Parents' Guide to

All of the Above

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Kids build a big tetrahedron, lasting friendships.

Book Shelley Pearsall School 2006
All of the Above Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

aleas
aleas Adult
July 28, 2019
age 9+

Great lessons

This book is about working together to reach a common goal. It goes in depth into the life of each character, and shows how each character deals with challenges.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

A frustrated math teacher stumbles on an idea to engage his students: build the world's biggest tetrahedron. After initial resistance, several students show up to the first meeting. Those that stick around forge unlikely friendships that change not only their thoughts about themselves but the community's thoughts about the run-down school they attend.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (5 ):

This quick read will appeal to all kinds of students, whether they love, hate, or are indifferent about math. It will even appeal to budding chefs because barbeque recipes from a restaurant owned by Marcel's father are peppered throughout the book. Come for the math, stay for the BBQ? A strange combination, but somehow this story sticks together just fine, and sticks to your ribs.

This novel based on a true story starts off like many that focus on urban school systems: the students don't care, the teachers are uninspired, and the community is apathetic. Pearsall is a veteran author and she makes ALL OF THE ABOVE transcend the typical "teacher-inspired miracle story." Indeed, the math teacher at the center of the project, Mr. Collins, is a peripheral character. The four students who truly commit to the project -- Rhondell, Sharice, Marcel, and James -- drive the story with short, first-person chapters. The narratives show readers what motivates the four to participate in the project. We learn about their families, their dreams, and how the students are connected to each other.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the importance of friendships. How did unlikely friendships help the students involved with the tetrahedron project? What did Sharice learn about friendship? How did helping Sharice affect Rhondell?

Book Details

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