I never read to Kill a Mockingbird before.

Or Fahrenheit 451.

Or East of Eden.

Or countless other classics.

photo by Caleb Woods

I know. It’s horrible.

I was that girl who never read books in high school, but could still get an A on any writing assignment.
Honestly, I was too caught up with friends to care when I was a teenager.

There are lots of things I never tried that cause me to sleep like a baby at night.

(Not a firstborn who doesn’t sleep through the night until he is almost 3-years old. But like an angelic babe who learns to sleep through the night at 3 months old…) 

I never

• jumped off a cliff
• did recreational drugs (epidurals don’t count)
• tried brussels sprouts

And I’m better off for it.

But skipping the classics?

I haven’t cared a bit that I never read these “supposed treasures” before.

I was fine.

Or, I thought I was fine.

Until I picked up To Kill a Mockingbird and began reading.

photo by Tohm Brigitte

How it is possible that one book could be so captivating, so shocking, and so wonderful?

“Well, Bekki, That is why it is a classic…”

So I’m on a mission to find classics that I should have read.
…and then I’ll read them aloud to my kids (or quietly with a cup of coffee).

As I made my confession publically about never reading classics, I had dozens of trusted homeschoolers, parents, and teachers chime in with other suggestions.

Since reading my first classic, I have completed Johnny Tremain and I’m halfway through (and heartsick) over Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

• Will Tom be mistreated horribly?
• Will Eliza have her son ripped from her arms?

I have no idea, but I keep reading with one eye closed and a heart wide open.

The response I received from mamas all over were so powerful that I’ve compiled a list of must-reads to share.

I know a simple google search will yield many lists of “books to read to your children” and classics for teens.

But this list is a bit closer to home for me.

Because readers, friends, and fellow homeschooling moms fed me this list- one glorious book at a time.

So I made it printable and I made it clickable.

And I made it free.

Because free is better. Just ask Uncle Tom.

Ask your kids, “Who was Anne Frank?” Who was Uncle Tom?” “Who was Boo Radley?” If they don’t know… fix it as soon as possible by reading aloud.

PRINT THIS FREE HOMESCHOOL MOM REMINDER.

This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on those important life lessons. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it!

Here is a sneak preview…

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE

1. Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!
2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
3. Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.

MATH PICTURE BOOKS BREATH LIFE INTO ARITHMETIC!