Customer Reviews
Not only a good book, but one your daughter might actually READ 
2008-07-18
My oldest daughter used to like math; she could tear through and do her homework in no time. But after a couple of bad math teachers (who favored massive doses of homework instead of spending time explaining and helping students understand) she simply burned out. She didn't understand anymore, had no reason to believe it applied to her life, and felt math was a punishment. I can help explain it each evening, but for a pre-teen i, hearing that math applies to her life as well only carried so much weight coming from her father.
I heard about this book from a science blog i frequently read. I was skeptical but got a copy for her. On the surface it looks kinda "girlie girl" for her taste, but looking inside i saw there are good explanations that are more engaging to read. It's well written: not only does it explain without condescending or just inserting "So, like, omigod!" language here and there, but the book provides understandable examples tailored to concepts more appealing to a young girl. Obviously it doesn't explain everything (a book like that would be so thick it would scar away even Tolkein) but instead this book says just what it needs, and provides the encouraging support that textbooks lack.
She rolled her eyes at first, but politely gave it a try. A few weeks later, i found evidence that she was still consulting the book, even jotting notes in the margins. After six months i still see it hovering near or on top of her stack of books, and fresh notes appear inside from time to time.
I will not pretend it "cured" her and that her grades have skyrocketed, but she is far more willing to push through the piles of handouts. Math doesn't seem as scary to her as it once was. And, remembering how she felt when i was in grade school, i believe that confidence is a huge step for her in the long term.
I simply don't see much here... 
2008-06-17
...most of the book is devoted to fractions and related expressions such as ratios, proportions, decimals and percentages...the explanations offered for doing various mathematical operations on these expressions are no more lucid than those found in your average math textbook...and once you remove the "girly" sidebars and glitzy drawings, the presentation of these explanations really isn't much different either...I also found the presentation to be rather degrading to women -- implying that "girly" sidebars and drawings of pencils with flowers on them are somehow necessary to coax enthusiasm for math out of a woman...I suggest that for teaching math you should stick with a good basic math textbook -- most nowadays have supplemental workbooks and CD's as well as internet sites offering a variety of activities...supplement with diverse approaches like Jacobs' "Mathematics: A Human Endeavor"...and for additional tutoring in specific areas look at Edward Zaccaro's books...and if your looking for something to stimulate interest in math then I strongly recommend Sarah Flannery's "In Code" -- although a couple of grades above middle school math, it is a remarkable story that should be read by all young women...my qualifications: homeschooling two daughters.
Wonderful book for middle school girls 2008-05-23
This book is absolutely right on target. It contains math concepts put into a form that is friendly, fun, and engaging, and written in a way that perfectly reaches girls entering middle school math classes. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
math for the masses in junior and high school classes 2008-05-05
This Danica is as good looking as the racing Danica and a great actress. She's a math whiz too. Well as a trained mathematician I can assure you that she proves in this book that she knows math, is proud of it and want other high school and junior high school girls to appreciate it too. The book is filled with interesting ways of teach junior and senior high school math that makes it fun and exciting. She would be a great teacher too. I think her goal is to be a role model for other girls who have an aptitude for mathematics. Girls have always been discouraged and discriminated against in this field. I remember at my high school I was the best math student but Linda Cirillo was a close second. Yet I was the one who got the encouragement and her talents were ignored. Years later I came back to my home town and found that while I was now a professional mathematician she was a house wife raising children. I hope things have improved over the last forty years.
This is a great book to give a child in high school who needs a little help and boost of confidence in math. When an author ahs the art of making things exciting rather than boring the student may develop an interest and capability that he or she never dreamed of!
Math Doesn't Suck 
2008-04-07
I bought this book for my daughter. She finds it very helpful. It includes some neat tips. The only problem she finds with it is that it doesn't always cover all areas.
Helpful to 8th Graders 2008-03-23
From a well-known actress and math genius—a groundbreaking guide to mathematics for middle school girls, their parents, and educators As the math education crisis in this country continues to make headlines, research continues to prove that it is in middle school when math scores begin to drop—especially for girls—in large part due to the relentless social conditioning that tells girls they “can’t do” math, and that math is “uncool.” Young girls today need strong female role models to embrace the idea that it’s okay to be smart—in fact, it’s sexy to be smart!
It’s Danica McKellar’s mission to be this role model, and demonstrate on a large scale that
math doesn’t suck. In this fun and accessible guide, McKellar—dubbed a “math superstar” by
The New York Times—gives girls and their parents the tools they need to master the math concepts that confuse middle-schoolers most, including fractions, percentages, pre-algebra, and more. The book features hip, real-world examples, step-by-step instruction, and engaging stories of Danica’s own childhood struggles in math (and stardom). In addition, borrowing from the style of today’s teen magazines, it even includes a Math Horoscope section, Math Personality Quizzes, and Real-Life Testimonials—ultimately revealing why math is easier and cooler than readers think.
Good Book but bad on Kindle 2008-03-18
Danica McKellar writes an entertaining and easy to understand book about math. It's written for the teen girl crowd, but I -- far from being a teenage girl -- wanted to see if what she had to say would help me overcome some of my math phobia. She does great! Very good analogies and ways to remember terminology and procedures to solve math problems.
The only hassle I had with the book, which I could ignore, is that it still needs better formatting for the Kindle. Every em dash ends up a question mark, and the images of some fractions aren't placed correctly, and great big chunks of the answers at the back of the book are missing. It would also be nice if after doing some of the math problems that there would be a link to the answers at the back -- once they get fixed.
I enjoyed the book, overcame some of my math fears, and enjoyed what she had to say. I only wish that the formatting was better for the Kindle.
A fun approach to math 2008-02-25
It's a bit too late for me to use this with my oldest two, but I know I'll be keeping this around for my youngest. A fun approach, that will have a place for a several years.
Love this book! 2008-02-14
I gave this book as a gift to my niece and my sister loves me for it. My sister hated math and she was afraid of passing on that legacy on to her daughter. Now when my niece is struggling w/her math homework they bring out this book. My sister and her husband are able to help my niece w/her math and refresh their knowledge in the process. They love the way each math problem is broken down step by step and they give you several examples. My niece likes the funny and insighful tips.
The book doesn't suck 2008-02-11
The book is a cross between a middle school math primer and an exhortation to girls to persevere in school, particularly in math class. The tone of the book is very positive and engaging.
The mathematics part of it is too simple for most girls interested in math at the middle school level and it may be geared more to fifth and sixth graders than the 7th or 8th graders who are more likely to be facing peer pressure to not show their intellectual capacities. I think that given her mathematical bent the book should have aimed a little higher, been a little challenging in parts since a child who already can solve all the problems in the book is less likely to be impressed about what she can achieve beyond her present capabilities.
