A Sequence of Events and An Unusual Pattern were both named  best kid's books of 2019! 


I'm very excited to announce that The Math Kids books are now available from Left Bank Books, consistently recognized as one of the best independent bookstores in the country!

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The Prime-Time Burglars

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A Sequence of Events

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An Unusual Pattern

The Math Kids: The Prime-Time Burglars

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Jordan and Justin are best friends and the only two kids in their class’s advanced math group. So it isn’t until Stephanie Lewis marches into their classroom that they meet someone who’s as good with numbers as they are. Their shared interest in math quickly draws them together, and the three soon form The Math Kids.


Unfortunately, life as math club kids isn’t always easy. In addition to extra homework, the three friends have two new problems. First, a string of mysterious burglaries has the whole neighborhood on edge, including their parents. Then, they manage to earn unwanted attention from Robbie, the class bully. Luckily, Jordan, Justin, and Stephanie soon learn that their new club may give them the skills they need to solve both problems.

What reviewers said about The Prime-Time Burglars

Danielle U, Reviewer

I was completely swept into the tale. Intrigue, mystery, and the troubles that followed kept me reading. This was a fun way to teach math. I loved the book's layout and organized ways. Overall, this is a must read for all

Heidi W, Reviewer

If you have 6-9 year old kids who don't like math but enjoy reading, this book is for you. The math is perfect for this age group and can help younger kids learn advanced math ideas. It is a wonderful read for everyone in the family.

Red Tricycle

The Prime-Time Burglars was named one of the best new kids books of 2018 by Red Tricycle (http://redtri.com/best-new-kids-books-of-the-year/slide/1)

5-star review with a Highly Recommended on CM reviews

 

As a teacher, I have heard so many times that math isn’t fun. Many students can’t foresee what good it will ever be in their daily lives. Well, The Math Kids is a novel that will help readers see its value. The three characters learn that a math problem does not necessarily have just one solution and that there is often more than one way to solve a math problem.

Math Professor at the University of Victoria, B.C.

This is a fun and insightful page-turner that captures the pleasure of discussing math and solving real-life math problems as a team.

Bridget P.

The Math Kids was a very fun read! My 12 year old son and I read it together and we both enjoyed it very much. I love that this book took problem solving and social situations and combined them for an enjoyable and educational experience!

The Math Kids: A Sequence of Events

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The Math Kids Club is back! After solving the case of the prime-time burglars, The Math Kids, Jordan, Justin, and Stephanie are ready to return to the original purpose of their club: solving math problems. And the district Math Olympics is the perfect opportunity to do just that. But before they can enter the competition, they need a fourth teammate. The Math Kids set their sights on Catherine Duchesne.


Even though Catherine has been quiet in class, she knows some really cool math tricks that are sure to help The Math Kids win the competition. But when Catherine doesn’t show up for school and Jordan, Justin, and Stephanie find out her father’s been kidnapped, the group springs into action to help their new friend.

What reviewers said about A Sequence of Events

Red Tricycle

A Sequence of Events was named one of the best new kids books of 2019.


"For any kid who loves math, buy this book. And any kid who doesn't? Buy it to show them math is fun!"


 https://redtri.com/best-childrens-books-june-july-august-2019/slide/1 

Libby H, Educator

 I love the explanations given for each math problem the children face. The chapter on how math is seen in art is wonderful and this is the best explanation I have ever seen for the Fibonacci sequence. 

Richard L

What I liked especially is the overwhelming joy and wonderment in numbers. The enticing problems are expanded and their solutions explained. I believe this book will appeal to all young people who like adventures. 

Jess B, Librarian

 This type of book is an absolute gem!  As an educator I have to invest students in reading for fun and often children complain that they are logical, they prefer math or science, that they don't find fantasy interesting. A book like this that combines a realistic setting like a school, a clever mystery plot and a mathematical twist is bound to engage these students. 

Erica W

I wish I could read Math Kids again for the first time. This book was an absolute pleasure to read. Highly recommended for girls who love math, but often feel slighted. They will enjoy the new addition to the Math Kids, as Catherine and Stephanie have a delightful discussion on the issue.
Any kid (or adult) who loves math and logic will find extreme delight in this tale. 

Canadian Review of Material

Highly Recommended rating from CM (a resource for librarians ).


I really enjoy the Math Kids novels. They are well-written and very interesting, and, additionally, the math problems are super interesting. While  A Sequence of Events is a youth novel, the math puzzles are so interesting that I enjoy trying to figure them out, and, believe me, they are not necessarily easy.  Who knew math could be so much fun and so helpful in finding solutions to common or not so common problems. A Sequence of Events is well-worth using in the classroom as a novel study or as an individual read, and the book would certainly be a good idea in a math class. Kids who enjoy math will love this one, and those who are not so sure about math are bound to find the puzzles and concepts very interesting.

The Math Kids: An Unusual Pattern

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The Math Kids are at it again!  When their new friend, FBI Special Agent Carlson, asks them to take a look at a cryptic poem written by a dying bank robber, they know they will need all of their math skills to crack the case.


The poem isn't their only problem, though.  Their favorite school janitor is fired for stealing from student lockers.  The Math Kids know Old Mike would never do anything like that, but how can they prove it, especially with the new janitor watching their every move?


Jordan, Stephanie, Justin, and Catherine will need math, bravery, and a little bit of luck if they hope to solve the bank robbery case and get Old Mike his job back.  Will they be able to figure out the unusual pattern in time?

What reviewers said about An Unusual Pattern

Lori Smith (Educator)

 The book was interesting and fun, I think it will be a great way to get non-math lovers into math, and show all the uses for it. I am a middle school math teacher, and I really love how this book shows how being good at something isn’t a bad thing. It also gives problems and allows the reader to try and solve them first. Cute book!!

Red Tricycle

 An Unusual Pattern was named one of the best kids books of 2019!

 https://redtri.com/best-childrens-books-of-october-2019/slide/15 


Think Encyclopedia Brown meets STEM learning, your kids will have so much fun reading these adventures they won't even notice they're learning important math concepts! 

Terje O

I just love this series, and when I got the next book I had to read it at once. The book is very well written, and as always the plot, story and characters are great. It's also educational in more than just math, and with the illustrations it's perfect. I can't wait for the next one.

Kelly C, Math Coach

I am a math coach for a middle school in Florida.  I also read the other Math Kids books. Again this was a cute, engaging story combining math and literacy. Perfect for middle school kids as well. Great illustrations, math that makes students think, and a story that kids are pulled into.  Highly recommend this for the math classroom or just reading for fun.

Christi M

I rather enjoyed reading this middle grade read. With two mysteries to solve it gave the math kids quite a lot of things to do, but it was never overwhelming or confusing. The kids heart really appears to be invested into solving the case of their favorite school janitor, which really makes you like them even more.

I can definitely recommend this book to middle grade readers and perhaps non middle grade readers who may just want to test their math knowledge a little. Not only does the story contain educational information, but it was an interesting, quick read that all can enjoy.

Erica W, The Literary Apothocary

 I have read the first two books and was all too excited to read this 3rd installment! Everything about it was mathematically wonderful. Sure, it is written for kids in grades 3 -6. But, if you are a math-loving adult, you just may like this one.

The plot, in Cole's typical style, consisted of math and inquisitive 4th-graders rolled into a smooth tale centered on an awesome concept - math rocks!

Each math kid is so real and memorable. In fact, Jordan reminds me of my 10 year-old. The Math Kids provided an entertaining glimpse of into the power of math to not only solve crimes, but also bond 4 unlikely friends.

I am highly anticipating Cole's 4th installment - An Encrypted Clue!!!!

Highly recommend for 4th and 5th graders, along with the Moms and Dads who adore them. 

The Math Kids Blog