Review: The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians by Sean Connolly

The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians by Sean Connolly.

Workman Publishing
Publication Date: March 2012
List Price: $12.95
ISBN-13: 9780761163749

Review: Math - a word that makes some kids scream will now make them break out in raucous laughter. Sean Connolly has written quite possibly the most valuable math book of the decade, The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math. Connolly has finally answered that age old question, "What does this math have to do with me?" In The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math, algebraic equations not only have purpose, but they are also fun!

Each math challenge begins with a humorous and entertaining story. For example in "The Punk Prank Payback," you are in a rock band who has just won the local Battle of the Bands competition. As a celebration, you take your band to your uncle's beachside apartment. However, the celebration doesn't go as planned. When your band members play a prank on you, your once spotless apartment is a mess and you need to use math to find a way out of trouble! At the beginning of each story there is a set of statistics. For this story it reads:

CHANCES OF SURVIVAL: SLIM TO NONE

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES: GEOMETRY

DEATH BY: IRATE UNCLE

Included in The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math, there are "24 death-defying challenges." Topics that are so exciting for teens today (vampires and zombies) certainly find their way into a math problem. Also, a complete index of skills is included as well. Each challenge begins with a scenario that would quite possibly happen in real life, whatever data a mathematician would need to solve the problem, and graph worksheets for them to complete the challenge. It is a perfect accompaniment to any math student as well as any math teacher. There is one more bonus that must be mentioned as well - on the cover of the book, there is a warning that reads "CAUTION! These problems align with the Common Core Standards in mathematics." As a teacher who is trying to convert expectations to the Common Core, this book is invaluable.

Connolly has also written The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Media Masters for providing a copy of The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians for this review.

Have you read The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians? How would you rate it?