It's summer. Time to get some good hammock reading into our schedule. I welcome you to explore some of the best books on mathematics that I've read. You knew I'd get that genre into this series somehow didn't you? Join me as I share a few great reads and I'll see you in the hammock!
Without further ado, here are a few great reads on mathematics in no particular order.
- Sir Cumference book series : I bet you didn't see that one coming! It's a child's picture book series about a knight. Seriously though, this series introduces our students to vocabulary and concepts that they need in higher math that I can't recommend this read enough.
- Mathematics - Is God Silent? : This book is for you! It's an overview of the history of math and although a rather thick book completely worth a read, glimpse, or reference. It's that good.
- Of Men and Numbers : Another book written more for your students, but your middle and high school students this time. This is a great readable math history text to use as a launching pad into math history. For a younger child's text that combines this history with activities, check out "Fractals, Googals, and other Mathematical Tales" by Theoni Pappas
- Pensees : Want to know what a great mathematician ponders? Read this gem of philosophy from Pascal. It's a deep read with some insight into one of the greatest minds. Personally, this book is on my summer 2020 list.
- The Phantom Tollbooth : Didn't see that coming did you? Few books help you to see how much fun numbers can be than this young adult fiction book! This gem is simply a delightful read showing you the power of the imagination, words, and numbers.
I know that books containing math or mathematical concepts are not normally on our summer reading lists, but after you give a couple of these a try you may change your ways. The study of mathematics branches out into all areas of creation, order, and theology. You'd be hard pressed not to encounter some math in a great story.
P.S. Have you ever thought about the significance of the folded cloths in the empty tomb? Those cloths are just one way that God reminds us that He is a God of order, something that we can attest to after studying mathematics. Voila! We found math in the greatest story ever told.