Every time I read a Sally Clarkson book, I'm reminded that I want to read everything she's ever written. During this very unsettled time in the education of children, Sally reminds us to focus on the things that really matter - developing our children's faith and their love of learning. The lifestyle of the Clarkson home can sometimes sound impossible to achieve, but then Sally reminds us that the reality isn't so polished - dirty dishes, sibling squabbles, mess and noise are all part of every home. Discouragement is a normal part of motherhood, but the end result is worth the effort. Sally provides the practical and the reality in this beautiful book.

Awaking Wonder is truly a gift to Christian moms seeking to provide a home that educates and encourages their children to think for themselves and to find wonder in the process of learning and growing. Clarkson writes with the fine balance of confident humility that comes from having served her family for decades. Her voice is calm and encouraging, yet relatable and inspiring.

Awaking Wonder can be read and enjoyed by non-homeschool moms. If you're willing to read with an open, humble heart with the goal of absorbing Clarkson's wisdom and looking for ways to apply it to your unique situation, I believe you will benefit from this book.

Awaking wonder

If there is one book to purchase at the beginning of your homeschool journey this is the book. It both inspires and challenges you to move forward and work towards a beautiful childhood for your children and beautiful memories for yourself. I love working my way through the pages highlighting those things I want to come back to.

This truly reads like a mentor speaking into your heart.

“ we do not have to be perfect or feel we have failed if we stumble along the way or make some mistakes. But most important is that we are growing in the direction of our ideals and beliefs and in what we hope to pass on”

You will truly want to savor this book and keep it close to refer back to along your journey.

In this book, Sally talks about her experiences with teaching and mentoring her children. I really enjoyed the chapter on routines and some of the ways she incorporated the love of learning into her family's daily life. It spoke a lot of the place of influence parents hold in their children's lives and how important it is that we model and pursue the type of life we desire for our children. She also talked about the importance and really evaluating if we are living in a way that lines up with our ideals for our families. Overall, a really great read. I would recommend it, especially to those homeschooling their children.

Regardless of where or how your child is being formally educated, you have the opportunity to cultivate a love of learning in him/her through a sense of wonder. Sally does a fantastic job of casting a vision and offering inspiration through sharing their family's experiences, without coming across as formulaic. This was a refreshing, encouraging read and a great way to get ready for the school year!

Awakening Wonder by Sally Clarkson, although written to encourage and inspire a generation of parents, truly stoked a flame in my heart as a veteran teacher, mother and grandmother. The author and her stories really do awaken wonder her readers - wonder in the beauty and complexity of our world, and mindfulness of the daily miracles that God in His goodness and creativity avail to us. Her approach to learning reveals the deeper desires of her heart. Her love for learning will stir the imaginations of a generation of young and their parents. It's contagious.

Sally shares the experiences of raising her four children, and those adventures are captivating. Her stories are tender and draw the reader close. Sally's writing will both inspire and leave you refreshed and hopeful. These are a few things I have carried away from this book:
1) Words... Words matter. Words are beautiful and foundational.
2) I have the desire to be more creative as a lifelong learner and a teacher.
3) I have a hunger to nurture faith in my students and their innate creativity as well as inspire them to wonder.

This book is for parents and anyone who has the opportunity to encourage children. I loved this book. I feel as if I now know Sally and her children. It was joy to share it with others.
I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher, but the opinion posted is completely my own.

Sally's books, podcasts, resources, and content, in general, are always a blessing for me. When I saw this title I knew I needed it. Not just for my children, but for myself. In a world that is full of stress and chaos, we need to stop and ponder everything that surrounded us. Sally's ideas will keep you on track to make it. If we are not intentional, days, months, and years... Or whole lives can be affected and even wasted. Thank you Sally for being a choice of joy, calm, peace, and wonder for us. I think this book could be a great book for moms and parents who need to remember they are raising little miracles. This is a very timely book for this pandemic time when everyone (including the ones who were not interested in homeschooling their children, must do it. What an inspiring family and book. The only thing you must know is that you must adjust her ideas to your own family, budget, and culture. I´ll edit this post later and share some favorite quotes from the book.

I've been reading Sally Clarkson's books since I first got married over 12 years ago. Now that I am expecting our first child, I am seeing her words with fresh eyes. This book has been ordained to be released during this year of 2020 where parents are struggling with Zoom calls, deciding if they should homeschool, etc. This book reminds me of her previous book "The Mission of Motherhood", which is excellent as well, but this one deeps a bit deeper into sowing seeds in their education as she taught her children. This has made me desire to educate my children at home. This is THE book to read in Fall 2020.

Sally's words are a balm for my weary heart. I've been homeschooling for six years, and have reached a point of discouragement. The encouragement to awaken wonder within my children has awakened wonder within myself again! I am encouraged to help my children learn in a way that works best for THEM-- instead of trying to fit them each in the same box. Every parent, teacher, caregiver needs to read this book!

Awaking Wonder awakens the mind for anyone at any age. Clear your mind of any misconceptions that lead you to believe this book is only for homeschooling families.....IT IS NOT. At any moment of any day I find myself learning, needing to learn something, teaching, or emulating a skill, a technique, a characteristic, etc. to myself or someone else. We are all teaching something whether intentional or not. Most importantly, we can spark a desire in others to learn about Christ. This book eloquently makes the connection between true learning and wonder.

Sally has a way of saying things I have thought or that I believe in a clear and concise way through her stories about her life experiences. Have you ever pondered your own learning? Have you lost or maybe never had the freedom to wonder? Whether you are public school or homeschool, a parent, grandparent, mentor, or teacher, Awaking Wonder will revive a life of learning for both you and those in your life.

At a time in our country when someone are homeschooling this is a great tool to use. Such a good book to help as you navigate new waters with being home and teaching.
Thanks for the advanced copy from netgalley and the publisher. I highly recommend it.

I have followed Sally on social media for awhile and read one of her books co authored with someone else but this is my first book by her as a solo author. I have to admit that the topic of wonder and home education came at the a great time since so many are attempting homeschool in the midst of this pandemic. .I found her book to be inspiring and encouraging. It had a lot of examples of how she did basic ideals and routines but was not formula based or rigid. Throughout the book she referenced other resources for you to investigate if you wanted more details. I would definitely recommend

My own children go to choice program in public schools, but my job is to help homeschooling families as a teacher for a public homeschool program . I love Sally Clarkson and her sweet, mentoring podcast and advice. I feel that Awaking Wonder is her best book yet and that all moms will benefit from her wisdom as all moms should be encouraging their children to love learning. This is a great gift for new moms and those who are new to homeschooling.

At a time when many of us are spending more time at home, “Awaking Wonder” is a breath of fresh air for Christian parents and educators as Sally Clarkson lays out her vision for the “flourishing of children”. This book reflects her “desire to give hope that children can be filled with delight, are able to store up goodness, and can live with confidence in the midst of challenging times” and to “inspire and engage parents and teachers to look at the children they influence with a new or renewed vision for how to give those children the best opportunity to flourish”.

In a time of great uncertainty, and in a culture that seems to glorify victimization, this book is a timely reminder that we *do* have agency in our homes and in the lives of our children. This book is Sally Clarkson at her best: straightforward and charming, encouraging us all the way.

What a great book!!! It teaches us to see wonder as the guiding light to find and follow our God-given potential. Sally encourages us to find the beauty in everything around us and "The influence you have on [your children] will come directly from the maturity you display in relationships, how you handle responsibility, and how you live out your faith in Christ everyday. You must be the kind of disciple you want them to become." Also, "you must first be loving God with your mind and strengthening your mental muscles." My relationship with Christ matters most as a parent.
Wise encouragement for parents who want to help their children be lifelong lovers of learning.

Sally Clarkson’s book “Awaking Wonder” has been such an encouragement and inspiration! It’s full of her insightful ideas and practical tips for educating and shepherding your children’s hearts. I’m so excited to implement what I’ve learned in our homeschool!

As a teacher, I noticed several concepts that my colleagues and I have discussed for a several years now. (e.g. Genius Time, Project Based Learning, etc.) It had never occurred to me that parents may not realize these are goals for teachers across the country. There some points about the way school works that were a bit outdated. However, I think this book can open some good conversations between the public and schools.
I'm glad Sally has written this book, so parents can dream about what a wonder-filled life might look like for them and their children. I'm glad Sally discussed the work inside a parent that is necessary. These are concepts that each family can work into their lives no matter what their education choices are. However, there were times when the personal stories made it hard for me to see that. I am not a home-school mom, so it was easy for me to feel overwhelmed by all of the things she did that I can't do. However, when I stepped back and thought about the overarching message, it was easier for me to re-frame the concepts into what would work for my family.
The ideas are great, but some of the details were overwhelming.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book immensely. As a homeschool mom at the beginning of our journey this book helps remind me to spark wonder with my children. I was captivated from the first chapter.

As a homeschool mom I love to read from veterans in the area and Sally Clarkson is that. Awaking Wonder was a how to of sorts. Awaking Wonder shows parents the importance of opening the world so that our children or students can discover the environment around them. It is our job to facilitate and guide our children in exploration on the world God has given us. God gave us our curriculum and our classroom. Sally and her husband Clay have learned how to guide and learn alongside their children and we are blessed to have their instruction and guidance in this book. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, not just parents or teachers.

Thank you Netgalley, Sally Clarkson and Bethany House publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is one amazing book...Sally Clarkson does it again! Though at first glance this book appears to be a book about homeschooling, it’s actually full of applicable truths for all parents, homeschoolers or not. My copy is full of highlights because Sally has so much wisdom! Reading this book has changed the way I view my time with my children and has been an inspiration to me be more intentional- not just in looking for opportunities to promote learning and growing in my children, but to pursue growth in my own heart as an example to my children. I highly recommend this book to any parent desirous of building a close relationship with their child(ren), while inspiring them to become lifelong learners and wonder seekers!

*I received a free digital advanced release copy of this book in exchange for my honest review