Kindle Deals for December 19, 2019
Today's Best Book Deals for Your Homeschool
(Prices are correct as of the time of writing, but y'all know sales move fast — check before you click the buy button! These are Amazon links — read more about how we use affiliate links to help support some of the costs of the HSL blog here.)
Laugh-Out-Loud Christmas Jokes for Kids, by Rob Elliott, $1.99. I’m not going to lie; these are not sophisticated jokes, but they will tickle the kids on your life. If you’ve wanted to know why snowmen always change their minds (they’re flaky) or why Rudolph’s nose shines at night (he’s a light sleeper), this book is for you!
We Need to Talk, by Celeste Headlee, $1.99. As we roll into the holiday season, you may find yourself interacting with people you don’t see all that often. This interesting and helpful book about communication offers tools that will improve your conversations with family, friends, colleagues, and others.
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, $2.99. If you or your teen hasn’t read this fast-paced dystopian series yet, what are you waiting for? Join Katniss on her fight for survival in the epic, televised fight to the death. There’s lots to discuss here about politics, media, morality, and more.
STILL ON SALE
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy, by Noelle Stevenson, $3.99. My tween absolutely loves this comic series about a group of unusual girls at a summer camp. In addition to having a great time doing your typical camp activities, this gang face off with some supernatural creatures and go on a classic fantasy quest. This is girl power all the way! If you like this one, most of the other books in the series are also on sale right now.
Longitude, by Dava Sobel, $3.99. I take so much scientific knowledge for granted, so it is fascinating to dive deep into how a particular scientific problem was solved. For centuries, sailors were stymied by “the longitude problem” — without a way to tell time at sea, it was impossible to determine longitude as soon as shore was out of sight. This is the story of John Harrison’s quest to find a solution. Along the way, Sobel explains the astronomy, navigation, and time-keeping innovations that made longitude determination possible.
The Giver, by Lois Lowry, $1.99. From our What You Should Read in Middle School guide: What cost does utopia have? How important is freedom? Tweens are ready to tackle those ambiguous questions right along with young Jonah in this deceptively simple novel.
The Wendy, by Erin Michelle Sky and Steven Brown, $0.99. I’ve heard interesting things about this retelling of Peter Pan. Wendy Darling loves the sea and wants to be a captain, but in 18th century England, this is an impossibility. Here’s how the publisher describes it: When she learns the Home Office is accepting a handful of women into its ranks, she jumps at the chance, joining the fight against the most formidable threat England has ever faced. Magic. But the secret service isn’t exactly what she hoped. Accompanied by a reimagined cast of the original Peter Pan, Wendy soon discovers that her dreams are as far away as ever, that choosing sides isn’t as simple as she thought, and that the only man who isn't blinded by her gender ... might be her nation's greatest enemy.
The Magician’s Nephew, by C.S. Lewis, $1.99. This is the novel that begins The Chronicles of Narnia series. You’ll witness the creation of Narnia, a daring escape from a sorceress, and more.
American Royals, by Katharine McGee, $4.99. This is a recent release that has made many “Best YA of 2019” lists! The concept is fascinating: “When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. Like most royal families, the Washingtons have an heir and a spare. A future monarch and a backup battery. Each child knows exactly what is expected of them. But these aren't just any royals. They're American.”
The African Svelte: Ingenious Misspellings That Make Surprising Sense, by Daniel Menaker, $2.99. We all make word usage mistakes, and the era of autocorrect saved us from homophone errors. This interesting and funny book takes a look at some common word errors like “from the gecko” and “wet your appetite” to explain the correct terminology and speculate on why so many people get them wrong. Cartoonist Roz Chast provides hilariously literal illustrations.
Capital Dames: The Civil War and the Women of Washington 1848-1868, by Cokie Roberts, $1.99. I loved American Dames, Roberts’s book about women in the American Revolution. Capital Dames is a rare treat for me, a Civil War book that is not primarily a listing of battles. Rather, Roberts focuses on women’s lives and their contributions to the war. This is an excellent reference to round out a Civil War study.
The Amazing Idea of You, by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, $1.99. This adorable and inspiring book will be a great readaloud for your family. Inside a seed is the idea of a plant, and inside of an egg is the idea of a bird. What wonderful things are waiting inside of you?
Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom, by Jennifer S. Holland, $2.99. It’s time for your daily dose of “Awwwww!” This collection of short nonfiction stories celebrates animal companionship. From the orphaned elephant who found a mother figure in a sheep to the baby deer and bobcat who bonded at an animal rescue, these adorable pairs will warm your heart. The book is pleasantly peppered with charming photos.
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas, by Jane O’Connor, $1.99. This English major has always loved reading Fancy Nancy books to kids. I love how excited Nancy gets about language! Nancy declares Christmas to be the fanciest of all the holidays and walks you through all the reason why with her trademark big words and charm.
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World, by Melinda Gates, $2.99. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been working to improve living conditions around the world for years. In this book, Melinda Gates shares some of the insights she has gained from her extensive travels. She says, “If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down.”
The Stars Now Unclaimed, by Drew Williams, $2.99. My husband really enjoyed this book and recently recommended it to one of his favorite teens. Unfortunately, he’s not here to give me his summary so we will have to defer to the publisher: “Jane Kamali is an agent for the Justified. Her mission: to recruit children with miraculous gifts in the hope that they might prevent the Pulse from once again sending countless worlds back to the dark ages. Hot on her trail is the Pax--a collection of fascist zealots who believe they are the rightful rulers of the galaxy and who remain untouched by the Pulse. Now Jane, a handful of comrades from her past, and a telekinetic girl called Esa must fight their way through a galaxy full of dangerous conflicts, remnants of ancient technology, and other hidden dangers.”
The Afterlife of Holly Chase, by Cynthia Hand, $1.99. This YA reimagining of A Christmas Carol will intrigue adults and teens alike. When Holly is visited by ghosts who tell her to change her ways, she doesn’t listen. And then she dies. Now she must serve as a Ghost of Christmas Past. Her afterlife isn’t going well, but there may be an opportunity for a second chance.
Problem Solving 101, A Simple Book for Smart People, by Ken Watanabe, $4.99. Ken Watanabe wrote this book for Japanese school kids to get them practicing decision making and problem solving instead of just memorization. Through a series of interesting adventures and challenges, Watanabe teaches the readers how use logic, trial and error, and teamwork to solve complicated problems. The examples and illustrations are fun for all ages; this book became a Japanese bestseller popular with business leaders!
Your Inner Fish, a Journey Into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body, by Neil Shubin, $4.99. We know humans share common ancestors with pretty much all creatures on earth if you go far back enough. Paleontologist Neil Shubin walks us through the fossil and DNA records to show which parts of our body we share with other current and extinct animals. This book brings ancient history to life by showing how the traces are still visible in our own hands, heads, and more.
Hanukcats, and Other Traditional Jewish Songs for Cats, by Laurie Loughlin, $1.99. Do you love the holidays, humor, and also cats? This might be your lucky day. This collection of funny Hanukkah-themed songs are written from the perspective of your household cat. Funny, charming illustrations make this book fun for all ages. If your family or your cat celebrates Christmas, you might want to check out Catmas Carols by the same author.
The Poisoner’s Handbook, Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York, by Deborah Blum, $4.99. We take CSI shows completely for granted now. Of course there will scientific experts carefully examining the scene of the crime, right? Surprisingly, forensic science was not a major part of law enforcement until approximately one hundred years ago. Poisoning was a nearly undetectable crime until a pair of scientists systematically studied the effects and traces of poisons. This is fascinating, if dark at times, history.
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea, by Ellis Weiner, $0.99. This new series has delightful Lemony Snicket feel. The publisher’s description gives you a great sense of the book’s tone: “Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometime confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins—adults—named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Now in paperback, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn't?!).”
The Magic Thief, by Sarah Prineas, $3.99. Magic is in short supply in Conn’s world. When Conn attempts to pick the pocket of a wizard, the wizard decides to make Conn his apprentice. As Conn learns to navigate the world of magic, he must find his own power and help his master discover who or what is draining the city of its magic. This is the first in an exciting middle-grade series.
Something in Between, by Melissa de la Cruz, $2.99. Melissa de la Cruz is a prolific YA author known largely for vampire novels, Alexander Hamilton stories, and the Descendants novels. In Something in Between, she veers into more realistic fiction to tell the story of a young Filipino girl who discovers that her parents overstayed their visas, and that everyone in their family is an illegal immigrant. The story encompasses both her legal journey and a romance plot. This is a feel-good story about a difficult situation that may be more optimistic than realistic, but it could be a good way to introduce and personalize the topic of illegal immigration for middle and high school readers.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl, $1.99. This vivid and delicious, though sometimes dark, novel is a children’s classic. Kids everywhere will relate to Charlie’s adventure at the chocolate factory and take delight in the terrible mishaps that befall the misbehaving children on the tour. I loved this book as a child; Dahl has the perfect balance of joy and the kind of dark humor kids love.
The Bad Seed, by Jory John, $2.99. This kid’s book about a bad seed who reconsiders his path in the world is sure to entertain kids of all ages.
Just Jaime, by Terri Libenson, $2.99. My tween daughter really likes the books in this series of illustrated novels, which are great for fans of Raina Telgemeier. In this one, Jaime struggles when her friend group wants her to conform or go away. With support from adults and other friends, Jaime is able to stay true to herself.
Notorious RBG, by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik, $2.99. This is a thorough, respectful, and still irreverent biography of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Legal scholarship has never been so interesting!
My Jasper June, by Laurel Snyder, $1.99. I just bought this one for my daughter, who said, “It’s probably going to make me cry, but I’ll like it anyway.” Here’s how the publisher describes this moving middle grade story: The school year is over, and it is summer in Atlanta. The sky is blue, the sun is blazing, and the days brim with possibility. But Leah feels. . . lost. She has been this way since one terrible afternoon a year ago, when everything changed. Since that day, her parents have become distant, her friends have fallen away, and Leah’s been adrift and alone. Then she meets Jasper, a girl unlike anyone she has ever known. There’s something mysterious about Jasper, almost magical. And Jasper, Leah discovers, is also lost. Together, the two girls carve out a place for themselves, a hideaway in the overgrown spaces of Atlanta, away from their parents and their hardships, somewhere only they can find. But as the days of this magical June start to draw to a close, and the darker realities of their lives intrude once more, Leah and Jasper have to decide how real their friendship is, and whether it can be enough to save them both.
The Parenting Project: Build Extraordinary Relationships With Your Kids Through Daily Conversation, by Amy Alamar and Kristine Schlichting, $3.27. I scooped this one up before I even started writing up today’s deals. The idea behind The Parenting Project is that frequent and intentional conversations with tweens and teens are the foundation of a healthy relationship. The book provides conversation starters to help parents get to know their children better. The second half of the book provides helpful guides for talking about specific tricky issues, like bullying, self-harm and suicide, sexuality, healthy friendships, future planning, and more.