BookShark Science

BookShark Grades PreK-10 Updated July 2026

Who it fits

Families who already love reading together and want a secular, literature-based science spine with experiment materials handled for them, especially across multiple ages. Families wanting an independent, screen-based, or lab-heavy rigorous track will want something else.

How it scores

Rigor
?

How demanding the material is versus grade level. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1gentle, below grade
  2. 2relaxed
  3. 3on grade
  4. 4demanding
  5. 5advanced
Read the rigor guide
Parent involvement
?

How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1hands-off
  2. 2light
  3. 3shared
  4. 4leading
  5. 5parent-taught
Read the parent involvement guide
Prep load
?

How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1open-and-go
  2. 2minimal
  3. 3moderate
  4. 4involved
  5. 5heavy
Read the prep load guide
Screen time
?

How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1fully offline
  2. 2mostly offline
  3. 3blended
  4. 4mostly digital
  5. 5fully digital
Read the screen time guide
Independence
?

How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1adult-led
  2. 2guided
  3. 3semi-independent
  4. 4mostly independent
  5. 5fully independent
Read the independence guide
Time commitment
?

How long a daily lesson takes the child. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1under 15 min
  2. 215 to 25 min
  3. 325 to 40 min
  4. 440 to 60 min
  5. 560+ min
Read the time commitment guide

At a glance

Faith content None
Creation stance Secular
Approach Spiral
Format Textbook A literature-based reading package sold as full instructor-guide bundles. Each level bundles an Instructor's Guide, illustrated topical books, an activity packet, an experiments book, and a hands-on supply kit. Optional Discover and Do videos and a BookShark Virtual online platform are add-ons.
Used as Spine
Philosophy Charlotte MasonEclectic
Best for Multi-age familiesReluctant learnersHands-on learners

What parents consistently praise

  • Living books make science feel like reading
  • Everything arrives in one box, including supplies
  • Open-and-go schedule that's easy to follow
  • Kids get excited by the book stack and kit
  • Reusable books you can pass to siblings

What parents report as challenges

  • Expensive for the full prepped package
  • Some found the experiments flat and swapped their own
  • Heavy parent involvement, not a walk-away program
  • Book choices can lean Western-centric

How it shifts by grade

Elementary levels lean picture-book and activity-heavy, while upper levels shift toward more text and independent reading. The 2021 revision aligned it to NGSS.

Additional notes

BookShark is the secular sibling of Sonlight, run as a separate company. Science is sold as full instructor-guide packages, with the option to buy just the guide.

Cost

Price~$290-400/level
ConsumablePartial
Per child / year~$300 for a full level package, less with instructor-guide-only and library books
Check price BookShark

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Compare head to head

Descriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources (forums, Facebook groups, Reddit, and long-form reviews) together with the publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time.

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