Author: Jennifer Senden
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh
Rating:
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| the perfect amount of complexity |
Summary (provided by publisher): When Mika starts fifth grade at the middle school, her neat life gets messy. Separated from old friends and starting new classes, Mika is far from her comfort zone. And math class is the most confusing of all, especially when her teacher Mr. Vann assigns math journals. Art in math? Who's ever heard of such a thing?
But when challenges arise at home, Mika realizes there are no easy answers. Maybe, with some help from friends, family, and one unique teacher, a math journal can help her work out problems, and not just the math ones.
Debut author Jennifer Swender delivers poignant prose and illustrator Jennifer Naalchigar brings Mika's journal to life in this perfect equation of honesty plus hope that adds up to a heartwarming coming-of-age story.
My opinion: This book tells two stories: life upended by a parent's illness and social changes that come with adolescence. The interplay between these elements, especially the affects of a non-traditional teacher on the way a young person develops, is well plotted. It's a compelling if somewhat predictable story about finding new friends and looking at problems from a new perspective. I liked that the approach to the math journals was more than just "math is everywhere". Through her journal, Mika learns new approaches to all of her problems. Conversely, addressing life problems teaches her new ways of looking at math. There were some plot elements that felt unnecessary and over-wrought, but overall the plot and characters are strong.
More information: Solving for M releases May 28.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
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