Easy Math Puzzles

by David A. Adler, Cynthia Fisher (Illustrator)

Thirty exciting puzzles, including basic mathematics as well as brain teasers, are designed to challenge young readers, and come complete with an answer guide in the back of the book.

Genres: Mathematics, Nonfiction, Puzzles, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1997

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

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever puzzles that require simple math skills combined with logical reasoning. Like the classic "Which weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of rocks?" (Answers are in the back) My 7yr. old loved stumping her high school sister's friends with some of these! I would have given this book 5 stars if the cute illustrations had been in color instead of black/white.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many of the 'Lateral Thinking' style puzzle collections aren't fun unless you have a bunch of time to ponder. This collection was quick and fun for me, and gave the kids a decent enough challenge that they could enjoy too.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has many brain teasers and twisters for the higher elementary grades. Fourth graders and up have a lot of fun with this (I tested it in my classroom). The only problem is the pictures that go with the puzzles give away too much.