Reviews for Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail

The average rating for Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2009-06-21 00:00:00 Shannon Edwards I'm not a middle-school student by a long shot--I'm a woman in her late 20s with a lifelong fear of math--but found this book to be a refreshing refresher course. Is it silly? You betcha! Did I skip the quizzes and wince at some of the examples? Yes and yes. But it's also encouraging and it works. I read through the whole thing in a couple of days, will probably go back and do some of the "homework". I have a recurring nightmare in which I haven't passed my high school math course and therefore my high school and college diplomas are void. The dream ends with me being forced to re-enroll in the 9th grade. Oh, the horror! I figured it was time to put an end to my irrational math phobia.

Review # 2 was written on 2008-01-18 00:00:00 Marc Trudel While part of me is a good bit disturbed by all of the "girly-ness" (and my junior high self would be completely insulted), I would, and likely will, promote this book. It is a fact that many girls (and boys as well) are all tied up in the world that they are told is supposed to be theirs - makeup, celebrities, shopping, waxing(?!?), etc. I think this book could do a nice job of reaching those girls who could care less for something if it didn't involve these things. McKellar draws girls in with the usual, then she actually talks about some worthwhile things without sounding preachy, but like a friend. Sure she pushes the "smart is sexy, and you want to be sexy, right?" - but isn't it? But she also talks about what studying math can do for your own health and happiness. And her math is clear and fun, with relevant, up-to-date examples - it's playful and that's good for anyone learning math. The horoscopes do irk me, but hopefully, if this book works, it's readers will develop a sense of logic and reason and eventually come to realize that horoscopes are a load of unfounded crap. Hopefully they'll even develop a sense of self without being told who they are. Overall, I think this is a great book that could get and keep a lot of girls out there interested in math. I'm happy to see that all 20 out of 27 copies at 4 surrounding library systems are currently checked out.