Best Science Workbook Under $12 (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Finding the best science workbook under 12 gets easier once you know the grade: a first grader needs short lessons with pictures, while a fifth grader needs a study guide with real content. We compared five science workbooks by grade level, reading age, print length, series position and answer key.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Sharpeners G2 by Evan-Moor	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Sharpeners G1 by Evan-Moor	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	DK Science G3 by DK	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Physical Science by Cameron	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	DK Science G2 by DK	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Sharpeners G2 by Evan-Moor

Evan-Moor Educational Publishers·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A full-color science activity book for second grade covering physical, life, and earth science, with an answer key and a downloadable Teaching Guide.

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Pros

• 144 pages with reading selections and activities per lesson
• Answer key included, plus a downloadable Teaching Guide
• Based on Next Generation Science Standards and state standards, per the listing

Cons

• No series position is stated
• 144 pages may last a whole school year, not a short unit
• Full-color activity book, so it is not a plain text workbook

2

Sharpeners G1 by Evan-Moor

Evan-Moor Educational Publishers·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A full-color science activity book for first grade covering physical, life, and earth science, with an answer key and a downloadable Teaching Guide.

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Pros

• 144 pages with reading selections and activities per lesson
• Answer key included, plus a downloadable Teaching Guide
• Based on Next Generation Science Standards and state standards, per the listing

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• No series position is stated
• 144 pages may last a whole school year, not a short unit

3

DK Science G3 by DK

DK·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A science workbook for third grade covering anatomy, vertebrates, photosynthesis, the solar system and more, with a parents answers section.

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Pros

• Topics cover anatomy, vertebrates, photosynthesis, the solar system and more
• Parents section contains answers, tips and guidance
• Book 5 of 5 in the DK Workbooks series

Cons

• Spec table What Will I Learn describes geography topics, while the title and description say science
• 60 pages is shorter than the Evan-Moor books
• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher

4

Physical Science by Cameron

Schyrlet Cameron·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An interactive notebook for grades 5 and up with 29 lessons in matter, forces and motion, and energy, for review and study.

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Pros

• 29 lessons in matter, forces and motion, and energy
• Interactive notebook format for creating learning portfolios
• Study guide format, per the title

Cons

• Spec table Overview describes teen coping topics, while the title and description say physical science
• 64 pages is shorter than the Evan-Moor books
• No answer key is stated

5

DK Science G2 by DK

DK·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A science workbook for second grade covering animal life cycles, insect life, plant reproduction, simple machines and states of matter.

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Pros

• Topics cover animal life cycles, insect life, plant reproduction and simple machines
• Parents section contains answers, tips and guidance
• Book 4 of 5 in the DK Workbooks series

Cons

• Spec table What Will I Learn describes geography topics, while the title and description say science
• 60 pages is shorter than the Evan-Moor books
• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher

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More picks to compare

• Write to Learn Science by BrainWaveFull-color science workbook with handwriting practice, 72 pagesCheck on Amazon
• Science Grade 1 by Polymath PandaDaily practice workbook for ages 6 to 7, Book 1 of 2Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 24 October 2026. All five list a reading age and a grade level.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five picks list a reading age and a grade level, from grade 1 and up to grade 5 to 8. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best science workbook under 12

Match the grade level first

Grade level is the simplest filter here. The Evan-Moor books list grade 1 and up and grade 2 and up, the DK books grade 3 to 4 and grade 1 to 3, and the Mark Twain book grade 5 to 8. Match the stated grade to the student first. For an older student, a science workbook for fourth grade follows the same rule.

Workbook length and answer keys

Page count decides how long the book lasts. The Evan-Moor books run 144 pages each, the DK books 60 pages each, and the Mark Twain book 64 pages. Both Evan-Moor books state an answer key included, and a downloadable Teaching Guide is included too. The DK books state a parents section with answers, and the Mark Twain listing states no answer key.

Series or standalone

Two picks here belong to series: the DK third grade book is Book 5 of 5 and the DK second grade book is Book 4 of 5 in the DK Workbooks series. The Evan-Moor books and the Mark Twain book state no series position. A science workbook for the next grade up keeps the same routine going.

Before you buy

• Check the edition year: the DK books are from December 23, 2013, and the Evan-Moor books from January 1, 2015.
• Check the series position first: the DK books are Book 5 of 5 and Book 4 of 5 in their series.
• Check whether an answer key is included: both Evan-Moor books state one, and the DK books state a parents section with answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade is each workbook for?

The Evan-Moor books list grade 1 and up and grade 2 and up, the DK books grade 3 to 4 and grade 1 to 3, and the Mark Twain book grade 5 to 8.

Do these workbooks include an answer key?

Both Evan-Moor books state an answer key included. The DK books state a parents section with answers.

Which workbook here is part of a series?

The DK third grade book is Book 5 of 5 and the DK second grade book is Book 4 of 5. The other three picks state no series position.

Still deciding? Our top pickSharpeners G2 by Evan-Moor

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Related lists

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More lists: science workbook, science workbook for fourth grade, homeschool curriculum.