BookShark was created as the secular alternative to Sonlight, and the two programs share a nearly identical structure: literature-based history instruction using carefully curated living books, with a daily Instructor's Guide that tells you exactly what to read and discuss. The key difference is worldview. Sonlight is Christian with an integrated Bible curriculum. BookShark is secular with no religious content.
If you want a literature-rich, pre-planned curriculum and your family is Christian, Sonlight is the original and has decades of refinement behind it. If you want the same format without religious content, BookShark gives you that. The book selections differ somewhat, but both programs are known for excellent curation and high-quality literature choices.
| Sonlight | BookShark | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | K–12 | K–8 |
| Subject | History | History |
| Philosophy | Charlotte Mason, Eclectic | Charlotte Mason, Eclectic |
| Format | Books | Books |
| Orientation | Christian | Secular |
| Structure | Medium | Medium |
| Parent Time | Medium | Medium |
| Learning Style | Story-Based | Story-Based |
| Best For | Multi-Age Families | Multi-Age Families |
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