BookShark Review for Homeschool Families
BookShark is a secular, literature-based curriculum. Instead of textbooks, your child reads real books: historical fiction, biographies, science narratives, and classic literature. You guide the learning using an instructor's guide that tells you exactly what to do each day.
We switched to BookShark for history and science after my oldest told me she was "bored of textbooks." Within the first week, she was reading ahead. That never happened with our previous curriculum. Something about learning history through a novel set during the American Revolution, rather than reading bullet points about it, made the difference.
How We Actually Use It
Each morning, I open the instructor's guide to that day's page. It tells me exactly what to assign: which chapters to read, which discussion questions to ask, and what activities to do. I do not plan anything in advance. BookShark does the planning for me.
For younger grades (K through 3), I read aloud to my kids for about 30 to 45 minutes a day. We sit on the couch, I read, and we talk about what is happening in the story. It feels less like school and more like storytime, which is the whole point.
For my older child, she reads independently and we discuss the material together over lunch. The instructor's guide includes comprehension questions, map work, timeline activities, and writing prompts. I pick the ones that fit our day and skip what does not serve us.
We pair BookShark with Singapore Math for math, since BookShark does not include a math component. That combination covers every core subject we need.
What We Love
Real books create real engagement. My kids remember what they learn because the stories stick. They can tell you about the daily life of a Roman soldier because they read a novel about one, not because they memorized a paragraph from a textbook.
Secular and inclusive. BookShark is one of the few complete literature-based curricula with no religious content. The book selections represent diverse perspectives and cultures, which matters to our family.
Truly open and go. The instructor's guide is incredibly detailed. Every day is planned, every book is scheduled, every discussion question is written out. On my most exhausted days, I can still teach well because the guide does the thinking for me.
All books included in the package. When you buy a level, you get every book you need. No shopping lists, no library hunts, no "oh we need this by Tuesday" surprises. Everything arrives in one box.
High resale value. BookShark packages hold their value on the used homeschool market. When you finish a level, you can sell the books and recoup 40 to 60 percent of your cost.
What We Don't
Expensive upfront cost. A full level runs $399 or more. That is a significant investment, especially if you are coming from a free or low-cost curriculum. The books are yours to keep (and resell), but the initial hit is real.
No math included. BookShark covers history, science, reading, and language arts, but you need a separate math program. Budget for that on top of the BookShark cost.
Heavy parent involvement in early grades. Levels K through 3 require 30 to 45 minutes of daily read-aloud time from the parent. If you have a toddler climbing on you during that time, it can be challenging. By level 4 and up, kids read more independently.
Not ideal for reluctant readers. If your child resists reading, a literature-based curriculum can feel like a daily battle. BookShark works best with kids who already enjoy books or are at least open to them.
Pricing Breakdown
Full package ($399 to $550 per level): Includes all books, instructor's guide, and any maps or timeline materials. This is what most families buy.
Instructor's guide only ($50 to $80): If you already own the books or want to source them yourself through the library or used book sales, you can buy just the guide. This drops the cost dramatically.
Used packages ($200 to $350): BookShark has a strong resale market. Check Facebook homeschool groups and the BookShark Used Curriculum page. Books are books; used ones teach just as well.
Who This Is Best For
- Families who love reading and want literature at the center of their homeschool
- Parents looking for a secular, inclusive curriculum with no religious content
- Homeschoolers who want detailed daily plans without doing the planning themselves
- Kids who are bored by textbooks and respond better to stories and narratives
- Families willing to invest upfront for a high-quality, complete package
AI Prompt to Pair With BookShark
I use Claude AI to extend our BookShark discussions. After my kids finish a book, I generate deeper comprehension questions and creative writing prompts tied to what they just read. Here is a prompt that works well:
This turns a 15-minute reading assignment into a 45-minute deep learning session. The AI-generated questions often catch themes my kids noticed but I missed.
The Bottom Line
BookShark is the best secular literature-based curriculum I have found. The cost is real, but so is the quality. My kids retain more, engage more, and actually look forward to history and science because they are reading stories instead of filling in worksheets.
If your family loves books, BookShark is worth every dollar. Pair it with a solid math program like Singapore Math or Teaching Textbooks, and you have a complete education that feels less like school and more like a reading life.
If the price is a barrier, buy used or start with just the instructor's guide and source books from your local library through Libby. There are ways to make it work on any budget.