A shattered exhibit. A silent alarm. An ancient code waiting to be broken.
When a priceless Incan Quipu exhibit is vandalized at the city museum, twelve-year-old Maya (the cautious planner) and her classmate Jaden (the impulsive guesser) are the only witnesses.
To clear their names and help the distraught curator, Dr. Vance, they must do more than just find clues-they have to understand the data.
Plunged into an interactive mystery that blends present-day detective work with historical flashbacks to the Inca Empire, Maya and Jaden must learn to communicate like engineers. They have to navigate tricky social dynamics, analyze witness reliability using fractions, calculate rates to interpret ancient messages, and use statistical mean and median to uncover the thief's motive.
But the past has its own secrets. Through the eyes of Kusi, a young Inca message-runner, and Sumaq, an imperial engineer, the ancient Andean world comes alive, revealing that the Quipu "knots" are more than just strings-they are a sophisticated data technology.
It's a race against time where 6th-grade math concepts are the only tools that can solve the crime.
Knot by Knot: The Quipu Code is a unique, "text-only" immersive experience designed for middle schoolers. It seamlessly weaves Grade 6 math and engineering standards into a gripping narrative, complete with:
"Reality Checks" Distinct sections separating historical fact from fictional storytelling.
"Engineering Notebooks" Hands-on mental activities to apply design thinking.
"Talk It Out" Scripts: Tools for navigating conflict and practicing intellectual humility.
Perfect for reluctant readers, math enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a smart mystery.