This book offers some interesting features overall aimed at helping teachers use young adult literature (YAL) to make mathematical concepts both relevant and meaningful to students. Using 11 YAL-appropriate texts, chapter authors provide various practical examples using a common framework—introduction; text summary; instructional activities before, during, and after reading the text; follow-up extension activities; and supportive references…. The lessons are practical and seem to have been tested in the classroom. Though a teacher may choose not to use these particular lessons or texts, the suggested approach provides a model for how teachers can use YAL to motivate students and help them gain mathematical literacy. Greathouse and Anthony provide a good resource worthy of consideration by secondary school mathematics teachers and teachers still in training. Recommended. Graduate students and professionals.

Choice Reviews

This curated collection of essays reflects best practices for engaging students in learning mathematics while developing literacy skills. The volume provides teachers with resources for enacting units of study in the mathematics classroom, in a humanities course, or through a collaboration among mathematics and literacy instructors. Each chapter is packed with rich mathematics explorations that help students better understand real problems through the lens of young adult literature protagonists. Structured chapters provide activities to prepare students for understanding a text through pre-reading, while-reading, and after-reading tasks, all of which are founded on best practices that emphasize a growth mindset in the learning of mathematics. The young adult literature has been carefully mined for engaging students in a mathematical exploration of the world; from examining water security near and far through the use of scales in mapping, to personal discoveries of one’s relationship to mathematics, this collection will not only uncover the power of thinking mathematically, but will also capture students’ interests and awaken their passion for active participation in our world.

Roser Giné, Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Lowell

This book’s use of YA literature is a powerful approach for secondary school mathematics teachers to improve the relevance of the mathematics they teach, connecting both to other subjects and to real world contexts. The common format used across the chapters provides very practical assistance for secondary school mathematics teachers to meaningfully incorporate YA literature into their classroom to build their students’ mathematical knowledge and connect it to other subjects and to the world in which they live. A strong theme across the chapters of this book is the promotion of both a deep understanding of important mathematical content but also how mathematics can be used by students to “read the world” to address significant issues in their social content.

W. Gary Mart, Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Endowed Professor of Mathematics Education, Auburn University