Kindle Deals for April 5, 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 Yorkshire Shepherdess, by Amanda Owen, $0.99. If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to live in a rural area surrounded by sheep, you’ll want to check out Amanda Owen’s book. Owen and her family of seven children raise sheep on a large, remote farm in North Yorkshire. She shares the joys and challenges of farming with humor and honesty.
My Patients Like Treats: Tales from a House-Call Veterinarian, by Duncan MacVean, $1.99. If you’ve been enjoying the new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small on PBS, you’ll love this collection of stories from a modern vet who makes house calls just as James Herriot did. Not just your typical cats and dogs, MacVean’s patients include pigs, bats, and lizards!
Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior, by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson, $1.99. This book is a classic in both the animal science and autism studies. From the publisher: “Temple Grandin’s professional training as an animal scientist and her history as a person with autism have given her a perspective like that of no other expert in the field of animal science. Grandin and coauthor Catherine Johnson present their powerful theory that autistic people can often think the way animals think—putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate “animal talk.” Exploring animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, learning, and even animal genius, Grandin is a faithful guide into their world. Animals in Translation reveals that animals are much smarter than anyone ever imagined, and Grandin, standing at the intersection of autism and animals, offers unparalleled observations and extraordinary ideas about both.”
Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds, by Bernd Heinrich, $1.99. Ravens get a bad rap, seen as menacing and creepy thanks to Edgar Allen Poe and countless horror films. Heinrich has spent years closely watching ravens in order to discover the secrets of their behaviors.
STILL ON SALE
Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the Inside Out, by Ralph Fletcher, $3.99. From the publisher: “Poetry matters. At the most important moments, when everyone else is silent, poetry rises to speak. This book is full of practical wisdom to help young writers craft beautiful poetry that shines, sings, and soars. It features writing tips and tricks, interviews with published poets for children, and plenty of examples of poetry by published writers—and even young people themselves. Perfect for classrooms, this lighthearted, appealing manual is a celebration of poetry that is a joy to read. Young poets and aspiring poets of all ages will enjoy these tips on how to simplify the process of writing poetry and find their own unique voice.”
Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices, by Paul Fleischman, $1.99. In honor of the 2021 cicada mega-brood, I’m bringing you this collection of poems about insects designed to be read aloud by two people. The poems are written out uniquely, with each reader taking a column, sometimes alternating, sometimes in unison. Get the whole family involved in a buggy performance!
Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem, by Jack Prelutsky, $3.99. Jack Prelutsky has written hundreds of poems for children, and he is now sharing his secret tips and tricks for creating your own poetry! This book is a combination of poetry collection, behind-the-scenes look at how he puts together a poem, and exercises to encourage aspiring poets.
Be Glad Your Nose is On Your Face, by Jack Prelutsky, $1.99. Jack Prelutsky is America’s first Children’s Poet Laureate, and he deserves the accolade. His poetry is clever, wacky, and vivid. This book collects favorites from his previous books along with some new poems. Bright illustrations make this book stand out.
The Sawbones Book: The Hilarious, Horrifying Road to Modern Medicine, by Justin McElroy and Sydnee McElroy, $4.99. I’ve really enjoyed listening to the Sawbones podcast (not for those with a weak stomach), and this book is very true to the content and feel of the McElroy’s medical show. I also love this description from the publisher: “Every week, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin amaze, amuse, and gross out (depending on the week) hundreds of thousands of avid listeners to their podcast, Sawbones. Consistently rated a top podcast on iTunes, with over 15 million total downloads, this rollicking journey through thousands of years of medical mishaps and miracles is not only hilarious but downright educational. While you may never even consider applying boiled weasel to your forehead (once the height of sophistication when it came to headache cures), you will almost certainly face some questionable medical advice in your everyday life (we’re looking at you, raw water!) and be better able to figure out if this is a miracle cure (it’s not) or a scam.”
All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians, and Artists, by Teri Gross, $0.99. For many people, Teri Gross (host of Fresh Air) IS the voice of public radio. In this collection on interview transcripts, readers can watch Gross at work as she sets her guests at ease and then skillfully encourages them to discuss topics far beyond the typical media interview. She talks to Nicolas Cage about eating a cockroach, Jodie Foster about starring in Taxi Driver and Freaky Friday in quick succession, and Steven Tyler about creating his unique stage presence.
Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio, by Jessica Abel, $1.99. I stumbled upon this graphic nonfiction book a few years ago, and I thought it was really interesting! Abel spends time watching the development of major radio programs/podcasts like Radiolab and This American Life to understand what it takes to put together a compelling narrative broadcast. This book will be appealing to fans of graphic novels, radio/podcasts, and compelling storytelling.
Who Would Win? Walrus Vs. Elephant Seal, by Jerry Pallotta, $2.99. There is a subset of kids who cannot get enough of this series, which pits two animals against each other in virtual battle to determine who would win in a fight. In order to make a proper determination, you have to learn a lot about each animal: size, strength, defensive skills, speed, and more. This book focuses on two large sea mammals, but there are more than a dozen other pairings to check out if your kid gets hooked.
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, $4.99. I’ve read this book with my daughter more times than I can count. Each page looks at one body part and how different creatures have adaptations that allow them to best suit their environments. Steve Jenkins can work magic with cut-paper illustrations, and this book could inspire a spectacular art unit as well.
Flying Dinosaurs: How Fearsome Reptiles Became Birds, by John Pickrell, $1.99. From the publisher: “Mixing colorful portraits with news on the latest fossil findings and interviews with leading paleontologists in the United States, China, Europe, and Australia, John Pickrell explains and details dinosaurs’ development of flight. This special capacity introduced a whole new range of abilities for the animals and helped them survive a mass extinction, when thousands of other dinosaur species that once populated Earth did not. Pickrell also turns his journalistic eye toward the stories behind the latest discoveries, investigating the role of the Chinese black market in trading fossils, the controversies among various dinosaur hunters, the interference of national governments intent on protecting scientific information, and the race to publish findings first that make this research such a dynamic area of science.”
What If You Had Animal Teeth? by Sandra Markle, $1.99. Learn all about teeth, both human and other animal, in this clever book. With a combination of photo illustrations and wacky, detailed drawings, Markle envisions life with teeth like a snake, beaver, shark, and many other creatures. There’s lots of great information, and the premise is compelling enough to make learning very fun.
Suffrage: Women’s Long Battle for the Vote, by Ellen Carol DuBois, $3.99. From the publisher: “Distinguished historian Ellen Carol DuBois begins in the pre-Civil War years with foremothers Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Sojurner Truth as she “meticulously and vibrantly chronicles” (Booklist) the links of the woman suffrage movement to the abolition of slavery. After the Civil War, Congress granted freed African American men the right to vote but not white and African American women, a crushing disappointment. DuBois shows how suffrage leaders persevered through the Jim Crow years into the reform era of Progressivism. She introduces new champions Carrie Chapman Catt and Alice Paul, who brought the fight to the 20th century, and she shows how African American women, led by Ida B. Wells-Barnett, demanded voting rights even as white suffragists ignored them. DuBois explains how suffragists built a determined coalition of moderate lobbyists and radical demonstrators in forging a strategy of winning voting rights in crucial states to set the stage for securing suffrage for all American women in the Constitution. In vivid prose, DuBois describes suffragists’ final victories in Congress and state legislatures, culminating in the last, most difficult ratification, in Tennessee.”
The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World’s Most Notorious Terrorists, by Tracy Walder and Jessica Anya Blau, $2.99. Tracy Walder was recruiting into government service right out of college. She spent the next part of her life working in the intelligence community as a counter-terrorism and counterintelligence officer. If you’ve ever wondered what that world looks like from a female perspective, you won’t want to miss her story.
Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories from History — Without the Fairy-Tale Endings, by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie, $2.99. This collective biography presents a new view of some women you have heard of and also introduces quite a few underappreciated women from throughout history. The tone is wry and light, but this does not mean the historical details are lacking. Bear in mind, some of these princesses behave VERY badly (murder, torture, cannibalism), so prescreen for sensitive readers.
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.
The Last Musketeer, by Stuart Gibbs, $3.99. I have enjoyed several of Gibbs’s series (he’s prolific!), and while I haven’t read this one yet, it was recommended to me by one of the kids in my middle school book club class. She told me it was excellent for “readers who like fast-paced and funny swashbucking adventures and time travel.” When Greg’s family disappears during a vacation, he has to travel in time — back to the 17th century — to rescue them.
Nanny Piggins and the Runaway Lion, by R.A. Sprat, $2.99. Have you met Nanny Piggins? Kirkus Reviews describes her as “Mary Poppins-cum-Paddington Bear with a sprinkling of Snickettian humor.” Get to know the no-nonsense Nanny who just happens to be a pig in this extremely madcap adventure.
York: The Shadow Cipher, by Laura Ruby, $1.99. My daughter and I really loved this puzzling adventure novel. Set in an alternate history New York, three kids must search the city to find clues to a mysterious cipher that will prevent developers from destroying the city as they know it. The book is packed with steampunk details, tantalizing puzzles, and engaging characters. The sequel was released in 2019, and book three came out last summer!
Gods of Jade and Shadow, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, $4.99. Not YA, but nonetheless a coming-of-age story, Gods of Jade and Shadow pairs a 1920s setting with Mexican mythology. Casiopea is working as her grandfather’s maid and dreaming of a bigger life when she accidentally releases the Mayan god of death. When the god enlists her help in restoring him to his glory, Casiopea begins a sometimes perilous journey across Mexico.
Manufactured Witches, by Michelle Rene, $0.99. Historical fantasy, set in an uncommon time period? Sign me right up! From the publisher: “The Dust Bowl uprooted a lot of families and orphaned even more children. No one knows this better than Nat, a teenager who rides the rails from town to town looking for work. After helping a girl accused of witchcraft, Nat stumbles upon a home for wayward children run by a vibrant woman named Camille. She takes in children who have been thrown away and teaches them how to use their untapped potential to do extraordinary things...like magic. In this crazy new place, there are wonders he's never imagined possible. People who can paint portraits of ghosts, walk through walls, and hide windmills in thin air. But in a time of starvation and fear, Camille's magical home comes under attack from people who fear and discriminate against her. It is up to Nat and the other children to rally behind Camille to save their oasis in the dust from utter ruin.”
Cemetery Boys, by Aiden Thomas, $2.99. Yadriel is a trans boy, eager to prove that he has the abilities of a brujo (to guide spirits to the afterlife). When his cousin is murdered, he is determined to find his ghost and set his spirit free. Things don’t go as planned; another ghost is summoned, and this one is determined to settle some scores with Yadriel’s help.
Ribsy, by Beverly Cleary, $3.99. Beverly Cleary revisits the Huggins family, but this time the story is from the dog’s point of view. When Ribsy gets confused in a crowded parking lot, he jumps into the wrong car. How will he get back to his real family?
Monster, She Wrote, The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction, by Lisa Kroger and Melanie R. Anderson, $2.99. You’ve heard of Mary Shelley and Daphne du Maurier, but there are loads of other female authors who have created strange, dark worlds. This book introduces more than 30 such authors, describing a little bit about their lives and diving into their literary work. This book is an excellent resource for anyone trying to expand their horizons. The tone is breezy, but the research is detailed and careful.
Sounds All Around (Let’s Read and Find Out), by Wendy Pfeffer, $2.99. The Let’s Read and Find Out series is excellent for introducing science topics to young readers. In this adorably illustrated book, kids will learn about how sound waves travel, how the ear perceives sound, and how creatures use sound to communicate and learn about their environment.
Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan, by Lisa Katayama, $1.99. This book is so clever! It’s full of surprising, but everyday tips for solving small problems in life, like getting stickers off of glass or how to walk in rain without slipping. Even better, Katayama explains why each tip works, making every page a mini science lesson!
Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History, by Tori Telfer, $1.99. March is Women’s History Month, and history includes the famous as well as the infamous. Get to know the scandalous details of fourteen murderous women in this lighthearted book about a dark topic.
Seeds! Seeds! Seeds! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, $3.99. Buddy Bear gets an interesting package in the mail. It’s a collection of seeds along with information about what to do with them. Buddy’s story frames lots of useful information about planting, how seeds grow into plants, and how to care for a garden. Wallace’s unique cut paper illustrations include real seeds. Read this one with your young kids at the start of a spring plant unit!
100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators, by The Xerces Society, $2.99. As you probably know, bees are in decline worldwide. Since bees are some of the primary pollinators for our plants, a shortage of bees can have a profound impact on an ecosystem. This illustrated plant guide is full of information about plants that attract bees, including planting details and other useful tips. Help make your yard more bee friendly with this guide.
The Incredible Journey of Plants, by Stefano Mancuso, $4.99. From the publisher: “When we talk about migrations, we should study plants to understand that these phenomena are unstoppable. In the many different ways plants move, we can see the incessant action and drive to spread life that has led plants to colonize every possible environment on earth. The history of this relentless expansion is unknown to most people, but we can begin our exploration with these surprising tales, engagingly told by Stefano Mancuso.”
Introducing Genetics: A Graphic Guide, by Steve Jones, $4.79. These graphic guides are approximately equal parts pictures and words, but they pack in an amazing amount of detail. Pitched at adult, the format is compelling enough to engage middle and high school readers. This short guide covers the discovery of DNA, basics of inheritance, the human genome, and elements of genetic disease.
Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills, by Renee Watson, $3.99. This biography of 1920s singer Florence Mills really stands out for its unique multimedia artwork! Here’s a bit more about Florence from the publisher: “Born to parents who were both former slaves, Florence Mills knew at an early age that she loved to sing, and that her sweet, bird-like voice, resonated with those who heard her. Performing catapulted her all the way to the stages of 1920s Broadway where she inspired everyone from songwriters to playwrights. Yet with all her success, she knew firsthand how prejudice shaped her world and the world of those around her. As a result, Florence chose to support and promote works by her fellow black performers while heralding a call for their civil rights.”
She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story, by Audrey Vernick, $2.99. Meet the first woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in this lovely picture book! From the publisher: “Effa always loved baseball. As a young woman, she would go to Yankee Stadium just to see Babe Ruth’s mighty swing. But she never dreamed she would someday own a baseball team. Or be the first—and only—woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. From her childhood in Philadelphia to her groundbreaking role as business manager and owner of the Newark Eagles, Effa Manley always fought for what was right. And she always swung for the fences.”
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13, by Helaine Becker, $2.99. Katherine Johnson’s story was made broadly known by the book and movie Hidden Figures. This beautiful picture book introduces younger readers to the mathematician’s remarkable career as a “computer” for the Apollo space program.
Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver, by Tami Charles, $2.99. I had never heard of Mary Fields before finding this book, and I had been missing out! When Fields gained freedom from slavery, she traveled west to create a new life. She found an exciting and dangerous new job as a stagecoach driver, occasionally fighting off bandits and facing many other hazards.
America’s Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines, by Gail Collins, $1.99. Collins has written an extensive primer on the history of women in America, from the first settlers to the end of the 20th century. All the famous faces in women’s history are here, but she also makes an effort to address the diverse experiences of non-white and immigrant women throughout America’s history. Keep this book alongside your traditional history curricula to provide a much needed counterpoint.
Stories from Suffragette City, edited by M.J. Rose and Fiona Davis, $2.99. It’s always so exciting to share a new-ish book that I’ve recently read when goes on sale. I just returned this one to the library last week! This collection has an interesting premise — all the stories take place on a single day in 1915. Each story is related to a massive women’s rights parade in New York City, but focuses on a different woman. There’s lots of diversity in sexual orientation, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
Never Look a Polar Bear in the Eye: A Family Field Trip to the Arctic’s Edge in Search of Adventure, Truth, and Mini-Marshmallows, by Zac Unger, $1.99. The cover image pulled me right in! Here’s the publisher’s description: “Churchill is “The Polar Bear Capital of the World.” And for one unforgettable “bear season,” Zac Unger, his wife, and his three children moved from Oakland, California, to make it their temporary home. But they soon discovered that it’s really the polar bears who are at home in Churchill, roaming past the coffee shop on the main drag, peering into garbage cans, scratching their backs against fence posts and front doorways. Where kids in other towns receive admonitions about talking to strangers, Churchill schoolchildren get ‘Let’s All Be Bear Aware’ booklets to bring home. (Lesson number 8: Never explore bad-smelling areas.) Zac Unger takes readers on a spirited and often wildly funny journey to a place as unique as it is remote, a place where natives, tourists, scientists, conservationists, and the most ferocious predators on the planet converge”
Who Lives Here? Polar Animals, by Deborah Hodge, $3.99. Learn all about polar bears and other cold-loving creatures in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Side bars offer many details about the adaptations that allow creatures to safely live near the poles.
Little Penguin: The Emperor of Antarctica, by Jonathan London, $0.99. Get to know Little Penguin from egg to fully grown adult in this realistic picture book. An excellent look at the circle of life in the Antarctic.
Restart, by Gordon Korman, $3.99. What would you make of your life if you couldn’t remember anything? When Chase hits his head, he loses his memory. After waking up in the hospital, he returns to a school where he doesn’t know anyone… but they all seem to know him and have some strong opinions about who he is. Was he the bully? Is that who he wants to be?
The Dark Lord Clementine, by Sarah Jean Horwitz, $1.99. Like Artemis Fowl, this story is told from a villain’s perspective. Clementine has been training since birth to take over from the Dark Lord Elithor. When he is cursed, Clementine must leave her castle home on a quest for a cure. As she encounters more of the outside world and receives help from local villagers, she begins to question her commitment to a life of Evil. Middle grade fantasy fans will enjoy this unique twist on classic fairytale tropes.
Merci Suarez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina, $0.99. I haven’t had a chance to read this 2019 Newberry Medal winner yet, but I’ve heard great things. Merci is dealing with being one of the few scholarship students at her fancy private school; the economic disparity makes middle school bullies extra challenging. At the same time, Merci is facing unexpected challenges at home as her beloved grandfather begins to be affected by dementia. The subject matter can be hard in places, but many reviewers describe the story as warm and moving. A second book about Merci and her family was just released!
The Tail of Emily Windsnap, by Liz Kessler, $0.99. Amy’s loved this book about an ordinary 12-year-old who discovers she’s actually a mermaid when she was about 10. Booklist said this book is “light, imagination-tickling fare ideal for middle-grade girls, with charming ink-wash illustrations scattered throughout,” and that seems about right.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.