Introduction
Indiana and the Magic of Books: A Heartwarming First Week of School at the Tennessee Farmhouse
For the Feek family, the back-to-school season brought more than fresh notebooks and sharpened pencils—it was a celebration of Indiana’s deep love for reading. This week, Rebecca Feek shared a touching video on Instagram of her teaching 11-year-old Indiana at their farmhouse in Tennessee, describing the “magic” of opening the first read-aloud book of the year.
“Reading together is our favorite!” Rebecca wrote. Indiana’s first week of school was filled with excitement: new levels in math and language arts, new notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the joy of diving into their very first book of the year. Indiana’s passion for reading has been unstoppable ever since she first learned how. As Rebecca shared, “The minute she learned to read, there was no stopping her.” Indiana herself proudly explained, “I like chapter books because the other ones are for babies!”
Books are truly at the center of Indiana’s world. Her favorite weekly outing is a trip to the library, her favorite store is the bookstore, and when she turned 11 earlier this year, she asked for a library-themed birthday party—a request her parents happily fulfilled. For Rory and Rebecca, Indiana’s joy for reading is more than a hobby; it’s a treasure they never take for granted.
Fans and friends quickly responded to Rebecca’s post with heartfelt comments, praising Indiana’s enthusiasm and the family’s encouragement. One follower wrote, “What a gift to see a child fall in love with reading—she’s going to go far with that passion.” Another added, “Indiana is such an inspiration! Her joy just shines through.”
Indiana’s journey has been one of resilience and joy. Born with Down syndrome and having lost her mother, Joey Feek, in 2016, Indiana has been at the heart of the Feek family’s story of faith, love, and perseverance. With Rebecca now by their side, she is thriving in homeschooling and growing into her own passions.
Whether it’s curling up with a chapter book, visiting the library, or stepping into a new school year, Indiana’s story is a reminder of the simple yet powerful magic books hold in shaping young minds.