Abeka’s a good book. Very heavy into plant and animal life.
I use the BJU, although I do find it a little heavy handed in the religious dept, because I love the way it is outlined so clearly and it also has the best diagrams. It had diagrams that I wished I had had when I was in school.
A third consideration is it is slightly cheaper, very important right now.
There is a whole chapter on evolution which I approach by assigning oral topics to the kids. Then they give a speech in front of their class on each topic, and do debates pro and anti evolution. By the time we finish they have formed their own opinions, and are ready to do more reading on their own - the only way to really learn.
Oh, how the left hates independent thinkers.
That's cuz they love 'critical' thinkers; critical of reality!
I used Apologia, far superior to Abeka or BJU.