Sonlight vs BookShark: What’s the Real Difference?
If you’ve been researching literature-based homeschool programs, you’ve probably bumped into the names Sonlight and BookShark. And if you’re like most parents, you’ve heard someone say: “Oh, BookShark is just the secular version of Sonlight.”
But is that really the whole story?
I dug through mom reviews, homeschool forums, and my own Christian worldview to break this down for you.
And let me just say—it’s not quite as simple as “one has Jesus, one doesn’t.”
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The Big Similarities
Before we dive into the worldview differences, let’s look at what these two programs actually have in common (because it’s a lot).
Both are literature-based homeschool curricula. Forget dry textbooks—your kids will spend their days with stacks of living books, novels, biographies, and picture books. If your family loves reading aloud, Sonlight and BookShark are basically Disneyland.
Both come with Instructor’s Guides. These guides lay out daily lesson plans, discussion questions, and a schedule. No reinventing the wheel.
Both offer a 4-day week. Which is homeschool code for “Friday park day.” Sonlight also has a 5-day option if you want the extra structure.
Both cover all subjects. History, science, language arts, math (though many families swap math for another program), and electives.
Side-by-side comparison of Grade 1 Sonlight vs. Level 1 BookShark curriculum sets. See how the Christian Sonlight program differs from the secular BookShark version, with literature-based books, guides, and homeschool resources laid out together.
And here’s the kicker: both are made by the same company.
That’s right. It’s like Coke and Diet Coke—same parent company, different recipe.
Oh, and let’s talk money.
Each program will set you back about $900–$1000 per child per year.
But before you panic, you can reuse the books for your younger kids.
And if you’re thrifty?
Hit up the Sonlight and BookShark Facebook groups.
They’re basically underground swap meets where missionary biographies and slightly coffee-stained science guides change hands like contraband.
The Worldview Difference
Okay, so what’s actually different?
BookShark = Secular
BookShark is intentionally secular homeschool curriculum. It’s designed for families who want a literature-rich education without a Christian lens. That means:
No Bible notes.
No missionary biographies.
No explicitly Christian selections.
The idea is that you can add your religion or worldview if you want to...
Sonlight = Christian
Sonlight positions itself as a Christian worldview homeschool curriculum.
You’ll see Bible notes, devotional tie-ins, and missionary stories.
It has distinctly Christian books (like The Beginner’s Bible) woven throughout the program.
But here’s the twist: a lot of the core literature is the same in both.
So while Sonlight has Christian flavor, it’s not like every single book is Christian.
Some parents love that balance.
Others look at it and say, “This feels watered down.”
What Moms Are Saying
I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit lurking in homeschool Facebook groups (don’t judge—it’s research).
Here’s the general vibe:
“There’s not a big difference between Sonlight vs Bookshark.” Outside of a few book swaps, moms say Sonlight and BookShark often feel very similar. (See the comments below from moms who’ve used both programs.)
Homeschool moms testify about Sonlight vs. BookShark: ‘Some books change, yes, but not very many.’ Real parent reviews show how similar the two literature-based programs are.
“We skip Sonlight science.” Many families avoid Sonlight’s science program because they feel it sits on the fence with creation vs. evolution. Some say it presents both perspectives; others say it seems to lean evolutionist.
Mirror warnings. BookShark gives parents a heads-up whenever a book touches on religious or creationist ideas. Sonlight does the opposite: it warns parents when a book leans secular or evolutionist. It’s kind of hilarious—like mirror-image disclaimers.
BookShark warns about Christian content, while Sonlight warns about secular ideas. Mirror-image disclaimers show the worldview difference between the two homeschool programs.
How “Christian” Is Sonlight, Really?
Here’s where things get spicy.
Yes, Sonlight is Christian.
You’ll find missionary stories, Bible notes, and Christian commentary.
It’s definitely not the same as BookShark.
But is it robustly Christian?
That depends on who you ask.
Some families say Sonlight is a gentle way to incorporate faith into their homeschool.
Others say it’s too secular, especially compared to curriculums like BJU Press, Christian Light Education (CLE), Abeka or Generations.
A few even call it “fence-sitting,” since it doesn’t take a hard stance on creation vs. evolution.
So, Sonlight is Christian, yes.
But it’s not “Bible verse in every math problem” Christian. For example, Sonlight uses All About Spelling (a secular spelling curriculum).
Pros of Sonlight
Okay, but let’s do a quick pros and cons highlight starting with the pros:
Strong Christian elements: missionary biographies, devotional tie-ins. (My pastor’s wife used it and loved it.)
Gorgeous literature-based approach—kids love the books.
Instructor’s Guides make it easy to stay on track.
Flexible 4-day schedule. However, you can also choose 5 days if you want to go hardcore — and maybe burnout.
Can reuse books for multiple children (saves $$$). I love that.
Keep in mind that with both Sonlight and Bookshark, you can find a lot of books in the library!
Cons of Sonlight
What about the cons?
Some parents feel it’s too secular in places.
Science program criticized for “sitting on the fence.”
Heavy reading load (great if your family loves books… less great if your kids hate reading).
Higher cost compared to budget options like MasterBooks or Easy Peasy.
Pros of BookShark
Now lets talk about who Bookshark’s market is:
Secular option for families who want a literature-based program without a Christian perspective.
Still the same great Instructor’s Guides and book-based structure.
4-day schedule. No 5-day option like with Sonlight…but, you know…burnout, hey.
Easier to use for families who want to mix faith and secular resources their own way.
Cons of BookShark
No Bible, no missionary stories, no explicit Christian worldview.
Costs the same as Sonlight, but with less spiritual value if you’re a Christian family.
Still a heavy reading load (your library card may catch fire).
Grade 1 Sonlight vs. Level 1 BookShark homeschool curriculum compared side by side with prices—Sonlight $987 and BookShark $1047. See how the Christian and secular programs stack up in cost and content.
Alternatives If You’re on the Fence
If you’re looking at Sonlight but are worried about the worldview issues, here are some great alternatives:
BJU Press – What I personally use. Strong Christian worldview baked into every subject.
Generations – Gospel-centered, colorful, robust, and unapologetically Christian.
Christian Light Education (CLE) – Affordable, structured, and strong on faith.
Science Shepherd – Fantastic science program if you like Sonlight but want a creationist alternative. (Seriously—tons of families pair it with Sonlight.)
My Take
Here’s where I land:
BookShark is Sonlight minus the Bible. Same structure, same books (mostly), but stripped of faith.
Sonlight is Christian, but lighter than some families expect. It’s not fence-sitting in every subject, but it doesn’t scream “Christian worldview” the way other curricula do.
And really?
When you take Christ out of Sonlight, like BookShark does, it’s like gutting the program of its heart.
You’re left with good literature, yes—but not the truth that ties it all together.
Final Thoughts
If your family is Christian and you want your homeschool to be anchored in faith, Sonlight might feel a little too middle-of-the-road.
But if you love literature and want a curriculum that weaves in missionary stories and biblical notes without being heavy-handed, Sonlight can be a beautiful fit.
And if you’re considering Sonlight but side-eyeing the science?
Pair it with Science Shepherd and you’ll have a stronger, creationist foundation.
At the end of the day, both programs will give your kids a rich, book-filled education.
The real question is: do you want a Christian worldview woven in, or not?
