Customer Reviews

Last to Finish: A Story About the Smartest Boy in Math Class (The Adventures of Everyday Geniuses)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You would have thought that telling my child over and over (and over!)again that other children, and me his mother, have the same struggles with learning math would have made him feel a little less alone in the 3rd grade math world, but it didn't. A parent can only tell a child that everyone learns differently so much. After my son read this book he finally believed me! We talked about how I was when I was a child and how I even have struggle now. Reading this book has opened up this connection with my son that i never thought possible. He saw himself in this book; he made connections that finally turned the switch on for him. Thank you Barb for thinking of our children and creating these great books!

My son received all the books in this series for Christmas. He loved them so much. I searched for the right book to give him for a few months, and I am so glad I picked these. He really seemed to connect with them. I think he is so used to everything being so formal when it comes to myself and his teachers talking about the way he learns. These are the first books that took him to a place all to himself, a place where he could connect as a kid. I love these books, and if you have a child with a different learning style these are the books for them!

Last to Finish: A Story About the Smartest Boy in Math Class by Barbara Esham

From the back of the book: "One by one, Max's classmates turn in their finished papers before the timer rings. Not Max, as soon as the teacher starts the time, "it" happens! His heart begins to pound. Once his heart begins to pound, his hands begin to sweat and his brain freezes! Math must not be his thing."

What I liked about this book: This is another excellent book for students who learn differently or even just any student who is anxious about learning, especially learning math or taking tests. This story is a good reminder that not every child learns the same way. As parents and educators it is important to help students find the right path to learning. This story also reminds us that students are often smarter than they realize. Any student who has gotten butterflies in their stomach over a test or felt the frustration of being last one to finish, will identify with this book. (I'm quite a bit older than Max and yet I knew just how he felt when the teacher brought out the timer.)

What I didn't like about the book: I liked it all. I highly recommend it for all elementary classroom libraries. I've already added it to the wish list for the Endeavour library.

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

AR level: Not listed on AR.

Mrs. Archer's rating: 5 of 5!

Do you have a student or child that struggles in math? Maybe the child does well on daily assignments but poorly on test. Are you the frustrated parents with a high aptitude in math, but Johnny or Susie cannot even memorize their multiplication facts? If so, I strongly recommend you read this book, "Last to Finish: A Story about the Smartest Boy in Math Class", by Barbara Esham.

First, any child that has not memorized his multiplication facts or experiences test anxiety will identify with the main character, Max. Max is a 3rd grader who says he can complete his math facts if he takes his time. However, whenever the teacher uses the almighty timer, his brain freezes, and he is the last to finish with practically a blank paper. Thus, his classmates make fun of him. Did I mention he somehow loses his math folder, and to make matters worse his parents and he are called in for a parent - teacher conference? I won't spoil the end, but your child, your student, and you will have renewed hope and encouragement.

Secondly, the story reminds us that every child does not learn the same. This fun story filled with illustrations could be used to start a conversation about learning styles and learning obstacles. Just because Max or your child has a challenge with multiplication facts does not mean they will be poor math students. In the middle of your smiles and little laughs while reading, "Last to Finish", I think teachers and parents will give thought about their expectations, teaching strategies, and the wise advise shared. In addition the author reassures children that others have overcome obstacles, and there is hope and help available. Bottom line, not all smart people are good at everything!

Lastly, I like how the author has given the reader a snapshot of a realistic story supported with research. In the back of the book, the author shares resources for parents, teachers, and of course the kids. In fact, "Last to Finish: A story about the Smartest Math Boy in Class", is part of a series entitled, "Adventures of Everyday Geniuses" and received the Parents' Choice 2008 Recommended Award.

My daughter loves this book!!! we will be getting more in this series! she can fully understand and empathize with the feelings and situations in the book and loved that there was a 'happy ending'!!

I was disappointed that the book was specific to a particular disability; I thought it was going to be more "general" and cover multi-purpose learning glitches.

My grandson brought this book home as part of a summer enrichment program and we read it together. It is wonderfully illustrated, and author did a good job of showing that kids who have difficulty with one kind of learning situation (in this case, timed math quizzes) have strengths in other areas that should be encouraged. [...]


I think this is a great idea for a series and will be interested to see the other books in it, I just hope they don't show the kids handling stress so poorly.