Books with Mathematical Themes
The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets - 2014, Bloomsberry: New York. pages 213 ages 12+.
ISBN-13: 978-1-62040-277-1.
Excellent story for anyone that is a fan of the Simpsons, interested in mathematical ideas, trivia nut, Futurama fan, or people that are interested in stories behind the scene stories.
Chasing Vermeer - 2004, The Wright 3 - 2006, The Calder Game - 2008. ages 10-14.
ISBN-10: 0-325-00353-x.
Excellent realistic fiction mystery with themes of art, archetecture, friendship, and pentominoes.
See also Chasing Vermeer - A new character, Tommy, joins Petra and Calder for three adventures in urban Chicago. Includes logic, mystery, and Pentominoes go 3-D, many math themes, great read for intermediate, middle school, and others.
Carry on, Mr. Bowditch - 1955, Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston. pages. middle level.
ISBN- .
Excellent historical fiction about navigation.
Nathaniel Bowditch, a real life navigator, grew up in Salem, MA when tall-masted ships were the transportation marvels of the day. However, to navigate safely from port to port a sailor needed to know mathematics, astronomy, and cartography. Along with this knowledge they used log, lead, and lookout to navigate the ocean. The plot describes Nat's years of study, observation, and writings that resulted in his successful voyages and publishing of his famous work, The American Practical Navigator (the Sailors' Bible) that was used for many years by navigators. A true New England hero.
Newbery medal winner.
The Phantom Tollbooth. - 1961. middle level.
ISBN- .
Excellent use of language. Problem solving, philosophy, boredom, learning, imagination, and the realities of the loss of rhyme and reason.
Main character: Milo
Plot: Milo is bored and returns home to find a magic tollbooth in his room. He jumps in his toy car and enters the Lands Beyond. Where he discovers two brothers, King Azaz of Dictionopolis and the Mathemagician of Digitopolis exciled their sisters, Rhyme and Reason. Which supposedly makes the Lands Beyond more strange. Milo decides it should be his mission to rescue these ladies. Why not?
Newbery medal winner.
The Math Curse. - 1995. New York: Viking, middle level.
ISBN- 0670861944.
Problem solving, perspective of mathematics.
Plot - mathematics is everywhere.
While this is a picture book, a certain amount of sophistication is required to appreciate the theme. Excellent
T . - 1961. middle level.
ISBN- .
Excellent realistic