Do the Math: The Writing on the Wall
by Wendy Lichtman

    DO THE MATH: THE WRITING ON THE WALL by Wendy Lichtman
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  6/24/08
    Publisher:  Greenwillow
    Reviewed by:  Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Tess, lover of everything math, is back for another adventure in DO THE MATH: THE WRITING ON THE
    WALL. Things pick up right where they left off in DO THE MATH: SECRETS, LIES, AND ALGEBRA. Richard
    still considers Tess a snitch and is treating her badly, and Tess is still fascinated with math and solving mysteries.

    This time Tess is determined to solve the mystery of who started the fire in Mr. Z’s computer classroom. Even though
    everyone hates Mr. Z, it would be nice to find the culprit.

    Clues seem to be mysteriously appearing in the graffiti on the back wall of the church located near the school. Tess
    notices it because some of the artistic patterns left by the graffiti artists involves numbers; specifically, equations that
    include four 4’s. When the equations are solved, Tess discovers they represent letters of the alphabet, and when she
    notices the first set of 4’s spells out ARSON, she is hooked.

    The adventure leads Tess down a path of crime as she joins the graffiti vandals and makes her own mark on the
    church wall. Being suspended and grounded would normally stop most young detectives, but Tess proves that her
    talent for problem-solving can overcome just about anything.

    Even though author Wendy Lichtman includes mathematical equations throughout her story (ugh!), she manages to
    create suspense and drama that will grab most middle grade readers. She uses realistic characters and typical middle
    school situations that are entertaining and educational at the same time.