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How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Knowing how to build high school curriculum directly from Amazon is a valuable skillset. You may not think so in the beginning, but you soon realize there is NO one right way to homeschool high school. So you need flexibility and options to change midstream.

Build High School Curriculum

Quickly, you can build a high school homeschool curriculum package which suits your teen.

Today, I’m showing you what is important to know right away and what you can decide later.

However, before I go on, here are my super helpful posts for How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon and How to Build Middle School Curriculum Directly From Amazon.

5 Steps to Build High School Homeschool Curriculum

Many states are flexible meaning you don’t have many requirements to fill for high school according to the law.

Step 1.
Meet Your State Law.

State law is your first starting point.

Know exactly what requirements you need to meet.
Don’t make this harder than it has to be by using a measuring stick that is unbending. Simply, meet the state law. Your own measuring stick is different.

If you’re having trouble knowing or finding your local law, shoot me an email or post here. I’ll help you to be sure that you’re in the absolute know.

How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Step 2.
Determine Credits by Choosing a Path – Career or College.

Next, don’t get sideways like I did when my first teen told me he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. If your teen knows right away that he’ll choose a career or college track, then that is your perfect starting points for subjects to fill.

Ask the college about subjects if your teen is college bound; this is not as hard as it appears. Most colleges maintain a website for admission. Right away you can see the number of credits they require for each subject. Boom – done.

If your teen doesn’t know what he wants to do like a majority of adults today, then try to give him what I call a traditional high school experience. This keeps all doors open for whatever direction your teen chooses.

Next, a traditional high school experience will include these subjects below with 4 years being closer to what colleges want for a college bound teen and 2 to 3 years for subjects for a teen who is not college bound:

  • 2 to 4 years of Math. Intro to Algebra is now considered middle school, but in our parents time it started in high school. If a teen is pursuing a science or math major, then intro to Algebra begins in middle school and Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry and another higher course will be needed.
  • 3 to 4 years for English or I like the term Language Arts which we have used up to this time. English doesn’t just mean covering grammar or composition. It can be any theme or subject your teen likes that has to do with writing or speaking. For example, poetry, British or American authors, literature analysis, public speaking, world literature, vocabulary study, and etc.
  • 2 to 4 Sciences and with Lab. Typically Biology, Chemistry and Physics are what I call the main three areas to study. I have two sciences listed because kids that are not science majors may choose to do only two sciences; kids who are college bound will need more.
  • 2 to 4 Social Studies. Again, I don’t like this term but it’s the one used in colleges. I prefer the terms history, geography, social science, American government, world geography, etc. In addition, I again list only two years if your child is not college bound. If your child is college bound or you’re wanting to leave the door open for college, then stick closer to 3 or 4 years.
  • 1 to 4 Foreign Languages. Again what is accepted in one college may not be in another. Too, ASL is considered the study of a foreign language with some colleges. If your child is not college bound and there are no requirements for foreign language in your state, then you and your teen decide how many years.
  • 4 to 5 Electives. Electives are subjects that are subjective. This means you have much room to either add them to your teens load or focus more on core subjects like math, language arts, science and social studies.
  • 1 – 3 Fine Arts and Physical Education. Normally a few years to study fine arts is a good rule of thumb and like one credit for physical education unless of course these topics are your child’s college majors.

Step 3.
Determine a 2 – 5 year Graduation Plan.

Next, determine how long your teen will be in high school.

Some teens do a two year study and align the other years with an apprenticeship. Some teens prefer dual enrollment and still others need another year to mature.

Four years is not always the magic number for graduating; it’s a good guide. Moreover, grab my high school planning pages too and fill in as you go.

How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Download here High School Planning Page. Too, read Free Homeschool High School Planning Sheet (and pssst help for high school too) if you need more help on planning and then also grab the Editable High School Transcript.

Step 4.
Choose Core Subjects First, The Other Subjects Can Wait

Then, narrow down the overwhelm more by selecting first the books and courses need to fill the core subjects.

When homeschoolers use the word core it can mean various things. Some states divide subjects by core and non-core.

For example, some states require math, language arts, history and science as the core subjects.

When I talk about core, I mean the skill subjects which are the three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. They have been your child’s 3 legged stool for an excellent education up to this time and they continue to be important in high school.

The point is unless your state requires other subjects, use your hard earned dollars for the skill subjects first. Unless social studies and science are required immediately, you can purchase those items in increments to give your budget a rest.

Step 5.
Choose Curriculum from Amazon by mixing and matching resource type.

Finally, you now have a big picture of the resources you need from Amazon.

In addition, to help you choose resources wisely, I have divided resources by topic or subject. Do not forget that many kids today learn well by videos and hands-on activities.

So don’t limit your choices to just textbooks or books. Look at the choices below for each subject.

Math High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

Science High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

Science Lab Component High School From Amazon

History and Social Studies High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

Language Arts High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

MORE Language Arts High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

High School Graduation and College Readiness Curriculum From Amazon

Electives High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages

Last but not least, I have listed all-in-one programs below. Sometimes you just need to start with a framework. I’ve listed curriculum packages below.

Remember that you can always tweak them to suit your student’s needs. You don’t have to use all-in-one programs as it. I firmly believe all of them are to be tweaked even if just a bit to suit your teen’s schedule, needs, and goals.

All-In-One Programs

How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Also, grab these other tips below to help flesh out any interests your teen may have:

I know you can give your child a solid education when you build the curriculum yourself. Did this give you a starting point?

Best Homeschool High School Literature Suggestions For Teens

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating these homeschool high school literature suggestions for teens is more satisfying now that my teens graduated. Looking back, I know their love of reading came from being exposed to a variety of genre.

Having a variety of genre to choose from is just one element of keeping teens reading into adulthood.

Beyond reading to fill a high school credit, use your time with your homeschooled teens to shape and develop their thinking.

Contrary to what some educators think, teens are still questioning beliefs. Their thinking is not fully matured. Issues raised in literature gives you the opportunity to analyze beliefs.

Too, high school and college courses require your teens to interpret literary terms and techniques. I found this was best done by classic literature.

Best Homeschool High School Literature Suggestions For Teens

The point is whether your teen is reading American, British, or World literature he is gaining a greater understanding of the world. That is something which will stick with him well into adulthood.

This high school literature list will give you a starting point in choosing the best literature for your family.

Moreover, don’t fret if your teen is still not loving to read. Some of these books will ignite a fire and did I mention some are short?

Whether you have a teen who is a voracious reader or who is an unenthusiastic reader, I have some high school literature suggestions for all.

Homeschool High School Literature

Also, it’s important to remember that there is so much more going on when a teen engages with a book

Books for your High School Teen

For example, when a teen reads

  • and the genre is historical fiction it can make the time period come alive;
  • and the prose is challenging, it can raise his reading comprehension;
  • his vocabulary is expanded; and
  • critical thinking skills are introduced.

Knowing that so much more is involved then filling a credit at the high school level, be choosy about what your teen reads.

Also, what helped me at the high school level are the self-paced online classes, Literary Adventures for Kids.

We covered a poetry unit for one of my teens in a fun way.

Look at my post Online Homeschool High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved).

Best Homeschool High School Literature Suggestions For Teens

Teens Reading List

See, I had to learn the hard way that a teen should have a choice in what he reads.

I remember being in English class in middle school and reading about boring topics.

I was a good reader, but not an enthusiastic reader until I read The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. He’s not an author I thought I would be drawn to as a teen.

However, his stories and poems invoked a love for reading detective stories along with his great storytelling. I loved everything about that poem, the figurative language, the dynamics, and the theme.

Homeschool High School Reading

The point is I would have never picked up his book on my own when evaluating my choices.

So your teen needs your help. It literally takes one book your teen can’t put down for your teen to look at reading differently.

Now as a parent, it is a learned balancing act when each teen got to the high school level.

I tried to find their interests and themes they loved to weave that with other genre they weren’t interested in or thought so at the time.

Also, another way to engage your high school kids is to learn through a theme.

We love history in our house and learning history through living literature has been one of our very favorite ways to learn history.

For 9th Grade
For 10th Grade

We love Beautiful Feet History, and have used their high school literature. They suggest the following sequence which we mostly followed.

Grade 9  |  Early American and World

Grade 11  |  Medieval History Senior High

Grade 10  |  Ancient History Senior High

Grade 12  |  Modern U.S. and World History for Senior High

Grade 11

Books for High School Readers

Although my teens had choices, I also had requirements because I wanted to invoke conversations to get my teens to think about the broader picture.

Learning to think critically means to know how to support your ideas from the book. It’s not always easy to do with just books they chose to read.

Why Some Homeschoolers Choose to Read Banned Literature

Next, I also had to decide how I wanted to talk to my teens about sensitive subjects. A lot of homeschoolers, including myself, reject some modern reading lists.

However, the similarity stops there when choosing literature. Families and teens differ in how they want to handle sensitive topic.

When you research about banned books, the Washington Post stated, “The American Library Association launched Banned Books Week in 1982 to celebrate the freedom to read.”

However, every since then, the topic of banned books sparks controversy for any education. You too have to decide if you’ll present these banned books to your teen.

It’s been my experience that the sensitive subjects in books allows me the chance to direct my children about mistakes of the past.

I didn’t want to cover up mistakes in history, but to expose them so we learn from them. Most important that we don’t repeat them in the future.

Children relate to everyday things and some kids lives have had painful turns they couldn’t control. Although my kids didn’t experience the sadness of divorce and death at the time, they had friends who did.

Homeschool High School Books

It helped my sons to form a compassion for their friends. Every child has a different maturing rate and I was sensitive to each teen’s emotions.

The point is that you are the only one to know whether you want your children to read banned books or not. Me? I will do the choosing for my family and determine the values; you probably feel the same way.

Homeschool High School Reading List

I want the opportunity to help my sons’ learn from the past, but not be promoting ideologies which conflict with our worldview.

That is not always easy to do, but being familiar with literature your teen is absorbing is essential.

As you see from this quick list that the books reflect personal tastes of each teen. In the end, you want your child to enjoy reading.

I stressed way too much about balancing the genre when my focus should have been on the short time I had with each teen.

Besides being forced-fed never worked for any reader. So use this list to begin your list for your unique teen.

Lastly, this is by no stretch all that each kid read in high school.

As I pore over my huge amount of books, I’ll update this post for you.

The point today was to get this quick glance to you.

In the end what matters is creating a lifelong reader.

Remember what Francis Bacon said “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.”

Best Homeschool High School Literature Suggestions For Teens

I know you’ll love these other posts:

Hugs and love ya,

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today in how to choose the best middle school literature I want to help you conquer the overwhelm by giving you a few seasoned homeschooler secrets.

Best Middle School Literature

When I approached the middle school years, there was no lack of middle school literature lists.

I loved having the lists, but I quickly learned that having tips on how to choose literature for my teen was better.

So first, look at these four questions asked and answered full of tips to help you decide which books are best for your family.

Four Middle School Literature Questions Asked and Answered

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

Question 1.
Should I Read Every Book My Child Reads?

The answer is complicated. It’s both yes and no. The way you determine if it’s a yes or no is your purpose.

For example, if you’re wanting to use literature for analysis and to engage your child with understanding an author’s purpose it’s hard to do that unless you read the book.

Middle school is the time that most kids can do some introductory analysis. If you’re wanting to fill the literature requirement for just reading or for enjoyment, the answer is no.

I couldn’t read every book my kids chose, but focused on reading the few we would used for analysis. That secret tip helped me conquer the literature overwhelm in middle school.

In addition, this site for Banned and Challenged Books gives you an idea of the theme or worldview behind some books.

Question 2.
How many books should my kid read each year?

That is another subjective answer. Some kids are voracious readers others not so much.

But if you’re using the literature to fill a credit (yes you can get high school credit in middle school), you’ll want to set your goal for a realistic amount.

Looking over some literature lists for middle schooled kids, I’ve seen some unreachable numbers.

Whatever the number of books you come up with lower it. It’s so much better to get through a handful of books with meaningful discussions than to overestimate and rush through them.

That is disheartening for both teacher and kid. Remember you can always add more literature for analysis anytime during the year.

I’ve had different requirements with each kid as my circumstances were different each year, but a good rule of thumb at this age was to analyze between 4 to 6 books or less.

Some years we did more, other years I struggled to get through three books, but it was still solid language arts.

The other books were pure pleasure and met my reading requirement.

Middle School Homeschool

Again, this is NOT all your child will read, but it’s the amount you want him to read to help him with the critical thinking part of literature.

Question 3.
Do I want my child to integrate other subjects or skills or to use literature as stand-alone?

My answer is to integrate as much as possible. My preference from the time I learned about how to integrate was to use this method for all literature.

Integrate means to combine several skills or to combine subjects. By integrating skills or subjects,

  • your child learns the practical application of grammar, vocabulary, or writing in a way that makes sense;
  • the areas of language arts that your child is weak at can be strengthened. For example, he sees the correct spelling of a word in literature and applies it to his writing;
  • your child can choose literature choices based on his interests or to cover a subject he may not like as well. Unlike public school, your child doesn’t have to follow arbitrary lists. Too, if he is not passionate about history, then well-written fiction prose can help him to fill a history credit. Literature can make a history time period come alive while filling both a literature and history requirement in a more fun way; and
  • one unexpected benefit was that my kids learned study skills and research skills.

Literature Analysis for Middle School

Question 4.
Should I require my child to write book reports?

Although it’s not necessary for kids to write book reports, understanding the purpose of a book report lets you decide if it’s for your family.

Book reports, oral or written, are the blueprints for high school literary analysis.

The point is not whether you assign a book report or not, it’s that your child understands things like elements of fiction, genre, and figures of speech.

Whether you choose to do this orally, through a book report, a lapbook, or reading journal, it’s your choice. I have only one kid that loved book reports, but I orally reviewed with each kid the assigned books.

Next, look at this list of questions to include in a written book report or to go over them orally:

  • Was it better that . . . ?
  • What do you think . . . ?
  • In your opinion . . . ?
  • How would you change the character to . . . ?
  • How is ____ tied in or related to ____?
  • What choice would you have made ____?

Now that you have a quick overview of some of the general tips about how to choose middle school literature, look at this list of books.

Remember that you can choose classics, follow a history theme, favorite author or do a balance of genres. There are many genres to choose from.

Of course, if your child is college bound you will want to do a variety of genre even in junior high.

Literature for Middle School Homeschool

And one final thought there is a huge difference in maturity between sixth grade and eighth grade.

Keep that in mind in looking over this literature list as I provided options for different reading levels. This list below is a mix of literature that works well for this age, but you can always add to it.

Books for Middle School Kids

Alternatively, you may want to use something besides just a reader or the literature.

Middle School Literature Teacher Guides, Themed Guides and All-in-One Curriculum

For my first time teaching literature at the middle school level I loved using teacher helps and many times I used them as life happened. Why reinvent the wheel?

You can choose a book along with a teacher guide to help you teach the important parts of the book or use an all-in-one guide or curriculum.

Look at some of your options below.

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

I love Lightning Literature and they’re perfect for the older grades because they have a schedule which helps when you’re first beginning to teach literature.

Still, I had the tendency to over teach literary analysis, but key to keeping it fun is to do a bit each day.

Then, Language Arts Through Literature series is timeless. Their middle and high school grades are solid.

It is a Charlotte Mason gentle approach to literature and fits a lot of my likes; it takes an integrated approach which aligns with how I feel beautiful literature should be learned.

However, one of my VERY favorite resources for middle school kids was created by another homeschool mom.

You’ll love Literary Adventures for Kids which is online and self-paced. You choose the books and course and your child goes at his own pace. All the stress and prep for learning about literature was taken out.

If you’re looking for something that your child can do on his own, or you don’t have time to read every book, you’ll love Literary Adventures for Kids.

Also, Progeny Press Study Guides have been timeless.

My kids can pick the book they want to read and we find the accompanying study guide. The guides cover background information, vocabulary, literary analysis, and more.

In addition, be sure you check out the discounted resources at Homeschool Buyers Co-op Language Arts section. There are many discounted providers for literature guides.

Homeschool Helps for Middle School

Another favorite has been the literature unit guides by Teacher Created Resources. Although they are created for a classroom, I’ve been able to get many ideas to flesh out with my kids.

Additionally, Memoria Press literature guides are grade level literature units which also have helped me at this age.

Next, Beautiful Feet literature are some of my favorite themed literature units.

Covering history and literature simultaneously helped us to learn how to utilize our time and widen our reading diet.

If your child loves history, then integrating history and literature together makes practical use of your child’s time.

Did I mention that reading doesn’t become a chore, but becomes a time you and your child look forward to during the day?

Finally, paying attention to detail looks different for each book with each child, but that is the purpose of literature analysis. Too, our children can come to view each book loved as an artistic expression. It’s quite possible.

What books are you using for literature analysis for middle school kids?

You’ll love some of these other helps for middle school kids.

Hugs and love ya,

How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to choose the best homeschool middle and high school language arts curriculum can be intimidating unless you have a road map.

Knowing the elements of language arts is important; knowing that not every teen needs the same amount of instruction for each component is equally important.

Before I dive into creating a middle and high school language arts curriculum road map, you need to see my post Free Middle and High School Homeschool Language Arts.

Using free language arts curriculum before you make a purchase can be especially helpful for many reasons:

  • Budget friendly curriculum allows you to assess problem areas in greater detail without busting the budget;
  • A free curriculum can be used as a reference alongside a purchased curriculum;
  • Your teen may need review in just a couple of areas and you can save your hard earned dollars to buy language arts where he requires in-depth focus or help;
  • Returning to free curriculum resources throughout the middle and high school years helps your teen review quickly; and
  • Let’s face it. Teen curriculum resources can be pricey, so having many options at your fingertips helps.

Let’s start with a language arts road map.

Step one is knowing the language arts components.

Step 1. Identify the Language Arts Components.

The easiest, but most useful definition is that English language arts is any subject to do with written or oral communication, including listening.

Right away you can see that some things are not formally taught or don’t have to be taught in isolation.

For example, from the time your teen was a toddler, you started speaking to him in full sentences. He learned your language through the art of conversation and discussion. That part still continues in the teen years.

Too, especially at the middle and high school years, teens need to make sense out of what they have been learning.

Combining language arts elements makes language arts practical and gives teens a reason to understand it.

For example, grammar can be revised or used while a teen writes an essay.

Next, let’s dive into the subject breakdown of what is language arts so you know that you’re covering it and that you choose the subjects your teen needs.

Language arts includes all facets of English: phonics, reading/literature, spelling/vocabulary, grammar, composition, and penmanship. In addition, it includes oral speech.

By this age your child has probably learned to read and write.

So penmanship turns to composition and reading becomes literature. Phonics is now spelling.

Step 2. Isolate the Language Arts Components Needed for Middle and High School Teens.

To help clarify this even further, here are the language art subjects for middle and high school grades.

  • Literature which is reading and could include literary analysis
  • Grammar
  • Spelling (if still needed)
  • Vocabulary
  • Composition

These subjects are the ones that most language arts all-in-one programs cover.

Next, now that you know the subjects that fall under the language arts umbrella, look at some of these homeschool language arts curriculum for middle and high school kids.

Step 3. Choose the EXACT Components Your Teen Needs OR Choose an All-in-One Curriculum.

Before you choose language arts, pay attention to the details to see if it’s an all-in-one program which covers most of the subjects for language arts OR if it’s just one component.

I have organized the elements for you so you can quickly see the choices for your child.

Grammar Homeschool Curriculum For Teens

Too, some of the resources can be used as a guidebook to assist your teen in his writing.

The first one I’m diving into is grammar. Grammar is the rules of a language.

Your teen has learned some of the rules naturally, so some of these resources can be used as a reference. Other resources can be used as separate curriculum to shore up any weakness

Look at this list of homeschool grammar curriculum.

Although I feel grammar is best covered in conjunction with writing so a teen sees the value, there are some teens who need grammar in isolation.

Before looking next at the composition options, keep a few key points in mind. If a teen is struggling with penmanship remember that he can type his essays.

Try to not make composition always about penmanship. Yes, it’s about doing neat work, but that is for the final draft.

Composition is about learning how to compose his thoughts. So if you have a teen struggling in both penmanship and composition, focus on one or the other until he gets more practice. Go gentle in what you require of him if he is struggling.

Composition Homeschool Curriculum For Teens

Now, look at some of the composition choices.

Literature Homeschool Curriculum For Teens

You would think it would be easier to choose an all in one program which covered a bit of most of the components of language arts. It may or may not be.

The problem at this level is that most providers are assuming that your teen has had a fair amount of each component of language arts.

If you’ve switched homeschool approaches or resources, like most of us have, then you want to be sure you’re clear on what is the focus of the all-in-one language arts curriculum.

For example, it’s been my experience that curriculum may focus more on composition, while another one covers more literary analysis. While yet another resource may focus heavily on grammar.

All-In-One Language Arts Homeschool Curriculum for Teens

So the important point I’m making is look over the scope and sequence so that you make a good fit for your teen.

Next, look at the options for all-in-one language arts programs.

Step 4. Combine Many Components of Language Arts for Lasting Benefits.

Finally, the most important benefit of teaching language arts to our teens is so that it sticks with them. Understanding the mechanics of the English languages connects our teens to great minds of the past.

In addition, teaching valuable thinking skills is an important part of communication whether verbal or written.

For language arts to have lasting benefit and to teach thinking skills, combining the components of language arts is a superior way to teach.

When a teen works with a piece of literature, he focuses on grammar, writing, vocabulary, and spelling to name a few.

We want our teens to have a solid foundation for language arts whether he chooses a career track or college track.

Look at these other posts for homeschooling middle and high school teens.

Hugs and love ya,

20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This list of twenty nature-inspired kids novels are the types of books which helps kids connect to the outdoors. Whether you’re wanting kids to step away from their devices, looking for a nature-inspired book for a unit study, or you want to inspire your kid’s inner naturalist, look at this roundup of books.

20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
The Illustrated Call of the Wild: Original First Edition

Call of the Wild by Jack London for ages 12 and up.

A classic story of survival from the perspective of Buck, a kidnapped Saint Bernard who is forced into being a sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Set in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1890s, the descriptions are stunning and take readers right to the freezing temperatures of the Yukon.

Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell for ages 8 to 12.

A young girl is left deserted on a pacific island off the coast of California. Karana must forage for food, build weapons for protection, and make clothes for covering.

A story of strength and resilience that will inspire. Beautifully written and perfect taking the readers to an island filled with dolphins, otters, and sea birds.

These activities will go along with this book.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Original Illustrations

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain for ages 12 and up.

This classic, set near the Mississippi River in the 1840s follows Tom and his adventures through plenty of outdoor shenanigans.

Look at this activity Lewis & Clark – Mighty Mississippi book & Sediment Activity to go along with this book.

Nature Books for Kids

Travel to the river with Tom and Huck with this fully illustrated edition!

Hatchet

Hatchet by Gary Paulson ages 11 and up.

The sole survivor of a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian Roberson, finds himself stranded in the Canadian wilderness. He must fend for himself.

Brian slowly learns the survivor skills he needs to stay alive, building shelter, making fire, and foraging for food.

This novel takes the reader through a fifty-four-day journey of perseverance that forever changes a young man and his perspective about life and family. 

Gary Paulson has many other novels that are set in the wilderness, and spends his personal time split between Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Nature Book List for Kids

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (2005-12-27)

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen for ages 12 and up.

Carli Hiassen is known for his descriptions of Florida and the endangered wildlife that inhabit the state.

This book takes readers on an eco-adventure full of everything from the town’s well know bully to potty-trained alligators. There is a movie that would make a fun follow-up too.

Paddle-to-the-Sea (Sandpiper Books)

Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling for ages 8 to 12.

Follow a young boy as he travels from The Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean in this adventurous novel that brings geography to life.

This author has many other titles perfect for nature study.

The Secret Garden (HarperClassics)

The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett for ages 9 to 12.

An orphaned girl is sent to live with her great uncle and discovers a secret garden on his Yorkshire Moors property.

The lush garden is the young girl’s only escape.

This edition is beautifully illustrated by Tasha Tudor. Recreate some of the pictures or draw a scene from the book. 

The Secret Lake: A children’s mystery adventure

The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis for ages 8 to 12.

This book is a time-traveling mystery adventure of two kids who find a pathway to a secret lake and one hundred years old garden.

Nancy Drew meets The Secret Garden in this modern novel sure to become a favorite. 

Nature-Based Fiction for Kids

The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare for ages 10 to 12.

Thirteen-year-old Matt is left to survive on his own in the Maine wilderness.

This is a story filled with descriptive detail about survival in the wilderness and the relationships between settlers and natives in the 1700s.

Look at my other activities here to go along with this book.

The Swiss Family Robinson (An Illustrated Classic)

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Davide Wyss for ages 10 and up.

A classic story of one family’s survival after being shipwrecked in the East Indies on their way to Australia.

They live on a deserted island for ten years. A book filled with adventure, lots of exotic animals, and plenty of survival skills.

The Snow Child: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize in Letters: Fiction Finalists)

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey for ages High School.

Set in snowy Alaska in 1920, a couple desperate for a baby, build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow is gone, but a young girl is found running in the woods.

She hunts with a red fox by her side and survives on her own in the Alaskan wilderness. The couple’s lives are changed forever, as they grow to love the child as their own.

My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)

My Side of The Mountain by Jean Craighead George for ages 8 to 12.

Sam Gribley runs away from New York City to the mountains and must survive on his own.

The descriptions of nature are detailed, and it is the perfect choice for learning real-life survival skills.

The book’s rich vocabulary will make for a great read-aloud.

Our Journey Westward

Kids Novels to Inspire the Love of Outdoors

Summer of the Woods (The Virginia Mysteries)

Summer of The Woods by Stephen K. Smith for ages 8 to 12.

A summer packed with outdoor adventure! Follow these kids as they discover the Virginian woods where they find secret caves, rushing waters, and rare treasure. 

These books would be awesome for a state study of Virginia, as there are several more in the series that takes the reader to historical sites throughout the state.

The Last Unicorn

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle for ages 13 and up.

A lone unicorn ventures out on her own to find more of her kind.

Set in an enchanted forest, readers escape to the wood with this classic fantasy fiction.

The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame for ages 8 and up.

Four animals live among the Thames Valley in England.

A classic novel about adventure, morality, and friendship is also well known for its depiction of nature.

The Wild Robot (The Wild Robot (1))

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown for ages 10 to 12.

Can a Robot survive in the wild? Find out as Roz learns to survive the wilderness.

Fans of the movie Wall-E will enjoy this adventurous story about the clash of technology and nature. The book includes lots of descriptions of nature and animals.

Riding the Flume (Aladdin Historical Fiction)

Riding the Fume by Patricia Curtis Pfitsch for ages 11 to 13.

Set among the giant sequoia trees in California, the novel is about a young girl faced with the discovery that her sister who died years earlier may still be alive. A must-read!

Nature Living Books

Nature Girl

Nature Girl by Jane Kelly for ages 8 to 12.

Eleven-year-old Megan is without internet and TV in the Vermont woods for the summer.

Our Journey Westward

When she gets lost on the Appalachian Trail, she decides to hike all the way to Massachusetts where her best friend lives.

Get ready for a hike with this adventure novel!

Where the Red Fern Grows
20 Nature-Inspired Kids' Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls for ages 9 to 14.

Set in the hills of the Ozarks, young Billy, and his two dogs explore the countryside.

This is a timeless tale of love and loss and the special bond between a boy and his best friends, two pups named Old Dan and Little Ann.

Wish

Wish by Barabra O’Connor for ages 9 to 12.

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a young girl makes the same wish every after year.

This is a sweet story about a girl and a newfound furry friend.

I hope one of these 20 nature-inspired books will teach your kids about nature and revive a love of the great outdoors.

Look at some of these other ideas: