Switching from Sonlight to BookShark: which level to check first
Find the last Sonlight level your child worked in to see where to look in BookShark, 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 Sonlight to BookShark
- How we place them: both programs on one shared reading scale, from each publisher's own level guidance
- Example: finishing Language Arts 4 in Sonlight points to Level E (ages 10 to 12) in BookShark, or Level D (ages 9 to 11) if the placement test shows gaps (Confirmed by publisher)
- Evidence: across all 12 Sonlight levels, 12 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.
BookShark reading and language arts placement tests
The tests cover Readers and Language Arts for Levels A to C. From Level D, BookShark recommends matching Language Arts to the Reading with History level.
BookShark covers: reading, language arts, literature (secular). Sonlight covers: phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, writing; literature through History/Bible/Literature.
Sonlight to BookShark, level by level
| Last Sonlight level | Finished it: look first at | About halfway: look first at | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Arts K | Level B (ages 7 to 9) If the test shows gaps: Level A (ages 6 to 8) | Level A (ages 6 to 8) If the test shows gaps: Level K (ages 5 to 7) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Language Arts 1 | Level C (ages 8 to 10) If the test shows gaps: Level B (ages 7 to 9) | Level B (ages 7 to 9) If the test shows gaps: Level A (ages 6 to 8) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Language Arts 2 | Level C (ages 8 to 10) If the test shows gaps: Level B (ages 7 to 9) | Level C (ages 8 to 10) If the test shows gaps: Level B (ages 7 to 9) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Language Arts 3 | Level D (ages 9 to 11) If the test shows gaps: Level C (ages 8 to 10) | Level C (ages 8 to 10) If the test shows gaps: Level B (ages 7 to 9) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Language Arts 4 | Level E (ages 10 to 12) If the test shows gaps: Level D (ages 9 to 11) | Level D (ages 9 to 11) If the test shows gaps: Level C (ages 8 to 10) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level D (ages 9 to 12) | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | Level F (ages 11 to 13) If the test shows gaps: Level E (ages 10 to 12) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level E (ages 10 to 13) | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | Level G (ages 12 to 14) If the test shows gaps: Level F (ages 11 to 13) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| Level F (ages 11 to 14) | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | 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 G (ages 12 to 14) | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | 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) | Past Level H (ages 13 to 15), the last level | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| 200 (ages 14 to 17) | Past Level H (ages 13 to 15), the last level | Level H (ages 13 to 15) If the test shows gaps: Level G (ages 12 to 14) | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| 300 (ages 16 to 18) | Past Level H (ages 13 to 15), the last level | Past Level H (ages 13 to 15), the last level | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
Why these levels
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.
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.
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 Sonlight level your child worked in and whether they finished it.
- Find it in the table above and note the evidence level.
- Give the BookShark placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
- Compare the BookShark 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 BookShark usually goes on sale. When Sonlight usually goes on sale.
Going the other way? See BookShark to Sonlight. 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 BookShark have a placement test?
BookShark reading and language arts placement tests: https://bookshark.com/homeschool-curriculum/placement-tests. The tests cover Readers and Language Arts for Levels A to C. From Level D, BookShark recommends matching Language Arts to the Reading with History level.
Is Language Arts 4 in Sonlight the same as Level E (ages 10 to 12) in BookShark?
Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished Language Arts 4 in Sonlight is at about the point where Level E (ages 10 to 12) in BookShark 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 BookShark?
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. How we placed BookShark: BookShark lists an age range for each level and suggests the middle level for a child's age.
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 BookShark usually go on sale?
No published sale dates, discounts or free trials were found on the brand's own site when we checked. Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/bookshark/
More switch guides
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