06/24/2024

“We can all be math people,” according to this encouraging debut. Sharma—founder of Zearn, a nonprofit organization that creates educational software—argues that contemporary math instruction places too much emphasis on speed and memorizing formulas rather than understanding the underlying concepts. Expounding on more effective ways to teach math to elementary and middle schoolers, Sharma recommends using “pictures and objects” to illustrate concepts and describes how one Zearn program shows video of a teacher cutting two oranges into quarters to visualize how fractions can represent sums greater than one. Sharma calls for institutional change, urging schools to commit more resources to assist struggling students instead of funneling them into remedial tracks. She also entreats parents to find organic opportunities to develop their child’s math skills outside the classroom (helping a kid determine “how long it will take him to save enough money to pay for a new toy,” for instance). Assertions that technology can “democratize access to an excellent education” come across as plugs for Sharma’s nonprofit, but the recommendations otherwise provide pragmatic ideas about demystifying math. It adds up to a sensible reassessment of how to improve math education. (Aug.)

If I had a magic wand, I’d want every parent and math teacher in America to read this book. Shalinee Sharma proves that math can be creative, beautiful, wondrous and soothing, and it should be taught that way.” —Amanda Ripley, New York Times bestselling author, The Smartest Kids in the World

"In this timely and accessible book, Shalinee Sharma challenges not only the way we’ve been teaching math but also the way we’ve been conceptualizing it—as the province of a select few. She demonstrates that all kids can be 'math kids,' enjoying not only a greater chance of success in life but also an appreciation of the beauty of numbers."—Natalie Wexler, author of The Knowledge Gap

"This book should be read by every parent and educator — those who love math and, especially, those who think they do not." —Emily Oster, New York Times bestselling author, Cribsheet, and CEO & Founder of ParentData

“Whether you were a math kid or not, your own kid needs to be. What's more, whether you thought of yourself as a math kid or not, you were. Part manifesto, part reflection, part how-to guide—-Math Mind will convince you that math is a language anyone can learn when properly taught, and a joy that's never too late or too early to discover.” –Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author, Grit, and Professor, University of Pennsylvania

“This brilliant book opens the doors to the future of math education. It is hands down the most engaging and best-researched book on learning math I’ve ever encountered. Don't miss this masterpiece—the children in your life will thank you as they flourish.”—Barbara Oakley, PhD, author of the bestselling A Mind for Numbers and instructor of Coursera’s online course favorite Learning How to Learn

“Shalinee Sharma proves that math anxiety stems from how it is taught, not the difficulty of the subject. There is no math gene and anyone can develop a math mind. I will be using this book to teach my son how to solve math problems and to prove that systematic learning is creative and fun! If you love math, read this book! If you’re scared of math, definitely read this book!”—Kristy Shen, author of Quit Like a Millionaire