Curriculum review
BookShark
by BookShark · Est. 2014
About
What it is
BookShark is a secular literature-based homeschool curriculum that launched in 2014 as a spinoff of Sonlight. It fills a rare niche: families who want the depth and richness of a literature-based approach without religious content. The program covers grades K through 8 across nine levels (A through I), delivering history, science, and language arts through curated living books and parent-led instruction.
Like its Sonlight roots, BookShark centers on an Instructor's Guide that provides daily lesson plans, reading assignments, discussion questions, and scheduling. Parents read aloud with younger students and guide independent reading for older ones. The book selections emphasize diverse perspectives, world cultures, and narrative history — all without faith-based framing.
All-Subject Packages range from $500 to $1,045 per level, which includes the full set of trade books, the Instructor's Guide, and coordinated science and language arts materials. Packages offer roughly 20% savings over buying components individually. Payment plans are available for orders of $799 or more.
BookShark Virtual is an optional digital supplement that adds interactive features and progress tracking for families who want a hybrid print-digital experience. Math is not included — families pair BookShark with a separate math program such as Math Mammoth, Saxon, or Singapore Math.
The program is especially valued by secular families who struggled to find a comprehensive, book-heavy curriculum without needing to swap out titles or skip religious content. The community is smaller than Sonlight's but actively engaged on social media and forums.
BookShark currently extends only through 8th grade (Level I). Families will need to transition to a different program for high school, which is the program's most significant limitation.
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Common questions
Frequently asked
Is BookShark really secular?
Yes. BookShark was created specifically as a secular alternative to Sonlight. All religious content has been removed or replaced. Book selections are worldview-neutral and emphasize diverse perspectives.
What grade levels does BookShark cover?
BookShark covers K through 8th grade across nine levels (A through I). There is currently no high school program — families will need to transition to a different curriculum after Level I.
Does BookShark include math?
No. BookShark covers history, science, language arts, and readers. Math must be sourced separately from another publisher.
How does BookShark compare to Sonlight?
BookShark uses a similar literature-based, Instructor's Guide format but with secular book selections. It covers K-8 (versus Sonlight's K-12) and is priced comparably. The main difference is the removal of all religious content.
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