In Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan, “bad kid” Jake Semple has been kicked out of every middle school he’s attended. So when he goes to live with the eccentric homeschooling Applewhite family on their farm,  Jake Semple thinks surviving being homeschooled will be easy. But when Jake get’s to be a play, everything changes- and is Jake really as bad as he thinks he is.. or as bad as most people think he is? The story Surviving the Applewhites features two goats, a dog, butterfiles, a curious little four-year-old, and E.D. Applewhite, the only member of the Applewhite family who wishes for structure rather than the unschooling style of homeschooling the rest of her family loves. This book is a pretty short story and it’s a fun read that also teaches you to find something you love in life.

Ages: 11-14

Books: Surviving the Applewhites