Home › All-in-one curricula › Comparisons
Two all-in-one homeschool curricula, compared on what actually decides the fit: subjects and math included, faith content, teaching style and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| BookShark | Build Your Library | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–10th | K–12th |
| Subjects | History/geography, literature, language arts, science, math (Math-U-See included); no religious content | History, literature, science, language arts, art (math, spelling, grammar, phonics sourced separately) |
| Math | Included | Not included: add your own math |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Approach | Literature-based: secular read-alouds and living books drive history & science | Literature-based: living books drive history, science and language arts (Charlotte Mason-style) |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low (scripted 4-day Instructor's Guides do the planning) | Moderate (guide plans lessons; parent sources or borrows the books) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | Available: bookShark Virtual add-on offers digital scheduling/grading, not required | None: no video instruction; parent-led discussion and narration |
| Cost | $962.78: Level D All-Subject Package (grades 3-5) incl. history, language arts, science and Math-U-See math, at BookShark's 20% package discount | $39.95: Level 3 lesson-plan guide (36 weeks); book list is separate, most titles are available at the library |
| Parents love |
|
|
| Common complaints |
|
|
Parents who want Sonlight's literature-based approach without the Bible readings often land on BookShark, and reviewers frequently call it the more flexible, faster-moving version of its sister curriculum. The four-day schedule and trimmed book list get praised for being easier to keep up with, though a few parents miss the built-in scheduled read-alouds, and international families flag steep shipping costs and instructor guides that expire after about 18 months.
Secular homeschoolers often pick Build Your Library because it pairs a Charlotte Mason-style approach (narration, copywork, real books) with an explicitly non-religious book list, and reviewers like that most of the reading list can come straight from the library instead of a box of purchased books. The main complaint is that composition/writing instruction is thin and needs a separate program, and because you're sourcing the books yourself, the real cost and time depend on what your library has.
Neither is better for every child. BookShark is the stronger fit for yes, include math; video lessons a big plus. Build Your Library is the stronger fit for no, we'll add our own; a flexible guide i adapt.
BookShark: included. Build Your Library: not included: add your own math.
BookShark: $962.78: Level D All-Subject Package (grades 3-5) incl. history, language arts, science and Math-U-See math, at BookShark's 20% package discount. Build Your Library: $39.95: Level 3 lesson-plan guide (36 weeks); book list is separate, most titles are available at the library.
Summaries are in our own words.