Kindle Deals for January 13, 2022
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 Da Vinci Legacy: How an Elusive 16th-Century Artist Became a Global Pop Icon, by Jean Pierre Isbouts and Christopher Brown, $1.99. Da Vinci is by far the most well-known artist of the Renaissance era, but what sets his work above all the other artists working at the time? Art historians Isbouts and Brown look at both the art itself and the cultural narratives that have led to Da Vinci being considered one of the greatest artists of all time. Copious illustrations provide a great introduction to Da Vinci and other Renaissance artists.
Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies, by Andrew DeGraff and A.D. Jameson, $2.99. Engage your kids in thinking about geography in a new way! This book recreates the environments of dozens of classic movies (e.g., Back to the Future, Guardians of the Galaxy) in detailed maps that show landmarks and lay trails representing the movements of main characters. Each map is accompanied by an essay about how the environment shapes the plot.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers, by Fred Rogers and Luke Flowers, $2.99. Kids today may know Daniel Tiger but have had less exposure to Mister Rogers and his powerfully gentle and hopeful words. This beautifully illustrated book collects 75 of Rogers’s song lyrics and poems, including “I’m Glad I’m the Way I Am” and “You Can Never Go Down the Drain.”
We Are The Baby-Sitters Club: Essays and Artwork from Grown-Up Readers, edited by Marisa Crawford and Megan Milks, $2.99. The Netflix adaptation of The Babysitters Club has been an amazing conversation starter for me and my tween, addressing everything from illness to divorce to grief. I grew up with the original book series, which was also groundbreaking for addressing tough issues in an accessible way. This anthology explores the legacy of the book series.
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DK Readers: Plants Bite Back, by Richard Platt, $2.99. There is something about carnivorous plants that is both fascinating and unsettling. When my daughter was about 7, she couldn’t get enough of learning about these weird and wonderful living things. The DK illustrators and photographers do an excellent job of showing exactly how the plants capture and digest insects (and occasionally other creatures). The DK reading levels tend to be pitched a little higher than other easy readers. This book assumes a fairly high vocabulary and some comfort with reading up to a paragraph per page.
Wild Edibles: A Practice Guide to Foraging, with Easy Identification of 60 Edible Plants and 67 Recipes, by Sergei Boutenko, $3.99. I’ve recently discovered a wealth of foraging-related accounts on Instagram. Even though I’m not out gathering a lot of food from the woods, I am fascinated by all of the things others find. This books is perfect for someone looking to put that adventurous spirit into use. Detailed photos make it easy to distinguish between edible and harmful plants, and the vegan recipes cover everything from smoothies to crackers. Enjoy the ultimate in “eating local” with this handy guide!
Wonders of Life: Exploring the Most Extraordinary Phenomenon in the Universe, by Brian Cox, $2.99. Brian Cox has traveled the world to bring us some of the most amazing wonders of the natural world. This books is a companion to a fantastic British documentary series. Cox is an astrophysicist, so he is able to seamlessly blend biology with other scientific disciplines. Beautiful photography and detailed infographics bring the text to life.
The Ultimate Guide to Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather over 200 Species Throughout North America and Europe, by Guillaume Eyssartier and Julien Norwood, $1.99. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about mushrooms! This book is part identification guide, part science text, part foraging manual. As a bonus, the authors include 40 recipes to use in your mushroom gathering adventures!
A Pirate’s Life for She: Swashbuckling Women Through the Ages, by Laura Sook Duncombe, $2.99. Get to know pirate women from around the world in this fast-paced YA biography collection! Learn about why these girls and women stepped away from society’s expectations to live a life of crime on the high seas.
Shakespeare’s Wife, by Germaine Greer, $1.99. Scholars have been making assumptions about Shakespeare’s wife, Ann Hathaway, for centuries. In an attempt to get to know more about this little-known woman, Greer dives deeply into the social history of the 17th century. Even if you have no deep interest in Hathaway as an individual, you can learn a lot about domestic life from Greer’s detailed scholarship.
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein, by Jennifer Berne, $0.99. This charming picture book biography of Einstein begins in the scientist’s childhood, a time when his parents were worried how different Albert was from other children. The ultimate message is a tribute to the power of imagination.
Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies, by Hayley Nolan, $0.99. Whatever you have heard about Anne Boleyn, you probably don’t know her real story. Historical researcher Hayley Nolan also has a theater background, which really helps her bring Tudor figures to life. Her research reframes Boleyn as a powerful woman whose legacy was rewritten after her untimely death. Reviews of this book are polarized; you will either love the fresh, sometimes flippant tone or find it irritating.
The Girl I Used to Be, by April Henry, $2.99. For years, Olivia thought her father murdered her mother and went on the run. Now in her late teens, she is shocked when her father’s body is discovered near the site where her mother was found. She returns to the small town she had left behind to try to find out the truth… and who she can trust. This fast-paced YA thriller is hard to put down.
Cold-Blooded Myrtle, by Elizabeth C. Bunce, $1.99. Victorian 12-year-old detective Myrtle Hardcastle is back! When a local shopkeeper is murdered in his Christmas window, Myrtle uses her tremendous skills to find out what happened and why. Myrtle is bright and fierce, and her stories are fun introduction to the Victorian era.
Murder Most Puzzling: Twenty Mysterious Cases to Solve, by Stephanie von Reiswitz, $1.99. Break out your magnifying glass and deerstalker hat — it’s time to hunt for clues! This collection of short stories feels like Encyclopedia Brown all grown up. Illustrations and text lay clues for the reader to discover, but don’t worry. If you can’t figure it out you can always flip to the spoiler section.
Blackbird Fly, by Erin Entrada Kelly, $4.49. You may be more familiar with Erin Entrada Kelly’s other children’s books, which have won Newberry and numerous other awards. Blackbird Fly is her debut novel, the story of a 12-year-old Filipino girl who has never felt fully at home in her Louisiana town. Rejected for being too strange, Apple turns to music and finds a surprising passion, as well as new friends who see her for who she is.
Merci Suarez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina, $4.99. 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 is now available!
The Resilient Sloth: A Children’s Book About Building Mental Toughness, Resilience, and Learning to Deal with Obstacles, by Charlotte Dane, $2.99. Sloth has a really great attitude when things go wrong. When the other animals wonder how Sloth is able to keep going despite injuries, failures, and other problems, he shares some good advice he got from a friend. This story is definitely didactic, but it doesn’t feel heavy-handed. The imagery of a sloth slowly but surely completing strenuous tasks will amuse kids and adults alike.
How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent, by Carla Naumburg, $1.99. This book comes with a robust language warning (as you can probably tell from the title). Naumburg’s funny, useful advice is perfect for any parent who occasionally finds themselves overwhelmed and angry at home. Here’s the publisher’s description: “Drawing on evidence-based practices, here is an insight-packed and tip-filled plan for how to stop the parental meltdowns. Its compassionate, pragmatic approach will help readers feel less ashamed and more empowered to get their, ahem, act together instead of losing it.”
Calm: Mindfulness for Kids, by Wynne Kinder, $1.99. Especially in this time of heightened uncertainty and increased togetherness, we need to be proactive about supporting our kids’ mental health. Kinder has collected a variety of mindfulness activities to try with your family, with options that will appeal to kids who can easily sit still and those who need some kinetic activity to calm their minds. Activities are aimed at kids ages 7-9, but many would appeal to older or younger children.
Cookie Craft Christmas: Dozens of Decorating Ideas for a Sweet Holiday, by Valerie Peterson and Janice Fryer, $2.99. Step up your cookie game with this collection of delicious and tasty recipes. No need to be overwhelmed by the level of detail; the authors break down complicated patterns into step-by-step instructions with both hand-drawn and photo illustrations.
Marvel Fearless and Fantastic: Female Super Heroes Save the World, by Sam Maggs, Emma Grange, and Ruth Amos, $4.99. Get to know familiar and less well-known characters from the Marvel universe in this fun compendium. The fierce female characters are grouped by personality: Determined, Daring, Compassionate, and Curious. Each of the 50 plus characters gets a brief biography and illustration. Be prepared to get requests for a lot of new comics!
Movie Night Menus: Dinner and Drink Recipes Inspired by the Films We Love, by Tenaya Darlington and Andre Darlington, $3.99. When I was a kid, any movie in black and white got a lot of side eye from me. If you are looking for a fun way to introduce your kids to some classic movies (from the 1930s through the ‘80s), you may want to consider going big and creating a whole movie-inspired meal to go with the screen time.
A Tiger Like Me, by Michael Engler, $0.99. Spend a day in the life of a tiger… who happens to look a lot like a small boy. You’ll learn about how tigers get ready for the day, what they eat, what they do for fun, and how the get ready for bed. Both the drawing style and the imaginative text remind me of Calvin and Hobbes.
Fox and Chick: The Party and Other Stories, by Sergio Ruzzier, $0.99. The graphic novel format can be a great choice for kids just starting to branch out of picture books. If your kids loved Elephant and Piggie, they will love this slightly longer and more complex book. Fox and Chick give off Frog and Toad vibes; they are very different but genuinely appreciate each other. Kids will love the funny interactions between the two friends.
Patterns in Nature: Why the Natural World Looks the Way It Does, by Philip Ball, $2.99. This beautiful nature book has something for every age and interest level. Younger children can scroll through all of the 200+ pictures and begin to make connections between the shapes of tree branches and rivers or flower petals and seashells. Teens and adults can focus more on science writer Philip Ball’s comprehensive text, which attempts to explain the physical processes that shape the world around us.
What If You Had Animal Hair? by Sandra Markle, $1.99. This series is a lot of fun. This book combines fanciful illustrations of kids sporting added animal characteristics with nature photography and facts. Kids will learn about polar bears, porcupines, reindeer, and lions, and how each creature’s hair is perfect for its environment.
Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner, $4.99. I’ve talked about Kate Messner’s books before. These picture books do a lovely job of illustrating the parts of nature that are hard for us to observe. Take a break from your warm summer day to explore how many animals spend their winters.
Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun, by Jonny Garza Villa, $3.99. This queer Latinx romance takes on big issues while still working toward a happy ending. Jules is biding his time in Texas, dreaming of going off to college where he can feel free to come out. When he accidentally outs himself on Twitter, he faces rejection from his family but also finds new community in person and online. The characters are heartfelt, snarky, and relatable.
The Fire Within, by Chris D’Lacey, $0.99. This British middle-grade book is great for kids who like their fantasy grounded in reality. When David moves in with a new family, he is surprised to discover a surprising element to their pottery business. They make and sell clay dragons, but some of those dragons are more than they seem. This charming read is more magical realism than sweeping fantasy.
The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth: Understanding Our World and Its Ecosystems, by Rachel Ignotofsky, $4.99. This is a really cool book full of beautiful illustrations. Ignotofsky covers major topics in geography and earth science, including sections on all the major biomes on Earth. Infographic fans will love the way she breaks down all the relevant facts into whimsical but fact-filled diagrams.
DK Readers: Welcome to China, by Caryn Jenner, $2.99. DK Readers are great introductions to nonfiction topics! This Level 3 reader is full of maps and photos that really bring China to life. Vocabulary is moderately challenging, and there’s about a paragraph of text per page.
8 Things Every Boy Should Know About Being a Man, by Horace Hough, $2.99. Hough worked for many years in a middle school, and he has seen the struggles facing today’s teenage boys. He has put together what he has learned into this short book of advice. Here’s the publisher’s description:
”8 Things Every Boy Should Know About Being a Man is an essential roadmap you can share with your child or teen to expand his mind during the critical stages of middle or high school. Featuring chapters like ‘You’re Not as Mad as You Think You Are’ and ‘Man Up; Get Help!’ the book teaches your young man how to avoid self-pity, emotionally unhealthy habits, and damaging decisions. As he reads Hough's rarely-discussed conversation topics, he'll learn how to rise above the negativity to become a strong, influential adult.”
On Your Mark, Set, Grow: A “What’s Happening to My Body?” Book for Younger Boys, by Lynda Madaras, $3.49. Lynda Madaras has been writing books about puberty for decades. She brings a matter-of-fact, informational tone to these sensitive topics. More recently, Madaras has written books designed for younger readers. This particular volume is designed for boys ages 8-10 and covers everything from shaving to circumcision to bullying.
I’m a Boy — Hormones! by Shelley Metten and Alan Estridge, $2.99. Puberty and sexual health is a big topic, and this book series does an excellent job of breaking the information into short, age-appropriate chunks. This book is intended for middle school boys who are starting to experience hormonal changes. The other books in the series talk about basic anatomy (for the younger age group) and sexual function (for older teens).
DK Readers: LEGO Women of NASA, Space Heroes, by Hannah Dolan, $2.99. My family was delighted when LEGO put out their women of NASA kit. This book provides background information for each of the women featured: Sally Ride, Mae Jemison, Margaret Hamilton, and Nancy Grace Ronan. If you’ve got a kid who loves LEGO or science in your household, this book is worth checking out. Vocabulary is a little bit advanced for an easy reader, but you’ll find only one or two sentences per page.
Step into Reading: My Journey Into Space, by Scott Kelly, $4.99. This easy reader autobiography is great for kids who are interested in what it takes to get to space. Both Scott Kelly and his twin brother, Mark, trained to become astronauts. Kelly describes the lengthy process from boyhood school struggles to his time commanding the International Space Station. This level 3 reader has approximately 4 sentences per (illustrated) page.
Nefertiti the Spidernaut, by Darcy Pattison, $3.99. Nefertiti was a real spider who went on an extraordinary adventure. Scientists wanted to learn more about the effects of gravity (or lack thereof) on animal behavior, so they sent a jumping spider into space for 100 days to observe how the animal would adapt. Amazingly, she adapted to microgravity and developed new hunting routines. This picture book is high on science content with a sprinkling of whimsy.
Other-Wordly: Words Both Strange and Lovely from Around the World, by Yee-Lum Mak and Kelsey Garrity-Riley, $1.99. This is a beautiful little book, full of moody illustrations. Mak has collected words from all around the world that describe very specific things. Come find out the meanings of gezellig, resfeber, and hoppipolla!
Look at That! Discover the Joy of Seeing by Sketching, by Bobbie Herron, $4.99. I like this book’s playful approach to noticing the world around you. Here’s the publisher’s description: “Explore this new, lighthearted approach to looking, seeing, and finally sketching. So-called ‘non-artists’ will quickly develop an artist’s eye. Artists will rediscover the joy of ‘beginner mind,’ back before perfectionism set in. You will come to love those five minutes of ‘Look-at-That’ practice which have the power to relax and reinvigorate you at a moment's notice. Best of all, when your sketchbook is filled, you will also have a travelogue of your recent adventures seeing your world for the first time. You will be amazed.”
Agatha Oddly: The Secret Key, by Lena Jones, $3.99. Get to know a new mystery heroine! Agatha is a 13-year-old London girl who has been waiting to crack her first case as a detective. When the city’s water supply is contaminated, Agatha decides to find out exactly what is going on.