Becky’s books

Home Learning Year by Year

Published August 2026

A comprehensive guide to designing a homeschool curriculum, from preschool through high school.

How Carrots Won the Trojan War

Curious (but true) stories of common vegetables. Find out how a pirate named the bell pepper, what corn has to do with vampires, how peas nearly poisoned George Washington, and all about asparagus and Madame Pompadour's underwear.

The Dragon of Lonely Island

Three children discover a glittering three-headed dragon in a cave on an island, listen to his magical stories of a girl in ancient China, a boy kidnapped on a pirate ship, and an early 20th-century plane crash, and learn lessons about themselves as well.

The Return of the Dragon of Lonely Island

Hannah, Zachary, and Sarah Emily return to the island to save the dragon from danger — and to hear more stories, this time about a shepherd boy in ancient Greece, a page in the Middle Ages, and a family of slaves in the South before the Civil War.

The Waterstone

All the water is vanishing — and young Tad of the Fisher Tribe must use his new-found powers to rally the Hunters and Diggers and the earth spirits (Dryads, Kobolds, and Nixies) to save the world from drought.

Octavia Boone's Big Questions about Life, the Universe, and Everything

Octavia's parents have separated. Her mother has joined a fundamentalist cult and her father is intent on painting his masterpiece — so Octavia devises a science experiment that just might convince them to come back together again.

Sarah Simpson's Rules for Living

Sarah is a list-maker — though it's not clear that her Rules for Living can help with her mother's new boyfriend, her father's new wife, and the ups and downs of middle school.

Journey to the Blue Moon

Alex, because of a magic pocketwatch, has lost time itself — so he's off to the Blue Moon, where all lost things end up, along with an obstreperous crew of Moon Rats, to battle the fearsome Time Eaters and find his way home.

After Eli

Danny's family has fallen apart with the loss of his older brother Eli in Iraq, but — with the help of unexpected new friends — Danny both learns to find himself and cope with grief.

Four Elements: Water, Air, Fire, Earth

A multifaceted account of the history and science of the four ancient Greek elements: fire, water, earth, and air.

Weather

Weather for kids — including pink snow, weather gods, iceballs from space, super storms, and more. Includes fascinating fact boxes and cool hands-on projects and experiments.

Committed to Memory: How We Remember and Why We Forget

The science of memory: Why can you remember your first date but not what you had for lunch last Tuesday? What do slugs and squirrels have to do with human memory? And why can't we ever remember people's names?

Red Oaks and Black Birches: The Science and Lore of Trees

The science and lore of trees: Why are oaks so often hit by lightning? What kind of wood makes the best baseball bats? Why was sassafras the hot drug of the 17th century?