Ask Albert Einstein

By Lynne Barasch

Book Overview

In 1952, April is seven years old and adores her big sister Annabel. But Annabel is failing her math class and desperately needs help with a tough math problem. April decides to write to Albert Einstein asking him to give a hand. While she waits for his reply, April imagines everything he might be doing instead of working on math. Could he be riding his bike? Or working in his garden? Maybe he's playing his violin. But finally, Einstein sends the girls a clue to solving the puzzle. Lynne Barasch is the acclaimed authorllustrator of several picture books. Ask Albert Einstein is based on an actual letter the famous scientist received from a young student and his unusual response. This delightful story conveys a teenager's fear of possible failure and the compassion of a younger sibling who ultimately saves the day.

• Format: Audio CD
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1664478256
• ISBN13: 9781664478251
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Anyone can ask

Fifteen-year-old Annabel's despair over her math homework inspires her little sister to repay her kindness in teaching her things by getting help from someone else. In 1952 when the story takes place, Albert Einstein was alive and quite famous. The girl writes to Einstein, and he replies, "Do not worry about your problems with mathematics. I assure you, mine are much greater," (which is a real quote of his). Then he gives her a drawing of how to solve the problem. The story is based on Einstein's actual practice of answering school kids' homework questions. Annabel's problem and his solution are included. The endpapers are wonderful, filled with drawings of Einstein along with his most famous quotes. This story not only introduces a geometry problem (so that young students can see a little of what higher math can do), but it encourages students to not be intimidated and to ask people for help. The reading level isn't the most basic, but it also isn't too tough for younger primary students. This might make a good prize for someone who's just mastered their addition or multiplication facts, or a read-aloud to a math class, as well as just a recreational read.