About Me

Like many other people, our homeschooling journey began unexpectedly in 2020. It was 5th grade and I found that an eclectic approach worked best for us - different curriculum for each subject. We quickly came to love the Brave Writer programs and used the Arrow books and handbooks in English Language Arts over the next 2 years.

In the first year, we read aloud together. In the second year, it was a mix of reading aloud, audiobooks, and reading independently. We came to realize that the books led to great discussion and that it would be wonderful to have that discussion among peers, instead of just with me, Mom.

In fall of 2022, I started reaching out to Seattle homeschoolers to see if anyone would be interested in joining an outdoor book club. Year one was great - the kids got into a groove leading their own discussions, I began providing handwarmers and discussion questions, and we had a strong core group after a few months. They would all hang out in the park after the meeting was over and became friends. The biggest challenge: everyone trying to get the same book from the library at the same time!

In 2023, I started to look at ways to provide copies of the books so that kids would leave book club with the next book in their hand. They started to look forward to getting that new book each month. I loved the look on their faces when I handed them the books. As a parent, I loved to be able to take one thing off of parents’ to-do lists!

My family and I started to joke that an outdoor book club is the most Seattlite thing that we do - Seattle is one of two UNESCO Cities of Literature in the USA and often shows up on “best read” or “most books per capita” lists. Being outside year-round, despite the weather, is often joked about as a PNW trait. The sign of a Mossback. And with that, Mossbooks became our shorthand for book club.

I love organizing this group and I’m thrilled that others have found joy, friendship and excitement through Mossbooks. I hope that you do too!

Rachael Kay, PhD, RN (Retired)

Homeschooling Mom, Founder of Mossbooks Outdoor Book Clubs