Monday, September 16, 2013

MMGM -- Numbed! by David Lubar

 
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

 
Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born. 
 





I admit it. I HATE math. When I say that, please understand that I mean any math is abhorrent to me. I don't help my children with their math, I don't help my husband with the bills, I don't even like the way numbers look or the way they make me feel. I am a word person, plain and simple. 

That said, I love this book. It is meant for people like me, as well as for people who appreciate math and numbers and their many important uses. Just because I avoid it whenever possible doesn't mean I am unaware of math's importance or the need for people who can have numbers in their brain and feel good about it. In fact, I LOVE those people because they do what I cannot. Thanks, hubby.

Numbed! is a fabulous way to get kids thinking about why math is important. Better yet, it can get them thinking that math can even be fun! Whoa . . . I know--crazy, right?


Blurb:
When Logan’s class takes a trip to a math museum, his mischievous friend Benedict is sure it will be a boring day—until he discovers a robot and its creator in an off-limits area. The robot proves feisty, and soon both boys get zapped. They realize only later that they’d left the museum without their math skills. To get back the knowledge they need for school—not to mention buying food at the mall, divvying up dinner at home, and much more—they’ll have to get back to the museum and pass a series of math challenges. Being “numbed” will teach Logan and Benedict just how useful, and even fun, math can be.
  
I highly recommend this book for all middle graders, whether they like math or not. And I haven't said that about a book since Math Curse by  Jon Scieszka!  :)




7 comments:

Old Kitty said...

Sounds like a brilliant book to make maths fun! I totally do not do numbers but I also appreciate how important they are! Take care
x

Rosi said...

I, too, am a mathphobe. I do like David Lubar's books and so does my grandson, so I will be checking this one out. Thanks for the review.

Anonymous said...

I'll have to check out this book. I like the cover. Thanks for sharing about it.

Barbara Watson said...

What a fantastic premise and concept! I'll be checking this one out.

Patti said...

I hate math as well, but luckily math is all of my kids favorite subjects.

Laurel Garver said...

This looks like a wonderful book to help my math-phobe 5th grade daughter hate it less. Thanks!

BTW, I have an award for you on my blog today. :-)

Michael G-G said...

How funny! I am lining up a review of a David Lubar novel (not this one) for the next MMGM.

As a reformed mathophobe, I'd say there is hope for you yet. I hated math at school, but now I am really into it. Of course, it would be better if I was always using addition in my check book, rather than subtraction!

Thanks for the fun review, and an insight into your own struggles with numbers.

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