7 x 9 = Trouble! - Hardcover

Mills, Claudia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374367469 ISBN 13: 9780374367466

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2002

Synopsis

Wilson Williams worries about passing his times-table tests

Wilson has a hard time with math, especially with Mrs. Porter’s timed multiplication tests. If only he were as quick as Laura Vicks, the smartest kid in third grade, or as quick as his brother, Kipper – a kindergartner. Wilson’s mother and father try to help, but Wilson doesn’t appreciate having to do practice tests on a play date. Fortunately, his friend Josh Hernandez is a comfort, as is Squiggles, the class hamster. Wilson is sure that with his own little animal squeaking and cuddling beside him, he could learn anything. But his mom doesn’t like pets. So Wilson bravely struggles on, hoping that one day in the not-too-distant future he’ll pass all his times-table tests. Then, surprisingly, Kipper comes to the rescue.

With sensitivity and gentle humor, Claudia Mills examines a common childhood fear and a common family experience. G. Brian Karas provides tender, funny pictures. 7 x 9 = Trouble! is a 2003 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

About this title

About the Author

Claudia Mills has written many books for children, including the Gus and Grandpa series of beginning readers and, most recently, the middle-grade novel Lizzie at Last. This is her first chapter book. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

G. Brian Karas is the author and/or illustrator of numerous picture books. He lives in Rhinebeck, New York.

From School Library Journal

Grades 2-3--Students who are having difficulty with math will enjoy this lighthearted story. Third-grader Wilson Williams needs to pass all the times-table tests by March 16th in order to get an ice-cream cone from his teacher. While the child is talented in art, he is envious of his friends Laura and Josh, who have completed their tests and have received their cones. He is also envious of his younger brother Kipper, a kindergartner who is placed in a special math group because he has started learning the times tables on his own. While the main theme revolves around Wilson passing the tests, an important subplot deals with his desire for a pet and taking home the class hamster for a weekend. All's well in the end-Wilson passes the 12 times table at the last minute, and he and Kipper will be getting a pet hamster. While this chapter book is entertaining and no doubt many youngsters will relate to the story, it is unfortunate that the author reinforces negative feelings about studying math. Wilson never seems to comprehend the concept of multiplication, and no one makes an effort to teach him.
Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0374367469
• ISBN 13: 9780374367466
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112
• Illustrator: Karas G. Brian