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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
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| The Good and the Beautiful History | Notgrass History (Our Star-Spangled Story) | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 1st–8th | 1st–12th |
| Faith | Christian perspective on standard history | Christian, Bible-integrated: Bible events on the timeline |
| Covers | World history, American history | American history |
| Approach | Family-style story spine: read-aloud narratives, maps, games and activities, with per-child Student Explorers for older kids | Christian narrative history: read-aloud textbook plus literature, songs, timeline and workbook |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low (course book lays out what to do each lesson; about 2 lessons a week) | Low to moderate (10-15 min daily reading; occasional craft/project supplies) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | Available: optional audio dramatizations via the publisher's app/website; not video-led | None: print, read-aloud and audio-only program; no video lessons |
| Cost | $90: History Year 1 family set ($74.97) plus one grades 3-6 Student Explorer ($9.99) and time line book ($12.99), rounded | $95: Our Star-Spangled Story Curriculum Package (Parts 1 & 2, rhythms/rhymes audio, timeline, workbook, answer key) |
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Parents like that one course book teaches several grades at once, with engaging stories, maps and activities that reviewers say make historical figures memorable without feeling like a textbook. The main caution flagged by reviewers is that the broad, story-based survey can run light on depth for older students, who may need extra primary sources or research projects if you want to go further. As with the rest of the publisher's line, it's built from a Christian worldview, so it won't fit secular families, and since the History line was recently rewritten, families should double check which years/editions they need.
Parents describe Our Star-Spangled Story as beautifully made and genuinely engaging, with songs, a ready-made timeline, and companion literature that make American history memorable rather than a list of dates. The Christian, patriotic framing is a selling point for the families who want it, though a few reviewers found some units (like the Revolutionary War) too brief without extra supplementing, and the workbook leans toward coloring rather than writing practice.
Neither is better for every child. The Good and the Beautiful History is the stronger fit for christian, standard history; world history, in order; yes, siblings together. Notgrass History (Our Star-Spangled Story) is the stronger fit for christian, bible-integrated; textbook and workbook.
The Good and the Beautiful History: christian perspective on standard history. Notgrass History (Our Star-Spangled Story): christian, Bible-integrated: Bible events on the timeline.
The Good and the Beautiful History: $90: History Year 1 family set ($74.97) plus one grades 3-6 Student Explorer ($9.99) and time line book ($12.99), rounded. Notgrass History (Our Star-Spangled Story): $95: Our Star-Spangled Story Curriculum Package (Parts 1 & 2, rhythms/rhymes audio, timeline, workbook, answer key).
Summaries are in our own words.