Recommended Resources

Keep an algebra reference handy. The best are small, well-organized, and inexpensive, with a clear table of contents, glossary, and index. The best references are inspiring and intersting. Standard textbooks often fail in all these criteria.

Here are a few of my favorite reference books.

For Struggling Students

• Math On Call *****
  Covers arithmetic and some algebra. Small format, jam-packed, well-written, full-color, richly illustrated, with clear explanations. I've even used ideas from this books for quality Waldorf-inspired main lessons. Excellent almanac and glossary.
   
• Cliffs QuickReview: Algebra **
  I don't often recommend this book, preferring Math On Call, Algebra To Go, and the Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Math, all of which are more complete and have a more inspiring presentation. Cliffs Quick Review: Algebra is a fast overview of basic algebraic facts, formulas and techniques. It's good for those frustrating moments when you know you know, but just can't quite remember what you know. Not a creative or inspiring format, but useful for looking up basic facts.

For All Students

• Algebra To Go *****
  Covers algebra I concepts. Small format, jam-packed, well-written, full-color, richly illustrated, with clear explanations. I've even found inspiration from this book for quality Waldorf-inspired main lessons. Excellent index and glossary.
   
• The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Math *****
  Covers arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Grady, one of our previous star students,  introduced me to this book, and it may be among the best of the lot. It is certainly on par with Math on Call and Algebra To Go. Small format, jam-packed, full-color, richly illustrated, and with clear explanations. A very well organized book with inspiring examples and illustrations.

For Parents and Advanced Students

• Thinking Mathematically, by John Mason ****
  A well-designed tutorial for those in recovery from drill-and-kill indoctrination. If you were taught to fear or hate math, this book may be your cure. Rather than expecting you to memorize and regurgitate meaningless formulas invented by others, you are offered various interesting challenges to explore and experiment with. As you progress through the book, your problem solving skills expand. An adult level book. 
   
• Mathematical Puzzling, by A Gardiner *****
  A great companion book to Thinking Mathematically, Mathematical Puzzling is filled with interesting challenges and just enough hints to keep you going when you think you're stuck. Appropriate for students and adults.
• A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe, by Michael S. Schneider *****
  An inspiring journey through the strange and wonderful world of numbers. Appropriate for motivated students, adults, and math fanatics.
   
• Making Math Meaningful, by Jamie York ***
  Written by an experienced Waldorf teacher, this book provides a clear overview of the Waldorf middle school math curriculum. Filled with detailed examples and clear explanations. Unfortunately, it's somewhat dated due to ever increasing state pressure to teach complex skills at inappropriately young ages. This is an excellent book for home schoolers and others who are free to teach to student rather than to politically-motivated state mandates.

• The World Treasury of Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics, edited by Timothy Ferris *****
  Includes essays by Einstein, Hawking, Dillard, Updike, Heisenberg, Planck, Russell, Mandelbrot, Neumann, Asimov, Goethe, and many more. Eloquent and inspiring.
   
• Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife
  A great romp through the history of one of the most unusual of the known numbers. Shows how political, religious, dangerous, and crazy such topics can become. Teaches math along the way.
   
• Consilience, by Edward O. Wilson
  The biologist Edward O. Wilson offers an imaginative and intellectually stimulating romp through many aspects of modern science and society. He's not afraid to express his opinion and let the chips fall where they lay. I appreaciate this courage to speak his mind in a time of rampant intellectual and ethical cowardice.