Build Your Library
Secular, literature-based, Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade. Each level is a downloadable PDF of 36-week lesson plans built around real books for history, literature, science and art.
What is Build Your Library?
Build Your Library is a secular homeschool curriculum that teaches history, literature, science and art through real books. It is written by a homeschooling parent and author and sold as downloadable lesson plans, one level per grade from Level 0 (kindergarten) through Level 12.
The approach is Charlotte Mason inspired. Kids hear and read living books, narrate what they learned, copy and memorize poetry, and study artists tied to the history period. It is also plainly secular: science teaches evolution and deep time, and history covers religions from a neutral point of view.
How it works
Each level is one PDF, roughly 250 to 400 pages, with 36 weeks of plans (30 for Level 0). A one-page weekly overview sits on top of daily plans that list exactly which pages to read. Inside you will find narration cards, vocabulary, copywork and dictation, timeline figures, mapwork, activity pages, research projects and science experiments.
The parent reads the literature selections aloud, and audiobooks are fine. Readers, which begin in Level 3, are for the child to read alone. You gather the books yourself from the library, used shops or new, using the provided booklist.
A day is mostly reading, discussing and narrating, with a few projects each week. One parent reviewer estimates about an hour to an hour and a half a day in Level 0, growing with each level.
What it covers
| Level | History focus | Paired with |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Around the World | Animal Science |
| 1 | Ancient World | Nature Study |
| 2 | Middle Ages | Earth, Geography and Space |
| 3 | Early Modern | Chemistry and Microscopy |
| 4 | Modern World | Physics |
| 5–6 | American History 1 and 2 | Biology; Astronomy and Climate |
| 7 | World Geography | Zoology |
| 8 | World History | History of Science |
| 9 | Prehistoric World | Evolution and Geology |
| 10–11 | World History 1 and 2 | Biology; Evolution of English |
| 12 | American History | Government and economics |
Math is not included at any level. Depending on your child you may also need phonics, spelling and grammar. Cathy Duffy's review calls composition a weak spot and suggests adding writing instruction after about second or third grade.
Who it's best for
Build Your Library fits secular families who love books, have a good library nearby and want a full chronological history cycle without paying for a boxed set. It works for siblings within about two grades of each other.
Families who want everything in one box, a Christian worldview, or less daily reading should look at other options. If you want a secular boxed program with books included, compare BookShark.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, Level 0 costs $29.95, Levels 1 to 4 cost $39.95, and high school levels like 9 and 12 cost $59.95. That is a one-time PDF purchase with free updates, but it is non-refundable. Books are extra and are the main cost.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often, as curriculum. Arizona's ESA law allows "curricula and supplementary materials," and Florida's PEP handbook lists curriculum and instructional materials as eligible. Programs differ on digital downloads and book purchases, so read your program's rules. Start with our ESA and scholarship guide, or jump to Arizona or Florida.
You can save Build Your Library to your wishlist on Edulist and apply once to programs that may cover it.
How it compares
- Torchlight is another secular literature-based plan, more hands-on and modern, for Pre-K through about middle school.
- Blossom and Root is gentler and nature-focused for the early years.
- BookShark is a secular boxed program that ships the books, at a much higher price.
- Sonlight is the Christian literature-based program many families compare it to.
See more in secular homeschool curriculum and Charlotte Mason curriculum, or our list of the best secular homeschool curriculum.
Who Build Your Library is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Secular families who want a literature-rich, chronological history cycle
- Parents on a budget who have a good public library
- Siblings within about two grades who can share a level
- Families who like Charlotte Mason methods like narration and copywork
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting an all-in-one box with every book included
- Parents who do not want to read aloud daily
- Families looking for a Christian worldview
Build Your Library pros and cons
Pros
- Inexpensive lesson plans, $29.95 to $59.95 per level
- Clear daily plans with exact pages and a weekly overview
- Strong, modern and classic book selections
- Covers K through 12, including high school levels
- Free sample week and free updates to purchased PDFs
Cons
- Math, phonics, spelling and grammar are not included
- Composition instruction is light, per Cathy Duffy's review
- Book costs and library trips add up
- Heavy reading load can overwhelm some families
- Download-only and non-refundable
What’s included
- Levels 0–12, each a single PDF of daily and weekly lesson plans
- History taught chronologically through living books, with science, poetry and art study
- Narration cards, copywork, dictation, memory work and timeline figures
- Activity pages, mapwork and research projects in every level
- Free updates through your original download link
- Free sample week for each level
- Unit studies and Lit Bites for shorter, standalone studies
Build Your Library levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | Kindergarten | Around the World and Animal Science. 30 weeks. |
| Level 1 | Grade 1 | Ancient World and Nature Study. 36 weeks. |
| Level 2 | Grade 2 | Middle Ages with Earth, Geography and Space. |
| Level 3 | Grade 3 | Early Modern history with Chemistry and Microscopy. Student readers begin here. |
| Level 4 | Grade 4 | The Modern World with Physics, including coding and inventors. |
| Levels 5–6 | 5–6 | American History Parts 1 and 2, with Biology (Level 5) and Astronomy and Climate Change (Level 6). |
| Levels 7–8 | 7–8 | World Geography with Zoology (Level 7) and History of Science with World History (Level 8). |
| Levels 9–12 | 9–12 | Prehistoric World and Geology (9), World History with Comparative Religions and Biology (10), World History Part 2 and the Evolution of English (11), and American History (12). |
How much does Build Your Library cost?
As of October 2026, Level 0 (kindergarten) is $29.95, Levels 1 through 4 are $39.95 each, and the high school levels checked (Level 9 and Level 12) are $59.95. You get a single PDF of 36 weeks of plans (30 weeks for Level 0). The books themselves are the biggest cost. You buy, borrow or already own them, and the plans recommend buying the spines.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 0 (Kindergarten) PDF | $29.95 | One-time | — |
| Levels 1–4 PDF (each) | $39.95 | One-time | — |
| Level 9 or Level 12 PDF (high school) | $59.95 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No trial, but each level has a free sample week to download.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewers consistently praise Build Your Library's secular stance, book choices and easy-to-follow plans. The common cautions are the volume of reading, the work of sourcing books, and the need to add writing instruction and math.
Common praise
- Clearly secular, with evolution and diverse history perspectives
- Great book lists that build a home library
- Easy weekly overviews and daily plans
- Low price per level
Common complaints
- Very heavy reading load
- Parents must find or buy many books
- Writing instruction needs supplementing
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · build your library · modulo.app · build your library review · givemomaminute.com · build your library curriculum review
Build Your Library family reviews
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Build Your Library FAQs
Is Build Your Library secular?
Yes. Build Your Library calls itself a secular, literature-based curriculum. History treats religions from a neutral standpoint, science teaches evolution, and Cathy Duffy's review notes the creator deliberately chose resources without a Christian viewpoint.
Is Build Your Library Charlotte Mason?
It is Charlotte Mason inspired rather than strictly Charlotte Mason. It uses living books, narration, copywork, dictation, poetry memorization and artist study, but mixes in modern books and projects.
Does Build Your Library include math?
No. You add your own math program. Depending on your child, you may also need separate phonics, spelling and grammar, and student readers are not scheduled until Level 3.
How much do the books cost?
The site does not list a book budget because many families borrow from the library. Buying the spine books is recommended. Book costs vary widely by level and how much you buy new, used or borrow.
Can siblings share a Build Your Library level?
Yes, if they are close in age. Cathy Duffy suggests siblings within about two grades can share a level, using narration cards pitched higher or lower. Wider gaps work better with separate levels.
Is there a free sample?
Yes. Each level page offers a free sample week. Because PDFs cannot be returned, the sample is the best way to check fit before buying.
Can I use an ESA to buy Build Your Library?
Curriculum is a commonly allowed ESA expense, including under Arizona's ESA law and Florida's PEP rules, but each program decides how it handles digital downloads and books. Save it to your Edulist wishlist and check programs in your state.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- buildyourlibrary.com
- buildyourlibrary.com · frequently asked questions
- buildyourlibrary.com · purchase level 4 curriculum
- buildyourlibrary.com · purchase level 0 curriculum
- buildyourlibrary.com · purchase level 9 curriculum
- buildyourlibrary.com · purchase level 12 curriculum
- cathyduffyreviews.com · build your library
- modulo.app · build your library review
- givemomaminute.com · build your library curriculum review
- azleg.gov · 02402.htm
- stepupforstudents.org · pep family handbook