The homeschooling parents I know tend to have a tough time finding clean fiction written by contemporary authors. It was the same struggle I had personally as a homeschooling parent. I got so fed up with the choices in the market I wrote my own. While on my writing journey I've had the good fortune to meet a number of amazing indie and traditionally published Christian Authors, and read their books.
I was cleaning up my office recently and realized I have a pile of books just sitting here collecting dust that would be good for kids to read. So I pulled together a collection of Young Adult and Middle Grade I thought the kids in our homeschool co-op would like and setup the traveling library. It's a traveling library because like so many co-ops we don't have a permanent home.
Here's the library's current catalog with some brief commentary. I link to the Amazon listing so you can get more reviews and background.
I'll be adding to this list regularly.
Middle Grade
Iggy & Oz - The Plastic Dinos of Doom - J.J. Johnson
What if your plastic dinosaurs came to life?
I love this book because it's a super fun, fast read. I picked it up on a Sunday after church and didn't put it down until it was done. Great for middle grade readers.
Iggy & Oz - The Soda Pop Wars - J.J. Johnson
What if you discovered soda pop that gave you superpowers with each sip?
This book continues the Iggy & Oz series with more face paced fun. Every flavor of soda has a different power. I had to chuckle when I found out what Strawberry wind did.
The Snow Globe Travelers - Samuels Legacy - K.A. Cummins
What if you picked up a snow globe and it took you to a different world?
This book is a portal fantasy where Sarah is taken to a distant planet when she accidentally activates a snow globe. I had the fortune of being in K.A. Cummins critique group while she was writing this story and it's a great middle-grade read with lots of unique elements.
An Echo of the Fae - Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
What if you found you had a long-lost sister in desperate need of help?
This tale of fairies and dragons was the 2021 Realm Makers award winner for middle grade! That said it is a bit of an upper middle-grade book that even an older teen might like.
Code of Silence: Living a Lie Comes with a Price - Tim Shoemaker
What if telling the truth could get you killed, but remaining silent could be worse?
What I like best about Tim Shoemaker's books are the way his characters have very real and credible internal dialog about their struggles that include their faith. It makes his books both realistic and enjoyable not just for kids but adults too.
The Clockwork Dragon - James R. Hannibal
What if a deep conspiracy put you on trial for your life?
This series stands out as an interesting mix of fantasy and reality. Where ancient myths and legends come to life in a contemporary setting.
The Story Peddler - Lindsay A. Franklin
What if the stories you told became objects of high art?
This story of a kingdom on the verge of chaos is a Realm Makers award winner. What's most unique about it is the way the stories the weavers tell become objects and the truth revealed in their art has consequences for the whole nation.
Young Adult
Dragon's Future - Kandi J Wyatt
The New Recruit: Mission 1: Moscow - Jill Williamson
Scarlett Moon - S.D. Grimm
Daughter of Light - Morgan L. Busse
Son of Truth - Morgan L. Busse
Heir of Hope - Morgan L. Busse