Build Your Library (BYL) is a comprehensive secular, literature-based homeschool curriculum for grades K-12 that uses Charlotte Mason methods including living books, narration, and copywork to teach history, science, and literature.
What is Build Your Library?
Build Your Library delivers Charlotte Mason-inspired education without religious content. Created by Emily Cook, a 21-year homeschool veteran and co-founder of SEA Homeschoolers (Secular, Eclectic, Academic Homeschoolers), the curriculum uses living books—engaging literature written by passionate authors—rather than dry textbooks. Each 36-week level follows a historical timeline, progressing chronologically from ancient civilizations through modern times across the K-12 span. The program covers history, literature, poetry, science, and art through quality books, with parents purchasing PDF lesson plans ($30-$60) and sourcing books separately through libraries or retailers.
Key Takeaways
- Secular, Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum for grades K-12 using living books
- PDF lesson plans cost $30-$60 per level; books purchased separately ($300-600 or borrowed from libraries)
- Includes narration, copywork, dictation, nature study, and artist/composer study
- Math, spelling, grammar, and phonics must be supplemented with other programs
- Created by Emily Cook with 21+ years of homeschooling experience
How the Curriculum Is Organized
Build Your Library follows a historical timeline across all grade levels. Level 0 (Kindergarten) explores cultures around the world. Level 1 covers ancient Egypt, Persia, Rome, and mythology alongside nature study. Level 2 examines the medieval world—knights, castles, Vikings—paired with earth and space science. Higher levels continue through early modern history, modern world, and two cycles of American history. Each level provides a 36-week schedule with daily lesson plans specifying which books to read, copywork passages, narration prompts, and supplementary activities. Science, art, and composer study integrate with the historical period being studied.
What You'll Need to Add
Build Your Library covers history, literature, science, and arts but doesn't include math, spelling, grammar instruction, or beginning reading/phonics. Families must select separate programs for these subjects. Popular pairings include Singapore Math or Math-U-See for math, All About Spelling for spelling, and programs like The Good and the Beautiful or Simply Grammar for grammar instruction. The curriculum assumes children can read independently by Level 1, though earlier levels work as read-alouds for emerging readers.
Comparing to Similar Programs
Among secular literature-based options, Build Your Library stands out for affordability—$30-$60 for lesson plans versus $500-$1,200 for complete packages from competitors. Compared to BookShark, BYL addresses evolution and scientific concepts directly rather than avoiding them, includes more Charlotte Mason elements like nature journals and artist study, but requires more parent effort sourcing 30-50 books per level. Compared to Sonlight, BYL is truly secular rather than Christian-integrated, significantly cheaper, but demands more organizational work since books aren't shipped in a tidy package.
The Bottom Line
Build Your Library offers perhaps the most affordable path to rigorous, literature-based secular education. Emily Cook's two decades of homeschooling experience shows in thoughtful book selections that engage students without sacrificing academic depth. The curriculum works best for families who love reading aloud, have access to a good public library system, and appreciate Charlotte Mason's emphasis on narration and living books. The trade-off is organizational effort—you're sourcing dozens of books rather than receiving one comprehensive box. For families willing to do that legwork, BYL delivers exceptional value.
