A book list in homeschool compliance is a documented record of all instructional materials and reading resources used during the school year, required by several states as part of portfolio-based documentation.
What is Book List?
A homeschool book list serves as an official record of the textbooks, literature, and instructional materials used to educate your child throughout the school year. Unlike a casual reading log, this document exists primarily for legal compliance in states with moderate to high homeschool oversight. States like Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York explicitly require families to maintain a list designating "by title the reading materials used" as part of mandatory portfolio requirements. The book list proves you provided instruction across required subjects and can be requested during evaluations or reviews.
Key Takeaways
- Required as part of portfolio documentation in approximately 35 states with homeschool record-keeping laws
- Must be created contemporaneously (during instruction), not retroactively at year end
- Should include titles, authors, and subject associations for all instructional materials
- Differs from a reading log, which tracks recreational reading rather than curriculum materials
- Typically must be retained for 2 years and made available upon request in regulated states
States With Book List Requirements
Florida requires a portfolio containing "a log of educational activities that designates by title any reading materials used," retained for two years. Pennsylvania mandates one of the nation's most comprehensive documentation systems, including a log made "contemporaneously with instruction" listing reading materials, subject to review by a certified evaluator. New York takes documentation furthest, requiring an Individualized Home Instruction Plan submitted by August 15 that includes "a list of syllabi, curriculum materials and textbooks" for each required course. States like Texas, Alaska, and Idaho have minimal oversight and generally don't require book lists.
What to Include
Your book list should capture every instructional resource, not just formal textbooks. Include the title and author for each item, the subject it covers, and ideally when you used it. Don't forget workbooks, reference materials, online curriculum programs (listed by name), literature used for history or science, and read-alouds that taught specific concepts. Skip purely recreational reading unless your state specifically requires it. A focused list of 15-20 quality books used thoroughly demonstrates stronger instruction than 100 titles skimmed superficially.
Practical Maintenance Tips
The key requirement in most states is that records be made "contemporaneously"—during instruction, not reconstructed from memory in May. A simple spreadsheet updated weekly works well, with columns for title, author, subject, and date range. Digital tools like Homeschool Planet or Homeschool Tracker can auto-generate book lists from lesson plans. For those preferring analog methods, a composition notebook organized by month keeps things simple. The goal is accuracy and accessibility, not elaborate formatting. When in doubt, over-document rather than under-document.
The Bottom Line
A book list represents straightforward compliance documentation that protects your homeschool legally while providing valuable records for your own reference. In states requiring portfolios, maintaining an accurate, contemporaneous list of instructional materials is non-negotiable. Beyond compliance, your book list becomes a practical tool for evaluating what worked, planning future years, and eventually creating high school transcripts. Start simple, update regularly, and keep records organized by school year for the retention period your state requires.
