Introducing The Bookish Society

The Bookish Society offers live online literature, art, and creative writing classes for homeschooling families. We are committed to inspiring a passion for reading and providing quality instruction in children’s and young adult literature, as well as free expression in the creative arts.

Our Approach

We embrace a Modern Classical approach to homeschool learning. Our Literature Circles are lively, seminar-style discussions driven by students with the expert guidance of a teacher. Our art and creative writing classes respect the students’ creative autonomy and the power of peer collaboration.

We Are Reader response-centered Guided primarily by student insights and questions Structured for student independence, responsibility, and ownership Flexible and fluid; never look the same twice Part of a balanced literacy program

We Are Not Teacher- and text-centered Guided primarily by teacher- or curriculum-based questions Unstructured, uncontrolled “talk time” without accountability Tied to a prescriptive “recipe” The entire ELA curriculum

(Adapted from Getting Started with Literature Circles by Katherine L. Schlick Noe & Nancy J. Johnson © 1999 Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc.)

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Our Vision

We see books as an opportunity to be platforms for self-awareness, growth, empathy, and tolerance. We know that reading opens doors to worlds both near and far. Children who read for pleasure become more empathic and understanding of others. We are thrilled to encourage students’ individual growth as they read and discuss literature as a group.

We encourage honest, sensitive discussions about race, justice, and inclusion, and we harness the power of reading to drive systemic change.

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Our Book Selections

We read hundreds of books each year before publication and choose the best for our online classes. Our selections are secular and modern. Most are within three years of publication, and the majority of those are less than six months in print.