Kindle Deals for March 18, 2020
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.)
Never miss a deal! Sign up for an email notification every time we post here.
DK Eyewitness Readers: Animal Hospital, by Judith Walker-Hodge, $2.99. I’ve seen requests for kids’ nonfiction, so I’ll be offering more books along these lines. In this easy reader book, kids can go behind the scenes of a veterinary hospital to see how vets help sick and injured animals. The story is framed around two children who find an injured duck. FYI: We’ve found that DK reader levels are somewhat more challenging than other leveled readers.
Ms. Marvel vol. 1, by G. Willow Wilson, $2.99. Kamala Khan is a Muslim teenager growing up in New Jersey when she discovers that she has powers. This is a great coming-of-age story, and I am please to see Marvel exploring cultural issues. The first four books in the Ms. Marvel series are on sale, so be sure to check them out!
The Color of Magic: A Novel of Discworld, by Terry Pratchett, $1.99. Are you ready to be transported to another realm and lose yourself in an immense series? Welcome to Discworld, the home of a wild and funny series spanning 40 books. The series parodies many of the common fantasy tropes, and is heavy on the puns. Try out this first book in the series, knowing that if you enjoy it, your reading life will be set for weeks.
Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe, by Jane Goodall, $1.99. We are continuing our focus on notable women with Jane Goodall’s account of her long career studying primates. From the publisher: “On the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe is a community where the principal residents are chimpanzees. Through Goodall’s eyes we watch young Figan’s relentless rise to power and old Mike’s crushing defeat. We learn how one mother rears her children to succeed and another dooms hers to failure. We witness horrifying murders, touching moments of affection, joyous births, and wrenching deaths.”
A Nest is Noisy, by Dianna Hutts Aston, $3.99. This beautifully illustrated book is a study of the different forms of nests found in nature. Engaging and poetic language introduce young readers to hummingbird, snake, prairie dog, and many other nests. This book is full of facts and extremely detailed illustrations, but maintains a cozy, warm feel.
The Social Sex: A History of Female Friendship, by Marilyn Yalom and Theresa Donovan Brown, $0.99. Friendships are looking a little bit different right now, with few people able to meet up in person. Why not take the time to read about the history of societal thinking about friendship? In contemporary society, we tend to take for granted that women are social and forge meaningful friendships, but historically, men often believed women were incapable of deep connections. Learn more in this fascinating social history!
STILL ON SALE
My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals, by DK, $1.99. This is a fun resource for young animal fans! Kids will love the whimsical illustrations and colorful photographs. There are sections on animal classifications and behavior, then detailed pages on specific animals. Short sentences and fun facts make this a good choice for early readers (or a read aloud).
Nocturna, by Maya Montayne, $1.99. I’m intrigued by the YA fantasy that is set in a Latinx kingdom. I’m looking forward to exploring this new world. Read this one now so that you are ready for the sequel to be release in September! From the publisher: To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her…and a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks. As a talented faceshifter, it’s been years since Finn has seen her own face, and that’s exactly how she likes it. But when Finn gets caught by a powerful mobster, she’s forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan’s royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever. After the murder of his older brother, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. But Alfie can’t help but feel that he will never live up to his brother’s legacy. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic. But when Finn and Alfie’s fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power—which, if not contained, will devour the world. And with Castallan’s fate in their hands, Alfie and Finn must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, even if it means facing the deepest darkness in their pasts.
Mrs. Sherlock Holmes: The True Story of New York City’s Greatest Female Detective and the 1917 Missing Girl Case that Captivated a Nation, by Brad Ricca, $2.99. Women’s History Month has been slightly overtaken by current events, but we have some great books to share about remarkable women. Mrs. Sherlock Holmes is non-fiction but reads like an exciting crime novel. It tells the story of Grace Humiston, a detective and lawyer who was instrumental in solving several high profile cases. The story is dark, twisty, and true.
Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome a Me, by Carrie DiRisio, $1.99. Looking for a laugh, or maybe the start of a fun project? This extremely tongue-in-cheek guide to being a YA character may inspire your teens to pen their own novels! It’s hard to describe, so I’ll let the back flap speak for itself: “Join Broody McHottiepants as he attempts to pen Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me, a "self-help" guide (with activities--you always need activities) that lovingly pokes fun at the YA tropes that we roll our eyes at, but secretly love. As his nefarious ex, Blondie DeMeani, attempts to thwart him at every turn, Broody overcomes to detail, among other topics, how to choose your genre, how to keep your love interest engaged (while maintaining lead character status), his secret formula for guaranteed love triangle success, and how to make sure you secure that sequel, all while keeping his hair perfectly coiffed and never breaking a sweat.”
Bygone Badass Broads: 52 Forgotten Women who Changed the World, by Mackenzi Lee, $2.99. My daughter and I love collections of brief biographies; they help us to discover new people we want to learn more about. This collection is a lot of fun. The illustrations are bold and beautiful, and the bios are conversational and engaging. The women featured span millennia and the entire globe, including a few names that were brand new to me. Teens may recognize Lee from her popular YA novel, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.
Sign Painters, by Faythe Levine and Sam Macon, $2.99. At one point, nearly every business had a hand-painted sign. Though these signs are becoming less common, there is still a vital artistic community dedicated to creating unique displays. Levine and Macon have interviewed many sign makers to create a modern history of the artform. Lovely color illustrations may inspire you to start creating your own painted signs!
She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild, by Gail Straub, $2.99. This book is a little bit of everything. You’ll find gorgeous photos from remarkable places, stories from 40 women who struck out to discover the world, and practical advice on planning, packing, safety, and more. I found it to be a pleasant and inspiring diversion.
Greystone Secrets: The Strangers, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, $1.99. I haven’t read this middle-grade novel yet, but it seems perfect for the long, dark evenings of winter. The publisher’s description is thrilling and chilling: “The Greystone kids thought they knew. Chess has always been the protector over his younger siblings, Emma loves math, and Finn does what Finn does best—acting silly and being adored. They’ve been a happy family, just the three of them and their mom. But everything changes when reports of three kidnapped children reach the Greystone kids, and they’re shocked by the startling similarities between themselves and these complete strangers. The other kids share their same first and middle names. They’re the same ages. They even have identical birthdays. Who, exactly, are these strangers? Before Chess, Emma, and Finn can question their mom about it, she takes off on a sudden work trip and leaves them in the care of Ms. Morales and her daughter, Natalie. But puzzling clues left behind lead to complex codes, hidden rooms, and a dangerous secret that will turn their world upside down.
Avengers: Everybody Wants to Rule the World, by Dan Abnett, $1.99. I know one friend who is using this isolation time to work through all of the Marvel movies with her family. Perhaps you have a kid who is reluctant to spend time reading. This exciting plot might pique some interest (publisher’s description): “Hydra has a synthetic pathogen that will make the entire human race dependent on them for the cure. A.I.M.'s newly developed nanotech compound to enslave humanity is dangerously close to contaminating the world's water supplies. Ultron is poised on the edge of Singularity, Earth's technology at his metallic fingertips. Dormammu has a plan to save the world--by claiming it as his own. The High Evolutionary is rewriting the human genome in a bid to turn humankind into a eugenic slave-race. Everybody wants to rule the world — and only the isolated Avengers can stop them.”
The Hazel Wood, by Melissa Albert, $2.99. Amy reviewed this one a few years ago! “This is one of the slow, spooky books that you don’t realize is freaking you out until you’re trying to fall asleep and all you can think about is Twice-Killed Katherine. It’s genuinely eerie, first as the fairytale folk stalk Alice and her mom through the city and then as Alice ventures into her grandmother’s mysterious estate, where the darkest story of all is waiting for her. Great for teens who love the gory original Grimm stories or who are in the mood for a spooky, atmospheric book tinged with horror.”
Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever, by Gavin Edwards, $3.99. Several people I know have been turning to old Mister Rogers episodes to help their children deal with anxiety in recent days. Do you need some Kindness and Wonder in your life? From the publisher: “For more than thirty years, Fred Rogers was a beloved fixture in American homes. Warm and welcoming, he spoke directly to children—and their parents—about the marvels of the world, the things that worried them, and above all, the importance of being themselves. Dressed in his cardigan and sneakers, Fred Rogers offered a wholesome message of generosity and love that changed the landscape of television and shaped a generation of children. Kindness and Wonder pays tribute to this cultural icon: the unique, gentle man who embodied the best of what we could be. Looking back at the history of the show and the creative visionary behind it, pop culture aficionado Gavin Edwards reminds us of the indelible lessons and insights that Mister Rogers conveyed—what it means to be a good person, to be open-hearted, to be thoughtful, to be curious, to be compassionate—and why they matter. Beautifully crafted, infused with Mister Rogers’ gentle spirit, and featuring dozens of interviews with people whose lives were touched by Fred Rogers—ranging from Rita Moreno to NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann—Kindness and Wonder is a love letter to this unforgettable cultural hero and role model, and the beautiful neighborhood he created.”
Crash Test Girl: An Unlikely Experiment in Using the Scientific Method to Answer Life’s Toughest Questions, by Kari Byron, $1.99. This book is a fun hybrid memoir/science/self-help book from one of the Mythbusters presenters. Byron tells the complicated story of how she came to be on the show as a series of hypotheses (e.g., if you follow the traditional path, you’ll eventually end up in the job of your dreams) and experiments (e.g., try anything, do everything, say “yes” even when you aren’t sure). This is an interesting read for anyone who is curious about Mythbusters or about finding their own unique path through life. Note: While the book is generally appropriate for tweens/teens, there are sections about relationships and alcohol that parents might want to preview.
Why Knot? How to Tie More than Sixty Ingenious, Useful, Beautiful, Lifesaving, and Secure Knots, by Philippe Petit, $2.99. Petit is a man whose life depends on good knots — he is famous for crossing between the towers of the World Trade Center on a wire. This book goes into great detail about how to tie various knots, why they work, and other knot-related trivia. Petit includes many diagrams to illustrate necessary steps. Why not use some of your extra time at home to learn fun new skills?
Bad Dad, by David Walliams, $1.99. David Walliams is a hugely popular British children’s author that many reviewers compare to Roald Dahl. When Gilbert gets in trouble with a local crime boss, his young son Frank must come to his rescue. This is a fast-paced, funny novel that will keep middle-grade readers entertained. The illustrations only enhance the fun, Dahl-like feel.
Big Questions from Little People: And Simple Answers from Great Minds, by Gemma Elwin Harris, $1.99. As many activities around the country are being canceled or postponed, you may find yourself spending more time at home with your little people. If they are full of questions, you may find this book helpful. Big names like Gordon Ramsay, Bear Grylls, and Mary Roach answer those big questions of childhoold — Why do we have music? Why do cakes taste so nice? The answers are thoughtful and detailed. You may find a few questions that even adults have been wondering about.
Adventurous Women: Eight True Stories About Women Who Made a Difference, by Penny Colman, $2.99. We own several books that are collections of two-page biographies. I love using these as opportunities to discover people who might not have been on our radar. What I like about Adventurous Women, though, is the depth. Each chapter is approximately 20 pages about an ambitious and, yes, adventurous woman. There are a few household names here (e.g. Mary McLeod Bethune), but most of the women are not as well known. Tweens and teens will enjoy learning about an arctic explorer, an enterprising reporter, and more.
Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver, by Jill Heinerth, $2.99. I know you aren’t supposed to just a book by it’s cover, but take a look at this cover! How can you not be compelled to find out what is happening in gorgeous subterranean lakes? From the publisher: “Jill Heinerth—the first person in history to dive deep into an Antarctic iceberg and leader of a team that discovered the ancient watery remains of Mayan civilizations—has descended farther into the inner depths of our planet than any other woman. She takes us into the harrowing split-second decisions that determine whether a diver makes it back to safety, the prejudices that prevent women from pursuing careers underwater, and her endeavor to recover a fallen friend’s body from the confines of a cave. But there’s beauty beyond the danger of diving, and while Heinerth swims beneath our feet in the lifeblood of our planet, she works with biologists discovering new species, physicists tracking climate change, and hydrogeologists examining our finite freshwater reserves.”
The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare, $2.99. Round out your reading list with this Newberry winner about a fierce 16 year old who must find her way in a new land — 1687 Connecticut. Kit grew up in Barbados but now must adjust to living with unfamiliar relatives and under Puritan social norms. Kit uniqueness and nonconformity lead to the suspicion that she is a witch, and she soon finds herself in great danger. This is an exciting adjunct to an early American history unit, or a great book to read just for fun.
Visionary Women: How Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters Changed Our World, by Andrea Barnet, $1.99. This award-winning book introduces readers to four women who shaped the modern environmental movement in very different ways. Carson and Goodall focused on the relationships between humans and creatures of earth and sea, while Jacobs and Waters shaped urban planning and food ways. What they all share is a willingness to reconsider the status quo and fight for what matters.
The Radical Element: 12 Stories of Daredevils, Debutantes, and Other Dauntless Girls, edited by Jessica Spotswood, $1.99. This fun collection of short stories from YA authors is united by a shared theme: girls standing up for themselves throughout American history. Readers will enjoy traveling to different eras and meeting characters from many ethnicities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.
Character Design From the Ground Up: Make Your Sketches Come to Life, by Kevin Crossley, $3.99. Are you or your child fascinated by the characters in comic books, movies, or video games? Would you like to know how they are developed, and how you can create fully fledged characters of your own? Illustrator Kevin Crossley has created a comprehensive guide to the production process, from first sketch to 3D rendering to final product. This is not a “how to draw” book; it assumes you already have ideas and a style of your own. Rather, it walks you through how to refine your work, add detail, and create something that looks professional. The many illustrations in varied drawing styles will provide creative inspiration.
Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space, by Libby Jackson, $1.99. This collection of short biographies will introduce you to the accomplishments of women who looked up with wonder and determination. From the publisher: “From Ada Lovelace in the nineteenth century to the “colored computers” behind the Apollo missions, from the astronauts breaking records on the International Space Station to the scientific pioneers blazing the way to Mars, Galaxy Girls goes boldly where few books have gone before, celebrating this band of heroic sisters and their remarkable and often little known scientific achievements. Written by Libby Jackson, a leading British expert in human space flight, and illustrated with striking artwork from the students of London College of Communication, Galaxy Girls will fire the imaginations of trailblazers of all ages.”
Signs of Resistance: A Visual History of Protest in America, by Bonnie Siegler, $1.99. Protest and dissent are the constant companions of civilization. Bonnie Siegler has created a fascinating history of protest from America’s earliest days to modern times. This book is a look at both the issues that have motivated protest and the techniques that protesters have used to express themselves. There are more than 200 images, each with a short description. This book isn’t a comprehensive history, but it is a great visual resource and a jumping off point for more in-depth explorations.
Because I was a Girl: True Stories for Girls of All Ages, edited by Melissa De La Cruz, $2.99. This collection of stories from girls and women who have faced obstacles because of their gender. The stories are arranged chronologically, making it easy to see how societal expectations and opportunities have changed over time. You’ll meet interesting women from many different fields — astronauts, writers, military members, religious professionals, and more.
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire, by Jack Weatherford, $1.99. Our first Women’s History Month pick! You’ve probably heard of Genghis Khan and his massive empire, but do you know what happened after his conquest? Here’s what the publisher says: “The Mongol queens of the thirteenth century ruled the largest empire the world has ever known. The daughters of the Silk Route turned their father’s conquests into the first truly international empire, fostering trade, education, and religion throughout their territories and creating an economic system that stretched from the Pacific to the Mediterranean. Yet sometime near the end of the century, censors cut a section about the queens from the Secret History of the Mongols, and, with that one act, the dynasty of these royals had seemingly been extinguished forever, as even their names were erased from the historical record. With The Secret History of the Mongol Queens, a groundbreaking and magnificently researched narrative, Jack Weatherford restores the queens’ missing chapter to the annals of history.”
Grammar Girl Presents The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students, by Mignon Fogarty, $3.99. Grammar Girl was one of the first podcasts I ever listened to, and I’ve enjoyed Mignon Fogarty for more than a decade. This book is a compilation of her helpful grammar advice written for middle- and high-school students. She covers everything from parts of speech to frequently misused words to guidelines for letter writing.
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, by Caroline Criado Perez, $2.99. Without a doubt, this is the most important book I read in 2019. Even in the 21st Century, most researchers do not collect data on women, or they average the data of women and men. This means that car safety features, medications, and even urban planning fail to adequately meet women’s needs. This book is fascinating and, frankly, infuriating. This is a must read.
Pocket Companion to Narnia: A Magical Guide to the World of C.S. Lewis, by Paul F. Ford, $4.99. The world of Narnia spans many generations and dozens of characters. This small volume offers an alphabetical listing of places, people, events, and more. The handy reference will help the both Narnia-lovers and newbies to keep all the details straight.
Front Desk, by Kelly Yang, $4.99. My daughter and I loved this book so much. When 10-year-old Mia’s family takes a job managing a motel, they quickly discover that the owner expects lots of work for very little pay. Determined to take some of the burden off of her parents, Mia takes on front desk duty when she comes home from school. Soon, Mia is keeping lots of secrets — the needy immigrants that her parents are hiding in unused hotel rooms, the reasons she can’t hang out with friends after school, and even her secret dream of becoming a writer. Grab this one now! The sequel is coming out later this year.
Well-Read Black Girl, by Glory Edim, $4.99. This anthology looks awesome. From the publisher: “Remember that moment when you first encountered a character who seemed to be written just for you? That feeling of belonging remains with readers the rest of their lives—but not everyone regularly sees themselves in the pages of a book. In this timely anthology, Glory Edim brings together original essays by some of our best black women writers to shine a light on how important it is that we all—regardless of gender, race, religion, or ability—have the opportunity to find ourselves in literature.”
The Periodic Table: A Field Guide to the Elements, by Paul Parsons and Gail Dixon, $3.99. This vibrant and careful guide to all the elements in the periodic table will intrigue budding chemists and anyone who wants to understand how things work. Lots of vivid illustrations of the elements in their various forms round out the dense but accessible text.
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker, by Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson, $1.99. This lovely children’s biography of Josephine Baker covers both her performance career and her civil rights work. It is written in a jazz-style poetry that calls to mind the 1920s. The simple, vivid illustrations won the Coretta Scott King Honor distinction.
Science in Seconds: 200 Key Concepts Explained in an Instant, by Hazel Muir, $1.99. This illustrated guide to scientific concepts explains everything from thermodynamics to the Doppler effect. It’s an excellent resource for when you need a refresher or a way to answer a homework question.
Binti, by Nnedi Okorafor, $1.99. This sci-fi novella introduces an exciting new universe. Binti, a Himba tribeswoman, is the first of her people to gain admission to a galactic university. Against her family’s wishes, she leaves her desert home to pursue higher education. A disaster on her transport ship has profound impacts on Binti’s future. This book is beautifully written and a whirlwind of activity. It’s short, but it packs a punch.
How to Draw Fantasy Art and RPG Maps: Step by Step Cartography for Gamers and Fans, by Jared Blando, $4.99. I’m a big fan of meeting kids where they are to sneak in some meaningful learning. In creating a fantasy world and building an accurate map, budding cartographers will have a crash course in geography. The book offers good starting points for discussion of geographic features, cities and transportation, political history, and heraldry. The excellent and varied illustrations break the complex process into manageable steps.
Enlightenment Now, by Steven Pinker, $1.99. This is a great deal on a massive, informative book, so snap it up! It is very easy to get stuck in thinking about all of the problems and disasters facing the modern world. Pinker uses meticulous sociological research to show that human conditions have been steadily improving since the Enlightenment. Far from resting on laurels, Pinker encourages readers to continue embracing reason and science to defend the world against the ever-encroaching tribalism, demagoguery, and fatalism that also seem to be a persistent part of human nature.
A Crazy-Much Love, by Joy Jordan-Lake, $1.99. This sweet picture book tells the story of an international adoption and many milestones that follow in a young girl’s family.
George, by Alex Gino, $3.99. George may look like a boy, but she knows she is really a girl. Determined to win the role of Charlotte in her school play of Charlotte’s Web, she sets out to make sure everyone else can see her the way she sees herself. Books that address the experiences of transgender tweens are rare, and this one does it well, so snag it for your middle-grade reader.
Challenge Accepted! 253 Steps to Becoming an Anti-It Girl, by Celeste Barber, $1.99. You may have seen Australian actor and comedian Celeste Barber’s hilarious Instagram photos attempting to copy ridiculous celebrity poses. If you’re interested in her take on childbirth, what it’s like to share so much of her life on the internet, body image, and more, this book is a breezy, laugh-out-loud read. Note: If you are squeamish about crude language, this may not be the book for you.
The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley, $1.99. From our Adventure and Suspense reading list: Orphaned girl Harry Crewe is living a perfectly ordinary life — until the day she is kidnapped by the king of the Hillfolk to fulfill a destiny she never imagined. Is Harry really a true warrior who can wield the legendary blue sword? And even if she is, will she believe in herself enough to seize her fate?
Waiting, by Kevin Henkes, $1.99. This sweet picture book captures the emotional essence of childhood. Five toys sit by a window, each waiting for something different to happen. Simple, but resonant text and warm illustrations make this a delightful read.
The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature, by Steven Pinker, $4.99. This book is fascinating and long. I bought it when I couldn’t finish my library copy in time (and I wanted to be able to refer to it again). Word nerds and anthropology fans will love this genre mashup. Find out what the words people use for swearing, humor, and metaphor say about us as human beings.
Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai, $1.99. From our big immigration stories reading list (winter 2017): “When Hà’s family flees Vietnam to escape the war there, she finds it difficult to adjust to a very different kind of life in Alabama. Told in spare, simple verse, this book packs an emotional wallop and allows kids to slip inside the first person experience of being a stranger in a strange land.”