Switching from BookShark to Sonlight: which level to check first
Find the last BookShark level your child worked in to see where to look in Sonlight, how strong the evidence is, and the free placement test to give next.
In short
- No direct crosswalk: no publisher we found publishes one from BookShark to Sonlight
- How we place them: both programs on one shared reading scale, from each publisher's own level guidance
- Example: finishing Level D (ages 9 to 11) in BookShark points to Level G (ages 12 to 14) in Sonlight, or Level F (ages 11 to 14) if the placement test shows gaps (Confirmed by publisher)
- Evidence: across all 9 BookShark levels, 9 Confirmed by publisher
- The real answer: the placement test
Checked Oct 17, 2026. Built from the same table as our reading switch helper and methodology page.
Sonlight reading and language arts assessments
On the language arts assessment, a child who gets 8 of 10 right moves on to the next level's test, and 3 or fewer means trying the previous level. From Level D, language arts is matched to the History/Bible/Literature level.
Sonlight covers: phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, writing; literature through History/Bible/Literature. BookShark covers: reading, language arts, literature (secular).
BookShark to Sonlight, level by level
| Last BookShark level | Finished it: look first at | About halfway: look first at | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level K (ages 5 to 7) | Language Arts 2 If the test shows gaps: Language Arts 1 | Language Arts 1 If the test shows gaps: Language Arts K | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level A (ages 6 to 8) | Language Arts 4 If the test shows gaps: Language Arts 3 | Language Arts 2 If the test shows gaps: Language Arts 1 | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level B (ages 7 to 9) | Level D (ages 9 to 12) If the test shows gaps: Language Arts 4 | Language Arts 3 If the test shows gaps: Language Arts 2 | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level C (ages 8 to 10) | Level E (ages 10 to 13) If the test shows gaps: Level D (ages 9 to 12) | Language Arts 4 If the test shows gaps: Language Arts 3 | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level D (ages 9 to 11) | Level G (ages 12 to 14) If the test shows gaps: Level F (ages 11 to 14) | Level E (ages 10 to 13) If the test shows gaps: Level D (ages 9 to 12) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level E (ages 10 to 12) | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | Level F (ages 11 to 14) If the test shows gaps: Level E (ages 10 to 13) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level F (ages 11 to 13) | 200 (ages 14 to 17) If the test shows gaps: Level H (ages 13 to 15) | Level G (ages 12 to 14) If the test shows gaps: Level F (ages 11 to 14) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level G (ages 12 to 14) | 300 (ages 16 to 18) If the test shows gaps: 200 (ages 14 to 17) | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level H (ages 13 to 15) | 300 (ages 16 to 18) If the test shows gaps: 200 (ages 14 to 17) | 200 (ages 14 to 17) If the test shows gaps: Level H (ages 13 to 15) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
Why these levels
BookShark: BookShark lists an age range for each level and suggests the middle level for a child's age. Sources: BookShark choosing guide: levels by age, BookShark reading and language arts placement tests.
Sonlight: Sonlight publishes a language arts assessment for each grade K to 4 and an age and grade range for every later level. Sources: Sonlight language arts assessments by grade, K to 4, Sonlight levels by age and grade.
A match is only as strong as its weaker side. Confirmed by publisher means both publishers state the level we used, not that they confirmed the pairing. Supported by parent reports means at least one side rests on reviewers or parents. Unverified means we found no source for at least one side.
How to make the switch
- Note the last BookShark level your child worked in and whether they finished it.
- Find it in the table above and note the evidence level.
- Give the Sonlight placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
- Compare the Sonlight level's scope and sequence with what your child already covered.
- Use free samples or trial lessons for a week before buying the full level.
- Check the sale timing before you buy. When Sonlight usually goes on sale. When BookShark usually goes on sale.
Going the other way? See Sonlight to BookShark. Comparing more programs, or not sure a switch will help? The reading switch helper starts with that question.
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Questions parents ask
Does Sonlight have a placement test?
Sonlight reading and language arts assessments: https://www.sonlight.com/pages/placement-tests. On the language arts assessment, a child who gets 8 of 10 right moves on to the next level's test, and 3 or fewer means trying the previous level. From Level D, language arts is matched to the History/Bible/Literature level.
Is Level D (ages 9 to 11) in BookShark the same as Level G (ages 12 to 14) in Sonlight?
Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished Level D (ages 9 to 11) in BookShark is at about the point where Level G (ages 12 to 14) in Sonlight begins, so that is the level to check first. Evidence level: Confirmed by publisher. No publisher publishes a crosswalk between these two programs.
Why might my child place differently in Sonlight?
How we placed BookShark: BookShark lists an age range for each level and suggests the middle level for a child's age. How we placed Sonlight: Sonlight publishes a language arts assessment for each grade K to 4 and an age and grade range for every later level.
Should we switch at all?
Often a pacing change in the program you own works first: slow down, review, skip ahead or trim problems. A switch makes the most sense when the format or content does not fit your child or family. The switch helper walks through this first.
When does Sonlight usually go on sale?
Last dated offer we found: Nov 28 to Dec 1, 2025. 35% off full retail: curriculum packages on Black Friday, then hands-on kits, unit studies and science over Cyber Weekend (text message). (Reported.) Future dates are not confirmed. Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/sonlight/
More switch guides
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