Resources for Creating A {Catholic} Required Reading List

I shared earlier this week how I go about creating our required booklist for each academic year.  Today, I’m going to share my favorite places to go to be inspired – my Catholic booklist resources.

Here I will give a shameless plug for Mother of Divine Grace.  One of things that really drew me to this particular curriculum was the emphasis on good literature.  I love to incorporate our own choices as well, but MODG gives a good base to build from.

I’ve broken down some resources for you in the most manageable way possible.  You may find repeats under different categories as a way to help you find exactly what you are looking for (for instance: Let the Authors Speak is found under both “Historical Collections” heading and the “Catholic Resources” heading because it fulfills both requirements).

I hope this can be a real resource page for you each year as you create your intentionally Catholic booklist.

Resources for a (Catholic) Required Reading List:

General (Non-Catholic but still great!):

Ambleside Online:  A Charlotte Mason inspired reading list

Robinson Curriculum Booklist from Homeschool Treasures (a booklist for beginning readers to advanced high schoolers in order of difficulty).  Most are available for free on Kindle.

GA Henty Books in Chronological Order:  Fabulous historical fiction that make history come to life.  Most are available for free on a Kindle

Sonlight Reading List

Books about Books:

Books that Build Character:  A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values through Books (Disclaimer:  This is one of the few titles I suggest that we do not actually own; however, I feel it is worth mentioning!)

Honey for a Child’s Heart

Let the Authors Speak:  A Guide to Worthy Books based on Historical Setting – An anthology of historical titles labeled with reading level, historical era, and if text has a Catholic flavor

For the Love of Literature:  Teaching Core Subjects through Literature – another book written by a Catholic homeschooling mother with great advice about building your library, using your local library, and notes on each book’s reading level

A Landscape with Dragon’s:  A Battle for Your Child’s Mind – lots of information on how to discern good literature for our children, also includes 1,000 plus booklist for kindergarten through high school. (Disclaimer:  I do not own this book, but it is on my list to borrow from the library!)

Books Children Love:  A Guide to the Best Children’s Literature – a new addition to our own bookshelf

Read for the Heart:  Wholehearted Books for Wholehearted Families – great living literature booklist from the Clarkson clan.  Again we don’t own this book but I do have their homeschooling book with many book suggestions within its pages that we have come to enjoy!

 Historical Collections:

Let the Authors Speak:  A Guide to Worthy Books based on Historical Setting – An anthology of historical titles labeled with reading level, historical era, and if text has a Catholic flavor

GA Henty Books in Chronological Order:  Fabulous historical fiction that make history come to life.  Most are available for free on Kindle.

RC History (Roman Catholic History):  Just click on the time period to access the booklist.  We don’t use their curriculum, but I have found the booklist most helpful!

Bethlehem Books:  Great site with books sorted by time period and age level.  We have enjoyed many of their titles with the many Catholic references sprinkled throughout.

Specifically Catholic Inspired Booklist Resources:

Read through the Catholic Year Book Lists and Eternal Literature ebook

After years of missing out on reading along with the liturgical cycle of the Church, I’ve finally created a comprehensive and curated list of Catholic book lists for:

• liturgical inspired book lists by month
• Marian book list
• Rosary book list
• Catholic chapter book list
• Catholic spirituality for kids book list
• Advent & Christmas book list
• Lent & Easter book list

All in easy printable format!

Let the Authors Speak:  A Guide to Worthy Books based on Historical Setting – An anthology of historical titles labeled with reading level, historical era, and if text has a Catholic flavor

For the Love of Literature:  Teaching Core Subjects through Literature – another book written by a Catholic homeschooling mother with great advice about building your library, using your local library, and notes on each book’s reading level

Mater Amabilis:  A Charlotte Mason education with a Catholic flair

RC History (Roman Catholic History):  Just click on the time period to access the booklist.

Must Reads for Young Catholics from Elizabeth Clare

Catholic History Books from Elizabeth Clare

Living Science Books from Elizabeth Clare

Liturgically appropriate monthly booklists from Elizabeth Clare

Marian Must Reads for Young Catholics from Elizabeth Clare

The Motherload list of Catholic Picture Books from BiblioZealous

Shower of Roses Booklists:  super extensive listing of liturgically appropriate books

Bethlehem Books:  Great site with books sorted by time period and age level.  We have enjoyed many of their titles with the many Catholic references sprinkled throughout.

Tan Publishers Homeschooling and Kids’ Section  So many great books from Tan!

Lepanto Press  Linked with Our Lady of Victory School.  Lots of living literature!

What are your go to Catholic book list resources?  I’d love to know!