A commendable goal

Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail, a math guide written by mathematician and actress Danica McKellar (a.k.a. The Wonder Years' Winnie Cooper) is out in bookstores now.

According to the publisher, "[McKellar's book] gives girls and their parents the tools they need to master the math concepts that confuse middle-schoolers most, including fractions, percentages, pre-algebra, and more. The book features hip, real-world examples, step-by-step instruction, and engaging stories of Danica’s own childhood struggles in math (and stardom). In addition, borrowing from the style of today’s teen magazines, it even includes a Math Horoscope section, Math Personality Quizzes, and Real-Life Testimonials—ultimately revealing why math is easier and cooler than readers think."

I think this book is a great idea, and sincerely hope that the execution is everything the publisher promises. But I have to complain about the outfit McKellar is wearing on the book cover. I'm sorry, but that too-trendy shirt was a mistake. And for once, I'm not being totally shallow—kids judge books by their covers, and if a girl two years from now needs help with math, the last thing anyone wants is for her to turn down a potentially valuable resource like McKellar's book because the cover image is totally passé.