Homeschool Book Club! Top 10 Reads For Fall

There’s a special kind of magic that arrives with autumn. The air gets crisp, the leaves turn into a kaleidoscope of colors, and the urge to cozy up with a warm drink and a good book becomes almost irresistible. What better way to lean into this feeling than by curating some fantastic Fall book recommendations for your homeschool? Launching a homeschool book club is a wonderful way to foster a love of reading, encourage critical thinking, and build a sense of community among your kids and their friends.

As the days grow shorter, a book club provides a perfect indoor activity that is both educational and deeply enjoyable. It allows children to explore new worlds, meet fascinating characters, and discuss big ideas in a supportive environment. The structure can be as formal or as relaxed as you like, making it adaptable to any homeschool style. Whether you meet weekly around the kitchen table with snacks or monthly at a local park for a themed discussion, the goal is the same: to make reading a shared adventure.

This seasonal reading list for kids is designed to capture the essence of autumn. It’s filled with tales of harvest, mystery, changing seasons, and the warmth of family and friendship. We’ve gathered ten books that are perfect for sparking lively discussions in your homeschool book club, with options for a range of ages. So, grab a pumpkin spice latte (for you, of course!) and let’s dive into the best reads for this fall.

Getting Your Homeschool Book Club Started

Before we jump into the book list, let’s talk about setting up your book club for success. The beauty of a homeschool book club is its flexibility. You can tailor it completely to your children’s needs, interests, and learning styles. The most important part is to keep it fun and engaging, so it feels less like an assignment and more like a treat.

Here are a few homeschool book club ideas to get you started:

• Pick a Theme: While our list is fall-themed, you could also focus on a specific genre like mystery, fantasy, or historical fiction. You could even do an author study and read several books by the same writer.

• Set a Schedule: Decide how often you want to meet. Weekly or bi-weekly works well for younger readers and shorter chapter books, while monthly meetings might be better for older kids tackling longer novels. Consistency is key to building momentum.

• Involve the Kids: Let your children have a say in what they read! You can present them with a few pre-approved options and let them vote. When kids feel a sense of ownership, they are much more invested in the reading process.

• Prepare Discussion Questions: Don’t just ask, “Did you like the book?” Go deeper. Prepare open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking. Ask about the characters’ motivations, the main conflict, the setting, and the themes of the story.

• Incorporate Activities: Make your book club meetings an event! You can tie in activities related to the book. If you read a book about baking, bake something together. If the story is set in a forest, go for a nature walk. Crafts, games, and even dressing up as characters can make the experience more memorable.

Top 10 Fall Book Recommendations For Kids

Now for the fun part! Here is our seasonal reading list for kids, perfect for your autumn book club. We’ve included a mix of picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels to suit different age groups.

1. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak: A beautiful picture book that personifies the changing seasons. A young girl walks through her town and the forest, greeting the signs of autumn. The gentle text and stunning watercolor illustrations make it a perfect starting point for discussions about nature, seasons, and observation.
2. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert: This imaginative book uses actual autumn leaves to create its characters and landscapes. A man made of leaves blows away on the wind, traveling over fields, orchards, and rivers. It’s a visual feast that will inspire your kids to create their own leaf art and tell their own stories with natural materials.
3. The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen: This rhyming picture book tells the story of a scarecrow who tires of his post and decides to dance across the fields on a moonlit night. It’s a lyrical and heartwarming tale about freedom, responsibility, and the magic of the harvest season.
4. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: An absolute classic for a reason. This story of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte is set against the backdrop of a farm’s changing seasons, culminating at the county fair in the fall. It’s a timeless story that gently introduces themes of life, death, and loyalty.
5. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: While not strictly a “fall” book, its themes of friendship, community, and finding belonging feel perfectly suited to the cozy, reflective nature of the season. Ten-year-old Opal adopts a scruffy dog who helps her make friends in a new town. It’s a powerful story about how connections can heal loneliness.
6. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: What happens when a magical land is trapped in a perpetual winter, where it’s “always winter and never Christmas?” The arrival of the Pevensie children signals the beginning of a great change, a thawing that feels very much like the transition from a long, cold season into something new. This fantasy classic is filled with rich allegorical themes to discuss.
7. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman: For older readers who enjoy a bit of spooky fun, this book is a must-read. It tells the story of a boy named Nobody “Bod” Owens, who is raised by the ghosts of a graveyard after his family is murdered. It’s a unique coming-of-age story that is part ghost story, part adventure, and full of heart. It’s perfect for the Halloween season without being overly terrifying.
8. Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates: This Newbery Medal winner is a powerful biography of a man born as an African prince who was captured and sold into slavery in America. The story follows his life as he works to buy his own freedom and the freedom of others. It’s a deeply moving historical account that sparks important conversations about justice, perseverance, and the human spirit.
9. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls: Set in the Ozark Mountains, this beloved classic follows the adventures of a young boy, Billy, and his two coonhounds, Old Dan and Little Ann. The descriptions of the wilderness in fall are breathtaking, and the story is an unforgettable exploration of love, determination, and loss. Keep the tissues handy for this one.
10. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser: With just a few months until the end of the year, the five Vanderbeeker children learn that their grumpy landlord is not renewing their lease. The kids launch a series of hilarious and heartfelt schemes to convince him to let them stay in their beloved brownstone home. This book is a warm, modern story about family, community, and the meaning of home, making it a perfect read to usher in the holiday season.

Making The Most Of Your Reading Time

A homeschool book club isn’t just about finishing a book; it’s about experiencing it together. Encourage your children to think beyond the plot and connect with the story on a personal level. You can have them keep a reading journal where they jot down their thoughts, favorite quotes, or questions that come to mind. This practice helps them engage more deeply with the text and gives them a starting point for discussions during your meetings.

For younger children, the experience can be more sensory. As you read books like Leaf Man or Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn, bring the outside in. Collect colorful leaves, acorns, and pinecones. Talk about the different shapes, textures, and smells. This multisensory approach helps solidify the concepts from the book and connects literature to the world around them. It transforms reading from a passive activity into an active exploration.

Remember to celebrate the completion of each book. It doesn’t have to be a grand party, but a small acknowledgment can make a big difference. You could have a special snack mentioned in the story, watch a movie adaptation, or simply give out “Book Club Champion” certificates. These small traditions build excitement and make your children look forward to the next book on the list. The goal is to cultivate a lifelong love of reading, and making the process joyful is the surest way to achieve that.

Find More Homeschool Resources On Our Blog

Creating a vibrant and engaging homeschool environment is all about finding the right resources and ideas to spark your children’s curiosity. A fall book club is just one way to bring learning to life, and we hope this list inspires you to start your own reading adventure this season.

For more practical homeschool advice, curriculum reviews, and creative learning projects, be sure to explore the other articles on the DKM Homeschool Resource blog. We are dedicated to supporting you on your homeschooling journey every step of the way.