curtain on the traditional school system, revealing how it often suppresses creativity, independence, and real learning. It’s bold. It’s eye-opening. It made me question everything I thought I knew about education—and it gave me the courage to imagine something different.

📘 The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart

This one feels like a warm hug and a permission slip. Julie is a veteran homeschool mom who knows that wonder, freedom, and real life are just as important as grammar and math facts. She teaches you how to make your home a place of joyful learning—and how to trust your kids (and yourself) along the way.

📘 Home Grown by Ben Hewitt

If you’ve ever daydreamed about tossing the schedule and letting your kids learn naturally, this book is for you. Ben shares his family’s radical (and wildly inspiring) unschooling lifestyle in rural Vermont. It’s less about curriculum, more about connection—and it’s beautiful.

📘 How Children Learn by John Holt

A foundational read for any homeschool parent. Holt studied children with deep curiosity and respect, and his insights are timeless. This book will help you see learning as something that happens all the time, in everyday moments—not just in textbooks or lesson plans.

📘 Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie

A love letter to overwhelmed homeschool moms everywhere. This book reminded me that I don’t have to do it all, be perfect, or follow every Pinterest-worthy idea. Instead, it’s about creating peace, rhythm, and connection in our days—and that’s where the real magic happens.

From My Heart to Yours

Whether you’re already homeschooling, just starting out, or simply curious—these books helped shape my journey, and I hope they offer you the same clarity, courage, and comfort they gave me.

Homeschooling isn’t always easy. But it’s full of beauty.
Kind of like a slice of agate—imperfect, layered, but full of wonder when you hold it up to the light. 💛