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The Math Kids: An Incorrect Solution

(The Math Kids #5)

David Cole (Goodreads Author)

4.17 · Rating details · 12 ratings · 11 reviews

Fifth grade could not have a worse start for the Math Kids. Jordan, Justin, Stephanie, and Catherine have been split up. The girls are in one class with most of the bullies, which is proving to be chaotic. Meanwhile, the boys are stuck with their nemesis, Robbie Colson, and their new teacher, Mr. Miller, who makes it clear he doesn't like math. Separated like this, the kid ...more

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ebook, 180 pages

Published October 7th 2021 by Common Deer Press

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Jun 19, 2021 Potterhead Aanya rated it really liked it

Well this was an awesome book, I loved the math club, it's a wonder how people like mr miller dont love it, and mr miller is such a bad teacher it doesnt matter how you do things as long as they are correct, get a life dude, but yeah I love how his perception changes in the end!
Kids from 8-13 will love this!! ...more

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Oct 01, 2021 Ravenclaw Library Books rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2021, owned-read, netgalleys-read

This is book five in the Math Kids series written by David Cole. It is self-contained and works well as a standalone, so it is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series. Like the others, the story combines math and science problems with real-world applications. However, how this book differs is that the subject matter is a little more serious including touching on parental abuse and abuse of police power.

Having read and loved the previous books I was exicted to read this one an ...more

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Sep 21, 2021 Faith Hurst-Bilinski rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

The Math Kids is a great series for late elementary and middle school kids. It appeals to their sense of fun. It makes fun of adults. It shows kids that math can be both fun and useful. I love having these books on my bookshelf in class.

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Oct 07, 2021 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: publisher-arc, 2021-giveaways-pub-arcs

The Math Kids are heading to fifth grade in McNair Elementary, but they’re not as excited as they usually are. This school year, the four kids who think of themselves as the Math Kids have been split up. Justin and Jordan are in one class, and Catherine and Stephanie are in another class. And not only are they split up, but the boys are being taught by Mr. Miller, who notoriously hates math. In fact, in class he announced that he will be focusing on history, English, and reading.

If only there w The Math Kids are heading to fifth grade in McNair Elementary, but they’re not as excited as they usually are. This school year, the four kids who think of themselves as the Math Kids have been split up. Justin and Jordan are in one class, and Catherine and Stephanie are in another class. And not only are they split up, but the boys are being taught by Mr. Miller, who notoriously hates math. In fact, in class he announced that he will be focusing on history, English, and reading.

If only there was a way to get Mr. Miller to like math, the boys thought. That would make the school year better. Especially since the class bully, Robbie, is in their class.

Jordan tries to add more math to Mr. Miller’s class. When he has to write a history paper on a historic event of his choosing, he picks Columbus getting so off-course and the sinking of the Swedish ship the Vasa that sunk after only 20 minutes because of incorrect math. But his teacher isn’t impressed and ends up giving him a D for his grammar and spelling mistakes. And when he tries to teach the class a different way of doing multiplication, he ends up getting detention for a week.

But Justin thinks that there must be a way to get through to Mr. Miller. He really believes that he can come up with a plan to help Mr. Miller conquer his fear of math. Meanwhile, the girls are enjoying the math games that their teacher is sharing with them, but they have the rest of the class bullies in their room, so things are far from perfect.

When Justin sees Mr. Miller upset on day in class and finds out that it’s about his son’s traffic ticket, he thinks he may have found an opening for the Math Kids to get through to him. But it’s Jordan who sees Robbie’s dad yell at his son and threaten to hit him, and he finds himself feeling sorry for the class bully and wondering if the Math Kids could tackle a bigger problem than just their teacher.

The Math Kids: An Incorrect Solution is the fifth book in this series, and it isn’t afraid to take on difficult issues. These smart kids have already figured out that they’re not too young to try to solve grown-up problems, and if they work together, they can come up with a solution to whatever they’re facing, even if it means going to an adult for help.

The book includes math and logic problems as well as an appendix that helps explain the topics that came up throughout the story. For example, one of the kids mentions the Prisoner’s Dilemma, a logic problem where 2 prisoners are given the chance to confess, and the first one to do so will receive a lower sentence. Their best outcome is to both stay quiet, but it’s hard to understand that when your freedom is on the line. For kids who are interested in knowing more about the problem than what the kids say in the story, there is some additional information in the appendix to give them a fuller idea of where the puzzle came from. The appendix includes information on several different topics mentioned in the book, and I thought it was a great addition for kids with curious minds.

I really enjoyed The Math Kids. I thought author David Cole did a good job of integrating math without making it too much like schoolwork, but keeping it interesting enough that kids would be drawn in to the story and even into solving the puzzles. I also liked how he had the kids talk through the logic problems, so that readers could follow along for the answers if they needed the help (like I did, with that birthday one). I found this book imaginative and engaging, and I think smart kids will enjoy reading about these smart kids and how they work together to make things better not just for themselves but for everyone in their world.

Egalleys for The Math Kids: An Incorrect Solution were provided by Common Deer Press, with many thanks. ...more

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Dec 01, 2021 Doreen rated it really liked it

12/1/2021 Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

12/1/2021 with illustrations by Shannon O'Toole.

The Math Kids are starting fifth grade in a pretty glum mood. Not only are they not all in the same class any longer, but the boys, Justin and Jordan, have been stuck with a teacher known as Miller the Killer, who has no love for math and barely teaches it. When Justin and Jordan try to inject a little more of their favorite subject into the rest of their classes, Mr Miller gets punishment-happy 12/1/2021 Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

12/1/2021 with illustrations by Shannon O'Toole.

The Math Kids are starting fifth grade in a pretty glum mood. Not only are they not all in the same class any longer, but the boys, Justin and Jordan, have been stuck with a teacher known as Miller the Killer, who has no love for math and barely teaches it. When Justin and Jordan try to inject a little more of their favorite subject into the rest of their classes, Mr Miller gets punishment-happy, and poor Jordan gets saddled with both bad grades and two weeks of detention. Justin hatches a grand plan to make Mr Miller start liking math, even as the girls stand up to the bullies in their own classroom. But it's another bully who catches Justin's eye, and leads him to a crisis of conscience. Can our four heroes use their math skills to solve these seemingly impossible problems? After all, not even the Millennium Prizes problems could remain unsolved forever.

This was a charming middle-grade novel that deftly incorporates math into everyday life, not only providing brain teasers for young (and older) readers to enjoy, but also teaching brand new techniques for solving math problems. I wasn't familiar with the lattice method of multiplication before this book and while I'm old enough to be more comfortable continuing to use the old-fashioned form of multiplication for large digit numbers, I will absolutely use the mind-bending percentage tricks explained here in future! I really need to hand a copy of this book to my fifth-grader who also loves math and brain teasers, which is about the highest compliment I can hand out to any book for younger readers I come across nowadays.

Math aside, I really enjoyed the diversity on display here, as well as the overall very responsible way David Cole deals with issues of child abuse. While the book is written in a manner perfect for its intended audience, it also carries a perhaps surprising amount of depth and sophistication, folding in lessons in history, literature and sociology along the way. Shannon O'Toole's illustrations bring the characters and story to life so vividly, as well.

Highly recommended for anyone in the family who loves math and puzzles, or for anyone whose interest in same you think could use a little piquing.

The Math Kids: An Incorrect Solution by David Cole was published October 7 2021 by Common Deer Press and is available here and from select retailers. ...more

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Oct 11, 2021 Ellen rated it really liked it

The Math Kids
An Incorrect Solution

David Cole

The Math Kids love math and solving math problems, but they are split up in 5th grade. Jordan & Justin’s teacher Mr. Miller hates math and is angered when the boys use their math understanding to help their classmates. But their explanations help the others understand, and open the door to a relationship with Robbie, a bully who himself is bullied by his father. Justin hatches a plan to help Mr. Miller see math as interactive and useful, creating a spr ...more

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Apr 22, 2021 Alexandra Power rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

Rating: 5/5 stars.

“An Incorrect Solution” is book five in the Math Kids series written by David Cole. It is self-contained and works well as a standalone, so it is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series. Like the others, the story combines math and science problems with real-world applications. However, how this book differs is that the subject matter is a little more serious.

I really liked this book. Once again, the author perfectly weaves math problems into the plot, keepi ...more

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Apr 16, 2021 Bethany rated it really liked it

What an excellent premise for a book! This was well written with an engaging plot. I found the maths problems well worded and the explanations were clear. Some students may struggle to complete the problems on their own, but having the characters 'work out the answers and problem solve is an ingenious way to get children engaged in mathematical thinking.

The story was also interesting which is important as a book that simply talked about maths would not be enticing to certain readers. However, th ...more

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Sep 20, 2021 Pam rated it liked it

Shelves: giveaways, middle-grades

I received an electronic ARC from Common Deer Press through the Publisher's Weekly "grab a galley" promotion.
Part of The Math Kids series. Readers see the four - Justin, Jordan, Catherine, Stephanie - start fifth grade. It's a very different year but the four find solutions to keep math in their lives. Cole balances some humor with more serious issues. One of their classmates is being abused by his dad, and they find the courage to talk with the guidance counselor and with the dad himself. The s ...more

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Apr 22, 2021 T Olsen rated it it was amazing

This time the plot is very basic, but the educational value is very high. In addition to the math, which includes what I would call logic, there's also ethics and morals, and it's a great way to touch some very important subjects. The story and characters are great, as always, and I hope lots of people of all ages will get entertained AND educated. ...more

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Sep 27, 2021 Julie rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2021, middle-grades, mg-stem

With thanks to NetGalley and Common Deer Press for an early copy in return for an honest review.

The Math Kids is a fun and engaging series that shows kids the real life usefulness of math. I like the math problems sprinkled throughout the book and can see this being used in a math class. The story is an easy read and would make a fun addition to a classroom library.

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About David Cole

David Cole

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My background has always been in the technical areas - math, mechanical engineering, and computer science. I've done everything from designing missile guidance systems to teaching computer science classes at the college level to designing data center monitoring tools for Facebook and at my own two companies.

I've always enjoyed writing, winning several short story contests, writing more than a doze ...more