This summer, I ordered Lucy The Good and The Beautiful summer reading program with the idea that she’d read eight chapter books—one sweet book at a time—spanning all summer long. The reward? A trip to Captain Sundae, a local legend in our town (and a very big deal when your family usually opts for frozen yogurt!).
But kids will always surprise you if you don’t set the bar too low.
Lucy didn’t take all summer—she read all eight chapter books in a month and a half! Not because I pushed her. Not because there was pressure. Simply because she loves it. Her love for books is something that’s been growing for years, watered daily by curiosity, access to great literature, and a lifestyle where screens are the exception, not the norm.
When I told her we’d need a new chart to keep track of her next reading challenge, I began hunting online for printable book logs—but I couldn’t find anything I liked.
That’s when Lucy stepped in.
The next morning, she quietly disappeared into her homeschool room. When she emerged, she was beaming—holding up a hand-drawn book tracker she made herself. Columns, titles, a rainbow-colored heart in the center—it was thoughtful, creative, and honestly better than anything I would’ve found online.
Because screen time isn’t an expected daily routine in our house, Lucy doesn’t look to the TV or a tablet to fill every spare moment. Instead, her mind is free to create, to reflect, to imagine, and yes—to read. She might curl up with a book, color, dream, or just sit and sing to God. She’s comfortable in quiet. She’s comfortable in “boredom.” And that stillness gives her space to flourish.
This summer hasn’t been about checking boxes—it’s been about nourishing her mind and soul. And her homemade reading chart might just be my favorite part of all.
Raising Light 