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Secular, literature-based history: read-alouds and real books replace a textbook, 4 days a week.
Updated September 2026 · 8 sources
| Grades | PreK–12th |
|---|---|
| Faith | No religious content |
| Covers | World history, American history |
| Approach | Literature-based: read-alouds, independent readers and a spine book teach history chronologically |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low (open-and-go 4-day Instructor's Guide; parent reads aloud and leads discussion) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: no video lessons; parent reads books aloud and leads discussion |
| Cost | $459.52: Reading with History D package (grades 3-5) — history, geography and literature read-alouds/readers, discounted price (source) |
| Placement | BookShark: How to Choose Your BookShark Curriculum Age-range charts plus free reading placement tests for each level |
| ESA vendor | Publisher is on the approved vendor list in Arkansas (marketplace), Wyoming, Florida. Checked September 2026; each state's list can change and applies to the publisher, not every product. |
Is it right for your child? Answer a few questions to see how BookShark History ranks against 31 other programs.
See my matchParents who like Sonlight's book-based approach but want it without Bible readings often land here, and reviews consistently praise the quality of the book selections and how the 4-day schedule leaves breathing room each week. Some reviewers flag a specific title with content they didn't expect, note that a few historical novels feel above grade level for the timeline slot they're assigned, and mention that digital Instructor's Guides expire after about 18 months and international shipping runs high.
These come straight from the scoring rules the quiz uses.
BookShark History is described as literature-based: read-alouds, independent readers and a spine book teach history chronologically. Parent prep: low (open-and-go 4-day Instructor's Guide; parent reads aloud and leads discussion).
BookShark History covers grades PreK–12th.
$459.52: Reading with History D package (grades 3-5) — history, geography and literature read-alouds/readers, discounted price. Prices were checked on publisher or retailer pages in September 2026; check current prices before buying.
No religious content.
World history, American history.
Yes. Levels are built to combine children within about 3 years of age
Mostly offline (books and paper). The parent teaches from a scripted guide.
Yes. BookShark: How to Choose Your BookShark Curriculum. Age-range charts plus free reading placement tests for each level
Summaries are in our own words.