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BLACK CULTURE, HOMESCHOOLING, TRAVEL (AND OTHER THINGS FROM MY SWEET, IMPERFECT LIFE)
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I’m Amber
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My name is Amber O’Neal Johnston, and I started this website to document and discuss the joys and trials of raising my kids to love themselves and others.
The Latest Posts
When Do You Read All These Books?
One of the questions I get asked most often is: "How does your family manage to read so many books on Black culture and history while also covering...
Navigating Friendships as a Homeschooling Mom of Tweens and Teens
I thought the early years of homeschooling were the hardest. Juggling the needs of toddlers, planning lessons, and squeezing in time for myself felt...
Trickster Tales: Why Every Child Should Read African American Folklore
Storytelling has always been at the heart of culture, shaping how we understand the world, ourselves, and our history. Among the most enduring and...
When Your Kids Don’t Seem to Enjoy Anything You Try in Your Homeschool
One of the most frustrating feelings as a homeschool parent is pouring your heart into creating lessons and experiences for your children, only to...
Wokeness, Distractions, and Racism, or Why I Do This Work
When I create and share, my focus is unwavering: it’s all about our kids. Period. Every word I write, every resource I craft, and every conversation...
How I Balance Homeschooling, Work, and Life
How do you do it all? This is one of the most common questions I’m asked. Running a business, leading a nonprofit homeschool group, and writing...
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Protecting Downtime: Why Margin Matters in Your Homeschool Life
In a world that glorifies busyness, it can feel countercultural—almost rebellious—to slow down and create space for rest. As a homeschooling family,...
Our World Geography Fair
If there’s one event that perfectly combines education, creativity, and cultural appreciation in our homeschool group, it’s the World Geography...
Heritage Mom Christmas Books & Gifts Roundup
Christmas is a cherished time in our family, filled with traditions, stories, and moments that bring us closer together. When our children were...
Homeschool Coaching: Tailored Guidance for Every Stage of Learning
Homeschooling is an incredible journey, but it’s no secret that it can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to make...
Why Mama Culture Matters
In the hustle and bustle of motherhood, where days often blur into a cycle of tasks, responsibilities, and care for others, it’s easy for mothers to...
Our Back-to-School Getaway
As summer draws to a close and we prepare to dive into a more structured homeschooling season, our annual camping trip has always been our family’s...
Building a Reading List Using a Bibliography
When I connected with Melinda Borda, a fellow homeschooling mom who shares insightful book reviews on Instagram, I was thrilled to learn that she...
Announcing Soul School: Preorder Now for Exclusive Bonuses!
Today, I'm thrilled to give you a sneak peek of my latest book, SOUL SCHOOL: Taking Kids On a Joy-Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American...
Pierce Freelon: Artist. Author. Dad.
When I think of whose work I want my children to swim in, Pierce Freelon always comes to mind. He's a GRAMMY® nominated artist, picture book author,...
One Big Open Sky: Black Homesteaders
Without hesitation, I'm boldly proclaiming the novel-in-verse One Big Open Sky as one of my top picks for 2024. In this captivating story,...
Picture Books of Black Musicians
Nearly every genre of American music has been influenced by or has roots in African American music, and these picture books of Black musicians will...
Viva Durant and the Mystery at the Masquerade Ball
Viva Durant is an ordinary teenager who becomes an amateur detective while visiting her grandmother in New Orleans. In the series opener, she...
Warrior on the Mound: A Pitch-Perfect Book Celebrating Negro Leagues Baseball
I'm excited to share Warrior on the Mound, a brand-new middle-grade novel! Today is just a regular day for most, but for the mom of a baseball fan,...
Children’s Books About Black Artists
A few years ago, I shared 17 Picture Books Featuring Black Artists, which are still some of my favorite children's books about Black artists. Since...
Library Book Sale Haul
I need more books like I need a hole in my head, yet... I continue to purchase them. Part of my excuse is that I'm homeschooling four children, and...
Black Verse Novels for Young People
I adore poetry, and in recent years, I've clung to Black verse novels for myself, my children, and the kiddos in my book club. Narrative poetry is...