Kindle Deals for June 2, 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 Other Boy, by M.G. Hennessey, $1.99. This emotional story about a trans 6th grader trying to navigate middle school is a welcome read. Shane is not questioning his identity; he has been living as male for years. He spends his time working on his graphic novel (sample pages are included in the text!), playing baseball, and hanging out with friends. But when someone threatens to reveal Shane’s birth gender, he has to decide whether he wants to keep living with his secret or be open and face the scrutiny of others.
Alan Cole is Not a Coward, by Eric Bell, $1.99. Middle-grade readers will appreciate this funny and poignant middle school story. From the publisher: “Alan Cole can’t stand up to his cruel brother, Nathan. He can’t escape the wrath of his demanding father, who thinks he’s about as exceptional as a goldfish. And—scariest of all—he can’t let the cute boy across the cafeteria know he has a crush on him. But when Nathan discovers Alan’s secret, his older brother announces a high-stakes round of Cole vs. Cole. Each brother must complete seven nearly impossible tasks; whoever finishes the most wins the game. If Alan doesn’t want to be outed to all of Evergreen Middle School, he’s got to become the most well-known kid in school, get his first kiss, and stand up to Dad. Alan’s determined to prove—to Nathan, to the world, to himself—that this goldfish can learn to swim.”
Felix Ever After, by Kacen Callender, $1.99. From our Memorable Characters booklist: “This twisty whodunnit is a standout for its diverse cast and lovable protagonist: a Black trans artist who must learn what it really means to love who he is when an anonymous fellow student harasses him with transphobic messages.”
Leah on the Offbeat, by Becky Albertalli, $2.99. I haven’t read this sequel to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (made into a movie as Love, Simon), but I’m eager to find out more about what happens with Simon’s best friend. Leah on the Offbeat was the Goodreads YA book of the year! From the flap: When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.
STILL ON SALE
Displacement, by Kiku Hughes, $2.99. Scifi meets historical fiction in this powerful graphic novel. Kiku is on vacation when she finds herself in the 1940s. Suddenly, her Japanese identity subjects her to discrimination and ultimately imprisonment. Pair this book with Kindred (which also has a graphic novel version!) for an interesting speculative fiction discussion.
The Magic Fish, by Trung Le Nguyen, $1.99. I haven’t had a chance to read this graphic novel yet, but I’ve seen it on dozens of recommendation lists. Tien is having trouble connecting with his immigrant parents. He has always been fascinated with fairytales. Is there a way his beloved stories can help him tell his parents he is gay?
The Silver Arrow, by Lev Grossman, $2.99. This was one of my daughter’s favorite books of 2020, and the second book in the series just came out! When Kate’s uncle bring her a very unusual birthday present (a sentient train), Kate and her brother set off on an amazing adventure. Along the way, they pick up and drop off countless animals and begin to understand the purpose of the magic train. Grossman has created a really interesting world with a subtle environmental allegory.
Parental as Anything: A Common-Sense Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Kids from Toddlers to Tweens, by Maggie Dent, $1.99. One of the most interesting things I learned in my time spent living abroad is that different regions have different cultural emphases (even in places with a lot of similarities). In light of that, I think you’ll find this Australian parenting book fascinating. Dent’s advice is practical and evidence-based, with a familiar but subtly different perspective than a lot of American parenting books.
The Mandalorian: Allies and Enemies, by Lucasfilm Press, $3.99. This book is not great literature, but if you are looking for a high interest book for a reluctant reader or big Star Wars fan, this book will do the trick. It’s not a story, per se, but a guide to all the characters in The Mandalorian (think “a nonfiction take on a fictional world”).
Choose Your Destiny: A Finn and Poe Adventure, by Cavan Scott, $3.99. Choose your own path in this fun adventure story! Finn and Poe are on a mission for the Resistance. The reader gets to make choices and can go through the book multiple times to find all the different endings.
Secrets of the Force: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Wars, by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman, $2.99. Two entertainment historians team up to create an extensive history of the Star Wars franchise. They have interviewed makeup artists, executives, toymakers, actors, and many others, and the result is a book packed with facts even the most die hard fans may not yet know.
Natasha’s Dance: A Cultural History of Russia, by Orlando Figes, $2.99. There are lots of books about Russian political history. This book takes a different tack, focusing on the arts and culture of Russia. This sweeping history touches on major social movements and an extensive selection of notable Russians (e.g., Tolstoy, Tchaikovsky, Chagall) from the realms of literature, art, music, and dance.
The Concise Human Body Book: An Illustrated Guide to its Structure, Function, and Disorders, by DK Publishing, $1.99. When your students are ready for a deep dive into anatomy, this book is an excellent starting point. Don’t let the word “concise” fool you, there are more than 300 pages of illustrations covering every major body system. from the cell level up.
iOpeners: Skeletons Inside and Out, by DK Children, $0.99. This short DK guide is a great introduction of skeletal anatomy for elementary readers. Detailed photo and drawn illustrations show skeletons in standard poses and in motion. While there’s a lot of detail about human skeletons, the book also covers all major vertebrate animals (and even insects).
Natural Wonders of the World, by DK Publishers, $1.99. The Earth is a majestic place, full of breath-takingly unique landscapes. This gorgeous DK books is full of pictures from remarkable places, paired with expert information from geologists and biologists. You’ll find terrain maps and explanations of the geological processes that created the features.
Annabelle and Aiden in The Story of Life, by J.R. Becker, $3.99. I had the pleasure of meeting J.R. Becker at a secular homeschooling conference, and my daughter loved his books when she was younger. His books combine charming, rhyming text with serious science. In this volume, Annabelle and Aiden learn about evolution and how humans are related to other animals.
How Evolution Explains Everything About Life: From Darwin’s Brilliant Idea to Today’s Epic Theory, by New Scientist, $0.99. If you are looking for a quick but comprehensive explanation of evolution, this book will give you everything you need in less than 250 pages. Chapters cover Darwin’s initial work, the role DNA evidence plays in understand evolution, common misconceptions, and even the evolution of behavior over time.
Malamander, by Thomas Taylor, $1.99. Get ready for a strange, fast-paced adventure by the sea! When Violet bursts into the Grand Nautilus Hotel, she is in the process of tracking down her long-lost parents. Herbert works the Lost and Found office, but can he help her find what she needs? They’ll have their work cut out for them; the town of Eerie-On-Sea is home to many odd characters and a legendary monster.
The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst, by Jaclyn Moriarty, $2.99. Moriarty has a great ear for dialog, and this middle grade fantasy, written largely in first person, is full of witty and relatable conversations. This novel manages to poke at some fantasy conventions in a subtle and surprising way. Esther is just an ok student at her boarding school, so when she begins to suspect that strange things are happening, she doubts whether she could make a difference. In this charming story, ogres and faeries share space with ennui and pop quizzes.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, $2.99. I’ve read this book aloud more times than I can count. If there’s a dinosaur lover in your life, you’ll definitely want to snag this book. The delightful illustrations follow enormous dinosaurs going through a nightly routine.
Steam Train, Dream Train, by Sherri Duskey Rinker, $0.99. All aboard the Dream Train! This bedtime story is the perfect balance of wacky action and soothing repetition. In the dream world, the train is staffed by animals — giraffes, kangaroos, monkey, and more — who load each car with unusual items. Tom Lichtenheld’s drawings are perfect as always.
A Seed is Sleepy, by Dianna Hutts Aston, $1.99. Sylvia Long’s accurate, detailed illustrations are a big part of what makes this book such a great addition to your nature library. Kids will learn about all kinds of seeds, from the ones light enough to float on the breeze to ones that can weigh up to 60 pounds.
What I See: Asian-American Racism From the Eyes of a Child, by Christine T. Leung, $1.99. The pandemic has led to an increase in racism and hate crimes against Asian people. Leung has written a book about what it feels like to experience racist mistreatment. The topic is heavy, but the text is accessible for young readers (the author suggests 8+).
Tua and the Elephant, by R.P. Harris, $0.99. This illustrations in this middle grade book really bring Chiang Mai to life. From the publisher: “Ten-year-old Tua—Thai for "peanut"—has everything she needs at home in Chiang Mai, Thailand, except for one thing she's always wanted: a sister. In the market one day, Tua makes an accidental acquaintance—one with wise, loving eyes, remarkable strength, and a very curious trunk. And when Tua meets Pohn-Pohn, it's clear this elephant needs her help. Together, the unusual team sets off on a remarkable journey to escape from Pohn-Pohn's vile captors. From the bustling night market to the hallowed halls of a Buddhist temple and finally, to the sanctuary of an elephant refuge, this clever girl and her beloved companion find that right under their noses is exactly what each has been searching for: a friend.”
The Storm Keeper’s Island, by Catherine Doyle, $4.79. Attention, Rick Riordan fans! This mythological Irish adventure tale is for you! From the publisher: “Fionn Boyle comes from a long line of brave seafarers, people with the ocean behind their eyes. But he can't help but fear the open sea. For years, Fionn's mother has told him stories of Arranmore Island, a strange place that seems to haunt her. Fionn has always wondered about this mysterious island, and from the day he arrives he starts noticing things that can't be explained. He can sense the island all around him, and it feels like the island is watching him, too. Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies. The time has come for his grandfather, a secretive and eccentric old man, to step down. But as Fionn and the other descendants of Arranmore's most powerful families fight to become the island's next champion, a more sinister magic is waking up, intent on rekindling a long-ago war and changing Fionn's life and the island's future forever.”
The Young Time Traveler’s Guide to Really Interesting People: Grace O’Malley, The Pirate Queen of Ireland, by Megan Stringfellow, $1.99. I only recently discovered this history series, and I’m please to be able to share it with you today. Stringfellow puts readers in the position of time travelers, taking them to discover events and people from the past. In this book, she profiles Grace O’Malley, who was born into the nobility but found a life of adventure on the high seas. Stringfellow’s books have a scrapbook feel, with maps, sketches, and other embellishments.
The Story of the Leprechaun, by Katherine Tegen, $1.99. This cheerful picture book tells the story of a leprechaun slyly defeating a greedy man determined to steal the leprechaun’s gold. Warm, magical illustrations make this a pleasant read-aloud experience to share with your favorite children.
Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee, by Chris Van Dusen, $0.99. Kids will love the wild and wacky adventures of Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee. Chris Van Dusen is a master at using impressively funny rhymes to tell a story. In this book, Mr. Magee and Dee decide to learn how to ski, but things take a turn when they encounter a moose in their way. My daughter absolutely loved the Mr. Magee books (there are three) when she was younger; the rhymes and charming illustrations give this one high reread potential.
Little Pea, by Amy Kraus Rosenthal, $0.99. Kids will love this subversive little picture book about a pea who can’t have his vegetables for dessert unless he eats all his sweets first!
Juniper Kai: Super Spy, by Laura Gehl and Alexandria Neonakis, $0.99. Juniper knows something is up with her parents, and she is determined to figure out what is going on (Surprise! It’s a new baby!). She uses all her best spy techniques: listening at the door, using binoculars to observe from afar, and wearing clever disguises to go unnoticed. Kids will love this plucky Asian heroine!
Delores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers, by Sarah Warren, $3.99. Dolores Huerta was a teacher who was concerned when she saw students coming to school hungry and without shoes in the 1950s. When she discovers that these are the children of migrant workers living in intense poverty, she becomes a tireless activist working to improve the working and living conditions for marginalized people. This beautiful picture book explains how Huerta got involved with labor rights and how her work has impacted generations of farm workers.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909, by Michelle Markel, $2.99. Clara Lemlich was a Ukrainian immigrant who took a job in a garment factory as a child. Appalled by the working conditions, she leads a strike of girls and women who demand safety reforms and fair pay. The picture book has a unique visual style, pairing watercolor paintings with textile collages.