This is an engaging and logically formatted book which will appeal to middle grade readers. There's a short introduction which includes information about the history and usefulness of mathematics as well as a little info on dating systems (BCE and CE), as well as a 2 page spread with how mathematics ties into everyday life and is used for situations as disparate as music and medicine. This intro leads seamlessly into chapters covering counting and number systems, shapes and area/measurements, patterns, data and statistics, and probability and logic.
The concepts are useful and the colorful graphics and accessible language make them understandable and interesting. The art is simple and supports the text well. There are a fair number of humorous drawings (an alien showing base-8 counting smilingly shows us its 8 tentacles for example) which will certainly appeal to most kids.
This would make a super choice for a classroom or school library as well as a fun read for middle school readers (circa 9-12 years). Math and sciences are so vital and holding readers' interest is key. This is a fun book which might help show reluctant students how math can be very useful and fun.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
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