A national bestseller!
Bust the math myths that are holding you and your kids back and learn the importance of numeracy with this one-of-a-kind resource for parents, educators, and policymakers
Shalinee Sharma is one of the worldโs top experts on math learning, but when she was in school, she sat in the back row, unsure if she could ever master the subject. Many of us buy into the idea that some people are innately good at math and others just wonโt ever succeed at itโbut itโs not true, and numeracy is as important as literacy when it comes to opening doors in life.
Sharma shows how complex problem solving and puzzle solving, abstract and logical thinking, developing fluency with numbers, and cultivating persistence in math are crucial skills for success that can be taught to everyone and how math, far from being a dry, dull exercise, shares common ground with art and creativity. She also debunks the myths that prevent us from learning and enjoying math, with chapters dedicated to the three roadblocks that discourage adults and kids from learning.
With instructive line drawings throughout, Sharma explains the math instinct that all humans have from birth, and better, more intuitive ways to solve math problems that are both rigorous and accessible. For anyone who has ever thought youโre โbad at mathโ but wants to get goodโfor your children and for yourselfโMath Mindย contains the guidance, takeaways, and specific approaches you need to learn to love numbers.
Carioca –
One of the most vivid memories I have from childhood is a night in 3rd grade that I cried as I tried to memorize multiplication tables. My mother (the most amazing, caring, and supportive person in the world) consoled me by saying, basically, โit is OK, girls in our family arenโt good at mathโ and sharing that she and my grandmother had both struggled with the subject. My father, an architect and proud girl-dad, overheard this — and it resulted in one of the biggest arguments I can remember my parents ever having, and him taking over to tell me that I can do anything, especially math. I went on to take AP Calculus at North Atlanta High School (thank you, Mrs. Hunter!!) and go to an Ivy League college. But I still never loved math.
Now a parent and education policy advocate, I understand how crucial it is to unlock a love of math in children from an early age. Shalinee Sharma’s book not only addresses this need but does so with a refreshing blend of practicality, warmth, and insightful storytelling.
Sharma’s personal journey as a math educator and her deep understanding of the anxieties that often accompany math learning shine through in every chapter. She deftly dismantles the myth that some people are simply “not math people.” Instead, she offers a compelling case that a positive math mindset can be cultivated in anyone, regardless of their past experiences.
The book is filled with actionable strategies for parents and educators alike. Sharma provides a treasure trove of hands-on activities, games, and real-world examples that make math engaging and relevant. Her emphasis on the power of storytelling in math education is particularly noteworthy as we look at the policy and instructional changes needed to address the distressingly low levels of student math achievement in the US.
Now, Iโm making it a priority for our family to talk about math for fun, whether at the dinner table or on car trips — most recently adding up athletes’ scores in the Olympics, multiplying the amount of food we will need to buy to feed our new puppy, and playing around with exponents. To come full circle, my daughter proudly wears a โMath Personโ t-shirt to sleep in (even though she has shed some tears of her own over math the last few years). My goal as she enters 5th grade is to make sure that the love of math sticks with her, and continues to develop in my 3rd grade son.
Math Mind is a must-read for parents, teachers, and leaders in education and education policy.
SS –
Growing up, I kept on getting told that “girls can’t do math” by adults and young people all around me… except for those in my family. My parents believed anything was possible and there were no brain-based biases for or against math (or any other learning) if you have the right supports. Thankfully that inspired me to push back against the prevailing belief that there were two distinct types of people in the world, the “math-people” and the “creatives”.
In Math Mind, Sharma shares not only the beauty and creativity of math but also a compelling argument that all people are indeed math people and everyone can learn AND love math with the right mindsets and strategies. The content in this book is something that every educator, policymaker, and family member needs to understand deeply and bring to life in their own practices from teaching to sending messages (subtle and not-so-subtle) to kids. I’m sure anyone reading this will find out something that helps them think or act differently to support a young person’s journey to seeing themself as having a math mind. (Ex. I’m already playing around with counting backwards with young kids to make subtraction feel more natural.)
All to say, this is a must-read for all people impacting the lives of students.
tim oneill –
Never in my life did i think i would read an entire book about math. I would have laughed you out of the room if you even suggested it. This book came to me through something of a serendipity, and i am so glad that it did.
I learned about a million things reading it, but here’s the big one:
I’m not bad at math.
I’m not someone who isn’t interested in math.
I’m not even someone who doesn’t use math.
I am, however, someone who has been thinking about math in entirely the wrong way. This book changed the way I think about math, the way i approach my kid’s math learning, and even the way I present myself when it comes to math. I learned that math isn’t a monolith of correct answers, but a celebration of the journey to get there. It’s music, it’s art, it’s the shape of the universe and the unfathomable size of an atom. I could go on but i’ll just leave you with this: Don’t miss this book. I can’t recommend it enough.
Manny –
We have struggled to understand the best way to teach math to our children. This book really delves into the basics of what math concepts are important ,why they are important , and how to get your children to learn vital concepts. Mrs. Sharma clearly has thought a great deal about this issue and cogently explains it to the reader. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with young kids learning math. I have learned so much from reading it.
AK –
Our education system is successful at reading because it assumes everyone is a reader. Why not do the same for math? Math Mind shows how every kid can understand and excel at, even love, math. It flips the script from math = arbitrary rules + tricks to a unified system based on conceptual understanding, creativity, and collaboration. It’s empowering to think about math as something accessible for everyone, not just the lucky few who find it easy or had great teachers. Every parent and teacher should read it, and I just added it to my middle-schoolers’ back-to-school reading list!
A2 Reader –
what a wonderful introduction to the idea of loving math as an adventure in its own right!! highly recommend for anyone with kids who like adventures but haven’t yet connected the possibility of that love emerging in math class. delightful stuff.
MCPEET –
Math Mind shows how every kid can understand and excel at, even love, math. It flips the script from math = arbitrary rules + tricks to a unified system based on conceptual understanding, creativity, and collaboration. I understand how crucial it is to unlock a love of math in children from an early age. Shalinee Sharma’s book not only addresses this need but does so with a refreshing blend of practicality, warmth, and insightful storytelling. In the world of education, few subjects seem to stir up as much dread as math. But in Math Mind, the author offers a refreshing take that can change not only how we see math but also how we keep kids excited about it.
AS –
Shalinee Sharma writes on how our children learn math with a new perspective. Itโs a growth mindset in the fixed world of math. We need to shift our focus to the journey of working through the problem for our children as opposed to rewarding the child who can solve the problem the fastest. (she recognizes that memorizing and speed is important at times too). You may pick up the book intending to learn about math education for your child or student, but you will quickly see that this book talks about you too. Youโll relate to one point or another about your math learning style, or how you labeled yourself in math. I felt seen when she discussed math anxiety on beginning or even sticking with a problem, recalling those long proofs from high-school. Slowly working through hard problems is normal, Sharma confirms, and having multiple strategies is vital in math, and in life. Itโs a book that encourages problem solving and asks us to see the world of numbers from a different perspective for ourselves and for our children. For itโs perspective that takes into account the controversies in math learning, the solid research, its adorable and humorous anecdotes as well as the soul searching it encouraged, I loved this book. Looking forward to the weekly math challenges my kids bring home this fall; I feel like Iโll have a refreshingly new perspective as I flex some old math muscles. ๐
Daniel Weiss –
Math Mind does a great job of laying out that thereโs no such thing as a โmath kid.โ All kids can succeed in math and even love math if we believe in them and teach in a way that sets them up for success. Engaging, accessible and well researched. Itโs a great resource for parents, teachers, and anyone who cares about helping kids through great education.
Thomas Aiken –
“Math Mind” makes a compelling case that math is a language anyone can learn. Shalinee Sharmaโs approach is both inspiring and accessible, offering practical ways to teach math that emphasize understanding over memorization. I appreciated her emphasis on using visual aids and real-life examples to demystify math. This book is a must-read for anyone whoโs ever doubted their math abilities or wants to help others discover the beauty of math.
Larry C –
In “Math Mind,” Shalinee Sharma takes on the myth that only some people are โmath peopleโ and shows how anyone can succeed in math with the right support and mindset. Her book is full of practical advice for parents and teachers on how to make math more accessible and enjoyable. I loved her emphasis on using real-world examples and visual aids to help students understand math concepts. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to help others (or themselves) find a way into loving mathematics.
AFL –
Sharmaโs book is a breath of fresh air. The idea of using visualizations like cutting oranges to explain fractions makes so much sense. Itโs not just about formulas; itโs about truly understanding math. A must-read for teachers and parents wanting to empower their kids in math.
Jon Miller –
Math Mind by Shalinee Sharma is a must-read for parents and teachers who want to transform kids’ experiences with math. This book reveals how every child can not only understand but also enjoy math. Sharma presents math as a creative and connected system rather than a bunch of boring rules โ which is really different from how I grew up thinking about mathematics! I loved how the book is packed with practical tips and inspiring stories, showing that all kids can excel in math with the right support. Iโve even started incorporating math games into our family routine, from simple mental math problems to board games, inspired by this new mindset. This book is perfect for anyone eager to spark a love for math in young learners.
Kearlyn –
I really enjoyed reading “Math Mind” by Shalinee Sharma. The book made me realize that math isnโt just about getting the right answer quickly. Instead, itโs about understanding how the world works and solving problems in creative ways. Sharmaโs ideas are easy to understand and really helpful. She shows that anyone can learn math, no matter what. This book is great for kids, parents, and teachers who want to see how creative and exciting math can be!
Jessica –
Accessible, compelling book about where we go next with math for our kids, our kids at school and our kids at home.
Tifanny I. Macias –
I liked getting to know the backstory of Zearn. It definitely made me think that I should have used it more in my previous teaching year.
The author offers good insights into many math struggles and ways to overcome them.