Books: Education and more

Written by a remarkable homeschool mom, Susan Card, with reflections, interpolations, and sundry lyrics by her musician husband Michael Card, The Homeschool Journey is a book to rave about. This is the sort of book you can give to even your most skeptical friends with utter and absolute confidence. It really is a wonderful book in almost every sense. It is encouraging, uplifting, and challenging. It is insightful, biblical, and inspirational. It is well-written, carefully constructed, and tastefully packaged. Best of all, it is practical. The Cards ably portray learning at home through the lens of a substantive theology of wonder. Essentially a portrait of their own walk toward a lifestyle of holy inquiry and joyous discovery, it is down-to-earth and eminently realistic. There are unexpected treasures in this book: a section on the discipline of browsing; a tantalizing list of favorite books for kids as well as moms and dads; a short catalog of the finest resources and best suppliers; a whole chapter on art, music, and creativity; a powerful study on mentoring; and a quick guide to curriculum development. There is a great chapter on integrating the teaching character into every aspect of the learning process. And there are sections on such lost arts as learning to listen, enjoying stargazing, undertaking long hikes in the woods, tackling big family projects, and building a library rife with delectation. The amazing thing is that the Cards remain graciously nondoctrinaire throughout. Though unflinchingly scriptural, they convey a happy sense of relaxed flexibility. They act simply as fellow discoverers who cannot help but sing of their "joy in the journey."