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The Math Olympian
As a small-town girl in Nova Scotia bullied for liking numbers more than boys, and lacking the encouragement of her unsupportive single mother who frowns at her daughter’s unrealistic ambition, Bethany MacDonald's road to the International Math Olympiad has been marked by numerous challenges.
Through persistence, perseverance, and the support of innovative mentors who inspire her with a love of learning, Bethany confronts these challenges and develops the creativity and confidence to reach her potential.
In training to become a world-champion "mathlete", Bethany discovers the heart of mathematics – a subject that’s not about memorizing formulas, but rather about problem-solving and detecting patterns to uncover truth, as well as learning how to apply the deep and unexpected connections of mathematics to every aspect of her life, including athletics, spirituality, and environmental sustainability.
As Bethany reflects on her long journey and envisions her exciting future, she realizes that she has shattered the misguided stereotype that only boys can excel in math, and discovers a sense of purpose that through mathematics, she can and she will make an extraordinary contribution to society.
Through persistence, perseverance, and the support of innovative mentors who inspire her with a love of learning, Bethany confronts these challenges and develops the creativity and confidence to reach her potential.
In training to become a world-champion "mathlete", Bethany discovers the heart of mathematics – a subject that’s not about memorizing formulas, but rather about problem-solving and detecting patterns to uncover truth, as well as learning how to apply the deep and unexpected connections of mathematics to every aspect of her life, including athletics, spirituality, and environmental sustainability.
As Bethany reflects on her long journey and envisions her exciting future, she realizes that she has shattered the misguided stereotype that only boys can excel in math, and discovers a sense of purpose that through mathematics, she can and she will make an extraordinary contribution to society.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2015
13 people are currently reading
1207 people want to read
About the author
Richard Hoshino
1 book15 followersRichard Hoshino, a first-time novelist, teaches computer science at the Vancouver campus of Northeastern University. Prior to that he was a professor of mathematics and computer science at Quest University Canada in Squamish, British Columbia.
To get in touch with Richard, please visit www.richardhoshino.com or send him an e-mail at richard.hoshino[at]gmail.com.
To get in touch with Richard, please visit www.richardhoshino.com or send him an e-mail at richard.hoshino[at]gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 20, 2015
I just finished "The Math Olympian", by Richard Hoshino.
I couldn't help being reminded of the (possibly apochryphal) anecdote relating the number of book sales to the number of equations in the book... perhaps Hoshino has never heard that story, but I suspect that the truth is that he saw it as a challenge: can an author present a meaningful story while introducing mathematical reasoning and non-trivial problem-solving methods?
On the mathematical front, his explanations are clear and insightful: in particular, the first-person perspective he provides as Bethany solves the 5 CMO problems is fascinating. The novel is also peppered by a number of puzzles and brain-teasers which somehow always seem to fit just right.
On the story front... well, it actually works. I found myself rooting for the teenage Bethany as we watch her grow from an insecure tween into a mature and balanced young mathematician (and woman).
And if some passages betray more of a preoccupation with ethereal (and spiritual) matters than one might expect from a book called "The Math Olympian", they do so in a natural and honest manner: Hoshino simply wears his heart on his sleeve -- his passion for mathematics, the pursuit of one's dreams, and the discovery of one's self are evident and quite infectious. I find myself wishing I had had him as a teacher when I was a teenager.
I couldn't help being reminded of the (possibly apochryphal) anecdote relating the number of book sales to the number of equations in the book... perhaps Hoshino has never heard that story, but I suspect that the truth is that he saw it as a challenge: can an author present a meaningful story while introducing mathematical reasoning and non-trivial problem-solving methods?
On the mathematical front, his explanations are clear and insightful: in particular, the first-person perspective he provides as Bethany solves the 5 CMO problems is fascinating. The novel is also peppered by a number of puzzles and brain-teasers which somehow always seem to fit just right.
On the story front... well, it actually works. I found myself rooting for the teenage Bethany as we watch her grow from an insecure tween into a mature and balanced young mathematician (and woman).
And if some passages betray more of a preoccupation with ethereal (and spiritual) matters than one might expect from a book called "The Math Olympian", they do so in a natural and honest manner: Hoshino simply wears his heart on his sleeve -- his passion for mathematics, the pursuit of one's dreams, and the discovery of one's self are evident and quite infectious. I find myself wishing I had had him as a teacher when I was a teenager.
March 31, 2015
You don't have to love math to enjoy this page turning, entertainingly educational story. It occupies almost it's own genre in finding a way to combine themes of competition, problem-solving, bullying, friendship and more.
The story of determination and overcoming obstacles is engaging in itself, and to boot, you find your self learning mathematical problem solving principles and even understanding complex mathematical proofs.
This would be an excellent book for middle school, junior high or senior high students to read. It would also be valuable for math teachers at any level as an example of how to make math challenging, entertaining and practicle
The story of determination and overcoming obstacles is engaging in itself, and to boot, you find your self learning mathematical problem solving principles and even understanding complex mathematical proofs.
This would be an excellent book for middle school, junior high or senior high students to read. It would also be valuable for math teachers at any level as an example of how to make math challenging, entertaining and practicle
March 18, 2015
Richard Hoshino in the Q & A section at the back of his book says that his target audience is high school students, but he also hopes that the general public will enjoy it as much as it did the exploration into philosophy in Sophie’s World. I would add a few more groups to his target audience beginning with middle school and high school math teachers and those who teach people to be such teachers. I would also add anyone who enjoys math and likes to do math puzzles, plus those who learned a lot of math but never appreciated its beauty or found joy in problem solving.
The book has five sections each featuring a problem that appeared on a Canadian Math Olympiad test. (Thus these are difficult problems.) Throughout these fives sections the reader becomes acquainted with Bethany MacDonald and follows her development from a taller than average and self-conscious fifth grader through the start of her first year in university. But it is not just her development as a mathematician that we see, but also her development into a fully engaged and engaging young woman pursuing a dream while dealing with many issues of adolescence. We see her grow as a leader, a trusted friend, a confident speaker, and an outstanding writer of mathematical proofs. Her self-confidence grows despite some setbacks. We also become well acquainted with her single mother, another young woman aspiring to be a math Olympian, and even a persistent nemesis.
In addition to the Olympiad problems the book contains many other interesting, enlightening, and approachable math problems and puzzles. But there is so much more to the book than the mathematics: discussions about how math should be taught, how one might deal with social pressures, whether it is better to play it safe or commit fully to a goal, and even what one’s relation to religious faith might be.
The story shows how caring teachers and mentors can encourage and influence students. There are also examples, both positive and negative, of parenting styles. Dr. Hoshino has crafted a book that can be enjoyed for many reasons. The reader can’t help but root for Bethany and her friends.
Finally, USA readers will be introduced to some terms and facts about Canada that might enlighten them about our neighbor. For example, Canada has a two-dollar coin and only one private secular university.
I highly recommend this book.
The book has five sections each featuring a problem that appeared on a Canadian Math Olympiad test. (Thus these are difficult problems.) Throughout these fives sections the reader becomes acquainted with Bethany MacDonald and follows her development from a taller than average and self-conscious fifth grader through the start of her first year in university. But it is not just her development as a mathematician that we see, but also her development into a fully engaged and engaging young woman pursuing a dream while dealing with many issues of adolescence. We see her grow as a leader, a trusted friend, a confident speaker, and an outstanding writer of mathematical proofs. Her self-confidence grows despite some setbacks. We also become well acquainted with her single mother, another young woman aspiring to be a math Olympian, and even a persistent nemesis.
In addition to the Olympiad problems the book contains many other interesting, enlightening, and approachable math problems and puzzles. But there is so much more to the book than the mathematics: discussions about how math should be taught, how one might deal with social pressures, whether it is better to play it safe or commit fully to a goal, and even what one’s relation to religious faith might be.
The story shows how caring teachers and mentors can encourage and influence students. There are also examples, both positive and negative, of parenting styles. Dr. Hoshino has crafted a book that can be enjoyed for many reasons. The reader can’t help but root for Bethany and her friends.
Finally, USA readers will be introduced to some terms and facts about Canada that might enlighten them about our neighbor. For example, Canada has a two-dollar coin and only one private secular university.
I highly recommend this book.
March 4, 2019
I think Richard Hoshino truly gave back to the world by this masterpiece. I personally discovered the beauty of math at a very young age and it has changed my life ever since. What an engaging novel with a little touch of math! When I first picked up this book, I knew that I do not want to finish it all at once, I wanted to live with it. Every week, just a few pages, just a few stories..
Highly recommend it!
Highly recommend it!
March 31, 2025
Excellent book about the inspiring journey of a math olympian. This book reflects on meaning of life from the lens of mathematics. A must read for not just students but everyone.
January 12, 2016
I’m a ninth grade girl interested in math. I picked up this book without knowing quite what to expect, but following the author’s visit to my school. Then I was gripped.
The book has a lot of math, all of it very well woven into Bethany’s narrative, the story of a teenage girl’s years-long journey following math, and towards self-actualization. It’s a story of a girl turning into a woman, with twists and turns that make life what it is.
Bethany, a strong leader that people look towards, wouldn’t be linked to the timid girl she once was, brilliant but not exactly blooming confidence. Her dream of making the IMO team was the start of her mathematical journey, and towards which she dedicated hours upon hours. I really admired Bethany’s perseverance. I knew that there are many real people that give everything they have, for their one and only dream; yet many more who are afraid of failure, after having devoted so much. But why wouldn’t so-called failure be worth it?
This book inspired me.
In it are featured five past IMO questions, which the author guides us through in Bethany’s mind. I found this a very cool way of presenting the solutions, helping the reader grasp them more easily. There was math I didn’t understand, which I definitely expected from five Olympiad questions, but I made sense of more than I would’ve thought I could. I loved the way the author showed us how to simplify intimidating problems. Sprinkled all throughout the book were many “fun facts”, really teaching us little strategies or applications of math - things I never thought about.
I definitely recommend this book to any high school student who likes math.
The book has a lot of math, all of it very well woven into Bethany’s narrative, the story of a teenage girl’s years-long journey following math, and towards self-actualization. It’s a story of a girl turning into a woman, with twists and turns that make life what it is.
Bethany, a strong leader that people look towards, wouldn’t be linked to the timid girl she once was, brilliant but not exactly blooming confidence. Her dream of making the IMO team was the start of her mathematical journey, and towards which she dedicated hours upon hours. I really admired Bethany’s perseverance. I knew that there are many real people that give everything they have, for their one and only dream; yet many more who are afraid of failure, after having devoted so much. But why wouldn’t so-called failure be worth it?
This book inspired me.
In it are featured five past IMO questions, which the author guides us through in Bethany’s mind. I found this a very cool way of presenting the solutions, helping the reader grasp them more easily. There was math I didn’t understand, which I definitely expected from five Olympiad questions, but I made sense of more than I would’ve thought I could. I loved the way the author showed us how to simplify intimidating problems. Sprinkled all throughout the book were many “fun facts”, really teaching us little strategies or applications of math - things I never thought about.
I definitely recommend this book to any high school student who likes math.
July 10, 2015
Even though I'm a high school math teacher, when a friend gave me The Math Olympian, I immediately thought, "A 500-page novel about math! This is a bit much!" The story captured me immediately. Throughout the novel, Hoshino illustrates the beauty of mathematics. In Bethany's journey (the protagonist), she discovers numerous problem-solving strategies that shows that math can be elegant (rather than always mechanical), and portrays a teenager who is immersed in the challenge of solving problems in various ways. That said, he frequently points out that mathematics serves as the foundation for so many industries that we rely on every day. It was cool to learn about all of these applications.
I appreciated how cohesive and detailed the novel was. Even though the story jumps between time periods in Bethany's life, there is an effortless flow. Furthermore, Hoshino does a brilliant job explaining very complex mathematical concepts in a clear way (I'll admit I got a bit lost on the last Olympic problem, but given how difficult these problems are, I thought that was a testament to his explanations).
In the end, I would recommend this book to math teachers of most levels, but especially secondary, because I often put down the book feeling inspired. There are a few teachers in Bethany's life who have a profound impact on her growth, and there are specific examples of how they inspired her that left me wanting to be better in my own practice.
I appreciated how cohesive and detailed the novel was. Even though the story jumps between time periods in Bethany's life, there is an effortless flow. Furthermore, Hoshino does a brilliant job explaining very complex mathematical concepts in a clear way (I'll admit I got a bit lost on the last Olympic problem, but given how difficult these problems are, I thought that was a testament to his explanations).
In the end, I would recommend this book to math teachers of most levels, but especially secondary, because I often put down the book feeling inspired. There are a few teachers in Bethany's life who have a profound impact on her growth, and there are specific examples of how they inspired her that left me wanting to be better in my own practice.
June 4, 2015
As a former math team captain, I found that this book captures everything I loved about math competitions and camaraderie. From relays and olympiad problems to heartbreak and religious philosophy, this book's got it all. A must read for nostalgic mathletes and people new to the art.
Richard has a talent for rendering the most inscrutable problems transparent, while preserving all the elegance and beauty of problem and problem-solving.
He tells a great story too! I met him just once, but I know he poured his soul into this.
Richard has a talent for rendering the most inscrutable problems transparent, while preserving all the elegance and beauty of problem and problem-solving.
He tells a great story too! I met him just once, but I know he poured his soul into this.
July 15, 2015
I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved how the author told the story of how Bethany solved each problem, which in turn made the problems accessible.
December 23, 2015
Seemed like it was directed towards a pretty niche audience. The math problems and solutions were interesting and fun though.
January 22, 2024
A well-written story about pursuing one's dreams. Bethany's character growth and journey can be clearly seen, and it was wonderful to be able to follow her as she becomes a Math Olympian. I liked the way Bethany was portrayed, as a character with realistic flaws and moments of doubt, but also as an inspiring figure with determination and compassion. To be completely honest, at several points in the book my breath caught; for instance,
Furthermore, this novel does an excellent job of highlighting the beauty of math, not only as, Mr. Marshall would say, something capable of being applied to enact economic and environmental change, but also in its purest form, without any real-world applications. On the other hand, the equations and jargon Bethany went into as she solved the various problems were sometimes difficult to follow (I know I skimmed over quite a few of her proofs), but it was ultimately extremely rewarding to see the end of Bethany's character journey.
When I first saw the synopsis of this book, I didn't quite know what to expect: a fictional novel about math? However, this book exceeded my expectations. There was, within each character, true humanity, and I am glad to have been able to ride along on this roller-coaster. To end with a quote, American architect Buckminster Fuller once said, "When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."
Furthermore, this novel does an excellent job of highlighting the beauty of math, not only as, Mr. Marshall would say, something capable of being applied to enact economic and environmental change, but also in its purest form, without any real-world applications. On the other hand, the equations and jargon Bethany went into as she solved the various problems were sometimes difficult to follow (I know I skimmed over quite a few of her proofs), but it was ultimately extremely rewarding to see the end of Bethany's character journey.
When I first saw the synopsis of this book, I didn't quite know what to expect: a fictional novel about math? However, this book exceeded my expectations. There was, within each character, true humanity, and I am glad to have been able to ride along on this roller-coaster. To end with a quote, American architect Buckminster Fuller once said, "When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."
June 18, 2018
I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Hoshino and it was immediate that this man loves, LOVES math. His passion was so infectious that within 10 minutes he got all of us inquiring deeply about math (there were about 8 of us ladies). So when he told us he wrote a math novel about a teenage girl finding meaning in life through math and that the book is available at our public library, I put a hold on it immediately on my smartphone before anyone else had the chance to.
It's a happy feel-good novel about a teenage girl and math. The book was divided based on the math exam format the main character, Bethany, was writing. The math part was complex as hell, but Hoshino managed to explain it very clearly in ways I never thought I could understand. Math was never explained to me this way before, so I have never looked at it this way before. It was fascinating and completely mind blowing to me. I've never been so engaged with math before and found myself re-reading the math parts late at night. The fun math bits aside (yes, fun), a part of me also loooooved the teeny part of the book. It was written very lightly so it balanced out the intense math part very well.
Reading this book made me very envious of his students and wishing I had someone like Richard Hoshino as my teacher and mentor. What a refreshing read.
It's a happy feel-good novel about a teenage girl and math. The book was divided based on the math exam format the main character, Bethany, was writing. The math part was complex as hell, but Hoshino managed to explain it very clearly in ways I never thought I could understand. Math was never explained to me this way before, so I have never looked at it this way before. It was fascinating and completely mind blowing to me. I've never been so engaged with math before and found myself re-reading the math parts late at night. The fun math bits aside (yes, fun), a part of me also loooooved the teeny part of the book. It was written very lightly so it balanced out the intense math part very well.
Reading this book made me very envious of his students and wishing I had someone like Richard Hoshino as my teacher and mentor. What a refreshing read.
March 27, 2025
The Math Olympian surprised me with its originality—who knew a novel could weave actual Math Olympiad questions into such an engaging, emotional journey? I was drawn into the protagonist’s world and appreciated the blend of intellectual challenge and personal growth. While it might appeal most to readers with a love for math or education, I found it to be both memorable and inspiring. Here's how I came up with the 4 star rating:
1. Personal Impact – 4:
I found The Math Olympian to be a memorable read. It left an impression on me, and I could see myself revisiting parts of it or thinking about its core messages down the line.
2. Social Value – 3:
While I appreciated the book and might recommend it selectively—especially to people with an interest in math or educational journeys—it feels more like a niche read rather than one I'd universally recommend.
3. Craft & Engagement – 4:
The writing kept me engaged, and I appreciated how the story unfolded. I was genuinely drawn into the protagonist’s journey and the math challenges she tackled.
4. Originality Within Its Genre – 5:
This book stood out for how creatively it fused a coming-of-age narrative with actual Math Olympiad problems. I’ve never read anything quite like it, and that originality really impressed me.
1. Personal Impact – 4:
I found The Math Olympian to be a memorable read. It left an impression on me, and I could see myself revisiting parts of it or thinking about its core messages down the line.
2. Social Value – 3:
While I appreciated the book and might recommend it selectively—especially to people with an interest in math or educational journeys—it feels more like a niche read rather than one I'd universally recommend.
3. Craft & Engagement – 4:
The writing kept me engaged, and I appreciated how the story unfolded. I was genuinely drawn into the protagonist’s journey and the math challenges she tackled.
4. Originality Within Its Genre – 5:
This book stood out for how creatively it fused a coming-of-age narrative with actual Math Olympiad problems. I’ve never read anything quite like it, and that originality really impressed me.
April 22, 2024
The Math Olympian by Richard Hoshino is a heart racing thriller and a math problem all in one!! This book revolves around Bethany’s quest to become a world champion mathlete, but in doing so she comes to understand the beauty of math. This book was very well written and it was written in a way that most everyone can understand it. The target audience is high school students, but I could easily see middle school students and adults enjoying this book too. One thing I enjoyed was that Mr. Hoshino included a character who believes in Christianity in this book. Overall, this book is one that I enjoyed thoroughly and I would recommend to anyone who is looking for an exciting, easier read!
April 6, 2020
I really enjoyed how accessible and understandable the Maths was in this story but there were some sections that were overwritten and too on the nose that could have been cut during the editing process. Overall, I enjoyed the story and absolutely loved Bethany but I wish that ending had a bit more tension behind it.
August 24, 2020
Kevyesti paras fiktiivinen kilpailumatematiikan piiriin sijoittuva romaani. Juoni on hyvin yllätyksetön menestystarina, mutta tarinassa on sen verran särmää ja henkilöt mielenkiintoisia, että se kantaa senkin puolesta. Mutta kirjassa esitetyt tehtävät ovat erinomaisia ja mahtavasti ujutettu mukaan. Luen toista kertaa kirjaa läpi.
March 7, 2019
Absolutely a phenomenal book about grit, resilience, and passion. Definitely a read for all, especially young girls interested in STEM and mathematics in particular. Also highly recommend this book to teachers of all subjects and grades.
November 4, 2022
This is the only novel about mathletes that I know of, so it had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, that potential is wasted with wholly unnecessary amateur apologetics and promotion of a Kevin Sorbo film.
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August 20, 2020no hay pdf, ebook para comprar si.
July 19, 2016
A phenomenal read for anyone with an interest in Mathematics, especially math teachers.
After 15 years of teaching, this book helped to bring me to an understanding of my purpose in the Mathematics world. While I have never been the smartest, quickest, or appreciative learner as a student myself, I have realized that these are the qualities that help me achieve my goals as a teacher.
As Bethany explains different situations in the classrooms of her mathematics life, the ideas and goals that her teachers have for her help her in her own personal journey. As a math teacher, my goal is to make math fun, and for students to see the beauty in a mathematical problem. But also, my goal is to help students see the problems solving aspects of life around them, and how mathematics can help you to solve problems in any situation. This book reminded me of why I went into teaching - to make a difference in students' lives. While I do not have the opportunity to teach many gifted students such as Bethany, I do have the opportunity to teach many at-risk students. It is in this area where I feel most excited. But I realized, after reading this book, I need to offer those students the same opportunity to challenging problem solving situations (while not at the level Bethany was at) for real-life issues they will face.
Mr. Hoshino was our valedictorian for the Bachelor of Mathematics degree at the University of Waterloo in 2001. His jovial demeanor came through in a number of the characters in this novel, and his ability to show the beautiful solutions for the five problems illustrated his knack for helping everyone understand some of the most difficult problems (which, as a recipient of his kindness, I can attest).
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and although some of components of the proofs for questions #4 and #5 still have me boggled (and no, I still don't love Geometry), the excitement that Bethany felt when she had her "ah ha!" moment in solving them reminded me of those same moments I felt as a student when I would be able to do challenging problems on my own. I always enjoy seeing those moments in my own students at the high school level which is one of the most rewarding moments in my daily classroom.
A fantastic venture for a first novel! A truly inspiring read for both students, teachers, and those who enjoy Mathematics!
After 15 years of teaching, this book helped to bring me to an understanding of my purpose in the Mathematics world. While I have never been the smartest, quickest, or appreciative learner as a student myself, I have realized that these are the qualities that help me achieve my goals as a teacher.
As Bethany explains different situations in the classrooms of her mathematics life, the ideas and goals that her teachers have for her help her in her own personal journey. As a math teacher, my goal is to make math fun, and for students to see the beauty in a mathematical problem. But also, my goal is to help students see the problems solving aspects of life around them, and how mathematics can help you to solve problems in any situation. This book reminded me of why I went into teaching - to make a difference in students' lives. While I do not have the opportunity to teach many gifted students such as Bethany, I do have the opportunity to teach many at-risk students. It is in this area where I feel most excited. But I realized, after reading this book, I need to offer those students the same opportunity to challenging problem solving situations (while not at the level Bethany was at) for real-life issues they will face.
Mr. Hoshino was our valedictorian for the Bachelor of Mathematics degree at the University of Waterloo in 2001. His jovial demeanor came through in a number of the characters in this novel, and his ability to show the beautiful solutions for the five problems illustrated his knack for helping everyone understand some of the most difficult problems (which, as a recipient of his kindness, I can attest).
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and although some of components of the proofs for questions #4 and #5 still have me boggled (and no, I still don't love Geometry), the excitement that Bethany felt when she had her "ah ha!" moment in solving them reminded me of those same moments I felt as a student when I would be able to do challenging problems on my own. I always enjoy seeing those moments in my own students at the high school level which is one of the most rewarding moments in my daily classroom.
A fantastic venture for a first novel! A truly inspiring read for both students, teachers, and those who enjoy Mathematics!
July 25, 2015
With the 2015 International Math Olympics just completed, the U.S. coming in first, and a Canadian competitor getting the only perfect score, this is a hot topic for North Americans. There are a variety of books out about the Math Olympics, including some that are quite well informed and thoughtful, such as Count Down, by Steve Olson, about the 2001 American Olympiad team. But this is the first I'm aware of that is in the fiction genre, and aimed at adolescents, exploring the life and passions of mathematical competition. It’s a unique offering centered around difficult competition problems and going into the details of their solution as part of the plot of the book! A such, it's a must-read book for any kid who is currently involved in, or contemplating joining, math competitions. Amazingly, though, the book is not just for the mathematically precocious. It's a sensitive coming-of-age story touching on themes of friendship, love, betrayal, family conflict, and religious belief with surprising sophistication. I read this book, dutifully, for possible inclusion in a course I teach for teachers about the world of mathematics; but I couldn't help but be touched by it.
July 21, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect given the title and subject matter, but it was so much more than a story about math. There were many little nuggets of wisdom and very interesting observations about religion, and self-discovery. This book definitely opened my eyes to how beautiful and amazing math can be.
October 7, 2015
Would recommend to any math lovers.
Really enjoyed the mix of fictitious story and math problems.
Loved the simplicity of the story combined with emotional depth of it.
Hoping to read more of Richard's books.
Really enjoyed the mix of fictitious story and math problems.
Loved the simplicity of the story combined with emotional depth of it.
Hoping to read more of Richard's books.
December 2, 2015
Fantastic book. I loved how the math problems were integrated into the book. It helps us imagine that we are the protagonist. I loved that the story focused on a young girl wanting to become a math Olympian. As a math teacher, I could easily relate to the book and the characters.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews