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

by Wendy Lichtman (Author)
Key Phrases: stolen test, winter dance, copy room, Bill of Rights, Citizen's Responsibilities, Laura Silver (more...)
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
List Price: $16.99
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Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra + Do the Math #2: The Writing on the Wall + The Great Number Rumble: A Story of Math in Surprising Places
Price For All Three: $36.67

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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 (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #504,616 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
stolen test, winter dance, copy room, possible murder, fifth power
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Bill of Rights, Citizen's Responsibilities, Laura Silver, Additive Property of Equality
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Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra
85% buy the item featured on this page:
Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra 4.6 out of 5 stars (13)
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5% buy
The Great Number Rumble: A Story of Math in Surprising Places 4.5 out of 5 stars (4)
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Do the Math #2: The Writing on the Wall
4% buy
Do the Math #2: The Writing on the Wall 4.6 out of 5 stars (5)
$13.25
40 Fabulous Math Mysteries Kids Can't Resist (Grades 4-8)
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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (10)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, June 25, 2007
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"
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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.
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3 of 3 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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
I bought this for my daughter. Okay - I had to force it on her. She began laughing by the end of the first chapter and said she learned more about Algebra from the book than... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Voracious Reader

3.0 out of 5 stars Average with a neat incorporation of math words
Secrets, Lies, and Algebra is a unique book, at least to me, for telling an ordinary story while using math words for conceptual value. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Austin Somlo

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Math Book!!!
This is an excellent book! Every middle school and any math teacher should have this book in their classroom!!!! It is a wonderful blend of math and the life of teenagers! Read more
Published 9 months ago by B. Russell

3.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Review: Do The Math: Secrets, Lies and Algebra
DO THE MATH: SECRETS, LIES, AND ALGEBRA
WENDY LICHTMAN
Contemporary Young Adult

Rating: 3 Enchantments

Tess is an 8th grader who uses... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Enchanting Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Great Book for middle school students!!
As a math teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a great book to show students how they can think about math beyond the classroom. Read more
Published 12 months ago by E. Bedard

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to connect math concepts and reading
This is a very readable book for middle school and above students. A young math-loving "detective" uses her skills to negotiate life in school and her world. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Richard P. Strausz

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't need numbers to learn math
This book was great fun to read whether you like math or not. It takes mathematical concepts and shows how they apply in real life situations without the use of numbers. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Anna

5.0 out of 5 stars Algrebra comes alive
This book is brilliant. If you love math, you'll be amazed at how the author uses the theoretical to describe human relationships and events. Read more
Published 23 months ago by R. Caplane

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
This innovative book captures the essence of middle school life and engages the mathematical and creative interests of young readers. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Sonia Spindt

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous read!
I loved this book! I've never seen a math/mystery before, and this one is a gem! The story is compelling and the math concepts deepen the plot. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Jeffrey Mandel

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