Marvelous Mattie by Emily Arnold McCully*

 Ms. McCully transports the reader to Margaret Knight's life when she was an inquisitive, curious child who loves machines. When she was only twelve years old, she invents a guard for the shuttles in the mills after a shuttle shoots off the end of a loom and hurts a girl. Her love for machines and problem solving continues through her adult life and allows her to earn patents, including a machine that assembles brown paper bags we used today.

After reading A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile by Angela Bell, I wanted to learn more about the real Margaret Knight. A picture book is a great place to start! I also have borrowed a fictitious middle-grade novel about her. I will be reading and reviewing it soon.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity by Amy Alznauer illustrated by Daniel Miyares*

 Ms. Alznauer focuses on Ramanujan's childhood and his development of his number theories, not his time in Cambridge with G.H. Hardy. His theories have influenced and shaped ideas in mathematics, computers, black holes, and string theory. 

A fascinating read for young mathematicians. 

Consideration: He prays to a god about leaving India to study in England. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice by Amy Alznauer illustrated by Anna Bron**

 All of her life Marjorie loved nature and mathematics. When she expressed her desire to study art and geometry, her parents instead recommended that she become a secretary.  Within her quiet life as a mother of five children, Majorie continued to study shapes and to learn about math and geometry. Through an announcement in Scientific American , December 1975, Marjorie learns that possible pentagons that tessellate were still waiting to be discovered. Marjorie ends up finding many more pentagons. It wasn't her degree or her desire for money or fame that bolstered her determination; it was her love for geometry and art.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Inspiring! When teaching about M.C. Escher, parents and teachers can introduce Marjorie Rice, an ordinary woman who pursued an interest without the goal of recognition.

The illustrations are mathematical/geometrical and beautiful. The author alternates the history of fitting shapes together and Marjorie's life until they merge. The illustrator defines each focus with a border (shape history=tan rectangular  border, Marjorie's life=no  tan border)

Consideration: old-earth worldview

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Secret Engineer How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge by Rachel Doughtery*

 Even though most girls during her time period rarely pursued a higher education, Emily loved science and math and was able to attend a school where these subjects were taught. She married an engineer, whose family built bridges. Soon Emily's husband is building the Brooklyn Bridge, incorporating new technology. Unfortantely, he becomes ill. Thankfully, Emily is intelligent and an eager learner. Although she does not receive credit, she is the one who oversaw the building of the Brooklyn Bridge!

An amazing story!  I liked this story so much that I requested two other picture books about her!

Kids who love to build, who want to understand how things work, and who have an engineer mindset will love this book.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The MAD Scientists' Club by Bertrand R. Brinley illustrated by Charles Geer*

 I read about this series via Purple House Press's email newsletter.

What a fun read! A group of intelligent, adventurous boys form a club where they use science, math, and intellect to get into and out of scrapes. 

Consideration: the boys think one girl is good looking and has great legs

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys & Steve Sheinkin**

 Jakob has been working at Bletchley Park, a code-breaking facility trying decipher the Nazi's Engima cipher. When his sister Lizzie avoids her journey to America, he is forced to share his room with her and have her join the secret group at Bletchley Park. Within minutes she proves her worth and wins over the Colonel. 

Two plots will engage the reader-the progression of deciphering at Bletchley Park and Lizzie's attempt  (& then Jakob's) of trying to find the truth about their mother's disappearance. 

Very engaging and interesting! I loved Lizzie (I usually don't care for female characters). This book is full of humor & hope despite the sobering setting & plot.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

9 Kilometers by Claudio Aguilera illustrated by Gabriela Lyon translated by Lawrence Schimel*

 Readers travel with a Chilean boy as walks nine kilometers to school. First person narration creates an intimacy with the reader as the boy shares his thoughts while he walks. Readers will be astounded about how early he arises to go to school and the variety of terrain he traverses. After the story the author includes extra information about how far other children travel to school in different countries and also includes about details about the birds featured throughout the book.  

I liked the design and layout of the book. This book would be a great "first day of school" read aloud.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham**

-A Newbery Medal winner

 My friend has been sharing with me for years how much she and her family love this book. Finally, I decided to add it to our school reading list. My eighth grader will be reading this novel as part of his literature course this coming school year.

In an engaging narrative format, Ms. Latham shares with reader's Nathaniel Bowditch's life and progress to become a self-educated man and an eventual publisher of his book, The American Practical Navigator. Mr. Bowditch is an impressive, tenacious man-a worthwhile historical figure to study and for teens/children to admire. Individuals who love mathematics will relate to Mr. Bowditch as he often says, "It's simple mathematics." As I read this book, I thought of my mother-in-law and husband . . .both who are very intelligent and who love mathematics. I am confident that my eighth grader will relate to Mr. Bowditch and will thoroughly enjoy this account. 

**Highly, highly recommend.

I own this book.

An Optical Artist by Greg Roza*

 M.C. Escher is another artist my eighth grade son will study this coming year

An art book that focuses on M.C. Escher's use of math to create his art. I loved how math and art are fused in this book.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

I just bought this interactive, fascinating book from my local bookstore-

The Universe in You -A Microscopic Journey by Jason Chin*

 This book made my brain hurt as I tried to fathom microscopic items! Mr. Chin, once again, does an excellent job of explaining and showing size in a relatable manner.

*Highly recommend.

Heads up-evolutionary theory treated as fact

-Borrowed from the library.

I.Q. DVD*

 Rated: PG, 1994 Starring Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, & Walter Matthau

I love this movie! We had not watched this movie since we had children in the home.  

Humor, likable characters, romance. We watched this movie as a family. My husband laughed until he had tears! He enjoys clever humor, which abounds in this movie. Some of the jokes and comments had sexual innuendeos, which went over our sons' heads. We loved Albert Einstein and his three friends the most. Their antics made us laugh!!

Ed Walters, an auto mechanic, falls for Albert Einstein's niece, Catherine Boyd. Two big problems--she is engaged to a British pyschologist, and Catherine, a brilliant mathematican, will not even consider an auto mechanic as a potential husband. Can Albert and his brilliant friends bring Catherine and Ed together?

*Highly recommend (for junior high and older)

Warning: sexual innuendos, some kissing

-We own this DVD.

Blockhead The Life of Joseph Fibonacci illustrated by Joseph D'Agnese illustrated by John O'Brien*

 This coming school year we will be studying medieval history, and I will be recommending this picture book biography to my sons. Joseph Fibonacci lived in medieval Italy and was obessessed with numbers. He advocated the using the Hindu-Arabic numerals (which we use today) instead of Roman numerals. People resisted.  Told in first person, the reader intimately experiences Fibonacci's thoughts. Throughout the book, the illustrations incorporate spirals (the Fibonacci sequence). Additional information and hands-on activities at the back enrich this story even more.

Worldview to discuss: "I think people are happiest when they know what pleases them." (-Alfredo, Joseph Fibonacci's father's adviser).

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Jefferson Measures a Moose by Mara Rockliff illustrated by S.D. Schindler*

Ms. Rockliff searches for little-known interesting tidbits about history and historical figures and shares them with the world with her engaging picture books. 

In this book she focuses on Thomas Jefferson's love for numbers and how this passion allowed him to combat the famous Frenchman Buffon's erroneous conclusions about America, its creatures and its land.

A must-read for mathematicans or for individuals who want to foster the love for numbers in young people's lives. A perfect read aloud when learning about Thomas Jefferson too!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

When Lucy was eight years old she was struck by lightning.  The strike caused brain damage . . . . she now has a condition called acquired savant syndrome.  She is a math genius.  For awhile she has been home schooled, but now her Nana, who has raised her since her mom died, decides she should attend public middle school.  Lucy protests, but her Nana is adamant. 
Lucy tries to blend in but her OCD (sit down, stand up two times before sitting and sanitizing everything) shouts her uniqueness in the classroom.  As a result, she decides to hide her mathematical genius.  Then a group project with her new friends Levi and Windy begins to show her that she has an identity beyond numbers and her OCD.
Ms. McAnulty develops her characters well and creates a compelling plot.  She also captures the middle school drama and angst well!  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

Warning: Levi has two moms.  Although they are not main characters in the book and their relationship is not a focus at all, their relationship is mentioned a few times.  Levi is also considered a loser, partly because he had two moms. 

Galileo's Leaning Tower Experiment by Wendy Mcdonald illustrated by Paolo Rui*

Although historians are not sure if the  ball dropping from the Leaning Tower of Pisa actually occurred, they do know that Galileo did have a theory that falling objects will land at the same time.  Galileo, the father of the scientific method, probably would have tested this theory.
This fictionalized story will intrigue readers and young scientists.
The author offers additional historical background, science explanations and the speed formula.
We enjoyed the book.  The book prompted our experiments with falling objects!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson*

I read this book aloud to my sons.  My nine year old loved it; my twelve year did not (it was too stressful for him-Matt was failing math and not wanting to get help, he thought some his choices were not very smart and was frustrated with him!).
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it aloud!
Matt is failing math.  When his teacher, Mr. Moffat, offers an extra credit assignment where students start their own business, Matt seizes the opportunity.  Mushing dogs comes easily to him so he offers to teach individuals how to run a dog sled.  He needs three clients.  Tubbs and Alex, individuals from different schools, sign up.   As Matt teaches them the basic for dogsledding, he learns a lot about himself, family, life and friendship.
I liked how the author included all the math involving to running a business.  Great book to use with an economic unit.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Point to discuss: bullies, Matt's parents' unique parenting style!

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander illustrated by Wayne Geehan*

We read this book in honor of National Pi Day.
My twelve year old groaned at the word play, but still enjoyed it!
I think the definitions and concepts were cemented in my nine year old's mind after reading this fun story.
King Arthur and his knights gather to plan how defeat an impending enemy attack.  The shape of the table, however, impedes their ability to discuss and plan.  Sir Cumference and his wife Lady Di and his son Radius offer a solution that pleases everyone.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Snowman-Cold = Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas illustrated by Micha Archer

Spring Equations
Clever mathematical equations . . .using words!
Science explanations about featured biology themes are included on the pages.
Fun!
I shared this at our recent Poetry Tea (theme-winter. . .good-bye!). 
-Borrowed from the library.

The Friendship War by Andrew Clements

One of my favorite chapter books is Frindle by Mr. Clements. 
Although I was not really excited about reading his newest book, (petty middle school girls!!, middle school drama etc.), I enjoyed it more than I anticipated!
Grace comes home from her grandfather's with interesting treasures ( aka junk to some people!).  What she is most excited about, however, are the buttons she discovered in an abandoned factory he recently bought.  He sends a pallet of boxes filled with buttons! 
When she takes some of the buttons to school, she accidentally begins a fad.  Unfortunately this fad causes a dispute between her and her best friend.  How can she stop an out of control fad?!
Points to discuss: unkindness in friendship, vandalism, consequences for irrational behavior, death/life after death
-Borrowed from the library

Of Numbers and Stars by D. Anne Love illustrated by Pam Paparone

In 4th century AD, in Alexandria, Egypt  Theon decided that his daughter should be educated in the same manner as a boy.  He taught his daughter, Hypatia, to spear a fish, ride a horse, and row a boat.  He also encouraged her to learn to read and write.  He provided opportunities for her to learn grammar and speak properly.  She also studied poetry, science, astronomy, philosophy and ultimately,  mathematics.  Eventually she was a beloved teacher.
I would have like to have learned specifically about what she contributed to mathematics and other disciplines but unfortunately there are few records available .  It felt more like a book to encourage girls (girl power) than a biography about someone who contributed greatly to mathematics and science.
In the author's note, Ms. Love describes how Hypatia died (very sad) and shares why the book could not offer more specifics.
-Borrowed from the library.