Kindle Deals for February 15, 2020
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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They All Saw a Cat, by Brendan Wenzel, $1.99. This simple children’s book takes on an important concept: perspective. As the cat walks through the day, each creature it encounters sees it in a different way. You could use this book to begin a great discussion about the visual abilities of different animals.
W.E.B. Du Bois’s Data Portraits: Visualizing Black America, by The W.E.B. Du Bois Center at the University of Massachusetts, $2.99. Did you know that W.E.B. Du Bois was an early innovator of the infographic? The W.E.B. Du Bois Center has collected his work into this fascinating book that offers a detailed look at race in the early 20th century.
An Atlas of Countries that Don’t Exist: A Compendium of Fifty Unrecognized and Largely Unnoticed States, by Nick Middleton, $2.99. For a country to exist, other countries must recognize its borders. Nick Middleton describes the history, leaders, and geography of 50 countries that have not been formally acknowledged. Design fans will appreciate the beautiful layouts.
Ivy and Bean Bundle: Books 1-3, by Annie Barrows, $1.99. These sweet and funny stories are perfect for your new reader. My daughter has moved far beyond this series, but still often picks up one of these books to reread in a single sitting. From my junior reviewer: “I really love these books because the characters are believably drawn with just the right amount of humor. They tie in hilarious and unusual circumstances, including magic sometimes, with things I have experienced. They have a very specific sense of humor, which I share, and I can relate to almost all of the characters.”
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy, by Karen Abbott, $2.99. I am not a Civil War buff, but this is the kind of subject matter I can get behind. Karen Abbott, in her signature thriller style, introduces us to four intrepid women working as spies. You’ll learn about the woman who posed as a soldier to get battlefield details, the widow who used her feminine charms to wring details from politicians, and more. This glimpse at untold history is also a pageturner.
Stuff Matters, by Mark Miodownik, $2.99. This is one of my favorite types of books — the ones that provide explanations for all the elements of everyday life. Why is glass see-through? Why is metal reflective? Miodownik is a materials scientist who can discuss each of the 11 topics with scientific detail and a good deal of humor. Occasional illustrations help make the science more accessible.
STILL ON SALE
I Love You Already!, by Jory John and Benji Davies, $1.99. Snuggle up with your favorite small person to read this funny picture book. From the publisher: “Bear can't wait to spend a pleasant day by himself. But his persistent next-door neighbor, Duck, wants to take a morning stroll . . . with Bear. He just wants Bear to like him already. . . Jory John, author of Penguin Problems and The Bad Seed, and Benji Davies, creator of The Storm Whale, join together again to bring us this standout hilarious story of unrequited admiration that will leave children laughing at every page. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any story time!”
Love From Paddington, by Michael Bond, $1.99. The lovable bear from Peru is back with new adventures. This book is told in letters written to Paddington’s Aunt Lucy. Kids will love the epistolary format and Paddington’s often hilarious adventures and foibles.
The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily, by Laura Creedle, $2.99. This YA book tells the ultimate word nerd love story. Two high-schoolers meet in detention and are drawn together by their mutual appreciation for medieval Latin love poetry.
I Wanna Be Where You Are, by Kristina Forest, $2.99. This YA rom-com/road trip novel sounds like a blast. Here’s the publisher’s description: “When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast—two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat.”
The Oregon Trail: The Race to Chimney Rock, by Jesse Wiley, $2.99. It’s time to introduce the magical 80s computer game The Oregon Trail to a younger generation, this time as a choose-you-own-adventure novel series! Upper elementary kids will love these historical adventures. And don’t worry, just like in the computer games, most of the choices still end in death.
Get Up, Stand Up, by Bob Marley and Cedella Marley, $1.99. This beautiful picture book combines the words of Bob Marley’s classic song with lovely illustrations that tell a story of bullying and friendship. Though intended for the very young, this book would be a great book to get older kids talking about the power of music or the ways pictures can tell a story.
Unseen: Unpublished Black History from The New York Times Photo Archives, by Dana Canedy, Damien Cave, Rachel L. Swarns, and Darcy Eveleigh, $3.99. News is being made all around us, but not every story makes it into the printed record of history. New York Times photo editor Darcy Eveleigh discovered dozens of unprinted photos in the newspaper’s archives. With the help of her colleagues, Eveleigh researched the context of these photos and brought new stories to light. You’ll find unseen sides of familiar faces and entirely new tales from history.
Aerial Geology, by Mary Caperton Morton, $2.99. Have you ever looked out the windows of an airplane and marveled at the shapes of the land below? This book visits remarkable places in North America from above to show how geologic concepts are written in the surface of the earth. Written for adults but easily accessible to interested children, this book is a great jumping off point for a deeper study of earth science. Definitely view the pictures on a full-color screen, if possible, or consider splurging on the gorgeous hardcover.
Betty Before X, by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson, $2.99. This book, which was featured in several Best Children’s Books of 2018 lists, tells a story of the Civil Rights movement through the eyes of Malcolm X’s daughter, Betty. The 11-year-old’s unique perspective will help middle-grade readers engage with the historical details in a deeper way.
Field Notes on Love, by Jennifer E. Smith, $1.99. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with another sweet YA romance. Hugo is planning a train trip across the country with his girlfriend before he starts college. When they break up, he quickly needs to find another Margaret Campbell to take her nonrefundable ticket. The two complete strangers get to know each other on the long journey, but will their lives outside the train catch up with them?
The Periodic Table: A Field Guide to the Elements, by Paul Parsons and Gail Dixon, $3.99. This vibrant and careful guide to all the elements in the periodic table will intrigue budding chemists and anyone who wants to understand how things work. Lots of vivid illustrations of the elements in their various forms round out the dense but accessible text.
And Still I Rise: Black America Since MLK, by Henry L. Gates and Kevin M. Burke, $2.99. Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates considers the highs and lows of Black History in the last 50 years. This book is a companion to a compelling PBS series and is full of engaging pictures.
Meet Cute, by various authors, $2.99. A “meet cute” is the first time a couple meets in a romance novel. This story anthology is a collection of meet cute stories from some of the biggest names in YA fiction. You’ll love the broad diversity of characters’ racial, gender, and sexual identies. Everyone deserves a good love story.
The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South, by Michael W. Twitty, $1.99. Whether you love Southern cooking or know nothing about it, you will definitely be interested what Twitty has to say. As he tells the story of how traditional cuisine developed, he takes on slavery, racism, class, and religion.
A Weird and Wild Beauty: The Story of Yellowstone, The World’s First National Park, by Erin Peabody, $1.99. Yellowstone is a place like few others in the world, and this book traces its fascinating history. This book, aimed at teens to adults, covers the park’s discovery, the protection act that created the first national park, and the science and nature that make Yellowstone so unique. Copious historical and current photos enhance the reading experience.
Lintang and the Pirate Queen, by Tamara Moss, $2.99. This middle-grade fantasy novel is perhaps better known in Australia, where it was initially published. I love all the strong female characters. Here’s how the publisher describes it: “Lintang is an island girl who longs for daring and danger. When she meets the feared pirate Captain Shafira and her all-female crew, Lintang is determined to join them. Secrets within secrets, life-or-death battles with spectacular monsters, and hair’s breadth escapes keep readers turning the pages of a story populated by women of color who are fighters, adventurers, and leaders.”
How to Read Poetry Like a Professor: A Quippy and Sonorous Guide to Verse, by Thomas C. Foster, $1.99. Poetry doesn’t have to be intimidating. This guide to understanding the meanings of poems will help teens and adults find the beauty in verse. Along the way, Foster introduces and explains all the language scholars use to talk about poetry — meter, figurative language, rhyme structure, and more.
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker, by Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson, $1.99. This lovely children’s biography of Josephine Baker covers both her performance career and her civil rights work. It is written in a jazz-style poetry that calls to mind the 1920s. The simple, vivid illustrations won the Coretta Scott King Honor distinction.
Science in Seconds: 200 Key Concepts Explained in an Instant, by Hazel Muir, $1.99. This illustrated guide to scientific concepts explains everything from thermodynamics to the Doppler effect. It’s an excellent resource for when you need a refresher or a way to answer a homework question.
In Progress: Seeing Inside a Lettering Artist’s Sketchbook and Process, from Pencil to Vector, by Jessica Hische, $2.99. I love to learn about how things are made, and this peek into a lettering artist’s work process is really fascinating to me. This is a great introduction to the terminology, tools, and business of lettering. You’ll enjoy this look behind the scenes even if you, like me, have no talent for fancy handwriting.
Super Graphic: A Visual Guide to the Comic Book Universe, by Tim Leong, $1.99. If you love comic books, this is the book for you. If you know very little about superheroes but enjoy infographics, this is also the book for you. Tim Leong breaks down the world of superheroes and supervillians by color, geographic area, height, weight, and more.
Binti, by Nnedi Okorafor, $1.99. This sci-fi novella introduces an exciting new universe. Binti, a Himba tribeswoman, is the first of her people to gain admission to a galactic university. Against her family’s wishes, she leaves her desert home to pursue higher education. A disaster on her transport ship has profound impacts on Binti’s future. This book is beautifully written and a whirlwind of activity. It’s short, but it packs a punch.
How to Draw Fantasy Art and RPG Maps: Step by Step Cartography for Gamers and Fans, by Jared Blando, $4.99. I’m a big fan of meeting kids where they are to sneak in some meaningful learning. In creating a fantasy world and building an accurate map, budding cartographers will have a crash course in geography. The book offers good starting points for discussion of geographic features, cities and transportation, political history, and heraldry. The excellent and varied illustrations break the complex process into manageable steps.
Enlightenment Now, by Steven Pinker, $1.99. This is a great deal on a massive, informative book, so snap it up! It is very easy to get stuck in thinking about all of the problems and disasters facing the modern world. Pinker uses meticulous sociological research to show that human conditions have been steadily improving since the Enlightenment. Far from resting on laurels, Pinker encourages readers to continue embracing reason and science to defend the world against the ever-encroaching tribalism, demagoguery, and fatalism that also seem to be a persistent part of human nature.
Paperback Crush, by Gabrielle Moss, $2.99. Calling all women in their thirties and forties! Did you go through a horse book phase in middle school? Did you morbidly rubberneck the doomed romances of terminally ill teens? This book is a love letter to the mass market teen paperbacks of the 1980s and 1990s. Revisit the extremely specific genres of books you loved but have probably forgotten.
A Crazy-Much Love, by Joy Jordan-Lake, $1.99. This sweet picture book tells the story of an international adoption and many milestones that follow in a young girl’s family.
George, by Alex Gino, $3.99. George may look like a boy, but she knows she is really a girl. Determined to win the role of Charlotte in her school play of Charlotte’s Web, she sets out to make sure everyone else can see her the way she sees herself. Books that address the experiences of transgender tweens are rare, and this one does it well, so snag it for your middle-grade reader.
Challenge Accepted! 253 Steps to Becoming an Anti-It Girl, by Celeste Barber, $1.99. You may have seen Australian actor and comedian Celeste Barber’s hilarious Instagram photos attempting to copy ridiculous celebrity poses. If you’re interested in her take on childbirth, what it’s like to share so much of her life on the internet, body image, and more, this book is a breezy, laugh-out-loud read. Note: If you are squeamish about crude language, this may not be the book for you.
The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley, $1.99. From our Adventure and Suspense reading list: Orphaned girl Harry Crewe is living a perfectly ordinary life — until the day she is kidnapped by the king of the Hillfolk to fulfill a destiny she never imagined. Is Harry really a true warrior who can wield the legendary blue sword? And even if she is, will she believe in herself enough to seize her fate?
Waiting, by Kevin Henkes, $1.99. This sweet picture book captures the emotional essence of childhood. Five toys sit by a window, each waiting for something different to happen. Simple, but resonant text and warm illustrations make this a delightful read.
The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature, by Steven Pinker, $4.99. This book is fascinating and long. I bought it when I couldn’t finish my library copy in time (and I wanted to be able to refer to it again). Word nerds and anthropology fans will love this genre mashup. Find out what the words people use for swearing, humor, and metaphor say about us as human beings.
From the Corner of the Oval, by Beck Dorey-Stein, $4.99. This dishy political memoir describes the Obama White House from an unusual perspective, that of one of his twenty-something stenographers. Dorey-Stein came to the job with no political experience and got thrown into the deep end. The New York Times called this “Bridget Jones goes to the White House” — how can you pass that up?
Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai, $1.99. From our big immigration stories reading list (winter 2017): “When Hà’s family flees Vietnam to escape the war there, she finds it difficult to adjust to a very different kind of life in Alabama. Told in spare, simple verse, this book packs an emotional wallop and allows kids to slip inside the first person experience of being a stranger in a strange land.”
This Book is Grey, by Lindsay Ward, $1.99. The other colors aren’t always friendly to Grey, and he just wants to fit in. He decides to make his own book of awesome things that are grey (hippos, clouds, kittens, etc.), but the other colors are not so enthusiastic. This is a story about fitting in, being true to yourself, and a little bit of color theory.