7 x 9 = Trouble! (edition 2004)

A nice read-aloud for third-grade classes. Students who are themselves struggling with times-table memorization will be able to relate to Wilson. His slow but steady progress is realistic, and that nines trick is phenomenal... wish I'd known about that when I was learning to multiply! ( )

In Wilson Williams’s third grade class, if students pass all of their multiplication table tests through the 12’s, they will be rewarded with an ice cream cone. With three weeks left, Wilson has only passed his 3’s! It is of no help that his pesky little brother, Kipper, a math whiz even in kindergarten, distracts him when he tries to study at home. Will Wilson earn his cone in time? In this transitional chapter book, Wilson learns that even though people have innate strengths and weaknesses in different subjects, through hard work they can accomplish their goals. Not only will this chapter book help children between the ages of six and ten read more complicated material; it presents several multiplication problems with solutions and provides tricks for remembering some of them. Therefore, they will advance both their reading and math skills simultaneously. Throughout the book, there are sporadic black and white illustrations that look as though they were drawn in pencil. This book is recommended for children ages 6-10 who are looking to advance their reading skills and learn some multiplication facts at the same time. ( )