The Homeschooler’s Library: Best Fall Books
A lot of my happiest homeschooling memories come from the fall. My ideal picture of homeschooling is of a hacked-up kitchen table, with sunshine spilling across it from open windows, while the tangy autumn air tingles all around.
And books.
Lots of books.
The books you read in the fall have a special delight that’s all their own. The books you read every fall are that much better!
Chances are your local librarian is aware of the fact. You walk through the library door and are suddenly surrounded by glittering titles—autumn leaves—and a sudden dizzy sensation that you haven’t got a clue where to start.
Fall is Short—And Books Take Time!
“Art is long, and time is fleeting.” That was Longfellow’s way of putting it. If we had infinite hours, we could read—well—infinitely. We don’t, and so we’re suddenly faced with an inconvenient reality—we’ve got to choose.
And with a seasonal genre like the best fall books, we’ve got to choose in a hurry, too.
So here’s a short list of my all-time favourite books about autumn—including a few Thanksgiving titles in the mix as well. I can’t claim to be an expert on the topic. There are probably dozens of just-as-good-maybe-better titles out there. But I can recommend the ones below as a great place to start!
My Best Fall Books List
Franklin’s Thanksgiving by Paulette Bourgeois—I loved this book as a kid, and it still gives me delightful fall vibes when I read it to little ones today. I remember empathising with Franklin’s struggle to accept a holiday without his grandparents—my grandparents had been away on a west coast trip to over thanksgiving, too. And the comical mix-up that ensues when Franklin and his family all try to solve the problem with a “surprise” will tickle children again and again.
County Fair adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder—In this beautiful picture book retelling of one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Farmer Boy stories, Almanzo and his family visit the county fair. Nearly everyone has something to exhibit, but Almanzo’s pumpkin just might be the biggest of all.
Come to the Fair by Janet Lunn—This brightly-illustrated picture book takes readers on a delightfully detailed visit to a local fair, complete with animals, races, prizes and fun. Don’t forget to search for the tiny mouse hidden on every page. (And if you actually FIND the mouse on ever page, sent me a message, because I don’t think I’ve ever hit more than 90% on that challenge!)
A Pioneer Thanksgiving by Barbara Greenwood—This picture book/chapter book crossover, with its plethora of educational activities and historical spotlights was one my mom read to us during school every Thanksgiving. You’ll find the full SAW review here. And I can only add that the cranberry recipe has remained one of our family’s go-tos for decades.
Autumn with the Moodys by Sarah Maxwell—This was one of my favourite Moody Family books growing up. Maybe because autumn remains one of my favourite times of year! But there was also something fascinating as a homeschool student in getting to watch another homeschool family “do it, too.” The Moody series is ultra-clean fiction with an emphasis on godly living and healthy sibling relationships.
Autumn Days with the Moodys by Sarah Maxwell—One year and two babies later, Autumn Days carries on the story of the Moody Family’s everyday adventures. (Yes, there were three other books in between there!) If your kids enjoyed Autumn with the Moodys, they will enjoy this continuation as well.
Ice Slide Winter by Mary M. Landis—I know, I know. It’s got “winter” right in the title. But since each of the Merry Brook Farm stories spans half a year, a good third of Ice Slide Winter is actually a fall story. And it’s a fall story I’ve always loved. Of all Rod and Staff’s novels, this might be the one with the very best character portraits. As the author admits, the personalities of her own eight children somehow ended up transferring to the eight Brookes.
In the Multitude of His Mercy by Katja H. Labonté—If you love a short story with delicious fall vibes, a quaint town, and a gentle but heart-searching message about the things that really matter, then In the Multitude of His Mercy is one you won’t want to miss! I love how this story immerses you in one scene after another, pulling out delightful details that make the moods come alive. A super-sweet, super-clean story that will make a lovely addition to your fall library!
The Promise of Acorns by Kelsey Bryant—Based loosely on the plot of Jane Erye (although without any of Jane Erye’s content flags!) this Thanksgiving novella is the story of a nanny wrestling with memories and grief, a grandfather struggling to raise two small children, and a Thanksgiving message that might go deeper than any of them are bargaining for. Originally published as part of A Very Bookish Thanksgiving, The Promise of Acorns is now available as a standalone in its own right.
As Long As I Belong by Sarah Holman—Another novella from A Very Bookish Thanksgiving! Analise Marshell has grown up caught between two incongruous worlds. But when her favourite holiday threatens to be Analise’s last at Maple Leaf Retreat Center she is faced with the haunting possibility that she doesn’t really belong in either world at all. Inspired by Mansfield Park, As Long As I Belong is a loveable Thanksgiving story with a sweet romance and an enjoyable cast of characters.
Fair in War by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick—Yes, this is the eighth book in the series. Yes, it’s set in Arizona in September, so “fall” is a relative term. But despite the sweltering heat, the country fair vibes definitely bring back strong autumn memories for anyone who grew up with the tradition of fall fairs. In terms of content, there is a tiny bit of romance, a tiny bit of violence, and a potentially-sensitive topic handled very tactfully. But in terms of a spy series, The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott is about as clean as it gets. And the cast of characters have definitely joined my list of all-time favourites! I am still jumping up and down for the author to write more.
That’s My List—What’s Yours?
Fall stories have a special place on the homeschooling bookshelf—probably because fall has a special place in the homeschooling year.
What are your favourite books about autumn? I’d love to hear your recs in the comment section below.
Looking for some more reading lists? Check out our previous post:
