BookShark

BookShark is the secular alternative to Sonlight, using a literature-based approach to teach history, science, and language arts through living books. Same concept — real books instead of textbooks — without the Christian worldview.

Pros

• Secular literature-based curriculum (rare find)
• High-quality book selections
• Detailed instructor guides with discussion questions
• More affordable than Sonlight
• Four-day schedule leaves a flex day
• Good balance of fiction and non-fiction

Cons

• Smaller company with fewer support resources than Sonlight
• Book quality varies — some picks aren't as strong
• Only goes through 8th grade (no high school)
• Still expensive compared to DIY library-based approaches
• Less community and co-op support than bigger brands

Best For

• Secular families who want a literature-based approach
• Parents who love the Sonlight concept but not the religious content
• Families who value quality books over textbooks
• Kids who learn best through stories and narrative

Skip This If...

• You want a faith-based curriculum
• You need high school level content
• Your budget is very tight
• Your kids prefer workbooks and structured exercises to reading

The Verdict

BookShark fills a real gap in the market — a well-organized, literature-based curriculum that doesn't assume you're Christian. It's not quite as polished as Sonlight (fewer years on the market), but for secular families who want the living books approach, this is your best option.