Math for Everyone: A Book List to Empower Kids and their Adults

Fostering a growth mindset is essential for helping children thrive, and books can be a powerful tool in this journey. This carefully curated list includes resources for parents to better support their child’s mindset, engaging books to read with kids that inspire perseverance and curiosity, and books that challenge stereotypes by showcasing diverse mathematicians and scientists. Whether you’re looking to empower your child or reframe your own approach to learning, these books are a great place to start.

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Books for Adults: How to Support Kids with Math Learning

1. "Mathematical Mindsets" by Jo Boaler

   • Focuses on transforming the way children learn math by fostering a growth mindset and creativity in mathematics.

2. "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck

   • Explores the concept of growth mindset and how it applies to learning, including math.

3. "Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You'd Had" by Tracy Zager

   • Written for educators but valuable for parents; provides ideas to make math engaging and meaningful.

4. "Math Therapy" by Vanessa Vakharia

   • A guide for supporting children’s mathematical thinking and understanding at home.

5. "Children's Mathematics: Cognitively Guided Instruction" by Thomas P. Carpenter et al.

   • Explains how children think about math and how parents can support this natural development. Great for parents of children 0 to 7.

     
     

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Books for Kids: Growth Mindset and Learning Through Math

1. "Your Fantastic Elastic Brain" by JoAnn Deak

   • Teaches kids how their brain grows and learns, encouraging a growth mindset.

2. "The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes" by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein

   • Promotes resilience and the idea that mistakes are a part of learning.

3. "Mistakes That Worked" by Charlotte Foltz Jones

   • A fun exploration of inventions that came from accidents, fostering curiosity and experimentation.

4. "You Are a Mathematician: A Wise and Witty Introduction to the Joy of Numbers" by David Wells

   • Encourages kids to see themselves as natural mathematicians.

5. "Bedtime Math" series by Laura Overdeck

   • Makes math fun through daily bedtime stories with math problems.

   
   

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Books For Kids: Representation in Math and STEM

1. "Mae Among the Stars" by Roda Ahmed

   • Inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, showing that STEM is for everyone.

2. "Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race" by Margot Lee Shetterly

   • A picture book adaptation celebrating the contributions of Black women mathematicians at NASA.

3. "The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdős" by Deborah Heiligman

   • Shares the story of an unconventional mathematician to show that math is for all kinds of thinkers.

4. "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty

   • Celebrates curiosity and problem-solving in science and math.

5. "Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13" by Helaine Becker

   • Highlights the contributions of Katherine Johnson, a trailblazing African American mathematician.

6. "What Do You Do With a Problem?" by Kobi Yamada

   • Encourages kids to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

7. Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Helaine Becker

   • Tells the inspiring story of Lonnie Johnson, an engineer and inventor, and his journey to creating the Super Soaker, showing how creativity and persistence lead to groundbreaking discoveries.

8. Look Up with Me: Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Life Among the Stars by Andrea Beaty

   • Follows the journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson from a curious child to a renowned astrophysicist, encouraging kids to explore the universe.

9. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

   • Encourages kids to embrace failure as a step toward success through the story of Rosie, a budding young engineer with big dreams.

10. On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Rose Blue

    • Explores the life and ideas of Albert Einstein, inspiring readers to think big and embrace their unique perspectives.

11. Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Kathryn Calkhoven

    • Tells the story of Marie Tharp, a pioneering geologist who mapped the ocean floor, showing the importance of persistence and groundbreaking research.

12. Women Who Launched the Computer Age by Kathryn Calkhoven

    • Celebrates the women who programmed the world’s first computers, highlighting their crucial contributions to technology.

13. Cece Loves Science by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes

    • Follows Cece, a young scientist who loves experiments, as she learns how science can solve everyday mysteries.

14. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca

    • Tells the story of Dr. Temple Grandin, a scientist and autism advocate, showing how different ways of thinking can lead to groundbreaking achievements.

15. The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca

    • Highlights the life of Dr. Patricia Bath, a trailblazing ophthalmologist who made major advancements in eye surgery and healthcare.

16. The Girl with a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca

    • Explores the life of Raye Montague, a pioneering engineer who overcame barriers to revolutionize naval ship design.

17. The Astronaut with a Song for the Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa by Julia Finley Mosca

    • Celebrates the life of Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina astronaut, inspiring readers to pursue their dreams and break barriers.