“Book Review: Gr 1-3–A time capsule from the year 2000 is discovered at Lincoln Elementary, and it can only be unlocked by solving a series of geometry problems. As Mr. Jeb’s class attempts to solve the clues, readers can play along in this “pick-your-own-path mystery.” Each of the five clues is presented with two possible answers, and readers turn to the page corresponding to their answer choice. The page for the wrong answer offers an explanation of how to solve the clue, then sends readers on to the correct answer page where the story moves on. The publisher states the clues and explanations support second-grade CCSS standards, and this content does seem appropriately challenging for that grade. While this text could certainly enhance a math lesson, it is unlikely to have broad appeal outside of a classroom environment. The math puzzles are the sole focus, and everything else about this book is flat. The characters are diverse in skin color, but lack any personality and are fairly indistinguishable. The language is stilted, reading alternately like a script or a textbook. Although the artwork often enhances the math explanations, the flat comic style does not add much excitement or personality to the work. VERDICT Recommended strictly to supplement a classroom lesson, or offer to puzzle or math enthusiasts.–Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield Public Library, IL ”—Elizabeth Lovsin
INSIDE
The Case of the Carnival Clues
In this pick-your-own-path mystery, four kids at Lincoln Elementary are invited to complete a math challenge at the school carnival. But who set up the clues? And why? Be a detective and use your money math skills to solve the case.
At Lincoln Elementary, the student detectives love solving mysteries! Can you help solve the carnival clues? Choose the right answer, and advance to the next clue. Choose the wrong answer, and clear text and visuals explain the math and encourage you, the reader, to try again.
Friendly illustrations with a diverse cast of relatable characters will engage readers, while clear math explanations support CCSS standards for second-grade math.
retail $34.25 your price $23.95
INSIDE
The Case of the Locked Time Capsule
retail $34.25 your price $23.95
INSIDE
The Case of the Missing Class Pet
retail $34.25 your price $23.95
INSIDE
The Case of the Missing Cookies
retail $34.25 your price $23.95
INSIDE
The Case of the Pencil Problem
retail $34.25 your price $23.95
INSIDE
The Case of the School Store Thief
retail $34.25 your price $23.95
Mini Math Mysteries
The student detectives at Lincoln Elementary love math—and solving mysteries! Can you help? Each case in these pick-your-own-path books is solvable based on second-grade math problems. Choose the right answer, and advance to the next clue. Choose the wrong answer, and clear text and visuals explain the math and encourage the reader to try again.
READ REVIEWSPRICE
Complete Series of 6: retail $205.50 your price $143.70
“Book Review: Gr 1-3–Oh no! The classroom pet Lucky has escaped! Lucky for the students, their teacher Mr. Jeb was giving a math lesson. In this choose-your-own-adventure–style mystery, the reader gets to choose how to solve the math problems posited by the teacher. Depending on readers’ choices, they will locate the pet—they just have to use math to do so. If they get a math problem wrong, the book gives them chances to get to the correct answer. Once the kids have found Lucky, the associated story wraps up nicely. The illustrations are colorful and vibrant, and they include an inclusive group of students. The math is at the second grade level, but the choices and problems are presented in a simple manner. There’s no glossary, but the hardest words are easily explained with help. VERDICT Recommended for libraries where the other “Mini Math Mysteries” series books are popular.–Kristin Joy Andersonn, Lewis Univ., Romeoville, IL ”—Kristin Joy Andersonn
“Using a choose-your-own-path format, the titles in the Mini Math Mysteries series introduce basic math concepts as readers work along- side Lincoln Elementary School’s second graders to solve a light mystery. After identifying the mystery in each book, the students tack- le four word problems that offer clues. Readers are given two possible solutions and directed to page numbers to verify their answer. If they select the correct answer, they can continue reading and work on the next clue. If they select an incorrect answer, however, the upbeat text explains the error. With a goal of earning a special field trip, students decide how much money they can spend on various school carnival games in The Case of the Carnival Clues. To open a school time capsule, students solve clues about different geometric shapes in The Case of the Locked Time Capsule. In The Case of the Missing Class Pet, students test their measurement skills to locate an escaped class rat (which looks more like a mouse). When an office assistant receives an order for too many pencils, the students use place value, addition, and subtraction to help figure out her error in The Case of the Pencil Problem. Lending to the comprehension are brightly colored digital illustrations with solutions in large, clear fonts and images. —Angela Leeper ”—Angela Leeper
“Part “Chose Your Own Adventure” and part Stuart J. Murphy’s “Mathstart,” this book uses a story to help children learn about math and money. Four children of varying skin tones and physical abilities attempt to solve the mystery of who wrote clues at the school carnival. Each clue is a money math problem connected to a carnival game. If readers get the answer right, they are advanced to a designated page of the story. If readers get the problem wrong, they are taken to a teaching page that explains the solution. The mysterious clue writer is hardly mentioned as the children work through the problems, but the adventure of solving each clue is compelling and propels the story along. In the end, it is Mrs. Penn, the principal, who left the clues. Because of their skills, the four children are selected for the citywide math competition. Colorful drawings and short paragraphs make this an easy to read, visually appealing book. Children will enjoy the challenge of solving each problem, and adults will love the math practice presented in a fun format. The specific narrow subject of money math, along with the interactive story, differentiates this work and may make it a high circulating item in math collections. VERDICT Because of the interactive story format and the learning potential, this book is a must purchase. ”—Katherine Rao
“In this story, students use math skills to solve a mystery. When several items go missing from the school store and a mysterious note is found, students at Lincoln Elementary must use their math skills to solve the mystery. Readers must complete each math problem and skip ahead to the page with the answer they chose. Correct answers advance the story, while wrong answers send them back to try again. In the end, the students find an answer to the mysterious note that should satisfy every reader. Colorful illustrations enliven what is essentially several word problems in a row. Math problems are age-appropriate, and are accompanied by charts and visuals to help readers conceptualize them. VERDICT A pleasant enough resource for lovers of word problems and students needing supplemental math materials. ”—Savannah Kitchens
“Before the students in Mr. Jeb’s elementary school classroom can enjoy their prize for winning a reading contest, they must find the parts that went missing. With their teacher’s encouragement, the students, who are diverse in ethnicity and ability, combine their math skills with detective work to narrow down the suspects. This fifth book in the “Mini Math Mysteries” series can be read as a stand-alone. Readers must answer seven questions that appear throughout the book on the bottom of the beautifully illustrated pages. Correct answers advance the story. Incorrect answers prompt readers to “think again.” The questions incorporate subtraction using a number line, addition into double-digit numbers, counting by twos, and grouping and sorting by color and number. The ending is humorous and surprising. VERDICT This fun, feel-good, interactive book has wide appeal and is highly recommended for beginner chapter book readers. ”—Tanya Boudreau