Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense

An intelligently written book to convince yourself or give to the relatives. The line about homeschoolers missing their cues at cocktail parties or remaining caterpillars blinking unhappily at the shrubbery encapsulated my own concerns at the time I read it. I don't think it's the case now, but at the time I was glad to hear someone who had been there say it aloud.

As much as I enjoyed reading his thoughts, however, I did wonder what his wife thought. After all, she was probably the one most often in the trenches.

If you read Snow Falling on Cedars, you may recall how fun Guterson is to read. His prose is quirky, though not ever clumsy. In this non-fiction book, he informs, educates, inspires, and entertains. You need to know that he is awkwardly placed as a public school high-school English teacher who home-schools his own kids in the Pacific Northwest, so he has a rather unique view on the complexities of the home-school vs public school discussion.

An interesting, and useful, discussion about many issues relating to homeschooling that you rarely find in books about this topic - the more philosophical explanations about why homeschooling is a good and valid choice.
I particularly admired the fact that Guterson discussed how the choice to stay at home and educate children was often one made by the mother, and how this related to female emancipation.
While a bit US-centric (as you would expect) this book would be a great addition to the library of any home educator or families considering it, especially if you are still figuring out the hows and whys of your explanations to others when it comes to you family choice.

Guterson adds meaningful perspective to the homeschool concept. A teacher himself, he understands both perspectives. His analysis is meaningful and very understandable. He emphasizes several key contextual points, especially that, despite the aspiration, public education is in no way democratic.

This is an introspective look at parenting and education- not necessarily homeschooling. It is written by a HS teacher who also homeschools his four children. It is an inspiring and interesting read and recommended for anyone considering homeschooling or who is just interested in the history of American education.

A public school teacher explains why he and his wife have chosen to homeschool their children (academic and social reasons, not religious).

Interesting perspective, with an eye toward discussing the decision with family and friends.