BookShark
Faith-neutral, literature-based homeschool curriculum for ages 4–16, sold as boxed All-Subject or Reading with History packages with Instructor's Guides that schedule 36 weeks on a 4-day plan. Students read about 50 books a year.
What is BookShark?
BookShark is a literature-based homeschool curriculum for ages 4 to 16. Instead of textbooks, children learn history, geography and language arts through real books: fiction, biographies, nonfiction and illustrated books. Students read about 50 books a year. BookShark describes itself as faith-neutral, so it leaves origins and religion to parents.
How it works
You pick a subject package and a level, customize it, and BookShark ships a box with books and an Instructor's Guide. The guide schedules 36 weeks, four days a week. You open the binder and teach. The fifth day stays free for co-op, field trips or catching up.
Parents read aloud the more challenging books and talk about them. Children read their own readers. From Level D, history, geography, read-alouds and readers tie into the same level of language arts. Science has students read during the week and do one experiment, with kits included. Math comes from a program you choose, such as Math-U-See, Saxon, Singapore or RightStart.
What it covers
| Level | Ages | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K | 4–5 | Early learning |
| A, B, C | 5–9 | Handwriting included A–D; B+C combined option |
| D, E, F | 8–13 | Spelling included D–H; D Advanced and D+E options |
| G, H, I | 11–15 | More independent reading and writing |
| High School | 14–16 | Literature and history |
Siblings within about three years can share a Reading with History level, while math and language arts are set for each child.
Who it's best for
BookShark fits families who want a secular homeschool curriculum that is fully planned and built on great books. It is a strong pick among literature-based homeschool curriculum, especially for families who enjoy reading together.
It is less suited to tight budgets, to children who resist reading, or to families who want a particular faith or origins view taught.
BookShark pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, All-Subject Packages for Levels A–H cost about $864 to $1,060 at package prices, roughly 20% below buying items separately. Pre-K is about $309. Orders over $300 ship free in the lower 48. Returns are allowed within 30 days for resalable items, but partial returns remove the package discount.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often. BookShark says it is an approved vendor for many homeschool-supportive charter schools, and ESA programs such as Arizona ESA and Florida scholarships commonly allow curriculum. Each program decides. Save BookShark to your wishlist and check scholarships in your state to apply once through Edulist.
How it compares
Sonlight is the closest match in format, with Bible built into every level. Build Your Library is another secular, literature-based option. Moving Beyond the Page is secular too, with more projects and unit studies. Families wanting a gentler, nature-based approach look at Blossom and Root. See the best secular homeschool curriculum.
Who BookShark is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Secular or faith-neutral families who love books and read-alouds
- Parents who want a fully planned, open-the-binder curriculum
- Families with a co-op or activity day, thanks to the 4-day week
- Siblings close in age sharing one history and literature level
Look elsewhere if
- Families on a tight budget
- Children who prefer workbooks or screens over reading
- Families who want origins or faith taught from a particular viewpoint
BookShark pros and cons
Pros
- About 50 books a year chosen to bring history to life
- Faith-neutral: avoids evolution, creationism and intelligent design
- Fully scheduled 36-week, 4-day Instructor's Guides
- Customizable packages and choice of math program
- Science packages include every kit needed
Cons
- Expensive for a full package
- Heavy reading and read-aloud load for parents
- Strict return rules; partial returns remove the package discount
- Not accredited; curriculum only
What’s included
- Reading with History packages that combine history, geography, read-alouds and readers
- All-Subject Packages adding language arts, science, math, handwriting and spelling
- Instructor's Guides with 36 weeks of 4-day schedules
- Science packages with all required kits and one experiment a week
- Choice of math: Math-U-See, Saxon, Singapore or RightStart
- Siblings within about three years can share one Reading with History level
- Optional BookShark Virtual for online schedules, assessments and auto-grading
BookShark levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K | Pre-K | Ages 4–5. Picture books and early learning. |
| Levels A–C | K–3 | Ages 5–9. Early readers, read-alouds and introductory history; handwriting included in A–D. B+C is a combined option. |
| Levels D–F | 3–6 | Ages 8–13. History, geography, read-alouds and readers integrated with language arts; spelling included in D–H. D Advanced and D+E options available. |
| Levels G–I | 6–9 | Ages 11–15. More independent reading and writing. |
| High School | 9–10 | Ages 14–16. Literature and history for early high school. |
Free math and reading placement assessments. Reading with History levels are chosen by age, and any age-appropriate level is fine; siblings within about three years can share one.
Official BookShark placement test ↗How much does BookShark cost?
As of October 2026, BookShark's All-Subject Packages are priced about 20% below buying items separately. Examples: Pre-K $309.43 (regular $386.79), Level A $881.88 (regular $1,102.35), Level D $963.58 (regular $1,204.47), Level F $1,009.10 (regular $1,261.37) and Level H $864.33 (regular $1,080.41). Reading with History packages are 15% below separate prices. Packages can be customized to skip items you already own or change the math program.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-K All-Subject Package (sale) | $309.43 | One-time | — |
| Level A All-Subject Package (sale) | $881.88 | One-time | — |
| Level A All-Subject Package (regular) | $1,102.35 | One-time | — |
| Level D All-Subject Package (sale) | $963.58 | One-time | — |
| Level H All-Subject Package (sale) | $864.33 | One-time | — |
Free trial: A 3-week Instructor's Guide sample is free, and BookShark Virtual offers a free one-week trial of any course.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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BookShark FAQs
Is BookShark secular?
BookShark calls itself faith-neutral. Its science and history avoid teaching evolution, creationism or intelligent design, leaving origins and spirituality to parents.
How is BookShark different from Sonlight?
Both are boxed, literature-based programs with Instructor's Guides and lettered levels. Sonlight builds Bible into every core level, while BookShark is faith-neutral and schedules 4 days a week. Book lists and package details differ, so compare the specific level.
Is BookShark accredited?
No. BookShark points out that only schools can be accredited, not curricula. It does not follow one state's standards but says it typically meets or exceeds them; check your state's homeschool rules.
How much does BookShark cost?
As of October 2026, All-Subject Packages for Levels A–H cost about $864 to $1,060 at package prices, or about $1,080 to $1,325 at regular prices. The Pre-K package is about $309.
What is BookShark Virtual?
An optional online platform where students see reading schedules, take assessments and get auto-graded results. The physical books are still required. It offers a free one-week trial of any course.
Can an ESA or charter school pay for BookShark?
BookShark says it is an approved vendor for many homeschool-supportive charter schools. ESA programs that allow curriculum often cover it too, but each program decides and some buy only through a marketplace.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: