Product Description

Wilson Williams worries about passing his times-table tests

Wilson has a hard time with math, especially with Mrs. Porter's timed multiplication tests. If only he were as quick as Laura Vicks, the smartest kid in third grade, or as quick as his brother, Kipper -- a kindergartner. Wilson's mother and father try to help, but Wilson doesn't appreciate having to do practice tests on a play date. Fortunately, his friend Josh Hernandez is a comfort, as is Squiggles, the class hamster. Wilson is sure that with his own little animal squeaking and cuddling beside him, he could learn anything. But his mom doesn't like pets. So Wilson bravely struggles on, hoping that one day in the not-too-distant future he'll pass all his times-table tests. Then, surprisingly, Kipper comes to the rescue.

With sensitivity and gentle humor, Claudia Mills examines a common childhood fear and a common family experience. G. Brian Karas provides tender, funny pictures.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #237394 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-10
• Released on: 2004-08-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780374464523
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grades 2-3--Students who are having difficulty with math will enjoy this lighthearted story. Third-grader Wilson Williams needs to pass all the times-table tests by March 16th in order to get an ice-cream cone from his teacher. While the child is talented in art, he is envious of his friends Laura and Josh, who have completed their tests and have received their cones. He is also envious of his younger brother Kipper, a kindergartner who is placed in a special math group because he has started learning the times tables on his own. While the main theme revolves around Wilson passing the tests, an important subplot deals with his desire for a pet and taking home the class hamster for a weekend. All's well in the end-Wilson passes the 12 times table at the last minute, and he and Kipper will be getting a pet hamster. While this chapter book is entertaining and no doubt many youngsters will relate to the story, it is unfortunate that the author reinforces negative feelings about studying math. Wilson never seems to comprehend the concept of multiplication, and no one makes an effort to teach him.
Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. The best thing about third grade for Wilson is the class pet, Squiggles the hamster. Next come art and his friend Josh. The worst thing is math, especially the multiplication tables. Wilson struggles to pass all 12 times tables by his teacher's deadline so he won't be the last to earn the promised ice cream cone, but even his kindergarten brother is better at math than he is! His parents help by timing his practice tests; the smart girl in class helps by showing him a finger formula for the 9s; even caring for Squiggles over a weekend helps. Then, on the last day, with Wilson still having to conquer the 12s, Squiggles turns up missing. All ends well with the bad "times" turning into good times, adding up to a satisfying, engaging story that captures children's feelings, frustrations, and dialogue. Kids will have no trouble figuring that this is a winner, especially if they are or have been math-challenged. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"It's not just 7 x9 but multiplication in general that is trouble for third-grader Wilson WIlliams . . . Mills' sympathetic and detailed treatment of Wilson's travails makes this both a suspenseful and satisfying beginning chapter book." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
-- Review

Customer Reviews

Nor for anyone over 2nd or 3rd grade
My son enjoyed this book; however, going into 4th grade, it is a bit too easy. He read it in less than a day which is not really the objective of summer reading....

The agony of memorizing multiplication tables!
Remember grade school when your teacher made you memorize the multiplication tables? Remember how hard it was to keep them straight long enough to pass off each set? Remember how much you wanted to earn the ice cream reward once you learned them all? Remember how everyone learned them faster than you? Wilson Williams knows exactly how you felt. He's stuck in the middle of multiplication and everyone in his class-Heck, even his little brother!--is doing better than he is. Wilson just knows he will be the last to finish. That's not his only worry. Wilson wants a pet, but the closest he will ever get is being able to take home the class hamster, Squiggles. Whether it's been years or days since you learned how to multiply or taught your child to do so, you'll suffer right along with Wilson. Be sure to treat yourself to an ice cream when you finish reading his delightful story.

Adorable story just right for my little guy!
My 8 year old was having a hard time with his 3rd grade multiplication tables when this title caught my eye. How appropriate was this book! Even had he not been in a similar predicament as the books' main character, my son would giggled just as much!

A tale well written and close to home, it was a great book for us to read together. I especially recommend it for those reluctant readers, as it's a fairly easy read without too many challenging words.