writing

This book was assigned to me for Math summer reading. First, the book focuses more on science than math! Secondly, this is one of the worst books I have ever read in my life! (You can tell this from the dedication page - "to Jerion - the imaginary number" how sweet - NOT) No kids under the age of 8 will enjoy the storyline. Please, avoid this book!

As a preservice teacher planning to teach math in middle school, I read this book hoping that I would be able to incorporate it into a unit I'm developing that will connect liturature with mathematics. However, this story just seemed too forced. It might be used as an example of how students can get their work published (the author began writing this story in eighth grade and it was published her senior year of high school), but I don't plan on using it for my unit anymore. If you're looking for a book that creatively merges math with literature, then I would HIGHLY suggest "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Jester.

I usually try to find "creative" ways in which to interest my young ones in school. Math was always a problem... But that was before I found this book. It's incredible that a girl not even in high school could write such a creative, entertaining, and witty book. My kids adored it! I can even get them to describe the Order of Operations backwards and forwards. Amazing!