Build Your Library is often recommended in homeschooling circles as a well-structured, secular, and literature-rich curriculum. For families searching for a Charlotte Mason-inspired approach without religious content, it can feel like the golden ticket. It’s organized, affordable, and offers a book-loving path through education, which is no small thing.
But while BYL has many strengths, it also has some significant gaps that deserve attention. As a parent of queer and neurodivergent children, I’ve spent years looking for educational resources that reflect the world we actually live in, not just academically, but socially and culturally. When I took a closer look at BYL’s booklists and materials, I was disappointed to find a glaring lack of BIPOC-authored literature, almost no LGBTQ+ representation, and the continued centering of Harry Potter.
This isn’t about “canceling” a curriculum. It’s about holding educational resources to the same standards of representation, equity, and critical thinking that we aim to instill in our kids. BYL is not a bad curriculum — far from it. But it’s not as inclusive or as fully secular as it claims to be, and for many families, that matters deeply.
To be clear: Build Your Library has value. The creator has clearly poured time and passion into crafting a literature-rich, engaging program. It’s easy to use, thoughtfully organized, and a welcome change from many faith-based options that dominate the homeschool landscape.
But families shouldn’t have to buy a curriculum and then “make it work.” Representation, inclusion, and intentional content choices should be built in, not left to parents to piece together on their own.
Where Are the Own-Voices Stories?
One of the most noticeable issues in Build Your Library is the lack of books written by Black, Indigenous, and other authors of color, specifically in the younger grades. While the curriculum does include some stories about diverse cultures or historical events, they are too often written from an outsider’s perspective — white authors writing about the experiences of BIPOC communities.
This is a huge missed opportunity. Own-voices stories bring authenticity, nuance, and lived experience that no amount of research can replicate. By not centering BIPOC authors, BYL unintentionally reinforces the idea that white voices are the default or more “literary,” even when telling stories about people who don’t look like them.
If BYL were open to working with content or literary reviewers who specialize in inclusive education, some of our critiques might look very different. We don’t expect everyone to know everything, but being open to growth and feedback goes a long way.
The Silence Around LGBTQ+ Representation
Despite being marketed as secular, BYL entirely avoids LGBTQ+ topics and literature. There are no queer characters in the reading lists, no discussion of different family structures, and no books by LGBTQ+ authors — even in the upper levels.
This absence sends a message, whether intended or not. In a curriculum that spans from preschool through high school, queer students and families are completely invisible.
In 2025, that’s not good enough.
Families like mine — and maybe yours — deserve to see our experiences reflected in the stories we read. All children benefit from learning about diverse identities, and LGBTQ+ inclusion should be seen as an essential part of a secular, modern curriculum — not an optional add-on.
The Harry Potter Problem
Let’s talk about Harry Potter.
Build Your Library includes Harry Potter unit studies. And while there was a time when these books felt magical for a generation of readers (myself included), the continued use of J.K. Rowling’s work is a problem.
Rowling’s repeated public statements attacking the trans community have caused real harm, especially to young trans and nonbinary people who once found comfort in her world. And it’s not just the trans community anymore — she has also recently made derogatory comments about the asexual community, further alienating marginalized readers. Choosing to elevate Harry Potter in 2025, despite the availability of so many other fantastic fantasy books by inclusive and affirming authors, feels insensitive and outdated.
There are alternatives, rich, magical, meaningful alternativeswritten by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors that could easily replace Harry Potter in a literature-based curriculum. Choosing to stick with Rowling despite all of this doesn’t align with the inclusive, secular, and humanistic values that many homeschoolers are seeking.
Alternatives to Consider
Fortunately, BYL isn’t the only literature-based curriculum out there.
Torchlight Curriculum – Torchlight combines secular academics with a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and diverse, inclusive literature. It’s thoughtful, flexible, and written with neurodivergent and marginalized learners in mind. (https://torchlightcurriculum.com/)
Blossom and Root – While not perfect, Blossom and Root incorporates more diverse texts and offers an artistic, nature-connected approach that can be especially appealing to creative learners. Its early years programs in particular are gentle and inclusive. (https://blossomandroot.com/)
These curricula aren’t without their own limitations, but the thing that sets some of these alternatives apart is their responsiveness. Curricula like Torchlight and Blossom and Root have listened to their communities and regularly update their booklists to reflect more diverse, inclusive stories.
Final Thoughts
Build Your Library has value. It’s accessible, well-organized, and has helped many families bring more books into their homeschool life. But calling something secular shouldn’t just mean “we don’t mention God.” It should also mean engaging honestly with the diversity of the real world — including who gets to tell the stories our kids read.
For families like mine, representation isn’t just a bonus — it’s foundational. When our kids don’t see themselves in the curriculum, or when they only see others through the lens of white authors or outdated perspectives, it limits their learning and their sense of belonging.
BYL isn’t a bad curriculum. But if it wants to serve today’s homeschoolers, especially secular, progressive, and marginalized families, it has some important work to do.
Build Your Library has the foundation to be something truly great for secular homeschoolers. But inclusivity isn’t a trend — it’s a responsibility. If the creators are willing to listen, reflect, and revise, there’s potential for meaningful progress.
Until then, families should know that while BYL offers structure and substance, it may still require significant adaptation for those who want their homeschool to reflect the world as it truly is, beautifully diverse and inclusive.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my fellow admins and wonderful community at Strictly Secular + Inclusive for helping me with this review. Are you looking for a secular and inclusive homeschool community? Find out more about us at https://strictlysecularhomeschool.com/
Rabbit Hole Learning 
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