Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra [Paperback]

Wendy Lichtman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 27, 2008 | Series: Do the Math

Tess loves math because it's the one subject she can trust—there's always just one right answer, and it never changes. But then she starts algebra and is introduced to those pesky and mysterious variables, which seem to be everywhere in eighth grade. When even your friends and parents can be variables, how in the world do you find out the right answers to the really important questions, like what to do about a boy you like or whom to tell when someone's done something really bad?

Will Tess's life ever stop changing long enough for her to figure it all out?

Editorial Reviews

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

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061229571
• ISBN-13: 978-0061229572
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

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

By TeensReadToo

Format:Hardcover

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"

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

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

By Hillary Reinis

Format:Hardcover

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

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

By Melissa B. Allen

Format:Hardcover

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.