Kindle Deals for March 2, 2021
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.)
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Secret Lives of Great Artists, by Elizabeth Lunday, $1.99. Many famous artists were… eccentric, to say the least. This book collects some of the weirdest stories about big name artists into one strange volume. You’ll learn about Michelangelo’s horrible stench, Munch’s paranoia, and more. Along the way, Lunday walks readers through some of the artists’ famous works, providing context and criticism. This is a fun supplement to art history study. Because some of these artists had unusual sexual proclivities, this book is probably best for older teens or for adults who can segments to younger children.
Picture This: How Pictures Work, by Molly Bang, $2.99. Understand the language of picture books in a new way with this classic book about visual literacy. Molly Bang explains how curves, colors, and lines come together to evoke emotions and tell a story. Using bold colors and shapes, Bang walks the reader through all of the choices she makes in illustrating a version of Little Red Riding Hood. The result is absolutely fascinating.
Words For Pictures: The Art and Business of Writing Comics and Graphic Novels, by Brian Michael Bendis, $4.99. Learn all about the process for creating a comic in this detailed book. The many comic panels used as illustrations will delight superhero fans. From the publisher: “Arguably the most popular writer in modern comics, Brian Michael Bendis shares the tools and techniques he uses to create some of the most popular comic book and graphic novel stories of all time. Words for Pictures provides a fantastic opportunity for readers to learn from a creator at the very top of his field. Bendis's step-by-step lessons teach comics writing hopefuls everything they'll need to take their ideas from script to dynamic sequential art. The book's complete coverage exposes the most effective methods for crafting comic scripts, showcases insights from Bendis's fellow creators, reveals business secrets all would-be comics writers must know, and challenges readers with exercises to jumpstart their own graphic novel writing success.”
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.
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Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik, $1.99. I really enjoyed this Ruth Bader Ginsburg biography. It’s easy to see the Supreme Court as formal and inaccessible, but these authors do a great job of incorporating humor, popular culture, and inspiration. Readers will learn about Ginsburg’s focus on women’s rights in the workplace, the trajectory of her career, and her famous dissents.
Notorious Victoria: The Uncensored Life of Victoria Woodhall, Visionary, Suffragist, and First Woman to Run for President, by Mary Gabriel, $1.99. Did you know that Hillary Clinton was not the first female presidential candidate? From the publisher: “She was the first woman to run for president. She was the first woman to address the U.S. Congress and to operate a brokerage firm on Wall Street. She’s the woman Gloria Steinem called “the most controversial suffragist of them all.” So why have most people never heard of Victoria Woodhull? In this extensively researched biography, journalist Mary Gabriel offers readers a balanced portrait of a unique and complicated woman who was years ahead of her time—and perhaps ahead of our own.”
Radioactive: How Irene Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World, by Winifred Conkling, $1.99. Get to know two outstanding female scientists in this middle grade biography. Photos and drawn illustrations help to explain the scientific principles at the heart of Curie’s and Meitner’s work. Both women were early studiers of radiation, particularly the creation of artificial radiation and the development of fission.
Tough Mothers: Amazing Stories of History’s Mightiest Matriarchs, by Jason Porath, $1.99. The author of Rejected Princesses is back with another fantastic collection of short biographies. The tone is probably most appropriate for teens, but each story is carefully labeled with an age rating and relevant trigger warnings (e.g. child loss, sexual assault). The racially and geographically diverse women Porath profiles are courageous, innovative, and never boring.
Ninth Ward, by Jewell Parker Rhodes, $1.99. This is the first in a loosely connected series about the experiences of Black girls in Louisiana a various points in history. From the publisher: “Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching, it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them both survive the storm. From the New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Boys and Towers Falling, Ninth Ward is a deeply emotional story about transformation and a celebration of resilience, friendship, and family--as only love can define it.”
The Jumbies, by Tracey Baptiste, $1.99. This is another mythology-based book, but grounded in Haitian folklore. Corinne doesn’t believe that jumbies, tricksters that live in the forest, are real. But when a mysterious woman arrives in her town, it is up to Corinne to save the entire island from being taken over by jumbies. This spooky, action-packed adventure will appeal to middle grade readers.
Donavan’s Word Jar, by Monalisa DeGross, $1.99. This sweet and endearing chapter book about a word nerd will put a smile on your face. Donavan likes to collect words; he writes interesting words down on slips of paper and sticks them in a glass jar. When the jar fills up, Donavan has to figure out what to do with his collection. Donavan is in third grade, and his story will appeal to kids of a similar age.
A Drop of Midnight, by Jason Diakite, $1.99. This memoir from musician Jason Diakite is both personal and sweeping. Here’s the publisher’s description: “Born to interracial American parents in Sweden, Jason Diakité grew up between worlds—part Swedish, American, black, white, Cherokee, Slovak, and German, riding a delicate cultural and racial divide. It was a no-man’s-land that left him in constant search of self. Even after his hip-hop career took off, Jason fought to unify a complex system of family roots that branched across continents, ethnicities, classes, colors, and eras to find a sense of belonging. In A Drop of Midnight, Jason draws on conversations with his parents, personal experiences, long-lost letters, and pilgrimages to South Carolina and New York to paint a vivid picture of race, discrimination, family, and ambition. His ancestors’ origins as slaves in the antebellum South, his parents’ struggles as an interracial couple, and his own world-expanding connection to hip-hop helped him fashion a strong black identity in Sweden.”
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, by Frederick Douglass, $0.99. This classic memoir of Douglass’s enslaved childhood and his path to freedom and political advocacy is a must-read for American History students. Douglass is a skilled narrator, bringing moving detail and eloquent phrasing to his story.
Iwigara: American Indian Ethnobotanical Traditions and Science, by Enrique Salmon, $1.99. I am fascinated by the field of ethnobotany, or the study of how plants are used in cultural traditions. This book describes the traditional use of dozens of plants by Indigenous tribes throughout North America. Each section also includes chemical analysis of the material and nutritional/health effects. You’ll want this as a reference for nature studies and/or learning about Indigenous cultures.
Curious About Snow, by Gina Shaw, $4.99. This introductory series from the Smithsonian is great for elementary readers. Big graphics and photo illustrations are combined with interesting facts about the science of snow and major snowstorms in history.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs, $1.99. Teenage Jacob is fleeing family disaster when he stumbles upon the remains of a institution. Is it an orphanage? A school? A prison? Who are these “peculiar children,” and what happened to them? The story, with its eerie photo illustrations, blends reality, fantasy, and horror.
Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet, by Charlie N. Holmberg, $1.99. I’ve read other YA books by Holmberg, and I’m pretty taken with this description: “Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passed on to those who eat them. She doesn’t know why she can do this and remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from. When marauders raid her town, Maire is captured and sold to the eccentric Allemas, who enslaves her and demands that she produce sinister confections, including a witch’s gingerbread cottage, a living cookie boy, and size-altering cakes.”
Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga, by Pamela Newkirk, $0.99. Newkirk tells the bizarre and shocking story of Ota Benga, an African man who was displayed as a zoo exhibit in the early 20th century. Newkirk tells the story of Benga’s life and also takes a hard look at the racist social science of that time period, which allowed this display to be seen as acceptable.
Harriet Tubman, Freedom Fighter, by Nadia L. Hohn, $1.99. Your beginner reader will get to know about Harriet Tubman’s life in this I Can Read book. In addition to Tubman’s efforts to escort enslaved people to freedom, Hohn covers Tubman’s time spent working with the Union army during the Civil War. A handy timeline and more detailed background material are included at the end.
Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars, by Jessica Abel, $1.99. It’s roller derby! On Mars! Does Trish have what it takes to join the hover derby team (no wheels needed)? She’s technically not old enough (she’s only 15), but maybe no one will notice…
Star Wars: The Last Jedi, by Alessandro Ferrari, $4.99. Experience all the highlights of Episode VIII in graphic novel form! This boldly illustrated retelling follows Rey as she tracks down Luke Skywalker to convince him to train her as a Jedi. The graphic novel sticks closely to the movie plot and is a great choice for Star Wars fans.
How High the Moon, by Karyn Parsons, $1.99. This middle-grade novel has been described as To Kill a Mockingbird meets One Crazy Summer, and I am eager to read it and see if it lives up to that description. Here’s what the publisher says about it: In the small town of Alcolu, South Carolina, in 1944, 12-year-old Ella spends her days fishing and running around with her best friend Henry and cousin Myrna. But life is not always so sunny for Ella, who gets bullied for her light skin tone and whose mother is away pursuing a jazz singer dream in Boston. So Ella is ecstatic when her mother invites her to visit for Christmas. Little does she expect the truths she will discover about her mother, the father she never knew and her family's most unlikely history. And after a life-changing month, she returns South and is shocked by the news that her schoolmate George has been arrested for the murder of two local white girls. Bittersweet and eye-opening, How High the Moon is a timeless novel about a girl finding herself in a world all but determined to hold her down.
Jackie and Me: A Baseball Card Adventure, by Dan Gutman, $1.99. Joe has a weird secret power: he can travel in time to the places and times in his baseball cards. When he needs background research for a project on a famous African American, he decides to time-travel to meet Jackie Robinson. While in 1947, Joe learns all about what life was like in 1940s New York and the discrimination faced by Black athletes. This is part of a series pitched at upper elementary readers and is a great choice for reluctant readers who like sports.
President of the Whole Fifth Grade, by Sherri Winston, $1.99. Brianna is determined to become her class president because she thinks it is the first step on the path to becoming a famous chef. The competition to win the election will test Brianna’s friendships and her personal sense of right and wrong. This series is funny and engaging, but very much school-based and about friend drama, so it may not appeal to some homeschooled tweens.
The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents, by Kate Messner and Adam Rex, $1.99. Messner has found a neat way to portray presidential history. Starting from the very beginning, she looks at what the future presidents were doing during Washington’s inauguration. She checks on future presidents a few other times in history before turning to the future and encouraging the reader to consider themselves as a future president.
Conversations with Lincoln: Little-Known Stories from Those Who Met America’s 16th President, by Gordon Leidner, $2.51. There are so many books about Abraham Lincoln out there that it is hard to find one that feels fresh. Leidner has collected the stories of people who met the President Lincoln to paint a fuller picture of the man. I was particularly charmed by the story that forms the book’s introduction, of a young girl who sought out Lincoln’s help for her father, who was wounded in battle.
Stories for Kids who Dare to be Different, by Ben Brooks, $1.99. I’ve profiled Brooks’s previous book, Stories for Boys who Dare to be Different. This follow-up volume broadens the scope to include girls and women who have changed the world for the better. He draws from many fields, including musicians, authors, activists, and many others. I really enjoy Quinton Wintor’s bold illustrations, which bring the characters to life.
A Glorious Freedom: Older Women Leading Extraordinary Lives, by Lisa Congdon, $1.99. This one’s for all the homeschool parents pondering what they are going to do with their lives once this season of schooling is over. Lisa Congdon has profiled dozens of women over 40 who are creating fulfilling lives on their own terms. Each woman has taken a unique path, and many feature fascinating twists and turns. Congdon’s beautiful illustrations make this book something special. (The glorious hardcover version is something you might want to keep in mind as a gift this holiday season.)
Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer, by Kamala D. Harris, $3.99. Long before she was Vice President, Kamala Harris made a name for herself as a prosecutor and then district attorney. In this memoir/manifesto, Harris busts myths about crime and offers suggestions for changes that could strengthen society. It would be interesting to compare excerpts of this book with Locking Up Our Own. (Note: Smart on Crime was published in 2010 and Harris’s personal views on criminal justice reform have shifted somewhat over time.)
New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color, edited by Nisi Shawl, $0.99. Get to know some new authors writing in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres! You’ll also find stories from big names in sci-fi/fantasy, like Rebecca Roanhorse and Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The stories don’t share much in common, but this means that there are more opportunities to find one that you really love, no matter what literature you prefer.
Martin Luther King Jr.: A Peaceful Leader, by Sarah Albee, $1.99. Your early elementary students can do their own research with this easy reader biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Simple language traces King’s story, from childhood in Georgia to the March on Washington.
Love, Splat, by Rob Scotton, $0.99. Splat the Cat want to tell Kitten that he likes her. Will their class Valentine’s Day celebration give him the opportunity he needs? Fellow classmate Spike provides an excellent example of how NOT to behave.
This is Not a Valentine, by Carter Higgins, $1.99. This book is really cute, and a perfect read for anyone who isn’t all that into hearts and doilies. Here’s the publisher’s description: “This book is not a valentine. It doesn't have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn't that exactly what love is about? Maybe this book is sort of a valentine after all. A testament to handmade, wacky, bashful, honest love—sure to win over the hearts of all readers—this offering from debut picture book author Carter Higgins and children's book veteran Lucy Ruth Cummins is the perfect gift to celebrate every relationship, from parent to child, sibling to sibling, partner to partner, crush to crush. Plus, this is the fixed format version, which looks almost identical to the print edition.”
Laugh-Out-Loud Valentine’s Day Jokes for Kids, by Rob Elliott, $1.99. Prepare for some serious puns! This short book is full of funny love-related humor suitable for kids of all ages.
A Sloth’s Guide to Mindfulness, by Ton Mak, $1.99. Learn more about meditation and mindfulness from a cute, serene sloth. Mak’s charming illustrations and simple language come together in a clever and practical guide.
How to Be a Wildflower: A Field Guide, by Katie Daisy, $2.99. I don’t really know how to describe this book. It’s a bit like picking up someone else’s inspirational nature journal. Inside you’ll find botanical paintings, lists of places to see and things to do, and beautifully lettered motivational quotes. You’ll definitely need to view this one in color.
In Progress: Seeing Inside a Lettering Artist’s Sketchbook and Process, from Pencil to Vector, by Jessica Hische, $2.99. I love to learn about how things are made, and this peek into a lettering artist’s work process is really fascinating to me. This is a great introduction to the terminology, tools, and business of lettering. You’ll enjoy this look behind the scenes even if you, like me, have no talent for fancy handwriting.
Ultimate Book of Card Games: The Comprehensive Guide to More Than 350 Games, by Scott McNeely, $2.99. What better way to while away cold winter evenings than with a new card game? This book provides simple instructions for both common and uncommon games. Whether you are in the mood for Gin Rummy or Spite and Malice, you’ll find all the information you need.
Racing Against the Odds: The Story of Wendell Scott, Stock Car Racing’s African-American Champion, by Carole Boston Weatherford, $0.99. I’d never heard of Wendell Scott before I found this book, and I’m glad for the opportunity to get to know more about him! Scott was the first African-American to win a NASCAR division cup. He was able to do this despite prejudice and lack of corporate sponsorship.
Passenger on the Pearl: The True Story of Emily Edmonson’s Flight from Slavery, $1.99. This fascinating biography is written for middle to high school students. Emily Edmonson was one of the group of enslaved people who attempted to escape on the Pearl. Though that attempt was thwarted, Emily never gave up hope and eventually found her way to freedom. Conkling collects primary sources and illustrations to document Edmonson’s life. She does not shy away from the uncomfortable realities of slavery, including details that may be challenging for sensitive readers.
I’m a Girl: Hormones, by Shelley Metten, $2.99. This short, detailed book explains hormonal changes of puberty, focusing on menstruation. Parent reviewers are torn about whether the detailed illustrations (e.g., how to insert a tampon) are age appropriate. My take is absolutely yes, but your mileage may vary.
The Tooth Book, by Mark Bacera, $2.99. Learn all about the different types of teeth and what they do in this fun picture book. The wacky line drawings will entertain kids while they learn about oral hygiene, going to the dentist, cavities, and more.
My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions and Express Feelings, by Natalia Maguire, $3.99. It can be hard for kids, especially neurodivergent kids, to connect physical feelings to emotions. Maguire gives example situations and ties them to physical sensations, then labels the emotions (e.g., “My eyebrows raised. My eyes opened wide. My mouth opened. I was SURPRISED!” The illustrations are active and cute.
I Want to Be a Doctor, by Laura Driscoll, $2.99. A trip to the ER introduces a young girl to all the different ways that doctors can help people. This easy reader introduces kids to radiologists, orthopedists, pathologists, and several other specialties. The story is simple, but full of interesting information.
Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow, by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., $4.99. This detailed history book won many awards in 2019. From the publisher: “The story Gates tells begins with great hope, with the Emancipation Proclamation, Union victory, and the liberation of nearly 4 million enslaved African-Americans. Until 1877, the federal government, goaded by the activism of Frederick Douglass and many others, tried at various turns to sustain their new rights. But the terror unleashed by white paramilitary groups in the former Confederacy, combined with deteriorating economic conditions and a loss of Northern will, restored "home rule" to the South. The retreat from Reconstruction was followed by one of the most violent periods in our history, with thousands of black people murdered or lynched and many more afflicted by the degrading impositions of Jim Crow segregation. An essential tour through one of America's fundamental historical tragedies, Stony the Road is also a story of heroic resistance, as figures such as W. E. B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells fought to create a counter-narrative, and culture, inside the lion's mouth. As sobering as this tale is, it also has within it the inspiration that comes with encountering the hopes our ancestors advanced against the longest odds.”
Evicted: Power and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond, $4.99. This close look at the lives of the urban poor is eye-opening. Desmond follows eight families at risk of homelessness. This excerpt from the publisher represents the ethos of the book well: “Even in the most desolate areas of American cities, evictions used to be rare. But today, most poor renting families are spending more than half of their income on housing, and eviction has become ordinary, especially for single mothers. In vivid, intimate prose, Desmond provides a ground-level view of one of the most urgent issues facing America today. As we see families forced into shelters, squalid apartments, or more dangerous neighborhoods, we bear witness to the human cost of America’s vast inequality—and to people’s determination and intelligence in the face of hardship.”
Blast Back: Ancient Greece, by Nancy Ohlin, $4.99. The Blast Back early chapter book series is full of fun facts and plentiful illustrations. This volume on Ancient Greece includes common information (rulers, mythology, etc.) as well as more unusual tidbits. This books is not detailed enough to become the spine for your ancient history study, but it’s a fun addition that elementary kids can read on their own.
We are Water Protectors, by Carole Lindstrom, $2.99. This picture book celebrates Native American life through poetic text and gorgeous imagery. From the publisher: “Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption—a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade.”
Sacajawea: Her True Story, by Joyce Milton, $4.99. This level 4 reader goes into significant detail about Sacajawea’s life, including her childhood, her time with Lewis and Clark, and the conflicting accounts of what happened in her later years. The warm illustrations and detailed maps make this an excellent choice for a history resource.
The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben, $1.99. Get to know the forest in this fascinating natural history book. From the publisher: “Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in his woodland.”
Leaves! Leaves! Leaves! by Nancy Elizabeth Wilson, $3.99. Mama and Buddy Bear learn about the function of leaves in this charming picture book. They investigate trees and plants in each season to see how they adapt to changing weather conditions. Wilson’s imaginative cut paper illustrations add humor and interest.
Seed to Plant, by Kristen Baird Rattini, $4.99. This beginning reader from National Geographic follows plants of many varieties from seed to maturity. Vibrant photo illustrations are paired with simple language and fun facts to keep kids engaged.
The Bonsai Beginner’s Bible, by Peter Chan, $2.99. Grow your own trees inside your house! This book provides all the information you need to get started with bonsai. Chan covers the most common breeds of trees, how to care for them, and problem-solving tips.
Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs, by James Rumford, $4.99. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of Jean-Francois Champollion, an Egyptologist who was the first to decipher hieroglyphs.
Tut’s Mummy Lost… and Found, by Judy Donnelly, $4.99. This Level 4 reader is perfect for getting elementary kids interested in reading nonfiction. It’s also a great quick read for older readers who want a focused look at King Tut. You’ll find a nice mix of photos and illustrations.
Tutankhamun, by Demi, $3.99. Demi’s well-researched histories of famous figures are great resources for young readers. This lavishly illustrated picture book is full of details about Tutankhamun’s life and Egyptian culture, including more information about religion and politics that you’ll find in many children’s books on the topic.
Flamingo Sunset, by Jonathan London and Kristina Rodanas, $3.99. This beautifully illustrated picture book traces the lifespan of a flamingo. Children can watch the baby flamingo hatch and grow up until he is an adult and ready to begin his own migration.
Penguins! by Anne Schreiber, $4.99. Get to know these sleek creatures of the southern hemisphere! This National Geographic leveled reader is fully of full-color illustrations and fun facts.
Mindful Thoughts for Makers: Connecting Head, Heart, Hands, by Ellie Beck, $2.70. This charming book emphasizes the importance of slowing down and creating things by hand. Charming illustrations make the reading experience particularly enjoyable. If you are looking for ways to incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life, this is a great place to start. Other books in this series cover other activities, like cycling, stargazing, running, and parenting.
Think Outside the Box, by Justine Avery and Liuba Syrotiuk, $4.99. This colorful and imaginative picture book encourages readers of all ages to think and act creatively.
Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes, by Maria Konnikova, $1.99. Sherlock Holmes's prodigious mind has fascinated readers for more than a century. In this clever and fascinating book, psychologist Maria Konnikova examines Sherlock’s powers of observation and deduction to show readers how the brain works and what steps those of us who are not master detectives can take to improve our abilities.