Kindle Deals for September 29, 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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Skyward, by Brandon Sanderson, $2.99. Reviews of this dystopian YA sci-fi novel compare it to a high-flying video game. Spensa has dreamed of being a pilot ever since her father was killed in action. Because a cloud of controversy surrounds his final actions, Spensa worries that the establishment won’t give her a fair try. But finding mysterious wreckage may give her the chance she needs.
Bloom, by Kenneth Oppel, $1.99. Kenneth Oppel writes inventive, engaging science fiction for middle grade readers. Bloom continues in this vein, with an action-packed tale of survival. From the publisher: “The invasion begins--but not as you'd expect. It begins with rain. Rain that carries seeds. Seeds that sprout--overnight, everywhere. These new plants take over crop fields, twine up houses, and burrow below streets. They bloom--and release toxic pollens. They bloom--and form Venus flytrap-like pods that swallow animals and people. They bloom--everywhere, unstoppable. Or are they? Three kids on a remote island seem immune to the toxic plants. Anaya, Petra, Seth. They each have strange allergies--and yet not to these plants. What's their secret? Can they somehow be the key to beating back this invasion? They'd better figure it out fast, because it's starting to rain again...”
Dragons in a Bag, by Zetta Elliott, $1.99. Urban fantasy books for younger readers are hard to come by, so I was delighted to find this Brookyln-based novel with a diverse cast of characters. Jax and his friends Vikram and Kavita are tasked with delivery a bag of dragons, but things go amusingly wrong.
Eragon, by Christopher Paolini, $1.99. Eragon is a remarkable fantasy novel created by a 15-year-old homeschooler! Join Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, in this sweeping series. When Eragon discovers a dragon egg, he has no idea it will lead him to adventure, political intrigue, and war. The books in this series are substantial and complicated, good for kids who are transitioning between middle grade and YA.
STILL ON SALE
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.”
Crenshaw, by Katherine Applegate, $2.99. Crenshaw is the magical story of an imaginary friend helping a boy through a very tough family situation. Jackson had an imaginary friend when he was younger, but he hasn’t seen Crenshaw in years. But when his dad is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, money gets really tight and the family is in danger of losing their home. Jackson’s not sure whether Crenshaw’s reappearance is a good thing, but it might be just what he needs. This sweet book tackles some tough topics. We have a more detailed review here.
Greetings from Witness Protection! by Jake Burt, $2.99. This funny, middle-grade novel has a unique premise! Nicki knows her way around the low… from both sides. When the U.S. Marshalls recruit her to work for them, she is off on an unexpected adventure. She must pose as a family’s teen daughter and use her street smarts to help keep the family safe. You’ll find a bit of action, a bit of heartfelt drama, and a lot of humor in this fun debut novel.
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.
On Teaching Science: Principles and Strategies That Every Educator Should Know, by Jeffrey Bennett, $1.99. This book is geared more towards classroom teachers, but it is still filled with lots of useful tips on presenting scientific information. Bennett focuses heavily on growth mindset and the role of failure and perseverance in the scientific method. Bennett’s enthusiasm for science communication will inspire teachers to bring a fresh perspective to their lessons. While science-focused, the strategies are cross-curricular and can be applied to many topics.
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.
The Other Side: Stories of Central American Teen Refugees Who Dream of Crossing the Border, by Juan Pablo Villalobos, $2.99. Villalobos has collected the stories of 11 teens who have made the journey from Central America to the U.S. Each story vividly depicts the hardships the children faced in their home countries and the difficult conditions of both the voyage and the time spent in processing at the border. These first-person accounts are an excellent introduction to issues of immigration and asylum-seeking.
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.
Pete the Cat: Falling for Autumn, by Kimberly and James Dean, $1.99. Pete is bummed out that summer is ending, but a trip around a farm helps him to see all the good things about autumn. It’s a simple story packed full of useful information about fall produce and other activities.
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!
Hello Hello, by Brendan Wenzel, $1.99. I love Wenzel’s other book, They All Saw a Cat, which is all about differences in perception. Hello Hello is another great book about animals. Each page has a new animal that is connected to the previous animal by a shared trait (color, physical feature, etc.). The text is simple, but the concept is fodder for some great discussions! There’s an excellent conservation message at the end, along with a list of all the animals featured and their conservation statuses.
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.
Bomb: The Race to Build — and Steal — the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin, $2.99. Sheinkin writes great, engaging nonfiction books for younger readers, and Bomb is no exception. Here he tells the story of the German efforts to build an atomic bomb, and the rest of the world’s attempts to harness the new and powerful technology for themselves before the Germans had a chance to use it. There are spies, scientist, battles, and lots of intrigue in this middle grade/YA history.
Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream, by Joshua Davis, $3.99. What a tremendous story! When a group of teens decides to enter a prestigious robotics competition, they are at a major disadvantage. They don’t have corporate sponsors or money to buy materials, and they need to keep a lower profile because all of them are undocumented. Through an incredible amount of perseverance, the team is able to successfully compete with their robot made primarily of scavenged and repurposed parts. There’s also a pretty good movie based on the same true story.
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.
Who is Greta Thunberg? by Jill Leonard, $4.99. Get to know Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg in this elementary biography. From the publisher: “When she was just fifteen years old, Greta Thunberg knew she wanted to change the world. With a hand-painted sign that read "School strike for the climate" in Swedish, Greta sat alone on the steps of the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on climate change. Her one-person strike would soon spark a worldwide movement. This exciting story details the defining moments in Greta's childhood that led up to her now-famous strike and all the monumental ones that have fueled her revolution since, including being named Time's Most Influential Person of the Year in 2019.”
Molecules: The Elements and Architecture of Everything, by Theodore Gray, $0.99. If you’ve already gotten to know the periodic elements, it is time to step up to learning about molecules. Theodore Gray starts by explaining the basics of bonding and how bond types affect physical structure. The rest of the book is made up of profiles of different compounds, detailing their composition, usage, and history. As in all of Gray’s books, there are copious detailed photo illustrations.
Ripped From the Headlines: The Shocking True Stories Behind the Movies’ Most Memorable Crimes, by Harold Schechter, $1.99. So many of the plotlines from famous movies have been taken from true-life events. Historian Harold Schechter reveals all the fascinating stories behind films like Scream, Psycho, and Dirty Harry. This is a fun exploration for true crime fans and movie buffs alike!
Tasting the World: One Country at a Time, by Nicole O’Donnell, $2.99. This book is so cool! O’Donnell has collected recipes from more than 200 countries. I wish there were pictures, but I do appreciate her ratings system for ease of preparation, availability of ingredients, and degree of divergence from American flavor profiles. Pair this book with your geography lessons for a delicious enrichment.
Recipes from the World of Tolkein: Inspired by the Legends, by Robert Tuesley Anderson, $1.99. Supplement your reading to The Lord of the Rings with some “authentic” recipes! This small volume has many recipes (Brandywine Fish Pie, Beorn’s Twice-Baked Cakes) and beautiful watercolor illustrations. Essays about the importance of food in Middle Earth make for delicious reading.
The Classical Music Book, by DK Publishing, $1.99. This book is overflowing with music history information. Inside, you’ll find details about famous (and less famous) composers, instruments, musical styles, and much much more.
Nicola and the Viscount, by Meg Cabot, $1.99. Meg Cabot, who you may know from The Princess Diaries, is back with a historical YA romance. Here’s the publisher’s description: “Nicola Sparks, sixteen and an orphan, is ready to dive headlong into her first glittering London society season. She's also ready to dive headlong into the arms of handsome and debonair Lord Sebastian Bartholomew. Nicola's dream is a proposal from the viscount—a dream she's about to realize at last! So naturally, Nathaniel Sheridan's insinuations about her fiancé's flawed character annoy her mightily. But when Nicola's natural curiosity gets the best of her, she begins to piece together a few things for herself. To her great surprise, Nicola realizes she's had the wrong viscount all along . . . but is it too late to make things right?”
Her Right Foot, by Dave Eggers, $2.99. This beautiful picture book takes a look at the history of the Statue of Liberty. More than that, Eggers uses the statue to address the inherent freedoms that form the basis of American culture and government. Shawn Harris’s mixed-media illustrations are simple but visually interesting.