Select your free homeschool study guide below. This curated collection was chosen for values-based homeschoolers by homeschooling veteran and curriculum provider Phyllis Wheeler.
The Long Shadow by Phyllis Wheeler
The Long Shadow by Phyllis Wheeler is a time-travel novel for upper middle grade with a theme of racial reconciliation, reaching out to conquer fear and make a friend. It’s an ideal vehicle for an important discussion with your children about this major topic of our time, and comes with free study guide.
“Part survival story, part exploration of racial justice in America, part journey of self-discovery, and wholly engaging and memorable. A well done and powerful story. It is certainly stuck in my head.”—Joe Corbett, school librarian, St. Louis
An eight-week unit study including vocabulary, comprehension, and extended lessons on related themes from the book:
- Civil War
- The Roaring 20’s
- Hopping Freight Trains
- Haiku
- Hypothermia
- Oak trees
- and more
Ages 13 and up
Novel about racial reconciliation, written by a Christian but not specifically a Christian book.
Classic Comparison: To Kill a Mockingbird
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An Unexpected Adventure by Kandi J Wyatt
Protect their community or protect their discovery?
For Chace, Harley, Will, and Cherise, that’s a life-changing question after they find a dragon’s egg while hunting for thundereggs on the beach. Toss in summer jobs, family struggles, and a National Security Agent, and their summer vacation just became complicated.
A six-week unit study including vocabulary, comprehension, and extended lessons on related themes from the book:
- Thundereggs
- Wildfire Safety
- Rogue River Jetboats
- Scientific Method
- Ratios
- Geography
- Reading Maps
- Amethysts
- Understanding News Sources
- Predators
- Writing
5th grade
Fantasy: E.T. meets How to Train Your Dragon
Classic Comparison: Because of Winn Dixie
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Light of Mine by Allen Brokken
Darkness is spreading through Zoura. Innocent animals are being turned into monsters, and good men into pawns of the Dark One. Father has vanished after joining the Mighty Mercenaries. Mother has gone missing in search of him.
Alone on the farm, twelve-year-old Lauren and her brave little brothers, Aiden and Ethan, must guard the Tower of Light that will guide both parents home. Then a hooded stranger is caught trespassing on the farm.
With little else but the aid of a trio of blessed pets, three holy weapons, and their growing faith, Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan find it is up to them to stop the agents of The Dark One from dooming the heathlands to Darkness.
A four-week homeschool study guide takes kids through this allegorical fantasy story by Allen Brokken, Light of Mine.
Use the Light of Mine Unit Study for questions and answers in a classroom setting or as a devotional study during family reading time.
3rd to 5th grade
Allegory
Classic Comparison: Pilgrims Progress
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Thick as Thieves by Susan K. Marlow
Susan K. Marlow’s middle grade novel Thick as Thieves tells a tale of 1880s California, ranching in the San Joaquin Valley. Thirteen-year-old Andi Carter immerses herself in caring for her horses when her mare gives birth to twins.
At school one day, a new kid sits next to Andi. Unkempt Macy, belligerent and rude, can’t read. She’s mean to everyone, even the little kids. It’s enough to make Andi pretty mad. Something needs to give…
A six-week study guide for this faith-based novel that covers vocabulary, comprehension and “digging deeper” questions as well as writing skills. Also explores topics related to the 1880s ranching in California:
- Geography
- Foaling and foal training
- Leeches and bloodletting
- 1880s arithmetic and schooling
- Canyons
- Farriers
- Cattle rustling then and now
- Dime novels
- And more!
Grades 5-7
Western
Classic comparison: Little House meets Bonanza
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The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix
A teacher’s guide for The Faithful Spy by New York Times bestselling illustrator and author John Hendrix. A story about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christian martyr in World War II.
“Biographies of key figures from WWII are plentiful in kids books, but Hendrix’s captivating account of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a standout . . . A poignant, compellingly presented, and timely account of a brave individual who lived his life with true conviction.” —Booklist
7th Grade and up
Biography, heavily illustrated
Classic Comparison: The Hiding Place