Planning is not something I had ever been good at as a student. Important dates and deadlines would sneak up on me, and I would not be prepared, or I'd miss them altogether. As I became a young adult I realized, little by little, that my mother was right all along when she said I needed to keep track of my important dates. The poor thing must have spent a fortune trying to find me a planner that would work for me and that I would use consistently. Moms do know a thing or two about life, don't they?!?

When we first started homeschooling everything chugged along very smoothly. My oldest was three and my youngest at the time was under one. We’d sit together and play with play-dough, read stories and finger paint to our hearts content. Time passed and my sweet baby turned into a screaming, jealous toddler... who still had her very sweet moments, don’t get me wrong. I found ways to occupy them both at the same time. He would play with play-dough and she would eat a snack in her high chair. He would draw with his crayons and she would play with some egg shakers. You get the idea. They both needed me constantly, and one after another the squeals for help would come. It. Was. Exhausting.

When I was growing up, it wasn't unusual to have Christmas carolers come to our home and sing for our family. They would go from house to house sharing the good news of God's Gift to mankind. I have happy memories of going caroling as a teenager as well. Singing about the Lord, encouraging others, and enjoying some hot chocolate on a chilly evening are all part of those memories.

JourneyForth Books offers a wide range of novel choices for your readers ages nine to young adult including fiction, non-fiction, and Bible studies. Here are a few reviews from our HomeWorks by Precept Consultant family members.

Our HomeWorks by Precept Consultants enjoy JourneyForth books in their own homes. Here is a review of the Nick Newton series written by the son of one of our consultants, Micah Vosburgh, age 14.

Shiver me timbers, what a great series for young readers! Tim Davis has written and creatively illustrated a series that has been a family favorite. If you're looking for a "hook" to turn your reluctant reader into an avid chapter book reader, you've found it.

JourneyForth books offer four Spanish-English picture books that are appropriate for young readers. One of our veteran homeschooling moms of 27 years (and counting), HomeWorks by Precept Consultant Belinda Parrish, enjoyed reviewing the Carlitos picture books and shares her review here.

The Farmer Dillo series by Jesse Adams is an adorable picture book set that introduces preschool children to their colors, shapes, and counting to twelve. The storylines are fun and encourage children to anticipate and predict what is coming on the next page.

Editor’s Note: Enjoy this collection of JourneyForth Youth picture books and easy reader reviews written by HomeWorks by Precept Consultant Melissa Vosburgh, whose children have read and loved these stories many times over.

I'm nervous! Why? I always get this way at the beginning of the school year. We start on Tuesday! Every beginning of the school year a fear takes over me... a dread that I will fail as a teacher, a mother, and spiritual mentor. I have no one to blame, no one to complain to, no one to say it’s not my fault...the buck stops with me. I am the educator.