The Brave Learner

Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

By: Julie Bogart, Susan Wise Bauer - introduction

Narrated by: Julie Bogart

Publishers Weekly bestseller · A joyful and accessible homeschool guide to making learning a part of everyday life

Parents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards?

In this book, Julie Bogart distills decades of experience--homeschooling her five now grown children, developing curricula, and training homeschooling families around the world--to show parents how to make education an exciting, even enchanting, experience for their kids, whether they're in elementary or high school.

Enchantment is about ease, not striving. Bogart shows parents how to make room for surprise, mystery, risk, and adventure in their family's routine, so they can create an environment that naturally moves learning forward. If a child wants to pick up a new hobby or explore a subject area that the parent knows little about, it's easy to simply say "no" to end the discussion and the parental discomfort, while dousing their child's curious spark. Bogart gently invites parents to model brave learning for their kids so they, too, can approach life with curiosity, joy, and the courage to take learning risks.

Critic reviews

“A masterpiece. This is the deepest, most meaningful book on parenting I have ever read. If you want to raise your child to be a happy learner, whether via homeschooling or conventional schooling, read this book.”
—Barbara Oakley, author of Learning How to Learn and A Mind for Numbers

“Julie Bogart’s everyday magic is her knack for combining galvanizing inspiration and hands-on practicality. Her writing is frank, funny, and full of charm. Her approach to homeschooling—and to parenting in general—emphasizes a spirit of adventure and camaraderie, placing relationship at the center of a family’s educational journey. This is the guidebook I wish I’d had when I was starting out.”
—Melissa Wiley, author of Fox and Crow Are Not Friends

"Success in homeschooling is more about mindset than method, and relationship than academic minutiae. Julie Bogart unpacks what this looks like for her in powerful and practical ways that will inspire you to personalize your own homeschool journey."
—Heather Haupt, author of Knights in Training

"In The Brave Learner, Julie captures the essence of learning. Homeschooling is not about the schooling or even the home, but rather, it’s about people—their stories, hopes, needs, opportunities, communities, and future. The Brave Learner emphasizes this beautifully by moving between the vision and practice of homeschooling—not an easy transition to make. The book is a worthy read for any parent, whether they homeschool or not.”
—Terry Heick, founder of TeachThought

“Julie Bogart is tireless in providing ingenious and creative help for homeschoolers.”
—Peter Elbow, Professor of English Emeritus, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

“Breathes fresh life into your homeschool days."
—Ainsley Arment, founder of Wild + Free

"The Brave Learner is the book I would have adored as a young parent. Julie's wise advice, genuine humor, and refreshing honesty wrapped me in a spirit of hope and possibility. This is a joyful book brimming with generous, practical ideas about how to live and teach at any age. I only wish I had more children!
—Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, author of Forest Has a Song

"Julie’s voice is personable, encouraging, informative, and reassuring. The Brave Learner is filled with inspirational and practical tips on helping children thrive whether you're a homeschooling parent or not."
—Charnaie Gordon, creator of Here Wee Read

Must Have Book for Homeschool Mama's!

When a book for Homeschool Mama's comes out, I always check Audible first, so I can use my free credit to "purchase" the book. Then I don't feel like I wasted any money if the book wasn't very good.
Well, I actually purchased a paper back copy of this book after listening to the first few chapters. Yep, it's that good!
Julie Bogart did a great job with the narration too. Definitely 5 stars and highly recommended.

Relatable and informative

As a homeschooling momma everything can be overwhelming. This book helps to understand every family and how they learn is unique to them. Very validating in this journey.

Highly recommend

I'm listening for the second time. I also have added a hard copy to my amazon cart. This book spoke to me on so many different levels.

great resource

This book has lots of great ideas and methods for effective homeschooling. I will definitely be referring back to this book again for help with homeschooling my daughter.

A must for homeschooling parents!

Let Julie guide you through seeing what’s so special about being at home with your children, and how to foster snuggly warm moments becoming the norm during your home educating years. She’s practical and enchanting, and listening to this book feels like you’re having tea with a big sister who’s been through it all and has come out shining on the other side. This is a very special book!