The home school source book [Paperback]

At almost 500 pages with its large page size, this book has a lot of information. This is a combination/collection of essays by two homeschooling parents (one now deceased, sadly). The book and product reviews are interspersed amongst essays and stories about their homeschooling experiences and philosophies. There are reviews of books, audio tapes, kits, etc. There are lists of magazines, catalogs, and other publications such as free materials available mostly from government agencies. It is partly a catalog since many of the items may be purchased directly from the authors who are also the publishers and also their own mail order catalog business.

What I enjoyed first was the essays and stories of how they homeschooled and why, and how their philosophies sometimes changed over time. Some of the reviews are lengthy and tell how they used that product and how much their children liked it and why. The reviews I like the most are the longer ones in which pros and cons are both mentioned. The reviews I liked least were the short one sentence summaries that really didn't contain any personal opinion. Overall, the reviews are positive in nature so it can be hard to pick out which book may appeal to me. Since so many items are reviewed I do understand that space is limited and the author has a limit on not wanting to include the reviews that are only negative in nature (although I'd find that equally helpful and it may save me money). The book has a tone of "if you don't have anything nice to say the don't say anything". I also wish there was a bit more commentary such as "this book is strong in this area while the next book is strong in this different area". One example is for different books for preschoolers on topics of shapes, colors, counting, etc. There was some overlap in areas and then the review didn't tell enough for me to decide which of the featured items I would prefer.

Some other negatives: I found it hard to pick out the age ranges for the books; topics are mostly by major subject such as science, reading, etc. There are no headers or footers to tell what category you are "in" when the pages are open. Kits are mixed with books, etc. in some cases which can get confusing. Margins are very narrow and don't allow much room for making notations such as which books I decided to buy. Sometimes it is hard to tell where one item ends and the next begins. Sometimes the organization is confusing such as an entry for a website with good homeschooling information mixed in with book reviews (without some kind of sidebar). The copyright free illustrations can get annoying and sometimes make the book seem overly cluttered.

As the mother of a three year old and a baby, I found this book severely lacking in book reviews for babies and preschoolers. (Despite the authors claiming this book begins with birth-aged materials.) Many books that I have found very helpful for parenting, general reading books, and preschool aged activity books were just missing.

Areas I found of most interest were the reviews of books on history and how to teach reading. These were two areas that I was worried about dealing with as a homeschooling mother. I was glad for the guidance toward the useful books.

Despite my complaints the book has been very helpful and inspiring for me. I have a long wish list made now! Going through the book more than once, I now value this as more of a reference tool. It is worth every penny and I highly recommend it to all homeschoolers especially if you compare the cost of this book to books you may have bought that ended up being useless. The fact that this is self-published by a homeschooling mother is incredible and to be commended.

Many times there were great reviews of books when I have been unable to find reviews online.

I am recommending this to all my homeschooling friends. Would also make a great reference book for teachers and public libraries.

Jean has been there! Even the product reviews are written from the point of view of life experience, and the essays, sometimes pithy, sometimes humorous, sometimes moving, and sometimes all three at once, cover everything from birth to death, an examination of a life well-lived.

This has long been my favorite homeschooling book, and the Third Edition just makes it even better. When they pick up this book, users of packaged learning approaches such as The Well-Trained Mind will immediately discover how much they have been missing!

How to describe this one-of-a-kind book? Imagine touring a huge educational supply or book store (from your favorite chair) with a knowledgeable guide trailing at your elbow, a guide whose sole purpose is to help you find materials that work for you. That is how I experience this book every time I open it. I can practically hear Jean or Donn whispering in my ear.

Whether you are a homeschooling parent putting together your curriculum or a parent seeking to supplement a classroom education, this book will ease your journey and open your eyes.

The Home School Source Book is so much more than a resource book --- it is an educational odyssey, a how-to, a philosophy, as well as a resource and catalog, all rolled into one. Many, many materials are thoughtfully reviewed and practical suggestions for using those materials are included. Comments and essays, liberally sprinkled throughout the subject resources, cover a tremendous scope of "life subjects."

What I like best, I think, is that the Reeds assume that readers are thinking people who do not need to be told what to do. So instead of lectures, we are treated to friendly conversations and gentle debates over homeschooling issues of importance to the Reed family, materials they have used, materials others have found useful, all seasoned with surprising facts and interesting tidbits of knowledge. You may not agree with the Reeds, but you will be moved to think about the ideas they present. In the end, that is what homeschooling is all about, isn't it?