5th - 7th graders? Send your suggestions to Amy Bruce.
Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat
by Theoni Pappas
Penrose, a cat with a knack for math, takes children on an adventurous tour of mathematical concepts from fractals to infinity. When the fractal dragon jumps off the computer screen and threatens to grow larger than the room itself, Penrose must find out if fractal patterns can work in reverse, getting smaller instead of larger.
The Boy Who Reversed Himself
by William Sleator
When Laura discovers that the unpopular boy living next door to her has the ability to go into the fourth dimension, she makes the dangerous decision to accompany him on his journeys there.
Estimating and Measuring (Adventures in Mathopolis)
by Karen Ferrell, Cathy Weiskopf, Linda Powley (authors) and Tom Kerr (illustrator)
Elementary-level math becomes an exercise in humor and fun when kids open this funny, cartoon-illustrated fantasy. A mysterious character shows up in the town of Mathopolis, and the many problems that he brings with him can be solved by applying math principles.
Go Figure!: A Totally Cool Book About Numbers
by Johnny Ball
This book investigates mathematical marvels such as why daisies always have 34, 55 or 89 petals; why the world's phone numbers appear in pi; and other patterns and paradoxes that will make readers look at numbers in a whole new way.
The Grapes of Math
by Greg Tang
Illustrated riddles introduce strategies for solving a variety of math problems in using visual clues.
The History of Counting
by Denise Schmandt-Besserat
Describes the evolution of counting and the many ways to count and write numbers.
Jayden's Rescue
by Vladimir Tumanov
Alex hates math. No matter how hard he tries, he can never get it right. Until one day he finds a magical book in which an evil wizard king has imprisoned a queen — and the only way to save her is with math! To rescue her, Alex and his friends must solve 400 mathematical puzzles posed by a menagerie of monster guards — and before long, Alex is solving riddle after riddle. Will they be able to set Jayden free?
The Math Curse
by Jon Scieszka (author) and Lane Smith (illustrator)
The book, which is told by a nameless female student, begins with a seemingly innocent statement by her math teacher- "you know, almost everything in life can be considered a math problem." The next morning, the heroine finds everything in her life is transformed into a problem. She escapes by using math through this "whole," and awakens the next morning with the ability to solve any problem.
Math Dictionary: The Easy, Simple, Fun Guide to Help Math Phobics Become Math Lovers
by Eula Ewing Monroe
A handy mathematics dictionary for students contains more than five hundred core words and related terms representing central math ideas, and includes helpful photographs and drawings to take the mystery out of math.
Math-terpieces: The Art of Problem Solving
by Greg Tang
A series of rhymes about artists and their works introduces counting and grouping numbers, as well as such artistic styles as cubism, pointillism, and surrealism.
Math for Smarty Pants
by Marilyn Burns
This book offers a commonsense way of tackling basic math problems including logic, arithmetic, statistics, and geometry. This overview volume is jam-packed with kid-friendly activities that can be done using everyday objects such as cards, pennies, pencils and notebooks.
Millions to Measure
by David M. Schwartz (Author) and Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)
Marvelosissimo the Magician explains the development of standard units of measure, and shows the simplicity of calculating length, height, weight, and volume using the metric system.
Mr. Base Ten Invents Mathematics
by Bethanie H. Tucker
This intriguing story provides mental models that teach mathematical concepts at the foundational level. A glove maker who starts by sewing finger covers leads to his invention of place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication and regrouping. He marries Decimal Point and their children are fractions.
Number 9: The Search for the Sigma Code
by Cecil Balmond
Number 9 is an enthralling mystery and a study of the intriguing world of numbers at the same time. In solving the riddle, Enjil, a boy mathematician, leads us deeper and deeper into an inner world. Diagrams and picture maps which illustrate the book show how the number nine holds the fate of other numbers, how, like a phantom, it can change and vanish, or like a virus, attack and conquer the character of other numbers. Ultimately nine is seen not just as a number but as a beginning and end, a metaphor for the closed and secretive or the open and inquisitive.
The Parrot's Theorem
by Denis Guedj
When Mr. Ruche, a reclusive Parisian bookseller, receives a letter from a long lost friend in the Amazon bequeathing him a vast library of mathematical books, he is propelled into a great exploration of the story of math from brilliant Greek thinkers such as Archimedes and Pythagoras to the modern-day genius Fermat.
The Secret Life of Math: Discover How (and Why) Numbers Have Survived From The Cave Dwellers To Us!
by Ann McCallum
This book helps kids discover the relationship between math and people's needs, and how these needs have continually pushed people the world over to come up with very similar solutions to keep track of things, measuring time and distance, and calculating numbers.
Sophie's Diary
by Dora Musielak
Sets in perspective the challenges of learning alone. Her fictional character Sophie, although timid and soft-spoken, is resourceful and develops the courage to approach those who might provide her with the tools to learn more.
Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland: A Math Adventure [a fun introduction to geometry]
by Cindy Neuschwander
Radius is on a quest to earn his knighthood! With only a circular medallion, a mysterious poem, and his own wits to guide him, he must find and rescue a missing king.
Thomas Gray: Philosopher Cat
by Philip J. Davis
A light, philosophical fireside tale about a cat who found herself in Cambridge University aiding a historian of mathematics with his research.
Tiger Math: Learning to Graph from a Baby Tiger
by Ann Whitehead Nagda and Cindy Bickel
A Siberian tiger cub born at the Denver Zoo is orphaned when he is just a few weeks old. At first T.J. refuses to eat his new food and requires the full attention of the zoo staff to ensure that he grows into a huge, beautiful and very healthy tiger. Through photographs, narrative and graphs, young readers follow T.J. as he grows from a tiny newborn into a 500-pound adult. A heartwarming story about one tiger’s fight for survival that also introduces the basic math skill of graphing.
40 Fabulous Math Mysteries Kids Can’t Resist
by Martin Lee
Humorous, reproducible math mystery stories will give your math sleuths a chance to have fun while practicing important math problem solving skills.