Dead Possums Are Fair Game

by Taryn Souders

The world would be a better place without math or messy roommates. At least, that’s what Ella Hunter believes. Life is about keeping order and avoiding long division, fractions, or really anything with an equal sign.

As the end of the school year approaches, the fifth-grade teachers at Victor Waldo Elementary conclude there’s not enough time to complete a new math unit before summer break. Great news for math-phobic Ella, right?

Wrong! The teachers decide instead to have their students host the first-ever Math Fair. And the fair project is worth two major math grades.

Add in one dead possum plus two horrible roommates who come to stay while their house is being renovated, and you have an equation for disaster. Ella is headed for summer school and math tutoring for sure. Can she stop her troubles from multiplying before it’s too late?

Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2015

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because the author is coming to our school for a visit. I like this book for many reasons. Math teachers will love this book because it shows kids why math is important and how it is used in everyday life. Reading/language teachers will love this book because every chapter begins with a vocabulary word, and it is used in that chapter. Kids will love this book because they will be able to relate to the fun and engaging characters and their struggles at school, and in every day life. Makes a great read aloud for grades 4 and up. Can’t wait to meet the author!

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this book was about Ella and her problems with math, as well as her need for control over all aspects of her life. Ella is enthusiastic about science and photography, like her Aunt Willa, but like some kids didn't realize how much math is used in daily life. I could see where someone struggling with a subject in school could identify with Ella's anxiety. At first her parents approach to her math problem was to encourage her to learn to like math, feeling by extension she would then get better at it. It isn't until her mother suggests viewing math through the eyes of a scientist that she begins to appreciate doing the age conversions for her project. Ella also receives lots of support from her friends, who recognize her struggles and encourage along the way. From her Aunt Willa she learns that being a photographer is more than taking a picture, it involves things like lens lengths and measuring chemicals, and that it's important to not think of doing something "math-related as a test every time." At first she thinks this puts a damper on her wanting to be a photographer, and although Ella doesn't come to love math, she does come to appreciate that it's necessary.

[Maria Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic Plot: Ella is a control freak. That is going to give her some serious problems when her Aunt Willa comes to stay with her family and share her bedroom. On top of this, Ella has to deal with a MATH FAIR, and she hates math!

My Thoughts: This one certainly has a fun, clever title! I liked Ella, although I don’t quite understand her anxiety (losing control?) over sharing her room with her aunt. As a photographer/aunt myself, I understand Aunt Willa! (I find it interesting that she doesn’t do digital photography in this day and age.) I think Ella, like so many, don’t like math just because nobody is “supposed to like math” except maybe nerds. Ella, with help from the math fair and Aunt Willa, comes to realize that math isn’t all that bad!

This review was originally published at my blog.

[Kerry Cerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convinced that the only purpose for math is to torture kids, Ella is sure when she grows up she'll pick a career that has nothing to do with it. But when her teacher assigns a final math fair project that will count for two test grades, and Ella's summer plans depend on passing this class, her inner-control-freak comes out in full force. Will she spend her summer in tutoring? Will she loose her best friends/project partners in the quest for perfection? A perfectly flawed, but relatable character, readers will be rooting for Ella right up through the math fair awards ceremony. This book is funny, heart-warming, and sure to make kids find math fun. As a fellow math-hater, it worked for me!

[Susan Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dead Possums are fair game is the story of Ella and her friends as they work together to complete a Mathematic project. Maths isn’t Ella strength and she constantly worries that she will have to spend the holidays being tutored in Maths to improve her grades. The story is somewhat predictable. One disaster follows another and when Ella’s aunt comes to stay with her dog, Chewy, Ella’s Maths homework was always going to be destroyed.

The author, Taryn Souders, has added humour based on slapstick events or bodily functions, which I didn’t enjoy. However, I suspect the intended audience will appreciate the humour more than me. Due to the large number of issues that the group faced in completing their project, including computer difficulties, Ella’s controlling nature, and her compulsive worrying, meant I found the plot unconvincing.

As the story came to an improbable happy-ever-after conclusion, Souders, was inclined to tell us the lessons that Ella learnt, rather than show us. However, I did appreciate the encouragement given to children who struggle with maths or other subjects.

Overall, the story lacked originality, but children will still enjoy it.

Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.

[Julie Trejo 5th Grade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Possums are Fair Game should be read just because it has a fun, intriguing title! Toward the end of the year, teachers decide that there is not enough time to teach another unit of math, so they devise a Math Fair, and attach the "worth two test grades" incentive to this presentation. Mathphobic Ella is less than thrilled with the project, the fact that the has to share her room with her aunt while the aunt's apartment is being renovated, and her loss of control on all fronts. The way Ella learns to roll with things and find her voice is encouraging and the fact that math is necessary in everyday life is eye-opening to math haters worldwide.

Readers who fear math or like books with cool titles will enjoy this book.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good but not great

Pretty good , girl-ish so boys wouldn't love it just something that my classmate said (he's a boy) but if you love a good happy ending no surprise ending just same o'l happy everyone lives happily ever after 😐😑 🤔😶🙄😒ps I feel so bad for posting this sorry 😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔

[Sally Apokedak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book for early middle-grade readers--math phobes will love this, but so will many others. Ella is a little bit OCD, a bit more math phobe, and a whole lot of smart, creative energy wrapped up in one delightful character.

[Becca Wierwille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ella's character. I resonate with her need to feel in control, and I cringed every time Aunt Willa took over more of Ella's space. I love the way Taryn Souders injects humor, forgiveness, and even mathematics into one story. A great read for middle-graders!

[Josie Siler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious, but it also teaches kids a valuable lesson. I’m a lot like Ella in that I like everything just so. I felt her pain! This book would be so fun to read out loud and the grownups would enjoy it too!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun middle grade school story. Boys will appreciate a couple of gross moments, and parents will like the math-is-good-for-real-life focus. Plenty of girl appeal too.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Math, school stories, adapting, only child, realistic fiction, plot driven

[Gin · Rating 2 out of 5]

realistic fiction, girl adjusting to change, short chapters help the leisured pace keep moving. Elements of math and math-phobia as a subplot

[Matt Mcclure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! Very cute and allows readers to see someone overcoming their own fear and obstacles.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Story

This was a fun little story. Good examples of speaking up, being helpful, positive attitudes and life’s daily struggles. I would recommend it.

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read for reading bowl.Very nice plot loved it especially her projects lol

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As a math teacher it gave me some insight on how some of my students feel. I love the math fair and when we are back in school even want to do one myself!

[Kristin Radtke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book to make math a fun subject without all the work. 🎉 Can’t wait to read this one to my students!

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

" A dead opossum can make even math look less scary in this delightful lower middle grade novel about a young girl, a slobbery dog, and the terrors of math class."

Ella Hunter is in 5th grade at Victor Waldo Elementary School. She has two phobias: spiders and math. She would like to exterminate both of those from the world. She has a very inquisitive mind and does like science a lot.

One morning she and her friends find a dead opossum in the school playground which totally grosses them out. Ella is fascinated by the little guy even though he has expired. It is confirmed that rigor mortis has set in and the kids question how long the opossum
has to be deceased for that process to happen.

Ella sweats and agonizes over her math assignments and is very upset when because of a time restraint finds out that her teacher is cancelling the last two in-class math tests and instead is asking the class to participate in a math fair. Ella needs a good solid final grade or she will have to be tutored for the summer and she isn't looking forward to that scenario at all. She and her group are assigned the topic of time conversions, which of course is Ella's worst nightmares.

With the deceased Morty in mind, (Morty being short for rigor motis), Ella's creative group design their math project to be a memorial to the beloved little guy. Ella receives much encouragement and help from her parents, her temporary roommate Aunt Willa, and of course her best-friend classmates. Will she succeed and get a passing grade and therefore eliminate a summer filled with endless tutoring and even more disgusting math?

This book is full of humour and is educational as well. I know exactly how Ella feels because she could be me. That is precisely how I felt about math in my formative school years. I never had teachers that made math fun and exciting and something that I could find and relate to in my every day life. It was a subject. It had no connection to the things around me. It was boring and hard and tedious. I always did well in math but that came with a lot of anxiety, worry and doubt that I would always fail the next test. I finally hit an amazing math teacher in Teacher's College that turned my perception of math from a scary, hopeless subject into one of fun and dare I say it?.... happiness!

I think many kids (and adults) can relate to Ella's feelings regarding math and will find the book inspiring and hopeful.

"Perfect for both math-lovers and those who shy away from the subject, "Dead Possums Are Fair Game' is a must-have for every middle-grader's bookshelf."

[Curtis Sponsler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I an not a strong reader (severe dyslexia), so it takes a compelling story to pull me in. I was involved in the critique group where Taryn developed and edited the story. I got to watch the story grow and change, but always loved the concept. Dead Possums is a delightful story of a girl fearful of losing her summer break should she fail math, and how she struggles to overcome her mathphobia.

I've read many MG books and find them written too much as if it was an adult was experiencing the story, rather then a true child's voice and point-of-view. Dead Possums as a must read for any middle school kid, or adult who remembers their terror of the middle school experience. I place this book beside another favorite, Darth Paper, as a book that feels genuine to the kid experience and brilliant in the story's plot and style.

Great book, Taryn. I can't wait to read more stories about Ella.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely outside my age group, considering Ella was 11, I think. I can't remember, heh.

This was a really cute book though. If I were younger, I would've liked it even more. As it is, I love that it was an easy read (I read it in less than two hours. Yay for my six month old sleeping through the night!), and I especially loved that the definition for the chapter titles was given. 'Proposition', 'reconcile', 'fair'...I think that was my favorite thing about the book, actually. it was informative without bashing you over the head about it, like when one of the friends used 'commandeer' over 'commanded'.

And massive age difference aside, spiders and math really do suck, lol. I totally sympathized with Ella about her dislike of both those things, and having bad luck during thunderstorms.

[Heather Iseminger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful tale is perfect for middle readers, ages 8-12. It's a story that not only teaches students to embrace the struggle of difficult subjects like math, but also encourages them to learn from their mistakes. The main character, Ella, is driven by her perfectionism. It cripples her drive toward success. She also chooses the perfect ideal over relationships as she hurts those closest to her.

The prose of this book is witty, well written, and accessible. Students will relate to Ella's genuine persona. While lessons are learned throughout the novel, readers won't feel "preached-at," but rather will glean valuable life lessons. From possums to math, this Dead Possums Are Fair Game brings whimsy and charm to its readers. Your son or daughter will be captivated by Ella's journey.

[Kerry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My eleven-year-old son really enjoyed this cute story. Here's his review:

Dead Possums are Fair Game is an amusing story by Taryn Sounders. I read this story fast and laughed at least five times, probably more. It starts when Ella, who hates and avoids math, hears that there’s going to be a math fair.

Things only get worse for her when she hears that if she gets lower than a B, she will be put in summer school. With this much on the line, she knows she has to get an A at the fair.

This book is funny and so much like real life. I recommend Dead Possums are Fair Game to mostly girls and some boys age 7-12.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover got my attention first--it's very unusual and I thought this book might be humorous. I also liked that it was centered on math. However, the characters are very stereotypical and nothing really happened to surprise me in this book. The kid characters talked like adults many times and it was difficult to really care about them. Overall, it's a clean read, even with the dead opposum on the cover. the ending although preductable, was satisfactory. Recommended for early grade school kids who are looking for an easier book to read.

[C.K. Conners · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book via a Goodreads giveaway--and, boy, am I glad I did!*

One of the FUNNIEST books on the market right now. EVERYONE should pick up a copy. I thoroughly loved and enjoyed this piece. The writing is superb, the voices are real and witty, and the education is truly valuable. I HIGHLY recommend "Dead Possums"--the book, not the literal, deceased marsupial, of course; unless there exists some novel use or creative culinary masterpiece of such an item, of which I am presently unaware. All in all, Taryn Souders has hit a home run! One of my favorite reads of the year!

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mrs. Souders must be a hoot to know and a very fine teacher. The story line is cute, as are the characters. I loved the definition at the beginning of each chapter. A+ to the teacher/author, but with a few points (stars) off for having to stoop to crude Jr. High humor to sell the book. Take out the unnecessary references to dog poo, dog vomit, more dog vomit, then girl vomit and you will have a true winner of a book.

[Chris Hays · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is solid even though I am a polar opposite of the protagonist. The story fits for students in middle grades who like the realistic fiction. I did appreciate that the female characters had conflict without being 'catty'. The parents and teachers were a little to perfect for my reality. All said I could pretty easily pitch this book to students.

[Amarilys Rassler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my granddaughter and she was glued to it while visiting me. She's eleven years old. She took it home that same day and finished it fast! She said it was a long time since she read such a good book. Hope the author writes another one. Love to see my granddaughter happy!

[Molly Ricketts]

Ella narrates the frustrations and bad luck of her life while she fuddles her way through math class, a surprise visit from her aunt, and unexpected encounters with animals. She learns from the help of her family and friends that her life, and math class, may not be so terrible after all.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, light-hearted, and an excellent book to use in a classroom with cross-curricular studies for science and math, upper elementary and middle grades students won't be disappointed by Dead Possums.