Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss »

Best known for her roles on The Wonder Years and The West Wing, Danica McKellar graduated summa cum laude in mathematics from UCLA, went on to co-write a published math theorem, and continues to be an outspoken role model for young women to excel in math.

From the author of the runaway bestseller Math Doesn't Suck, the next step in the math curriculum— pre-Algebra.

Last year, actress and math genius Danica McKellar made waves nationwide, challenging the “math nerd” stereotype—and giving girls the tools to ace tests and homework in her unique just-us-girls style. Now, in Kiss My Math, McKellar empowers a new crop of girls—7th to 9th graders—taking on the next level of mathematics: pre-Algebra.

Stepping up not only the math, but also the sass and style, Kiss My Math will help math-phobic teenagers everywhere chill out about math, and finally “get” negative numbers, variables, absolute values, exponents, and more. Each chapter features:

• Step-by-step instruction
• Time-saving tips and tricks
• Illuminating practice problems with detailed solutions
• Real-world examples
• True stories from Danica's own life as a student and actress

Kiss My Math also includes more fun extras—including personality quizzes, reader polls, and real-life testimonials— ultimately revealing why pre-Algebra is easier, more relevant, and more glamorous than girls think.

VOYA

McKellar's newest book on pre-algebra is designed to help those teens struggling with math. The book is broken down into five manageable sections: numbers; variables; x; exponents; and functions. Each section has several chapters focusing on parts of the theme, and chapters features step-by-step instructions, tips and tricks, and practice problems. Throughout the text are testimonials from successful women who use math in their jobs and McKellar's diary segments, with stories from her teenage life. One might ask, "How is this book any different from the math books that schools and libraries already have?" McKellar understands teens. She speaks their language. She gives practical examples that have meaning to teens. And honestly, she makes math fun. Anyone who can do that has a hit on her hands. There are only two drawbacks to this book. The examples and conversations McKellar has with the reader are very girl oriented, which is part of her goal of making more girls comfortable with math, but may turn off boy readers. The second drawback is that teens will only pick it up if they are struggling. If this book was used as supplemental material in a class, more teens would be forced to try it and learn that her tips are worthwhile. As one who uses calculators to do simple addition, this reviewer learned something. Reviewer: Kristin Fletcher-Spear

What's Inside?

Acknowledgments x

Kiss My What? xv

Faqs: How to Use This Book xvii

Part 1 Number Stuff

Chapter 1 Breath Mint, Anyone? Adding and Subtracting Integers (Including Negative Numbers!) 1

Chapter 2 The Popular Crowd The Associative and Commutative Properties 20

Chapter 3 Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall ... Multiplying and Dividing Integers (Including Negative Numbers!) 39

Chapter 4 A Relaxing Day at the Spa Intro to Absolute Value 53

Chapter 5 Long-Distance Relationships: Are They Worth It? Mean, Median, Mode 62

You Said: Most Embarrassing Moments in School! 73

Poll: What Guys Really Think ... About Smart Girls No The Cover 75

Quiz: Are You a Stress Case? 77

Part 2 Variable Stuff

Chapter 6 The Blind Date Getting Cozy with Variables 83

Chapter 7 Backpack Too Heavy? Adding and Subtracting with Variables 99

Chapter 8 Something Just Went "Squish" Multiplying and Dividing with Variables 107

Chapter 9 Do You Like Him Like Him? Combining Like Terms 121

Chapter 10 The Costume Party The Distributive Property 130

Chapter 11 Didn't That Guy Say He Was Going to Call? Using Variables to Translate Word Problems 145

More Than 20 Ways to Beat Stress! On The Cover 159

Math ... In Jobs You Might Never Expect! 161

Part 3 Solving For X

Chapter 12 The Art of Gift Wrapping Solving Equations 166

Chapter 13 Nope, She Never Gets Off the Phone Word Problems and Variable Substitution 192

Chapter 14 Can a Guy Be Too Cute? Intro to Solving and Graphing Inequalities 210

You Said: Your Horror Stories About Procrastination! 226

Poll: What Guys Really Think ... About Talented Girls 229

Quiz: Do You Pick Truly Supportive Friends?On The Cover 231

Part 4 All About Exponents

Chapter 15 Champagne and Caviar Intro to Exponents 237

Chapter 16 Excuse Me, Have We Met Before? Intro to Variables with Exponents 254

You Said: Well ... That Didn't Work! 261

Do You Sudoku? 264

Part 5 Intro to Functions and Graphing Lines

Chapter 17 Secret Sausages Intro to Functions 265

Chapter 18 Creative Uses for Bubblegum Intro to Graphing Points and Lines 279

A Final Word 303

Math Test Survival Guide! 305

Appendix 312

Answer Key 318

Index 327

About the Author 332