Mystery Math: A First Book of Algebra

by David A. Adler, Edward Miller (Illustrator)

Boo! There is a mystery behind every door of the creepy haunted house. Luckily, algebra will help you solve each problem. By using simple addition, subtraction, mulitplication, and division, you'll discover that solving math mysteries isn't scary at all -- it's fun!

Genres: Mathematics, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Algebra, Halloween, Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 2011

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades 1-3. A great introduction to algebra in a way that isn't intimidating. I love how he compares an equation to a sentence. And how an algebraic equation is like a mystery sentence. The best part is how to turn a word problem into an algebra equation. Math teachers rejoice!

[Jane Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts with the idea that both sides of the equations have to equal using a see saw as an example. Next the book introduces the idea of a variable. Then goes through the idea of doing the same operation to both side of the equations (starting with adding and subtracting and moving on to multiplication and division) Finally introduces the idea of creating a balance scale of a hanger, tape and pennies to illustrate the idea that equations must balance.

[Tom Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good picture book about math, and I am not a math fan because of my lack of understanding. However, this was a way for me to grasp concepts I either forgot or just couldn’t understand. This might be a good addition for a 5th/6th grade read, and I will recommend this to those who teach math rather than add it to my library curriculum.

[Mary Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy and Mandy stop beside an haunted house. They see a few ravens sitting and some flying away. They have to solve the "mystery math" by using algebra. I think this would be a fabulous way to introduce or review algebra with around 3rd - 5th graders.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

10/22/2022 ~ A book intended to teach the reader about basic algebraic equations and how adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing can be used to solve equations. All the story problems are illustrated with a haunted house/Halloween theme. The book is effective at it's intended purpose.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to algebra for math-loving elementary students (or highly mathematically advanced younger ones.) Basic comprehension of multiplication and division will help to fully understand this book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Algebra can be a mystery...so the title of the book is fitting. Interesting and informative.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for basic introduction into algebraic thinking.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun introduction of algebra to learn the basics of addiction, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

[Joanna Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Today we are going to be learning about algebra! When I was your age I was excited and a little scared of the word ‘algebra.’ This book, Mystery Math: A First Book of Algebra written by David A. Adler and illustrated by Edward Miller will help put your minds at ease. I’m going to read a page to you, so you can see how this book is written.” ‘An EQUATION is a sentence with an EQUAL SIGN (=). An equation must be balanced. This is an equationL 4 + 1 = 3 + 2.’ What do you notice about the owls in the picture? [Children respond to illustrations]. Yes! The owls show how the equation is balanced. Let’s keep reading to see some more examples of algebra and see if the kids can solve the mystery!”

-Share a personal connection you have with the text.
-Draw attention to the language of the text.
-Read some of the text to engage attention.

This book is a great way to introduce the intimidating topic: Algebra. I love how this text highlights vocabulary words and shows clear word, numbers, and picture examples equations and algebraic expressions. It would be perfect around Halloween!

(2011, July 25). Publishers Weekly. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy and Billy have stopped by an old haunted house. On the telephone wires they see lots of ravens sitting and some flying away. There job is to solve the mystery of math by using algebraic formulas. The mystery could involve addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. For example: they see 13 ravens but 6 have flown away. So now, they have to figure out, by using algebra, what the mystery number is in regards to how many ravens are left sitting on the wire. The trick is to figure out the following algebra equation R-6=13. This is done by adding 6 to each side of the equation and narrowing numbers down from there. As Mandy and Billy unravel the mystery in the math they encounter lots of scary creatures like, bats, a creepy monster, skeletons and more. Young mathematicians will learn algebraic terms and how to take their existing knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and turn it into an algebraic equation to find the mystery number. The back of the book has a few simple activities in regards to making their own balance scales. Teachers, homeschoolers and beginners will learn the basics of algebra in a fun and simplistic way.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My child said that he liked this book the most of the three he picked to read last night. He particularly loves math stories. This is a "spooky" book that introduces kids to basic algebra. It's a good book for reinforcing the concept of performing the same action on "both sides" of the equation. Equations are compared to balanced seesaws. Variables are described as "mystery numbers." There is one example each of solving for the variable for an addition equation, subtraction equation, multiplication equation, and division equation. Children will need to know how to reduce fractions to comprehend the multiplication and division equation examples. One small qualm, I wish that the book had shown that the original "mystery" equation can be retold using the solved variable to "check" to make sure that it was "true." I believe that my son's understanding of the concepts were reinforced by reading this book, and he enjoyed it enough to tell me that it was his favorite of the night, so I'm giving it 5 stars. I wish my local library had more books like this. This was the only algebra story.

[David Molnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was cute. While not a "story" book, as Fractions in Disguise: A Math Adventure attempts to be, this book is more direct, and, I believe, more effective. There is a very comforting tone, as we are introduced to the idea of an equation using an analogy to see-saws and balance. I felt that the art was well-done - lighthearted, and reinforced the discussion of the algebra.
Curiously, my son (currently 10) had the opposite impression: he not only enjoyed Fractions in Disguise more, but he felt that this book was at a lower level. However, solving for a variable is undeniably a more sophisticated concept than reducing a fraction, so I wonder if his impression is more a testament to how easy Adler makes algebra look. (I mean this as a good thing.)

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about math, explaining the concept of algebra through the use of "mystery numbers" and fun word problems. The answers can be determined in a few different ways and children can check their calculations by looking at the illustrations.

The Halloween theme is fun, as are the problems. There is even a neat craft that children can do to help reinforce the concepts. We really enjoyed reading this story together, although the multiplication and division problems were just a bit above our girls' levels. They understood the problems and they liked the story, but I'm not sure how much they will retain.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book uses the Halloween spooky spirit to teach algebra. The directions are simple and easy to follow and even I, a mathematically-challenged soul, was able to understand the problems given. I think this is a great way to introduce a rather daunting subject. My only fear is that middle schoolers will think they are "too cool" to pick up a book that on the outside looks like a child's picture book. If they can gt past the low-level look of the book, the content is very useful.

Price: 16.95
Suitability: Grades 4-7
Illustrations: Somewhat childlike
Genre: Non-fiction
Possible Censorship Issues: N/A
Call #: 512 ADL

[Sylvia Ulmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used this as an extension for my advanced 5th graders during the algebra unit. It did a fairly good job of introducing the equation balance, although the problems were very simple and my students were naturally solving them in their heads rather than using the algebraic method. I wish the problems were not solved on the same page they were posed because it got in the way of the students trying it on their own. My favorite part of the book was at the end, where it gave instructions on how to build a balance using a clothes hanger; I wish I had prepared ahead of time to do that with the kids because I think it would have reinforced the equation balance in the best way possible.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book walks us through beginner's algebra with a haunted house theme. We take steps through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in terms of algebra. Each problem is listed as a word problem and then it's written out as a problem that is worked through step by step. It's a very cute way to learn about algebra and it emphasizes how word problems work. The book does get more difficult as it goes on, so I would see it being problematic for some readers who are intimidated by math. The fun theme makes it a little bit better though.

[Sadie Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great to use for math lessons because it introduces multiple concepts used in algebra. There is a wide variety of grades that this book could be used for starting with second grade up to sixth grade. There is addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and also introduces algebra concepts. There could be many lessons made using this book and the illustrations that go along with each page give great visuals of how the math works.

[Ashley Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a fun way to introduce children to algebra and equations. Many children are intimidated by math, but this really breaks down the basics. The "spooky" aspect makes it more appealing to children. I really like that the book provides instructions for children to make their own balance scale. A teacher could use this book to create an entire lesson plan.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my free, $5-to-spend-now choice from Scholastic and I think it's perfect for this time of year for my fifth graders. We just took the unit test for OA, so after all those algebraic expressions, we'll take it up a teeny notch by teaching them to balance the sides using one of the four operations. Happy Halloween!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done introduction into algebraic equations for young children. This would be a wonderful resource for teachers and parents. You can easily make sets of similar problems based on the examples given in the story for further practice.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to introduce algebra to elementary. It has a haunted house theme and goes through the steps of solving basic algebra equations. It even includes an activity at the end involving an hanger and pennies to show how an equation has to be balanced on both sides.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Algebra so simple even I can understand it!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice basic review or introduction to algebra.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Adler can always be counted on to share mathematical concepts in a fun way. Algebra made simple!

[Sharlynn Boersma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spooky (illustrated) book that reviews addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Some of the story problems can get a little complex.

[Maria Caplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great interactive hands on ideas especially building a coat hangar balance to show algebra. Also makes word problems not scary!!

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our math coach said we need algebra in elementary school. Adler is a trusted author so, I think it is a solid choice.

[Marquita Davis]

This is a good book to introduce algebraic equations to students. The math is not difficult in the book and most can probably work the math in their heads. I like that it's called Mystery Math!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives some simple explanations of very introductory algebra and different methods of finding "x" or "y". Very useful to explain algebra in elementary.