When Sophie Thinks She Can't - Mathical Book Prize

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When Sophie Thinks She Can’t

By Molly Bang

Year Published: 2018

Scholastic

Mathical Honor Books Ages 05–07 Award Year: 2019

When Sophie can’t solve a math puzzle, she feels upset and inadequate. “I CAN’T DO IT!” she shouts, expressing the frustration all of us feel when we try and fail. Will she ever be “smart” like her sister? Maybe she isn’t smart at all. Luckily Sophie’s teacher steps in. What does it mean to be smart?

Using current, popular “mindset” techniques, Sophie’s class is taught that we get smarter when we exercise our brains, such as when we work harder at solving a puzzle. Struggling to solve a problem doesn’t mean “I can’t do it!” Sophie and her classmates just can’t do it… yet! Readers will cheer when Sophie finally prevails, and at the end of the day, she’s confident and optimistic. At home, Sophie uses her new technique to help her dad solve a carpentry puzzle.

Other Resources

• Teachingbooks.net book page

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