Reading Bug Box for homeschool families
Books hand-picked by a real bookseller and matched to your child's age, interests and reading level, delivered every month. Pay with California charter funds, your state's education savings account, or on your own.
A real bookseller picks every book
Every box is chosen by hand by the booksellers at The Reading Bug, an independent children's bookstore in San Carlos, California. No algorithm, no generic bundle.
We match each selection to your child's age, interests and reading level, so the books are challenging enough to grow on and fun enough to finish.
Tell us anything. Favorite topics, series they love, books they've already read, subjects they'd rather skip. The more we know, the better each box gets.
Update your reader's profile any time as their skills and interests change, and we'll adjust the next box to match.
Boxes and prices
| Box | Best for |
|---|---|
| Read-to-Me | Ages 0–4. Engaging read-aloud picture books for language growth. |
| Early Reader | Ages 5–8. A mix of read-aloud and first read-alone books. |
| Reader Box | Ages 8–13+. Chapter books and series for every reader, from reluctant to confident. |
All three boxes are priced the same.
| Term | Boxes | Box price | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-month prepaid | 3 | $95.97 | $11.97 |
| 6-month prepaid | 6 | $185.94 | $23.94 |
| 12-month prepaid | 12 | $359.88 | $47.88 |
| Month to month (direct subscribers only) | 1 | $32.99 | $3.99 |
Delivery is $3.99 per box by USPS. Sales tax is added where required, based on the delivery address.
Pay with California charter funds
If your child is enrolled in a California homeschool charter, your instructional funds can cover a prepaid term. Your school pays us directly, and nothing goes on your card.
Tell your teacher
Let your Education Specialist, HST or Educational Facilitator know you'd like to use funds for Reading Bug Box.
Pick a box and term
Your teacher requests a purchase order using the line items below.
We receive the PO
Your school sends it to us. We confirm by email and collect your reader's profile.
Books arrive monthly
Boxes ship mid-month, and the plan ends when the term is complete. No auto-renewal.
How to write the PO
List the box and delivery as separate lines, with California sales tax for your delivery address. For example, a 6-month Early Reader:
We'll send your school an invoice with the exact tax for your address.
Vendor details for your teacher
- Vendor
- Reading Bug Box
- Address
- 1472 Magnolia Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070
- bugbox@thereadingbug.com
- Phone
- 650-591-0100
- Category
- Curriculum / instructional materials
Not on your school's vendor list yet?
Most charters add new curriculum vendors when a family asks. Send your teacher this note and we'll handle the paperwork from there.
Need specific titles?
Our bookstore fills charter orders for exactly the books you need: novel-study sets, a curriculum's reading list, or leveled readers. Send us your list and we'll return a quote your teacher can attach to a PO.
Request a quotePay with state ESA funds
We're applying to become an approved vendor for education savings account programs, starting with Texas Education Freedom Accounts (Odyssey) and ClassWallet programs, including Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account.
Using a different program? Tell us which one, and we'll prioritize it.
Tell us your programESA orders use the same prepaid terms as charter orders and don't auto-renew. Sales tax follows your state's rules.
Subscribe directly
Homeschooling on your own? Start a subscription today. Choose month to month and skip or cancel any time, or save with a prepaid term.
Choose your boxQuestions families ask
Will a charter or ESA plan renew automatically?
No. Those orders are prepaid for the term and end when it's complete. To continue, request a new PO or place a new ESA order.
Why isn't sales tax included in the price?
California sales tax depends on your delivery address, so we add the exact amount on your invoice or at checkout.
Who keeps the books?
For charter and ESA orders, that depends on your program's policy for instructional materials. Ask your teacher or program how books are classified.
When will the first box ship?
Boxes ship between the 10th and 20th of each month. If we receive your order or PO before the 20th, your first box ships that month.
Can I change my reader's box or level partway through?
Yes. Update your reader's profile or email us, and we'll adjust future boxes.
I have two children. Can they share one order?
With charter or ESA funds, each child's funds are separate, so each child needs their own order. We'll ship their boxes together when they share an address.