Author: David Cole
Illustrator: Shannon O'toole
Publisher: Common Deer Press

A mysterious will launches the Math Kids into their riskiest adventure yet! When FBI Special Agent Carlson is kidnapped while investigating the plane crash of Willard Howell, an eccentric billionaire inventor, the Math Kids spring into action. If Catherine, Stephanie, Justin, and Jordan can figure out the Great Triangle mentioned in Howell's will, they might just uncover who's behind the crash and Agent Carlson's kidnapping―if they don't get caught themselves!

This middle grade book introduces readers to mathematical patterns, features an action-packed plot with international intrigue and includes an appendix for hands-on learning.

This middle-grade novel is fun once you get past the first chapter, which is slowed down by recapping previous books in the series.

Five fifth-graders (three boys and a girl) who happen to be math whizzes get caught up trying to help the FBI solve a mystery. The well-plotted, well-written mystery (not a graphic novel but with good illustrations) involves bad guys trailing the kids, a kidnapping, a helicopter that lands on the school grounds for them, even a glimpse into the Giza Pyramid in Egypt.

The main character is a boy, although we also get the occasional point of view of the FBI agent who has contacted the kids.

It all revolves around a plane crash, disappeared millionaire and cryptic will, and the mystery can be solved only by understanding math concepts like palindromic numbers and Pascal’s Triangle. Of course, there’s a clock ticking down, so it’s a nail-biter of a read.

Kids who are into math will take special delight in the story, but those with zero interest in math will find themselves not only unable to put it down (thanks to the skilled writing and tension) -- but turned onto math (truly!) before they’re finished.

Clever author, marrying the two concepts. And this is the sixth in a series. Hats off to the author and illustrator.

- Pam Withers