Jennifer Swender

Math, middle school, an unconventional teacher, new friends . . . and a mom with cancer. I loved the innovative approach of seeing Mika's life through the creative entries in her math journal. (And I wish I'd had a math teacher like hers!) I'll recommend this to my 4th and 5th grade library patrons, not only the ones who may have someone ill in the family, but to everyone who loves a strong story.

This book is about Mika's transition to middle school and how math has been a struggle and how she is seeking out for help in math.

The tale of Mika and how her vivid math journal helps her deal with middle school, arithmetic, and her mother's melanoma is told in the book. Mika's regular life becomes chaotic when she begins fifth grade at the middle school. This book is not an average book and students can somewhat relate to others. I liked the question quote, "When life gets messy who can you count on?"

Mika, an artistic fifth grader, is struggling in the new school year with her mother's cancer diagnosis when her math teacher assigns her class journals. The sad but sweet novel follows Mika's emotional journey through both story and math-centered journals as she acclimates to her new normal. I like this book because it connects personal hardships and how it follows into the classroom.