It’s time to do another comparison between Sonlight and BookShark. This time I’m taking a close look at Sonlight B and BookShark B – both named Intro to World History Year 1 of 2. I also take a look at their cooresponding science curriculum. Last year BookShark renamed their levels from numbers to match the levels used by Sonlight. Sonlight added a new level marketed for kindergarten. Due to this, they shifted their age recommendations up just slightly. This BookShark level is listed for ages 6-8 and Sonlight for ages 7-9. Here’s a look at BookShark vs Sonlight homeschool curriculum level B.
Sonlight and BookShark Comparison
When BookShark first came into the homeschool curriculum market, many people were wondering about the differences between them and Sonlight. BookShark is often described as the secular version of Sonlight. However, the company changed the wording to describe themselves as neutral instead of secular. If you hang around the secular homeschool community long enough, you’ll learn that there really is a difference.
I had a really hard time deciding between the two companies, so I made a list of their books in the level I was considering to get a better idea of the differences. As it turns out, many other people had those same questions and that post became very popular. I’ve continued to do these comparison posts in hopes that they help others make the best choice for their own family. Regardless of which curriculum you choose, you can use these comparison posts to find books that you may want to add to your book list.
Three Different Schedule Options
Sonlight offers their levels as 5 day and 4 day options. BookShark only offers a 4 day schedule. Since Sonlight’s 5 day schedule has the most books, I’ll will use that book list as the starting point and note if either Sonlight 4 day or BookShark is missing that book. I will also list books that BookShark offers that are missing from Sonlight. These early levels can be customized by changing the level of the readers. I list all reader levels that are offered for Sonlight B and BookShark B. As you’ll see, there are quite a few differences between the grade level of readers. That just goes to show that a book can be considered a 2nd grade reader by one company and 3rd grade reader by another.
***This post is current as of May 2020. I will do my best to update it each year when their catalogs are released in the spring. The books in the photos are from the packages offered in 2016 (which I own) and may not reflect the current book lists.
Related Post – 2nd Grade Homeschool Curriculum Choices
BookShark Reading with History B
Sonlight vs BookShark History Books
George Muller – not in BookShark, religious
Around the World with Kate and Mack – not in BookShark, religious
Catching Their Talk in a Box – not in BookShark, religious
Archaeologists Dig for Clues – not in Sonlight 4 day
The Great Wall of China – not in Sonlight 4 day
The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World – not in either Sonlight, BookShark uses a discontinued version. The link goes to the current edition of the book.
A Child’s History of the World – no longer in BookShark, removed and replaced with the following 4 books
Game on in Ancient Greece – not in either Sonlight
On the Run in Ancient China – not in either Sonlight
You Wouldn’t Want to be a Sumerian Slave – not in either Sonlight
The Silk Route: 7000 Miles of History – not in either Sonlight
BookShark Reading with History B read aloud books
Sonlight vs BookShark Real Aloud Books
Greek Myths for Young Children – not in BookShark
Mr. Popper’s Penguins – not in Sonlight 4 day
Mountain Born – not in Sonlight 4 day
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry – not in BookShark
Happy Times in Noisy Village – not in BookShark
The Year of the Baby – not in BookShark
Babe the Gallant Pig – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
Word of Mouse – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark, list in BookShark C as a read aloud book
Kildee House – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark, in BookShark level C
Favorite Poems of Childhood – not in either Sonlight
It Could Always be Worse – not in either Sonlight
Welcome to Silver Street Farm – not in either Sonlight
BookShark’s 3rd grade readers
1st Grade Readers
Sonlight B offers readers at four different levels (1st through 4th grades). BookShark B can be customized with their 1st through 3rd grade readers.
Little Bear – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
A Fly Went By – not in BookShark
The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto – not in Sonlight 4 day
2nd Grade Readers
The Beginner’s Bible – not in BookShark, religious
Hill of Fire – not in Sonlight 4 day
Wagon Wheels – not in Sonlight 4 day
The Big Balloon Race – not in Sonlight 4 day
Daniel’s Duck – not in Sonlight 4 day
The Fire Cat – not in Sonlight 4 day
Surprises – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
Sword in the Tree – not in Sonlight 4 day
Riding the Pony Express – not in either Sonlight
Third Grade Detectives #1 and #2 – 2nd grade readers for BookShark, 3rd grade reader for both Sonlight schedules
Prairie School – 2nd grade reader for BookShark, 3rd grade reader for both Sonlight schedules
The Long Way Westward – 2nd grade reader for BookShark, 3rd grade reader for both Sonlight schedules
The Long Way to the New Land – 2nd grade reader for BookShark, 3rd grade reader for both Sonlight schedules
Clara and the Bookwagon – 2nd grade reader for BookShark, 3rd grade reader for both Sonlight schedules
3rd Grade Readers
Prairie School – 2nd grade reader for BookShark
The Long Way Westward – 2nd grade reader for BookShark
The Long Way to the New Land – 2nd grade reader for BookShark
Clara and the Bookwagon – 2nd grade reader for BookShark
Third Grade Detectives #1 and #2 – 2nd grade reader for BookShark
Third Grade Detectives #10 – not in Sonlight 4 day
Third Grade Detectives #4 – not in Sonlight 4 day
Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie – not in BookShark
Tippy Lemmy – not in Sonlight 4 day
Tornado – not in Sonlight 4 day
A Question of Yams – not in BookShark, religious
Riding the Pony Express – 2nd grade reader for BookShark
Lumber Camp Library – not in either Sonlight
Encyclopedia Brown – not in either Sonlight
Marco Polo – not in either Sonlight
4th Grade Readers
These are not available as a customization for BookShark level B even though they offer this book set for higher levels. However, you may be able to call them to request it. These readers are available for Sonlight level B.
Ginger Pye – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
Encyclopedia Brown – 3th grade reader for BookShark
Lumber Camp Library – 3th grade reader for BookShark
The King’s Equal – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
More Stories from Grandma’s Attic – not in BookShark, religious
B is for Betsy – not in Sonlight 4 day
Marco Polo – 3rd grade reader for BookShark
King of the Mound – not in either Sonlight
A Doctor Like Papa – not in either Sonlight
About Average – not in either Sonlight
Sonlight Science B Books – many of these books have changed since we last used the level.
Sonlight vs BookShark Science Books
Both companies made major changes to their science curriculum. New books were added, the approach the science experiments changed, and BookShark increased the level for their lower science levels. Now, BookShark Science C is the book list that lines up with Sonlight Science B. It’ll be interesting to see what they do in coming years if they get back on track with each other.
See How it’s Made – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
Coding for Beginners Using Scratch – not in Sonlight 4 day or BookShark
And there it is! Those are the difference is book lists between Sonlight B and BookShark B. I hope this comparison helps you decide which program is the best fit for your family and perhaps help you find a book or two to add to the program you choose. You can find my other comparison posts below!
Related Posts
Sonlight A vs BookShark A Curriculum Comparison
Sonlight C vs BookShark C Curriculum Comparison
Sonlight D vs BookShark D Curriculum Comparison
Sonlight E vs BookShark E Curriculum Comparison
[…] Sonlight B vs BookShark B Comparison […]