Home › History & geography › Comparisons
Two homeschool history programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: faith content, teaching style, what they cover, and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
These two are close: the differences are small, so price, grade range and what parents say below may decide it.
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| Curiosity Chronicles | History Quest & History Odyssey (Pandia Press) | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 1st–8th | 1st–12th |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Covers | World history | World history, American history |
| Approach | Dialogue-format narrative textbook (two characters explore each era) plus an instructor and student activity guide | Narrative chapter book plus a weekly study guide of activities; older levels shift to student-directed reading and writing |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low to moderate (mostly open-and-go; extension activities need some parent setup) | Moderate (parent reads aloud and runs History Hops in History Quest; lighter once students read History Odyssey independently) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: print text with optional audiobook; no video lessons | None: print books with an optional audiobook; no video lessons |
| Cost | $88 (regular $105.96): Ancient History mixed-format package - textbook, audiobook, instructor & student guides, timeline kit | $72: History Quest Early Times chapter book ($22.99) plus the full-year study guide ($48.99) |
| Parents love |
|
|
| Common complaints |
|
|
Parents consistently praise Curiosity Chronicles for its full-color art, deliberately global and diverse coverage, and a two-character dialogue format that keeps kids engaged without feeling like a dry textbook. Several reviewers say it works especially well for neurodivergent kids and reluctant readers, partly because of the audiobook option. The most common complaints are that the optional workbook/interactive-notebook extensions can feel like busywork for some kids, coverage still leans toward Europe in spots, and the series isn't fully finished (Modern History was still in development at last check).
Parents like that History Quest tells history through engaging, diverse narratives and hands-on "History Hops" instead of a dry textbook, and reviewers call it thorough and well-planned for a secular family. The main gap noted is that the series isn't fully complete (Modern Times was still missing at last check) and it needs extra supplementary books and supplies. History Odyssey, aimed at middle and high schoolers, is praised for building real independent research and writing skills but criticized for having fewer hands-on activities and a spine text some found dull.
Neither is better for every child. Curiosity Chronicles is the stronger fit for some. History Quest & History Odyssey (Pandia Press) is the stronger fit for hands-on projects and unit studies; american history; no, separate levels.
Curiosity Chronicles: no religious content. History Quest & History Odyssey (Pandia Press): no religious content.
Curiosity Chronicles: $88 (regular $105.96): Ancient History mixed-format package - textbook, audiobook, instructor & student guides, timeline kit. History Quest & History Odyssey (Pandia Press): $72: History Quest Early Times chapter book ($22.99) plus the full-year study guide ($48.99).
Summaries are in our own words.