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5th out of 20 books
—
5 voters
All of the Above
Based on a true story, All of the Above is the delightful and suspenseful story of four inner city students and their quest to build the world's largest tetrahedron. Weaving together the different personal stories of the kids, their teacher, and the community that surrounds them, award-winning author Shelley Pearsall has written a vividly engaging story about the math, lif...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
December 21st 2008
by Little, Brown Young Readers
(first published September 6th 2006)
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This book drew us in so quickly and firmly that it has been difficult to fit in church, school, and other activities the past couple of days. We read this passage several times: "Although the large tetrahedron appears strong and stable, it should be noted that its pieces are joined together only at the smallest of points. The edges and faces remain largely separate and unconnected." Davy even wanted the recipes read aloud and we plan to try Singing the Blues Barbecue Sauce next time we make croc...more
YES (but not for grades 4-6) for black-eyed susan.
NO for our school library.
While this book was fantastic, I don't think it's a good fit for students in grades 4-6. Some of the issues it deals with would be lost in their lack of understanding while others are just not appropriate for their age level (though I realize this opinion can be challenged).
All of the Above retells an historic record set by the students of Alexander Hamilton School, an urban middle school in Cleveland Ohio. A math teache...more
NO for our school library.
While this book was fantastic, I don't think it's a good fit for students in grades 4-6. Some of the issues it deals with would be lost in their lack of understanding while others are just not appropriate for their age level (though I realize this opinion can be challenged).
All of the Above retells an historic record set by the students of Alexander Hamilton School, an urban middle school in Cleveland Ohio. A math teache...more
I have recently become a HUGE fan of this author. She writes everything from amazing historical fiction to contemporary fiction, to stories based on current, real-life events. I first became aware of her when her book ALL OF THE ABOVE showed up on the Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominee list for 2010-11 in Division II (5th -7th grade).
If you are a middle school or young adult reader, or you know one, these books are excellent. ALL OF THE ABOVE is based on the true story of a middle school class in...more
If you are a middle school or young adult reader, or you know one, these books are excellent. ALL OF THE ABOVE is based on the true story of a middle school class in...more
An inner-city teacher decides to motivate his math students by challenging them to build the world's largest paper tetrahedron. Honestly, I thought it was pretty weird that a teacher would choose an extracurricular project that involved spending hundreds of hours folding pieces of paper as opposed to actually learning about math. I mean, the teacher chose the tetrahedron project because one student said that maybe "a contest" would help him be more interested in class. But I think if I were a mi...more
This book is about math...and so much more. I hate math. I loved this book. Go figure!
This Book is about an After School progam for students who didnt do as well in school. so the teacher came up with an idea about setting the world record for tetrahedron. But they have some problems while making this project. they get half way done, but someone broke in to the school and broke the project. when they found out they was highly disappointed, but they had potentonal to do it again. but the two leaders end of leaving and not helping. They pass the world record and makes it in the boo...more
Jul 05, 2010
Mary
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
middle-school-books,
realistic-fiction
A group of Detroit middle school students and their math teacher try to break the record for building the largest tetrahedron. This quick read pulls you into the lives of James, Marcel, Sharice, and Rhondell as they - and Mr. Collins alternatively give their perspectives on the process of starting this unusual after-school club and the trials and rewards of trying to make and assemble over 16,000 pieces of tetrahedron out of paper and glue. Illustrations, simple math puzzles, and recipes from Wi...more
This is a great book for high schoolers, particularly that are lower readers. While it seems the book will be 'nerdy' and 'mathy' it is actually the true story of some troubled teens and how working on an project after school affects their lives. Not everyone gets a happy ending here so be warned. It is great how the student voices come out in the book and their thoughts on what life and school is really like for them. This book is VERY easy to read and has very short chapters which makes it gre...more
When Mr. Collins, the math teacher, reaches the point of utter frustration, one of his students tells him that the only thing that might interest him in math is some kind of contest and so the Washington Middle School Tetrahedron project is born. Based on a true story, this tells how four inner city students, in spite of all that is happening in their personal lives and sometimes because of those circumstances, are challenged to try to build a Stage Seven Sierpinski tetrahedron. An excellent boo...more
Based on a true story of a math teacher in an inner city middle school in Cleveland, OH. In desperation one day, he involves his students in building the biggest tetrahedron to get into the Guinness World Record book. Four students take the challenge. They have a shaky start, but eventually come to really care about each other, their school, and making something better in their lives.
Quick read, fun story with sad lessons on the lives of inner city (black) teens.
Quick read, fun story with sad lessons on the lives of inner city (black) teens.
Fantastic book with outstanding characterization that does a brilliant job of providing a complex portrait of the lives of teachers and learners in an urban public school. The author weaves information about mathematical concepts (especially tetrahedrons) throughout the book. Much of it really resonated with my own experiences as a teacher in an urban public high school. Ought to be required reading for beginning teachers.
A group of inner city middle schoolers set out to break a record for the largest tetrahedron. As they work on the project, they learn more about each other, and the community starts to get involved with the project. A nice story about the value of working together, but it may not ring true with every student. Most chapters are only two or three pages, so it moves along pretty quickly and may appeal to reluctant readers.
I really liked the book. They were all building a Tetrahedron to beat the world record , until...... sharcie left the door open. James brother friends camed and detroyed it. Sharcie blamed it on herself, but she did not mean to leave the door open , she had to find somewhere to go at nightime, her foster parents #5 never home at night. Towards the end they rebuiled it and beat the worl record.
Oct 20, 2008
Megan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who are looking for a quick read
"...You'll finally come to a dead end. That's where our school sits. We know there's a lot of people out there who think our school is a dead end. And that all the kids inside it are dead ends, too... But they've got it all wrong... Just you wait and see..."
All of the Above was an inspirational story about 4 inner-city students and their teacher who dream of making the world's largest tetrahedron. Although there were parts of this book that were boring and almost annoying, altogether this book w...more
All of the Above was an inspirational story about 4 inner-city students and their teacher who dream of making the world's largest tetrahedron. Although there were parts of this book that were boring and almost annoying, altogether this book w...more
Four students, their math teacher, and other community adults alternate in telling the story of a middle school in Cleveland, OH, going for a world record in creating a 7 level tetrahedron. Overcoming a lack of supplies, destruction of the project, and misunderstandings, the community pulls together to fold the over 16,000 tetrahedrons on nights, weekends, and into the summer to win.
All of the above chronicles the story of a group of inner city middle school students whose math teacher challenges them to build the world's largest tetrahedron. The author weaves in the personal narratives of the students' lives. The characters each take turns advancing the story. There is heartache, sadness, and joy as the project begins to take shape, suffers setbacks, and, ultimately, success. Although the story is fictional, it is based on the true story of a group of students from Alexand...more
All of the above chronicles the story of a group of inner city middle school students whose math teacher challenges them to build the world's largest tetrahedron. The author weaves in the personal narratives of the students' lives. The characters each take turns advancing the story. There is heartache, sadness, and joy as the project begins to take shape, suffers setbacks, and, ultimately, success. Although the story is fictional, it is based on the true story of a group of students from Alexand...more
Good story on perseverance. Based on the true story of a group of inner city Ohio middle school students who defy all odds to build a record breaking stage 7 tetrahedron. The book give a glimpse into the hardships faced by the students living in an inner city neighborhood and how some are able to overcome great odds to succeed.
I just finished reading this book, and while I was reading it in the beginning, I thought that each chapter was talking about another character but it was actually another main characters perspective. I find this cool, because you can see what each person is thinking, which makes the book more interesting, I have never seen any other book do this, and I think that more books should.
This was an uplifting book that still keeps you grounded in the reality of these struggling inner-city kids. This would be a good read for reluctant readers, kids who can relate to the socioeconomics of the characters, or even kids who want to branch out in what they know of the world.
Jul 26, 2008
Robin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
11 and up
Shelves:
mcba-2009,
young-adult
I think this book will appeal to older elementary and middle school readers. The use of the voices of the different characters in each chapter worked here -- It was easy to follow, and they felt like individuals, and like kids I know. It felt very unsettled when one of them had to leave the project (he moved away), but that is also what happens in life, in public school. I am especially appreciative that the teacher, Mr. Collins, is a regular guy, just a teacher who wants his students to be succ...more
I am starting an extra credit program at school where students read fiction books about math, so this is meant for young adults. Fiction book based on true characters about a group of kids who build a tetrahedron to try to get into Guiness.
A group of students become invested in a project to create a stage 7 Sierpinski tetrahedron. Chapters switch narration between characters, mainly the four students working on the project, but several adults in their lives act as narrators as well.
This book was something you can pick up and set down 3 days later! The characters were so realistic and interesting that it just pulls you in. A truly unusually great story is hard to pass by, so pick up this book and get comfortable!
Good school story, told from different students' points of view. Seemed more like high school than middle school, but nothing objectionable. I want to try some of the recipes (one student's father owns a BBQ restaurant).
May 23, 2010
Zipporah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
coool-chillz,
loove-it
i loved this book so much and it had to do with math which is a big surprise for me cuz i do not likemath but is was more than that the struggles that the students went through was so big and how they succeeded in the end aww
Amazing. An easy read. I randomly pulled this one off the shelf and I couldn't stop reading it. First book I have managed to read in one day since a long while. A definite must read and one of my most favorite book.
Nice, inspirational book about a group of kids who overcome their backgrounds, their academic standings, and in some cases, themselves, to achieve something intangible yet so worthwhile.
Reminded me a little of Bronx Masquerade - told through several characters about a group of kids putting together a giant tetrahedron for the Guiness Book of World Records. Based on a true story.
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Sep 06, 2010 09:35am
Sep 06, 2010 09:57am