Update Schedule and News
July 18, 2022
I make it a goal to keep the curriculum up-to-date to the best of my ability. Most updates will be replacing out-of-print or difficult-to-find titles, but occasionally I write more extensive revisions, such as when I completely rewrote Levels 5 and 6 three years ago.
I plan on completing updates on as many levels as possible. I will keep this post updated as I make progress. Please check back here to see when the next update will be available!
Please note: All projected dates are tentative and for general, ballpark informational purposes only. While we are striving to meet each of these deadlines, a schedule slip of one may impact the future projected date of others. We will keep this page as updated as we can for a one-stop location for our latest estimates and intended revision order. We also reserve the right to reprioritize any emergency update that may require more timely attention.
Last Page Update: January 30, 2024
Full Year Update Schedule
X – Level 0 – Updated as of May 31, 2023 (New Atlas and Activity Book)
X – Level 1 – Updated as of February 2021
X – Level 2 – Updated as of April 2021
[ April 16, 2021 ] – “Tea with Emily – episode 14“ – In this episode, we hosted a collab “Interview with Lindsey Sodano, Author of History Quest!” Since we have been changing our Levels 1 and Level 2 curriculum to use the first two History Quest books, I hope were able to tune in and chat with Lindsey and me! (watch Episode 14 video recording here)
X – Level 3 – Updated as of July 18, 2021
X – Level 4 – Updated as of April 4, 2022
X – Level 5 – Updated as of August 2020
X – Level 6 – Updated as of August 2020
X – Level 7 – Updated as of September 26, 2021 (New update on 7/20/23 to replace Tree Girl with The Well of Sacrifice)
X – Level 8 – Updated as of July 18, 2022
X – Level 9 – Updated as of February 28, 2023
X –Level 10 – Updated as of August 12, 2023
/ – Level 11 – Update tentatively scheduled for late Spring 2024(updating out-of-print titles and science)
_ – Level 12 – Update tentatively scheduled Fall 2024 (updating out-of-print titles)
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- X – Completed
- / – In Progress
- _ – Scheduled
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Unit Studies
X – Prehistory – Updated as of May 2021
X – Timeline Figures – Updated as of July 2022
X – Darwin and Evolution Unit Study – Updated as of October 1, 2023
X – History of Thanksgiving Unit Study – Updated as of October 26, 2023
Update FAQ
Are updated lesson plans free after purchasing a level?
99% of the time, you would be eligible for a free update if your previously purchased product gets updated (full year or unit study). The rare occasion would be some major rewrite that turns into a new product, which would have to be purchased as new. (This has yet to happen, but may in the future as plans unfold).
To get the new update, you have a couple of options:
1) If you still have your original purchase link in your e-mail, you can download the new version from there.
2) Send me a message with the name and email you used on your original purchase and I’ll be happy to send you a new download link.
Do I have to use the latest version?
Not necessarily. If you always want the latest and greatest of everything, you absolutely can. But you may need to buy some new materials when booklists change.
If you already purchased required books before an update, or previously used a level with an older child, you would be fine using it again as-is. Typically, most updates revolve around replacing out-of-print or otherwise difficult-to-source books. So if you already had them, or found them second-hand, you are all set.
But if the new updates contain new resources that excite you as much as me, you may want to determine for yourself if you want to include them. Getting the update for free will allow you to compare side-by-side for yourself. Flexibility is one of the cornerstones of the Build Your Library curriculum.
Can I get copies of the previous version?
Typically we do not keep multiple versions of a level active, as it would become extremely time-consuming to continuously juggle manual fulfillment of them. We would much rather spend the time continuously updating and improving the master copy of each level.
Thank you so much for this post. It is very helpful for planning. We love BYL!!!
If a level we have previously purchased has been updated, do we need to purchase the level again?
Previous purchasers are eligible for free updates. If you still have download attempts left from the original sale, it would now download the newest edition. Or you can contact us for new links. Thanks!
Can you tell me which, or how many, books will be swapped out for being out of print in Level 3? Thank you!
I won’t have that information until I begin updating Level 3. However, I do know that I will be updating the art books, as those carry over from Level 2. I will also be looking to replace any titles that have gone out-of-print or become difficult to source.
Before we found BYU I was using History Quest for our history anyway. We have to study guide also. Will the study guide be used also?
No, I do not utilize the History Quest study guide with the BYL lesson plans – I write my own activities to go with it. There are timeline figures, maps, and more assigned in the lesson plans.
Hi. Looking forward to the prehistory unit! The May blog says it will be updated late May/this post says late June. How can we tell on the order page if a unit was updated? Thank you!
I’ll make a note here and on the Unit Study page when it is updated – I’ll also be sharing across our social media to announce when it is completed and ready to download.
Thank you!
Hi Emily, We used BYL for the first time last year. We love it! I am ready to buy level 8 so that we can start in August. But, I am wondering how big of an update it will be (as far as my planning). And should I go with the Scientists Through the Ages instead of Thames and Kosmos science kit? Or will that be replaced with something else? Thank you for all of your hard work!
Level 8 will be a relatively minor update – just out-of-print titles and that sort of thing. I’m leaning towards The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science as the experiment book replacement. It’s a great book and it lines up with Level 8 really well.
Is Level 3 update completed? Want to make sure I order all our books before I have my baby in the next few weeks. 🙂
Yes, as of right now (July 18th) the Level 3 update is available to download!
Is there a way that you can please share the updated book list for Level 7 before the curriculum update is completed? I’m sure I am not alone with wanting to order the books and have them delivered and ready to go in time for the release of the update. Thank you!
I always share the updated booklist about a week or two ahead of the update – that is as soon as I can share that information.
Just to confirm, will you be keeping SOTW Vol. 4 in your upcoming update for Level 4?
Yes, we will still be using Story of the World volume 4 in the upcoming Level 4 update.
Can you suggest any options for out-of-print literature books for level 8? I’ve had several I couldn’t find and it would be great to know which titles you’re considering for the update!
I’m still in the collecting and researching stage for the Level 8 update so I don’t have anything to share yet, but as soon as I do I will!
Love BYL for my second grader and am looking into level 10 for my daughter who will be in 10th grade in the fall. Is the update still planned for summer/fall 2022? I’m curious and hopeful that it will be ready before the school year starts so I can source books. Thanks again for all you do.
Yes, that is still the plan!