Kindle Deals for October 6, 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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The House in Poplar Wood, by K.E. Ormsbee, $1.99. When I saw this book described as “Haunted Mansion meets Stranger Things,” I was totally hooked. The publisher has written a better summary than I possibly could: “For as long as the Vickery twins can remember, Lee and his mother have served Memory, while Felix and his father assist Death. This is the Agreement. But one Halloween, Gretchen Whipple smashes her way into their lives. Her bargain is simple: If the twins help her solve the murder of local girl Essie Hasting, she'll help them break the Agreement. The more the three investigate, however, the more they realize that something's gone terribly wrong in their town. Death is on the loose, and if history repeats itself, Essie's might not be the last murder in Poplar Wood. Simultaneously heartwarming and delightfully spooky, The House in Poplar Wood is a story about a boy's desire to be free, a girl's desire to make a difference, and a family's desire to be together again.”
Spirit Hunters, by Ellen Oh, $1.99. This middle grade mystery/horror novel packs a seriously scary punch! Sensitive readers may want to avoid this one; the descriptions of the actions of the angry spirits haunting the main character’s house are intense. Harper has moved to a new town, and there rumors that her house contains evil spirits. Could that be the reason her brother is acting strangely? Both Korean and Jamaican culture are integral parts of the story!
Nightbooks, by J.A. White, $1.99. A movie based on this book was just released on Netflix! In a deliciously creepy take on 1001 Nights, a boy is kidnapped by a witch and must tell her a new scary story every night. Alex is making up the stories on the fly, and the book also includes a crash course in putting together an amazing tale.
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane, by Julia Nobel, $1.99. Amy really liked this one when she read it earlier this year. Here’s her review: Emmy’s dad is MIA, and her mom is so busy explaining how other people can be great parents that she never has time to just be Emmy’s parent. Emmy is crushed when her mom ships her off to a fancy British boarding school — until she gets pulled into a mystery involving a super-secret order that may involve her long-missing father. It’s true that I’m a sucker for a boarding school book, but this is the kind of middle grades book I like best: It assumes a smart reader who can connect the pieces, and there’s plenty of action to keep the plot moving and mostly likable, individual characters who make you care about what’s happening. I recommend this one!
STILL ON SALE
How to Talk so Teens will Listen, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, $2.99. Their original book, How to Talk so Kids will Listen, gave me some great communication and parenting advice that I put into practice regularly at home and in the co-op I lead. I particularly like their focus on meeting kids on their emotional level. A few simple words that let a kid know you are hearing them can make a huge difference in working through tough issues. My daughter is (gasp!) moving into the tween/teen years, so it is time to check out what these two have to say about teenagers.
Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child, by James Breakwell, $4.99. This is obviously a tongue-in-cheek parenting guide, designed for laughs. That doesn’t mean it is short on the useful tidbits, though. If you are ready to laugh about the parenting journey, pick up this entertaining book.
How to Raise a Feminist Son, by Sonora Jha, $1.99. I haven’t read this one (I don’t have sons), but this description from the publisher sounds excellent. “Informed by Jha's work as a professor of journalism specializing in social justice movements and social media, as well as by conversations with psychologists, experts, other parents and boys--and through powerful stories from her own life--How to Raise a Feminist Son shows us all how to be better feminists and better teachers of the next generation of men in this electrifying tour de force. Includes chapter takeaways, and an annotated bibliography of reading and watching recommendations for adults and children.”
The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired, by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, $1.99. Siegel and Bryson argue that the best thing we can do for our children is provide a stable and consistent presence in their lives. To do this, they offer tips and scripts for what to do in a variety of common situations. Helpfully, they also include sections on what parents should do to fix things when they (inevitably) screw up and let their kids down.
Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Haunted House, by Doug Cushman, $1.99. Meet Dirk Bones, a detective and journalist who happens to be a skeleton. When a house is filled with weird noises, it is up to Dirk to find out what is going on.
Lulu Goes to Witch School, by Jane O’Connor, $1.99. The little witch in this story from Fancy Nancy creator Jane O’Connor is precious. Lulu is starting witch school, where she will learn to do magic and use her broom. She loves everything about the new school, except for one kid who seems intent to show off. It’s more of a day-in-the-life story than something with an exciting plot, but the adorable illustrations and simple language make it a good choice for young readers.
At the Old Haunted House, by Helen Ketteman, $0.99. Get ready for a fun remake of the classic song “Over in the Meadow.” This spooky twist on a counting song will be perfect for your Halloween math lessons. Count up the monsters, cats, goblins, witches and other creatures. There are lots of classic horror characters, but don’t worry — they are all having a good time and aren’t very scary.
In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories, by Alvin Schwartz, $1.99. Some kids just LOVE to be creeped out, and it’s never too early to get a delightfully spooky book into their hands. This is a collection of scary stories for beginning readers. Turn down the lights and let your child give a haunted story hour. The vibrant and twisted illustrations add to the fun.
Three Cheers for Kid McGear! by Sherri Duskey Rinker, $1.99. I’ve read Rinker’s construction site books more times than I can count. In the latest addition, Kid McGear is the newest team member looking to prove herself. Kid is smaller than the other machines, but that doesn’t mean she can’t save the day when needed!
Stella Brings the Family, by Miriam B. Schiffer, $1.99. I love it when I find a sweet story with LGBTQ+ representation. From the publisher: “Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn't have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.”
Hippo Goes Bananas! by Marjorie Dennis Murray, $0.99. When Hippo wakes up with a bad toothache, he begins acting strangely. Cuckoo sees what he is doing and starts telling the other animals, who each slightly embellish the story. What’s really going on with Hippo, and what can they do to help? Kids will love this fun, over-the-top story.
Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krauss Rosenthal, $0.99. This fun picture book takes its premise from a classic optical illusion. The simple story reminds the reader to consider all sides of an argument. You can also use it to start a discussion about how to present a persuasive argument with evidence.
The Ecology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained, by DK Publishing, $1.99. This DK book is packed full of information about developments in the field of ecology, in approximately chronological order. Short sections cover basic scientific principles like evolution, heredity, food webs, mutualisms, and biodiversity. The text is a bit dense, but the frequent illustrations and diagrams help to reinforce concepts. Note: Several books in this DK series are on sale this week — don’t miss them!
The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World’s Most Fascinating Flora, by Michael Largo, $1.99. The publisher describes this book as “David Attenborough meets Lemony Snicket,” and if that doesn’t sell you on it, I’m not sure what will. This alphabetical compendium of weird and wonderful plants is full of fascinating details and carefully drawn illustrations. There is something to fascinate readers of all ages.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, by Kate Messner, $1.99. This beautiful picture follows a garden through the seasons to see what is happening above and below the surface. Information sections about organic gardening techniques and about each of the creatures encountered in the story provide a great jumping off point for further learning.
Erosion: How Hugh Bennett Saved America’s Soil and Ended the Dust Bowl, by Darcy Pattison, $0.99. The Moments in Science series is a great choice for elementary readers! Pattison delves into the the human factors at play in major scientific discoveries. In this book, she looks at a lesser-known episode in science history: the creation of the Soil Conservation Service, which was started in the 1930s to combat severe erosion in the Dust Bowl. The fun illustrations and just the right number of words per page will make this an enjoyable read for younger kids.
The Eye of Ra, by Ben Gartner, $0.99. Action meets time travel meets ancient mythology in this exciting middle-grade read! From the publisher: “Exploring a mysterious cave in the mountains behind their house, John and his sister Sarah are shocked to discover they’ve time traveled to ancient Egypt! Now they must work together to find a way back home from an ancient civilization of golden desert sand and a towering new pyramid, without parents to save them. The adventures abound—cobras, scorpions, a tomb robber, and more! The two kids have to trust each other, make friends who can help, and survive the challenges thrown at them . . . or be stuck in ancient Egypt forever. For readers graduating from the Magic Tree House series and ready for intense action, dive into this middle grade novel rich with meticulous historical detail.”
The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans: How to Decode Their Behavior, Develop Trust, and Raise a Respectable Adult, by Josh Shipp, $1.99. Most of us either have teens are preparing for those challenging and pivotal years. From the publisher: “In 2015, Harvard researchers found that every child who does well in the face of adversity has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. But Josh Shipp didn’t need Harvard to know that. Once an at-risk foster kid, he was headed straight for trouble until he met the man who changed his life: Rodney, the foster parent who refused to quit on Shipp and got him to believe in himself. Now, in The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans, Shipp shows all of us how to be that caring adult in a teenager’s life. Stressing the need for compassion, trust, and encouragement, he breaks down the phases of a teenage human from sixth to twelfth grade, examining the changes, goals, and mentality of teenagers at each stage. Shipp offers revelatory stories that take us inside the teen brain, and shares wisdom from top professionals and the most expert grown-ups.“
The Enneagram of Parenting, by Elizabeth Wagele, $1.99. If you are new to the Enneagram personality descriptions or are curious about how you might apply them to children, this breezy primer could be the answer. Wagele describes the nine major personality types and how they are expressed in children of various ages. The book does not offer a comprehensive test to determine type, but it provides general descriptions and useful advice for common parenting issues.
Why I Love Homeschooling Neurodiverse Kids: 25 Parents Share the Joys and Challenges of Educating Their Kids Who Have ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Giftedness, or are Otherwise Differently Wired, by Kathy Oaks and Brynn Steimle, $0.99. It can be hard for public schools to meet the needs to neurodivergent kids. I’ve found that ND families are very well represented in homeschool groups. Kathy Oaks shares stories from parents of ND kids that highlight the challenges and great rewards of homeschooling. In this book, you’ll find real-world tips for adapting the learning environment to your child, as well as encouragement and a wide variety of perspectives. Bonus: Kathy’s other homeschooling books are also on sale this weekend! Check out Homeschoolers are not Hermits, Road Schooling, Why I Love Homeschooling, and The Homeschoolers Are Not Hermits Quick Start Guide to Homeschooling.
We are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World, by Malala Yousafzai, $3.99. From the publisher: “Malala's experiences visiting refugee camps caused her to reconsider her own displacement — first as an Internally Displaced Person when she was a young child in Pakistan, and then as an international activist who could travel anywhere in the world except to the home she loved. In We Are Displaced, Malala not only explores her own story, but she also shares the personal stories of some of the incredible girls she has met on her journeys — girls who have lost their community, relatives, and often the only world they've ever known.” Best for older middle-grade readers, this book has content warnings for violence.
Flora and the Flamingo, by Molly Idle, $1.99. Another fun wordless book! Flora is a budding dancer. When she encounters a flamingo, they both learn moves from each other. The illustrations are exuberant and charming, and kids can make up the words as they go. Many will be delighted to try to recreate Flora’s dances!
Fossil, by Bill Thomson, $0.99. This book is a great language arts opportunity! The story is told through vivid illustrations, but without words. Kids can create their own narrative about a child who discovers a fossil on the beach that comes to life when touched. At first, this is exciting, but when a pterodactyl carries away a dog, the kid must figure out how to return the creatures to their fossil state.
Ender’s World: Fresh Perspectives on the SF Classic Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card and others, $3.99. Ender’s Game (not so much the sequels) is a masterpiece of YA literature, and a touchstone for many gifted kids. This collection of essays from big names in literature and and even military strategists offers a deeper dive into the Ender’s universe.
The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau, $1.99. Calling all fans of The Hunger Games or Divergent! This series should scratch that dystopian coming-of-age itch. Here’s a summary from the publisher: “It’s graduation day for sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale, and the entire Five Lakes Colony (the former Great Lakes) is celebrating. All Cia can think about—hope for—is whether she’ll be chosen for The Testing, a United Commonwealth program that selects the best and brightest new graduates to become possible leaders of the slowly revitalizing post-war civilization. When Cia is chosen, her father finally tells her about his own nightmarish half-memories of The Testing. Armed with his dire warnings (“Cia, trust no one”), she bravely heads off to Tosu City, far away from friends and family, perhaps forever. Danger, romance—and sheer terror—await.”
Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones, $3.50. Amy used this book and others to create a massive Studio Ghibli unit study. Here is her review: “Sometimes a curse can be just what you needed, as Sophie discovers in this delightful fantasy about a hat maker's daughter who's cursed to premature old age by the Witch of the Waste. To break the curse, Sophie will need to team up with the mysterious wizard Howl, who happens to be stuck under a curse of his own—but first, she'll have to get to his castle, which has a habit of wandering around. I love this as a readaloud, on its own, or (of course) a companion piece to the equally wonderful (though often quite different) movie adaptation.”
Stinkiest! 20 Smelly Animals, by Steve Jenkins, $3.99. Can you name 20 smelly animals? I’m not sure I could without reading this fun picture book. There’s a skunk on the cover, but Jenkins introduces readers to opossoms, hoopoes, millipedes, and lots of other big and little stinkers. If your kids are into gross facts (and who isn’t?), they will have a great time with this book.
Art Before Breakfast: A Zillion Ways to be More Creative No Matter How Busy You Are, by Danny Gregory, $2.99. My daughter loves doing art and fills lots of her spare time making things. I’ve never considered myself an artist and struggle to find time to develop my skills. This book is a great place to start. Danny Gregory has created short, fun activities that take 10 minutes or less. They will encourage you to make art a regular part of your life. This book is a great way to add some art education to your homeschool, or to carve out a bit of time for your own creativity.
How Art Can Make You Happy, by Bridget Watson Payne, $1.99. A lot of homeschoolers I know have trouble working art into their education plans. This little book can help to bring some fresh ideas to your school year! With a focus on finding joy in experiencing and making art, this collection of tips, quotes, and pep talks is useful and inspiring.
The Brothers Grimm: Illuminated Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm, $1.99. Occasionally you find a book that is uniquely designed for the ebook format. This collection of Grimm Fairy Tales is beautifully illustrated, with subtly animated elements! As you read, you can watch the witch threaten Hansel and Gretel. Each story is illustrated in a different artist, and you could compare and contrast their styles for a fun art lesson.
The Jane Austen Handbook, by Margaret Sullivan, $2.99. Both Austen newbies and proper Janeites will find this delightful little guidebook very useful. A light, tongue-in-cheek tone pairs well with a serious vault of knowledge about Regency England. Not sure whether a Marquis outranks a Duke? Or how rich Mr. Darcy would be in modern terms? This book will help fill in all the gaps.