What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently praise Five in a Row (FIAR) for its gentle, literature-based approach that fosters a deep love for reading. Authoritative sources like Cathy Duffy and The Homeschool Mom highlight the program's simplicity and its ability to engage multiple ages simultaneously using high-quality picture books. However, a recurring theme in user discussions, particularly on Reddit and homeschool forums, is the necessity of supplemental instruction. While FIAR covers social studies, science, and art effectively, it is widely considered insufficient for formal phonics and mathematics. Some critics also note that reading the same book five days in a row can occasionally lead to 'book burnout' for older or more restless students. Despite these trade-offs, the curriculum remains a gold standard for families seeking a flexible, connection-focused unit study that prioritizes character and comprehension over rote memorization.

How It Works

A parent and child sit together to read a single high-quality picture book every day for five consecutive days, which is referred to as 'rowing' the book. Each day, the parent uses the teacher's manual to lead a 20-to-45-minute lesson focused on a different subject—social studies on Monday, language arts on Tuesday, art on Wednesday, and so on—all revolving around the story. For example, if the book is set in China, the Monday lesson might involve finding China on a map, while the Friday lesson might explore a science concept like how silk is made. This routine requires very little preparation other than checking the book out from the library and gathering simple household items for occasional hands-on projects.

Switching to This?

Five in a Row does not offer formal placement tests because the curriculum is based on developmental stages rather than specific grade-level skills. The community rule of thumb is to choose a volume based on the child's age: 'Before Five in a Row' for ages 2–4, Volumes 1–3 for ages 5–9, and 'Beyond Five in a Row' for older elementary students. Because each weekly book study is a self-contained unit, families can easily start mid-year or skip around the manual to follow a child’s specific interests. Parents switching from a traditional textbook program should be aware that they will need to purchase separate, dedicated programs for phonics and formal mathematics to ensure those core skills are fully covered.

Curriculum Details

Price

$35 - $45

Pricing reflects individual digital or print teacher manuals ($35-$45). Complete bundles and required literature books are additional costs if not sourced from a library.

Grades

PRE-K - 8

Available As

Print Digital

Coverage

All subjects

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts Science History/Social Studies Art Math

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Pacing

Flexible

Parent Time

30-60 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Needs instruction

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

When compared to Sonlight, another literature-based program, Five in a Row is much more flexible and affordable, as it focuses on one book a week rather than the massive, pre-scheduled reading lists that Sonlight requires. Against Moving Beyond the Page, Five in a Row feels more 'gentle' and conversational, as it avoids the heavy worksheet load and formal assessments found in the more rigorous Moving Beyond the Page units. Parents looking at Build Your Library will find that while both use 'living books,' Five in a Row is more focused on the deep analysis of picture books, whereas Build Your Library uses a more traditional history-based timeline. Compared to Torchlight, Five in a Row uses more classic, older book titles, while Torchlight prioritizes modern, diverse literature and a more secular-eclectic philosophy. Finally, the main reason parents choose Five in a Row over these competitors is the ease of 'teaching to the middle,' allowing multiple children of different ages to enjoy the same story and activities together at the kitchen table.

Getting Started