Best Science Books for Homeschooling | Top Picks for Grades 4-12

A solid reference book is a must-have in our homeschool, and this National Geographic Science Encyclopedia is one we turn to constantly. Packed with fascinating facts, vibrant images, and easy-to-digest explanations, it covers a broad range of topics, making it a great starting point for curious learners.

We often use this when diving into new science units, as it provides quick, reliable information in a way that’s engaging and visually appealing. Plus, it includes a few hands-on experiments, which add a practical component to the learning experience.

We love this entire series, but the science edition has been especially useful for middle school. The format is fun, with colorful doodles, simple explanations, and quick review sections that make it feel less like a textbook and more like a casual study guide.

My child used this in 6th grade, and it worked well as a supplement alongside Crash Course videos and hands-on experiments. While I wouldn’t use it as a standalone science curriculum, it’s a fantastic resource for reinforcing key concepts and checking comprehension.

We recently added this high school chemistry version to our collection, and it’s proving just as useful as the middle school edition. The layout and style are the same—breaking down complex chemistry topics into easy-to-follow sections.

While I wouldn't rely on it for a full chemistry course, it’s great for reviewing concepts and filling in any gaps. If your child enjoys independent learning, this book makes chemistry much less intimidating.

Another fantastic National Geographic title, this book covers everything from physics to biology in an engaging, visually rich format. It’s one of those books you can flip through and always find something new to learn.

I love that it makes science accessible for younger learners while still being detailed enough to challenge older students. It’s also a great resource for answering all those why? questions kids ask!

This book connects scientific discoveries to history, making it perfect for homeschoolers who enjoy a unit study approach. We’ve used it alongside our history curriculum to see how scientific advancements shaped different time periods.

It starts with early innovations like stone tools and cave art and moves through major revolutions in science, from the discovery of electricity to space travel. If your child enjoys seeing the big picture of how science has evolved, this book is a great choice.

The Dr. Bonyfide anatomy series has been a game-changer for making human biology fun and engaging. These books break down body systems with humor, cartoons, and hands-on activities, making them ideal for elementary-aged kids.

Even though these are designed for 3rd-5th graders, we found them useful in 6th grade too, especially as a supplement to more detailed anatomy studies. If your child enjoys interactive learning, these books bring anatomy to life in a way that’s both educational and entertaining.

Check out our review of these children's anatomy books here.

If your child loves humor and wacky facts, the Horrible Science series is a must-have. From explosive chemistry to creepy biology, these books take a lighthearted (but still educational) approach to science.

My son has always loved the Horrible Histories series, and these science books are just as engaging. The humor makes even more complex topics feel approachable, and the accompanying YouTube videos add another layer of fun.

While these are geared toward elementary-aged kids, even middle schoolers will find them entertaining.

This book is a fun way to sneak science into a Harry Potter fan’s reading list. It explores the real-world scientific principles behind magical concepts like invisibility cloaks, flying broomsticks, and potions.

My son loved this book because it made science feel like an adventure rather than a subject to study. After finishing it, he was excited to learn that the author also wrote a similar book about Star Wars, which is now next on our list!

This book is a fascinating look at how everyday inventions—many of which were created by accident—came to be. It’s perfect for curious kids who love history and science, showing how discoveries often come from unexpected places.

One of our favorite stories explains how potato chips were first made by mistake when a chef tried to prove a point to a picky customer. It’s a great reminder that even failures can lead to incredible success.

This is one of the best books about inventions for kids.

For kids who love mysteries, this book is a great introduction to forensic science and historical investigations. It walks through nine real cases where modern science helped uncover the truth.

One of the most interesting stories investigates Egypt’s first female pharaoh and whether she was murdered. The mix of history, detective work, and science makes this a great choice for reluctant readers who prefer engaging, real-life stories over traditional textbooks.

This was our go-to biology curriculum in 6th grade, and we’ve continued using it in 7th grade because it explains complex topics in a way that’s both engaging and age-appropriate.

The hands-on experiments and real-world applications make it feel more like an interactive learning experience rather than just another textbook. If your child enjoys structured lessons but also likes to explore science beyond worksheets, this curriculum strikes a great balance.

We’ll be using this high school astronomy curriculum in 9th grade, and we’re already looking forward to it. The lessons go beyond memorization, helping students understand how astronomy connects to physics, chemistry, and real-world space exploration.

Since this course includes observational activities, we decided to invest in a telescope to make the most of it. If your child is fascinated by space, this curriculum provides a structured way to explore astronomy in depth.

This middle school curriculum introduces college-level scientific terminology in a way that’s understandable for younger students. It doesn’t just teach facts—it helps kids start thinking like scientists.

The lessons build foundational knowledge across chemistry, biology, and physics while keeping the explanations clear and approachable. This is a great choice for families looking for a strong science program before transitioning into more advanced coursework.

The Nature Anatomy series by Julia Rothman is one of our favorites for blending science with art and storytelling. These beautifully illustrated books explore nature, the ocean, farm life, and food through a mix of sketches, facts, and hands-on activities.

They don’t feel like traditional textbooks, which makes them great for kids who enjoy a more visual, interactive approach to learning. We often use these for nature studies or as a relaxed way to add science into our homeschool day.

We’ve used Spectrum workbooks for multiple subjects (except math) from grades 4-7, and their science series has been a great addition to our homeschool. The 7th-grade book covers earth science, physical science, and life science, providing structured lessons and review exercises.

While we don’t use it as a full curriculum, it works well as a supplement to the Real Science Odyssey curriculum. The format is straightforward, making it easy to incorporate into a daily or weekly science routine.

This workbook series offers a lighter, more approachable way to reinforce science concepts, making it a favorite in our homeschool. In my opinion, it’s easier than the Spectrum books, which is probably why my son prefers it!

While the lessons are quick and simple, they still provide useful reinforcement across multiple subjects, including geography and history. This is a good option for families looking for a low-pressure way to keep up with science on a regular basis.

This is a quick and effective way to build science vocabulary. We use it daily alongside whatever homeschool science book we are working through at the time.

Each lesson includes five short questions, such as circling the best meaning of a word like "compound," making it an easy addition to any science curriculum. While it isn’t a full workbook, it’s a handy tool for reinforcing important terminology.

This workbook is great for reinforcing physical science concepts but is more challenging than some of the others. We originally started using it in 5th grade but found it a bit too difficult, so we shelved it until 7th grade.

It includes a lot of math-based science problems, which might be tricky for younger students. However, for grades 8 and up, it provides solid practice and review, especially for those who enjoy a more structured approach to learning science.

This workbook is useful for extra science practice but isn’t designed as a standalone curriculum. It doesn’t include full lessons, so it works best as a supplement to other science resources. We use it as a skills builder to reinforce what we’re already studying, rather than as a primary learning tool.

Daily Science provides a mix of vocabulary practice, hands-on activities, and multiple-choice comprehension checks to help students strengthen their understanding of key science concepts.

With 150 activities, it offers a structured way to introduce earth, life, and physical science topics without feeling overwhelming. This has been a helpful resource in our homeschool for building a solid foundation in general science.