Home › Reading & phonics › Comparisons
Two homeschool reading and phonics programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: how your child reads now, how much you'll teach, and how each one is delivered.
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| BJU Press Reading | Abeka Reading/Phonics | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | K–6 | PreK–6 |
| Approach | Traditional, comprehension-focused | Traditional, synthetic phonics |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Moderate (or use video lessons) | Low (scripted lesson plans) |
| Screen time | A mix of screen and paper | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Faith | Christian content throughout | Christian content throughout |
| Cost | Readers Set A–F (Grade 1) alone runs about $92; full-grade kit with worktext, teacher edition and optional video costs more | Individual components run $10–$35 each at Christianbook (readers, phonics texts); full-grade bundle price not confirmed |
| Parents love |
|
|
| Common complaints |
|
|
Parents like the illustrated readers and the emphasis on real comprehension, not just decoding, and the optional videos take much of the teaching off a parent's plate. The main complaints are cost, especially with video lessons added, and a short return window if you're prepping ahead for next year.
Parents value the rigor and steady review, and many say it produces strong, well-drilled readers. The trade-off is pace: it moves fast and can overwhelm a struggling or very active child, and the video-school option to hand off teaching costs extra.
Neither is better for every child. BJU Press Reading is the stronger fit for literature-rich. Abeka Reading/Phonics is the stronger fit for not yet reading; mostly offline.
BJU Press Reading: Readers Set A–F (Grade 1) alone runs about $92; full-grade kit with worktext, teacher edition and optional video costs more. Abeka Reading/Phonics: Individual components run $10–$35 each at Christianbook (readers, phonics texts); full-grade bundle price not confirmed.
Summaries are in our own words.