Book Review of "Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss" by Danica McKellar

Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss [Soft cover]

by Danica McKellar

352 pages, $24.95

ISBN-10: 1594630496

Nonfiction

At the end of the 80s, the network ABC blessed America with an endearing drama entitled "The Wonder Years." A youthful Fred Savage navigated the unrest of maturing in the 60's, a period of American history fraught with turbulence. In this family sitcom, his co-star, Danica McKellar, was his winsome, on-and-off-again girlfriend, Winnie. Struggling with math concepts was probably too mundane a plot to be aired on this amicable television show.

Ms. McKellar decided to take a break from acting to attend UCLA where she earned a BS in Mathematics-even helping to author original research proving an original math theorem. During that course of study, she had an epiphany: mathematics does not have to be the bane of young females. Opting not to stay in the lofty towers of mathematics academe, she wrote Math Doesn't Suck, a book specifically aimed at young females to help those struggling with math anxiety.

Kiss My Math builds upon the content of Math Doesn't Suck, to take its readership to a higher understanding of pre-algebraic concepts. Having taught math in high school, this writer cannot find fault with the demonstration of math principles presented. One of the benefits of studying math, or even teaching math, is the fact that, in the end - math problems can have only one right answer. Math anxiety arises when a student realizes that math is an exacting study...one that cannot be achieved through a bluffing process.

Prepubescent girls will appreciate the efforts to provide dating tips and glimpses from Danica's personal experiences as she navigated adolescence. McKellar is to be commended for including testimonials from professional women that illustrate the study of mathematics can be helpful in even glamorous feminine careers, such as fashion merchandising.

It is hard to take some of the illustrations seriously, however. For instance, to teach the difference between positive and negative integers, McKellar calls them "mint-egers" instead. A good tasting mint is a positive integer and a bad tasting trifle is a negative integer. If you have a negative taste in your mouth, like -6, you can combine it with a positive integer to get 0. She calls this a "lint-eger" since it's so bland.

Know a young female who's struggling with math? This book could help, but keep it away from her dad; he will laugh himself silly over the rest of it.

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

Get Your Writing Fighting Fit - A Review

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Systemize! Strip it down! Eliminate! Accentuate!

It sounds like a college cheer. Rah! Rah! Rah-Rah-Rah!

Actually, it's a lot more than a college cheer. It is the way professional editors polish writing. Even Asimov and Hemmingway had editors. In fact, without their editors, they wouldn't be the acclaimed writers that they are.

I wouldn't presume to be a polished writer myself, but I know that I see so much lousy writing on the web that I wish everyone had Audrey Own at their elbow, forcing them to write better.

Although we can't all capture Audrey's time, we can review the editing techniques that she so generously shares with us in "Get Your Writing Fighting Fit". In eleven snappy chapters she takes us from sloppy to sublime. It's part of her editing philosophy to keep it snappy: "Lean, mean writing keeps your readers keen" (p.6).

First Audrey examines the elements that editors look for when they do their editing task. Things like words, sentences, paragraphs and chapters - all the good, the bad and the truly ugly.

Then she shares her seven step Quick Assessment Process. Here is how you and I can create writing that flows with a zing. We are to take only two pages of our project, and we set a timer to limit us. Then, with a swirl of circles and X's, looking for very specific items, our writing emerges with strength and vitality. And it's all done in a matter of a few minutes.

For instance, one of her steps to writing success is to read just the first sentence of each paragraph. Reading just that much, does the writing convey the general idea? It should. The first sentence is that important. If it does not, that is an area of your writing that needs attention.

One of Audrey's editing techniques is to give variety to sentence and paragraph length and structure. Mix it up, she calls it.

Like here.

This is a great editing system. It is clear, direct, fast, and very doable for most writers.

Keep in mind that "editing" is not "writing". "Editing" is what enhances our "writing". Before editing can do you a blimey bit of good, you need to start with solid writing. Your idea needs to be there, composed in reasonable sentences and paragraphs.

Then put your own writing through Audrey's great seven step editing process and Bingo! You've got a great piece of prose.

Pick up your copy of "Get Your Writing Fighting Fit" at http://www.writershelper.com/gywffsales.html . It's worth every penny of the $29.00 cost. And while you are at Audrey's website, take a look around. You'll discover slews of more great ideas too.

MaryAnn Shank has been writing for the business world for over 20 years. She is the force behind http://www.businessplanmaster.com/ and http://www.yournetworkmarketingcoach.com/ . As a business plan editor/reviewer, she has seen more awful writing than she cares to think about, and considers Audrey Owen's book and website a very welcome corner of the web world.

Reference Books

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Education, in today's scenario has become a necessity of life. No matter what field you are into, you need to have thorough knowledge of your work. In order to stay ahead from other, you should have profound knowledge. For that, Reference books can become your guide. Reference books contain facts, figures, biographical information, or other such information, so as to make it a valuable tool for answering reference questions. It's a book meant for consulting when reliable information is required. You can get reference books for numerous topics. These may include catalogs, concordances, dictionaries, directories, discographies and bibliographies, encyclopedias, glossaries, handbooks, indexes, manuals, research guides, union lists, yearbooks, etc.

One of the important reference books is Dictionary. It's a wonderful reference book having collection of words listed alphabetically in any particular language, with all possible description, pronunciations, synonyms, antonyms, related and contrasted words. It can also be used for language translation. For example, English to Spanish or Spanish to English and many more. Some of noteworthy features of a Dictionary are:

(1) It is been primed for some or the other purposes;
(2) It holds the data that has been chosen for the idea of fulfilling those functions; and
(3) Is designed to ascertain associations between the data so as to meet the requirements of user.

Another useful reference book is Thesaurus. It is a reference book containing synonyms and at times antonyms too. Thesauruses are mainly intended to draw distinction between analogous words and helps in choosing accurately the most appropriate word. All the entries in Thesaurus are arranged alphabetically and structured properly so that existing relationships between perceptions are made clear.

Encyclopedia is another resourceful reference book. It contains information on almost all the twigs of topics. Encyclopedias cover each of the subjects in the form of articles, which are typically ordered alphabetically by article name. The purpose of having an encyclopedia is to gather information dispersed all around the sphere; to bring forward its facts to us and convey it to those who will come after us. General encyclopedias are mostly a guide on "how to do" topics of various things, along with an entrenched dictionary. Apart from that there are lots of other encyclopedias available which cover numerous topics on different cultures and ethnic which nationalized perceptions.

You can get a wide range of Informative reference books on http://www.office-supplies.us.com/ at the most reasonable prices. They are the National wide Distributor of all General office supplies, printer paper, labels, printer supplies and custom printing, teaching supplies and lot more.

Jaishree

The Best and the Worst Language Dictionaries - for Turkish-English

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A native Turkish-language site visitor, studying English as a foreign language in the UK, wrote us a while back asking advice about which dictionary he should use while studying for his English-language proficiency exam. He indicated his personal preference for the Redhouse Dictionaries -- the B?y?k El S?zl??? in particular. But then, to our surprise, he told us that his foreign-language examiner thought the Redhouse Dictionaries too Americanized.

That rang my bell, and I replied...

Quote>

I'm sorry, but your foreign-language examiner is mistaken. The Redhouse Dictionaries go out of there way to include current British language usage. I quote, "The dictionary reflects the American point of view of its editors; however British usages in vocabulary, meanings, spelling and pronunciation have usually been noted."

And anyway, the Redhouse Dictionaries are by far the best of all the available ones on the market. I especially recommend the large 2-volume set, simply titled Redhouse S?zl???. It's the next step up from the B?y?k El S?zl???. Find more detail about the 2-volume set on our 'Best Books for Turkish' page.

Nothing else even comes close to the Redhouse Dictionaries. My Redhouse Dictionary CD Edition is so useful that I leave it in one of my computer's CD-bays all the time.

Our friend John Ma, who got his Ancient Civilizations Doctorate from Oxford University, explained it quite well when he said, "I wish the world-famous Oxford University Library had more copies of the Redhouse Dictionaries. The students are always using them. And the Oxford Turkish-English-Turkish Dictionary just gathers dust."

But I'll go a bit further than John...

The first Turkish-English-Turkish dictionary I ever owned was the "Concise Oxford Turkish-English Dictionary" by A.D. Alderson and Fahir Iz, published 1959 and reprinted several times up through 1985. And, I can't think of a worse foreign language dictionary.

I tried using it for years as I struggled unsuccessfully to get a handle on the Turkish-language. (I bought my first copy of the Oxford Dictionary for my work-area in Ankara in 1976 and my second copy for my bedside in 1987 -- also in Ankara.) And, except for my being able to express and understand the standard 'amenities', I was absolutely befuddled by Turkish-language during the entire time.

I only began to successfully understand and use Turkish-language after I dropped the Oxford Dictionary and began using the various editions of the Redhouse, the Langenscheidt, and selected local-specialty dictionaries -- like the Commercial and Technical Dictionaries published by FONO. So I'm afraid I disagree with your foreign-language examiner. Deeply.

But, the largest Langenscheidt Dictionary is a passable second choice if your foreign-language examiner won't let you use the Redhouse Dictionaries. Still, the Langenscheidt Dictionary is curiously weak in places. And in comparison with the large 2-volume Redhouse Dictionary Set (which has 160,000 entries in each book), the Langenscheidt Dictionary is small (with only 80,000 entries total).

Nontheless... whatever you do, avoid the above-mentioned "Concise Oxford Turkish Language Dictionary". It's terrible.

[Click following to access a fully illustrated HTML version of Worst and Best Dictionaries.]

Jim and Perihan Masters are a husband and wife team, living on the Aegean Coast of Turkey just 50 miles south of Izmir. Jim was born in Shanghai, China -- of American military parentage. Peri was born on the Black Sea coast of Turkey near Trabzon, of Turkish military parentage...Enticed by a Financial Times advertisement, Jim joined a NATO sponsored enterprise in Ankara in 1974 where he met the beautiful and brainy Perihan, a rising young Turkish banking executive. Settled now in the heart of what was once the ancient Ionian Empire -- the couple live an idyllic life by the sea.. writing, drawing and painting, teaching English, and providing computing service support to local businesses. They also sponsor the MSNBC award-winning Learning Practical Turkish Website which has built an enthusiastic international following of devoted Turkophiles and inquisitive language students of all ages.

Chess Books For Christmas

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If you're looking for a Christmas gift (or birthday or other holiday gift) for a chess-playing friend or relative, you can hardly go wrong in giving him or her a good chess book. The aspiring chess master is always looking for additional sources of education and inspiration to improve his game.

You should discretely find out what books your chess-lover already has. This should be fairly easy, as devoted chess players are generally proud of their libraries and anxious to show them off. You might as what books they need to fill in the gaps of their library. The missing volume of an opening series or a particularly coveted book on tactics will be sure to please.

If you want some recommendations, here are some of the old tried and true chess books that have stood the test of time.

Openings

The ideas Behind the Chess Openings, by Reuben Fine. Fine was one of the strongest American masters from the middle of the 20th century, and was considered a likely contender for the world championship in the 1940's. His book on the openings is a classic. And while it does not have the extensive analysis of modern opening "encyclopedias," it has useful treatments of the broad ideas behind the major opening systems.

For the latest on opening theory, most tournament players will want to have the 15th edition of Modern Chess Openings, by Nick DeFirmian. "MCO-15" is a modern (published 2008) and more extensive treatment than Fine's Ideas. While no book can cover every opening line, this one covers most of the important ones, and has extensive footnote references.

Tactics

There are two classic works on tactics that every amateur chess player should have: 1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations, and its companion volume, 1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate, both by Fred Reinfeld. Many of today's masters have learned their tactics from these books.

Endings

Another of Reuben Fine's great works is his book on the endings, Basic Chess Endings. this is a fairly comprehensive work on the endings. The book has been criticized for its inaccuracies, but these are mostly minor. It is still extremely valuable for Fine's teaching of the principles of endgame play.

Another great book on the endings is A Guide To Chess Endings, by former world champion Max Euwe and David Hooper. This book focuses on practical endings with pawns. As such it is extremely valuable for the practical tournament player.

These are just a few of the many good books available on the game of chess; enjoy looking around to find just the right book for your chess-playing friend.

Steve Coffee has been playing chess for over 5 decades, and has loved every minute of it.

Visit Steve's website about chess strategies for chess players of beginning and intermediate skill levels.

Two Books on Writing Fiction You MUST Have!

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I've been writing for well over 15 years and have read a lot of books on the craft. Some are lifesavers, other have a few pearls of wisdom, while a few aren't worth the time or money. There are even books on writing that leave you feeling defeated and wanting to throw your computer, along with your dreams of becoming a successful writer, out the window.

I won't talk about books that cover the basics, such as The Elements of Style. I will assume you know the essential mechanics of writing and know how to form cohesive sentences. The following books, my two absolute favorites, will give you the shot of adrenaline you may be in desperate need of to keep going, keep pursuing, and keep following your writing dreams!

On Writing by Stephen King - This has got to be my number one book on writing. The first half is an autobiography. I found his writing to be very real and from the heart. I laughed and even felt a bit saddened at times. You read about his childhood, his first attempts at publishing when he was in grade school, and all of the hard work, long hours and dedication he put into his writing career. This in itself gave me hope that I could someday be a successful author as well!

The second half of the book is a no bull, no fluff guide to writing. What I like most about it is that he doesn't bog you down with rule after rule, and strict organization. Forget outlines and note cards and character sketches! He recommends that you just sit down at your computer, go with your muse and see where he/she takes you. He tells you what you need to know from idea to sale, as well as a few simple considerations and rules. He uses examples of his own work and that of others to show what's good prose and what's not. He offers some exercises as well.

My writing has flourished because of this book. It's spontaneous and real. When I sit down at the computer I don't even know what the next scene will entail, but I'm always amazed to see what my inner self can come up with once I get out of my own way.

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury - Be prepared! Ray Bradbury will take you by the hand and leave you breathless in this little book. I can honestly say that I've never felt more exhilarated or had more ideas popping into my mind than after reading this book. He advises you to stay drunk on writing because it saves us from reality, to write at least a thousand words a day every day, to write from real life, and much more. What I liked most about this book is the way I felt after reading it. Zen in the Art of Writing is like having Ray Bradbury right there with you, guiding you, cheering you on, and urging you to stop creeping and start flying!

Much in the same vein as Stephen King's book, this gem is not about rules that fence you in and leave you no room to breathe, but in letting loose the inner writer. It draws that fine line between genius and insanity. I loved it!

My creativity has soared because of these books. I highly recommend them.

Deciding to become a full time freelancer was both a matter of choice and necessity. Simply put, I enjoy writing and helping others to succeed. Being a web writer has helped me to do just that.

In my two decades of writing I've...

* Ghostwritten several nonfiction books that have become best-sellers
* Written articles that ranked #1 on the 1st page of Google within hours
* Helped website owners increase their web traffic
* Written the Health and Wellness column for a major magazine
* Authored several best selling novels
* Been the marketing director and radio manager for a publishing company
* Penned thousands of articles on a wide variety of subjects

KellyWallace-Romance Author

Making It In Hollywood, By: Bryan Hidalgo and Gail O'Donnell

Bryan Hidalgo and Gail O'Donnell have amassed a collection of over 100 interviews of Hollywood's top contemporary talent from the acting community, along with screenwriters and directors. Each interview is structured with a head shot of the person, their short bio, and a dozen or so revealing questions asking what factors have contributed towards their success in their profession. Their answers are soberly articulated both humbly and modestly, but a common thread exists - it takes hard work and never giving up!

Hidalgo and O'Donnell queried professionals from both sides of the camera lens. The common question first asked was always, "How did your career begin?" For screenwriter Wesley Strick, he began writing as a rock critic and journalist in Berkeley. Many actors such as: James Rebhorn, Marcia Cross, David Paymer, Alex O'Loughlin, Michael Emerson and scores of others studied acting in school. For Joe Penny "It just happened," as he went to pick up a friend taking an acting class and sat down to watch what was going on, thinking "I can do that." Elizabeth Perkins was at a barbecue in Chicago when someone asked her, "What do you do?" "I'm an actor," she replied, thinking to herself that's what she'd like to be; allowing the self-actualization of the candid remark to then pull her into her career. My favorite was David Zayas, best known for his role as a cop, actually was a cop.

In a fashion reminiscent of James Lipton's famous interviews from Inside the Actors Studio, Bryan Hidalgo and Gail O'Donnell each follow their structured guideline; allowing the commonality of the questions to paint an even backdrop for their readers, thus allowing the nuances of the replies to be easily perceived. "It's a tough profession," actor Joe Mantegna points out. "There are 140,000 members of SAG and less than 1 percent make a decent living," Mantegna continued. You have to love the journey, as in his case, "I was a fifteen-year overnight success..." Auditions, for example, are either loved or hated, but nobody treats them with disregard. Jason Alexander said, "Most actors think auditions are hell, I love them. To me they are a one-night-only performance of a role I think I can do better than anyone else."

In a way, Making It in Hollywood is like squeezing People Magazine into a 400 word periodical; the "espresso press of just the thoughts" of the entertainment industry's contemporary finest, sans hype and advertising. My surprising observation was although I only recognized many actors from their professional characterizations, each of their personal interviews were riveting. I found myself glued to the book, turning pages and going from actor to screenwriter to director seamlessly, realizing the symbiotic relationship they all have towards one another.

Making It in Hollywood is a must read for all those taking acting classes, or aspiring to "get tape" in the industry. It's a great gift as a graduation present to those that like to be on the receiving side of the lights, as well as those more comfortable writing or making movies. It's a book that crosses genres from reference to philosophy, from self help to anecdotal humor. This is an invaluable book for not only people seeking work in the entrainment industry but for fans of the magic of Hollywood. This book is easy to read, filled with actual stories of those who've found success and is literally a blueprint on how to build your career. It can best be summed up with the song lyrics from New York, New York, "If you can make it there, you can make it... anywhere."

Reviewed by: Gary R. Sorkin

Gary R. Sorkin is the Senior Editor for Pacific Book Review. Please visit Pacific Book Review at: http://www.pacificbookreview.com/