Homeschooling and Raising Discerning Readers
Nurturing Literary Connoisseurs
I am a big promoter of education through literature. Literature has a unique power to open our minds, deepen our character, and help us become well-rounded thinkers. In my book For the Love of Literature, I explain how a literary approach is an excellent way to educate children on any subject—even STEM areas like math and science.
If you’re a homeschooling parent, you’re probably already sold on the value of literature. So, in a sense, I may be preaching to the choir here. But it’s one thing to believe in the value of reading and another to get your children to actually read.
Here’s where many of us parents get stuck. We say, “I know reading is important. I want my children to love books, but I don’t always know what to give them. I’m afraid of exposing them to harmful material. I don’t have time to vet everything they pick up.”
I understand that dilemma. You want your child to read books that are intellectually stimulating and spiritually sound—stories that lead toward the Good, the True, and the Beautiful.
Don’t Just Shelter—Guide
The solution isn’t to shield children from everything except “approved” books. Instead, I recommend exposing them to a broad range of literature—yes, even books that are flawed. This may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to raise discerning readers is to let them encounter many kinds of stories.
Now, to be clear, I’m not suggesting you hand your child anything repugnant to our Catholic values (no Fifty Shades of Grey nonsense!!!). But we should be generous in what we allow them to explore. Even books that aren’t perfect can help form their literary palate.
You might say, “But I want them to read the classics, not just any old book.” I agree! You should absolutely include the classics. In fact, you should rely on them heavily. However, children will appreciate them more when they’ve read broadly enough to recognize their greatness.
Think of a wine connoisseur. He doesn’t only drink fine wine—he’s tasted all kinds of wine to learn what sets the best apart. The same goes for food critics. Their experience with a range of flavors gives them the discernment to recognize quality.
Experience Builds Appreciation
We want our children to be literary connoisseurs. Broad exposure helps them develop a natural sense for what makes a story powerful, a character believable, or a theme profound.
When a teen reads both Pride and Prejudice and a forgettable modern novel, he begins to notice the difference. He learns to articulate what makes one book timeless and another disposable.
If a child only reads curated classics, he may struggle to explain why The Fellowship of the Ring speaks to him in a way a throwaway adventure story does not. But when he’s read comic books, fables, modern fiction, and old masterpieces, he builds the tools to think critically and evaluate for himself.
Yes, it’s wonderful to see a child curled up with Don Quixote. But I’m almost as pleased when I see them giggling over the Warrior Cat series or immersed in Percy Jackson. It’s all part of the journey.
Parent as Guide, Not Gatekeeper
This approach doesn’t mean giving up control. Parents still play a vital role in guiding their child’s reading life. (Including setting the example by reading good books themselves!)
Start with age-appropriate classics—books like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or Little Women. Add in modern young adult novels, even ones with flaws. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s a healthy variety.
Then talk about what they read. Ask, “What did you think of the main character’s choices?” or “Did the ending feel earned?” These questions teach your children how to think deeply about stories.
Even comic books or graphic novels have value. Their visual style can inspire a love for narrative and be a gateway to denser material. (We’ve reviewed many such titles here on the HSC blog.)
A Life of Literary Thinking
The goal isn’t to overwhelm—it’s to diversify. Introduce poetry. Toss in some mythology or historical fiction. Let them wrestle with popular bestsellers, even if you don’t love them.
Over time, your homeschooler will grow into a reader who doesn’t just consume stories—they evaluate them. They’ll seek out the Good, the True, and the Beautiful without being told where to find it.
That’s the real aim of literary education: not just reading books, but becoming thoughtful, discerning readers who love learning and love Truth.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Join me and other homeschooling parents in the Homeschool Connections Facebook Group or in the HSC Community to continue the conversation.
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