Is BookShark Secular? Inclusive?

For many secular homeschoolers, finding an open-and-go curriculum that doesn’t include religious bias can be challenging. BookShark has been applauded by many as a “secular” option, often marketed as an alternative to Sonlight, a well-known Christian homeschool curriculum.

BookShark itself seems to be moving away from calling themselves “secular” and instead is calling themselves “faith neutral”. If you search “book shark” and “secular” you can still find evidence of them calling themself secular on their website. Regardless, neutral is supposed to be acceptable to both those with and without religious belief. Are they actually without Christian influence or is it just a repackaged version of Sonlight with a few adjustments?

In this post, I’ll break down how BookShark retains religious influence, focusing on its overall themes, historical narratives, and lingering ties to Sonlight.

BookShark vs. Sonlight: What’s the Connection?

Before diving into the issues with BookShark, it’s important to understand where it comes from. BookShark is a “sister company” for the religious curriculum, Sonlight. BookShark uses much of the same structure, a literature-based approach, and even many of the same books. While BookShark removes some of Sonlight’s most overtly Christian elements—such as Bible study components—it still carries over much of Sonlight’s religious worldview.

This means that while BookShark may not explicitly preach Christianity, it still includes books and themes that reflect Christian missionary work, faith-based historical perspectives, and Western-centric narratives that align with religious homeschooling philosophies.

Questionable and Christian Themes Are Still Present

While BookShark markets itself as secular or faith neutral, its curriculum still includes Christian influences in subtle ways:

Emphasis on Christian missionary work – Many historical narratives in BookShark present missionary efforts in a positive light, mirroring Sonlight’s approach. There is little to no discussion of the harm caused by missionary work, particularly in Indigenous communities.

A Western-centric historical perspective – BookShark’s history curriculum often centers European and Christian viewpoints, with limited critical examination of colonialism.

Portrayal of Indigenous peoples – Many of BookShark’s historical and literature selections rely on outdated, non-Indigenous-written books. These often present Indigenous peoples through a Eurocentric lens, reinforcing stereotypes rather than offering authentic representation.

Moral and faith-based storytelling – Even outside of history, many literature selections reinforce Christian values, focusing on faith, perseverance through prayer, and divine intervention.

“Faith Neutral” Science?

Another red flag in BookShark’s marketing is its claim that its science curriculum is “faith neutral.” This is an unusual label for a curriculum that is NGSS-aligned, as the Next Generation Science Standards are already evidence-based and secular. The fact that BookShark feels the need to call its science “faith neutral” rather than just secular raises questions about whether they are trying to appeal to religious homeschoolers.

The puberty centered books included in their Health and Anatomy books are also not inclusive of existence of LGBTQIA+ children.

Is BookShark a Truly Secular Option?

For homeschoolers looking for a curriculum free from religious influence, BookShark is not the best choice. While it removes the most obvious Christian elements of Sonlight, its book selections and historical framing still reflect religious perspectives. Secular homeschooling families would need to skip or heavily modify parts of the curriculum to align with a truly neutral or inclusive approach.

What Are the Alternatives?

If you’re looking for a fully secular literature-based curriculum, Torchlight is an alternative. Torchlight intentionally curates book selections that are inclusive, diverse, and free from religious bias, making it a stronger choice for families seeking a truly secular homeschool experience.

Another alternative literature rich curriculum is Blossom and Root. Secular from the beginning, they are continually updating their curriculum to make it more inclusive.

Final Thoughts

BookShark may be a step away from Sonlight, but it isn’t a fully secular curriculum. Its lingering religious influences—especially in its historical narratives and literature choices—make it a questionable choice for families seeking a truly secular homeschooling experience.

If you’re considering BookShark, it’s important to go beyond the “secular” label and examine the actual content. Knowing what’s inside the curriculum can help you make an informed decision about whether it aligns with your homeschooling goals.