A Knotty Problem - (Math Kids) by David Cole (Paperback)

About the Book

Tensions Rise Between the Math Kids When Stephanie finds out her soccer team has a tournament on the same day as the district math competition, an upset Justin offers her a choice: choose Math Kids or leave the club. Dismayed by his attitude, Stephanie quits and Catherine goe...

Book Synopsis

Tensions Rise Between the Math Kids

When Stephanie finds out her soccer team has a tournament on the same day as the district math competition, an upset Justin offers her a choice: choose Math Kids or leave the club. Dismayed by his attitude, Stephanie quits and Catherine goes with her. With their club in shambles, the future of their friendships is further threatened by the news that Justin's dad has been offered a new job and wants to move his family to St. Louis.

Jordan, Justin, Catherine, and Stephanie may face the permanent fracture of their friend group and a bleak end to their school year--unless they can come together to overcome some impossible situations.

Problem solving skills apply to much more than homework in the latest addition to the Math Kids series.

A Knotty Problem continues the Math Kids series' streak of providing entertainment and enlightenment. Foreword Reviews

Ably demonstrates finding thoughtful solutions for common problems. Kirkus Reviews

Review Quotes

"Libraries seeing popularity with the prior Math Kids adventures, as well as newcomers looking for vivid fictional stories embedded with math problem-solving concepts, will find The Math Kids: A Knotty Problem a fine tale that educates as it entertains." Midwest Book Review-- "Midwest Book Review"

A Knotty Problem features all of the scintillating brain-twisters that one associates with the series, while its more personal stakes have a grounding effect. The Kids' abilities may be extraordinary, but the challenges they face are much the same as those that average fifth-graders face, whether over maintaining the bonds of friendship in difficult times, or learning the value of teamwork on a soccer field or during a high-pressure quiz.As always, the book supplies plenty of useful math knowledge, ranging from the concept of the Gordian Knot, which plays a key role in the resolution of Justin's dilemma, to a biography of George Polya, the "father of problem-solving."And its characterizations are deft, so that the Kids' squabbles and efforts to do what's right are heartwarming.Charming illustrations complement the book's friendly tone.Capped off with a tense final math showdown (the full solutions for which are included in the book's informative appendix), A Knotty Problem continues the Math Kids series' streak of providing entertainment and enlightenment.--Ho Lin "Forward Reviews"

Ably demonstrates finding thoughtful solutions for common problems.Cole's educational story brims with math problems that characters solve (readers can also find the solutions). The bright, young cast is likable despite Stephanie and Justin's squabble (both sides have reason to be hurt). And it's a delight when Catherine and Jordan work hard to fix real-world problems. While this installment is less exciting than others (which involve burglary, kidnapping, etc.), it shows how everyday life can sometimes hit the hardest. O'Toole's black-and-white artwork leaves lasting impressions, whether filled with detail (Justin's packed but organized room) or deceptively simple (the Math Kids' hands raised in unison). A helpful appendix clarifies some of the more complex mathematics, like the order of operations.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

The four protagonists are realistic and relatable. As well as modeling problem-solving in real-life situations for readers, they reinforce a key message throughout the series: Math is not just for geeks and not just for school. A Knotty Problem focuses on an idea that many kids--and especially intelligent ones--find challenging: the idea that not every problem has an ideal solution.Shannon O'Toole's old-school black and white illustrations keep this chapter book accessible, while an appendix at the end explains the Math concepts for readers who want to learn more.Overall, A Knotty Problem is instructive and enjoyable, offering readers a thought-provoking story about how STEM can help with everyday problems and situations.--Dr. Jen Harrison "The Children's Book Review"

About the Author

David Cole has been interested in math since he was a very young boy. He pursued degrees in math and computer science and has shared this love of math at many levels, including teaching at the college level, coaching elementary math teams, and running a summer math camp. He also has a love of writing and has written a number of plays that have been performed. The Math Kids was born of a desire to combine his interests and exercise both sides of his brain at the same time. Find him on his website or on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Shannon O'Toole has been illustrating children's books since 2018. Originally a figurative painter, Shannon has been exploring new ways to tell stories through her art. Her artistic practices are inspired by the many unique characters and people in her life. In addition to her work in children's books, Shannon is an elementary school teacher. When she is not painting, she can be found drinking coffee, watching classic movies and exploring new recipes in her kitchen. Shannon lives and works outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.