Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: stolen test, winter dance, copy room, Bill of Rights, Citizen's Responsibilities, Laura Silver (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the eighth grade, 1 math whiz < 1 popular boy, according to Tess's calculations. That is, until she has to factor in a few more variables, like:
1 stolen test (x),
3 cheaters (y),
and 2 best friends (z) who can't keep a secret.
Oh, and she can't forget the winter dance (d)!

Then there's the suspicious guy Tess's parents know, but that's a whole different problem.

Can Tess find the solutions?

About the Author

Wendy Lichtman writes personal essays for the Washington Post, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Good Housekeeping, among other national publications. She has also written four previous young adult novels, including Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra. She holds a degree in mathematics and has tutored public-school students in algebra for several years. When she decided to write about a teenage girl who realizes that some questions have more than one right answer, algebra, with its unknowns and variables, seemed a perfect metaphor. Wendy Lichtman lives in Berkeley, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (June 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061229555
• ISBN-13: 978-0061229558
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #369,829 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, June 25, 2007

By	TeensReadToo.com "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

Don't panic! You won't be asked to complete any math problems to read this book! Believe me, I checked.

Wendy Lichtman has created a fun mystery involving main character Tess, whose unique view of life has her imagining everything around her as it relates to math. Chapter headings include concepts such as "Graphs," "Tangents," "The Additive Property of Equality," and "DNE" just to name a few.

Although the math concepts add creativity to the story, the real focus is on several mysteries. There is a questionable suicide, a stolen history test, and a possible cheating scandal to keep readers interested. Tess joins her friends in trying to solve the mysteries. Along the way, she'll share in secrets and lies that will test even the best of friendships.

Tess's life is filled with interesting teachers, annoying boys, frustrating parents, and just about any other typical teen problem readers can imagine.

This is a book for the experienced as well as the reluctant reader. Math lovers might see this book as a reading challenge. Even math teachers would find this book fun. Wouldn't students be shocked if some math teacher out there used it as read-aloud for end-of-the-year math review?

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing from Page One, August 15, 2007

By	Hillary Reinis (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Even though I am way past my teenage years, I still loved reading the story of Tess and her friends, their mystery, and discoveries of real math. Lichtman's characters are distinct and vivid; her plot line is creative and original. I even learned about some math principles. My twenty-something daughter and 12 year old nephew both really enjoyed reading it as well. My daughter said it would make a fun movie.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Math is cool, August 12, 2007

By	Melissa B. Allen (Concord, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a great concept to make math cool. I loved the imagery and the way Tess thinks through her world AND that she's a girl (sorry for the run-on). Page turner even for a 36 year old kid.